Fay Young
@fayyoung.bsky.social
Writer, editor, old style journalist and newish media collaborator. Woodland gardener, co-editor Sceptical Scot, podcaster Walking Heads. Enjoy music, poetry, food, good company
Young Scottish teachers in exile
(My daughter in law is one of many talented young primary school teachers trained in Scotland unable to find jobs here - she’s now in London making a difference to the life chances of the next generation)
(My daughter in law is one of many talented young primary school teachers trained in Scotland unable to find jobs here - she’s now in London making a difference to the life chances of the next generation)
Teachers on supply list for years or leaving country due to job shortages
Scottish government figures shows that most newly qualified teachers in Scotland are no longer getting permanent jobs, especially in primary schools.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Young Scottish teachers in exile
(My daughter in law is one of many talented young primary school teachers trained in Scotland unable to find jobs here - she’s now in London making a difference to the life chances of the next generation)
(My daughter in law is one of many talented young primary school teachers trained in Scotland unable to find jobs here - she’s now in London making a difference to the life chances of the next generation)
Thousands slaughtered yet, writes Jonathan Freedland, many who usually pride themselves on solidarity with the oppressed of Middle East have been oddly restrained …perhaps reluctant to be too hostile to a foe of US and Israel…fearing it weakens support for Palestinians to oppose enemy of Israel.
Latest column is on Iran: what happened, what can be done and how we talk about it www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thousands of Iranians have been killed protesting for their freedom. Why are so many silent on their plight? | Jonathan Freedland
US bombs are not the answer, but there’s much the outside world can do – starting with noticing the horror unfolding in Tehran, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Thousands slaughtered yet, writes Jonathan Freedland, many who usually pride themselves on solidarity with the oppressed of Middle East have been oddly restrained …perhaps reluctant to be too hostile to a foe of US and Israel…fearing it weakens support for Palestinians to oppose enemy of Israel.
Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
‘Glasgow..builds more satellites than any other city in Europe, complemented by analytics companies in Edinburgh processing data retrieved from the more than 10,000 satellites’ giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
‘Glasgow..builds more satellites than any other city in Europe, complemented by analytics companies in Edinburgh processing data retrieved from the more than 10,000 satellites’ giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
Scotland’s space industry has become a leader in manufacturing small modular units
giftarticle.ft.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
‘Glasgow..builds more satellites than any other city in Europe, complemented by analytics companies in Edinburgh processing data retrieved from the more than 10,000 satellites’ giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
‘Glasgow..builds more satellites than any other city in Europe, complemented by analytics companies in Edinburgh processing data retrieved from the more than 10,000 satellites’ giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Tiny satellites take Glasgow to the stars
Where's winter gone? Even as the Trump-like Storm Goretti battered southern parts, some of us caught a comforting sense of an old school 'proper winter' season with Jack Frost #climatechange
fayyoung.org/jack-frost-w...
fayyoung.org/jack-frost-w...
Jack Frost welcomes proper winter to Pond Cottage
He’s at it again. That Jack Frost has turned another cold night into a glittery masterpiece on the bedroom window.
fayyoung.org
January 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Where's winter gone? Even as the Trump-like Storm Goretti battered southern parts, some of us caught a comforting sense of an old school 'proper winter' season with Jack Frost #climatechange
fayyoung.org/jack-frost-w...
fayyoung.org/jack-frost-w...
About sums it up
January 10, 2026 at 8:22 PM
About sums it up
“X users who are verified earn money based on the amount of engagement they generate. According to the register of MPs’ interests, Farage was paid just over £9,000 by X in 2025, while Lee Anderson and Richard Tice were each paid about £3,500.” Full story in @theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:12 PM
“X users who are verified earn money based on the amount of engagement they generate. According to the register of MPs’ interests, Farage was paid just over £9,000 by X in 2025, while Lee Anderson and Richard Tice were each paid about £3,500.” Full story in @theguardian.com
Power grid jobs boom as UK energy shifts away from fossil fuels
“Growth in hiring in networks comes as jobs are being rapidly shed in the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, where employment has fallen by about one-third over the past decade”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
“Growth in hiring in networks comes as jobs are being rapidly shed in the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, where employment has fallen by about one-third over the past decade”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Power grid jobs boom as UK energy shifts away from fossil fuels
Electricity network owners are hiring at fastest pace since 1950s
giftarticle.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Power grid jobs boom as UK energy shifts away from fossil fuels
“Growth in hiring in networks comes as jobs are being rapidly shed in the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, where employment has fallen by about one-third over the past decade”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
“Growth in hiring in networks comes as jobs are being rapidly shed in the UK’s offshore oil and gas sector, where employment has fallen by about one-third over the past decade”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Footprints in the snow
A single blackbird but red squirrels seem to be having a party
A single blackbird but red squirrels seem to be having a party
January 5, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Footprints in the snow
A single blackbird but red squirrels seem to be having a party
A single blackbird but red squirrels seem to be having a party
No machinery, just tools made by hand of wood, stone, bone wielded with human determination. Brawn, brain, and collaborative effort (or to quote my @ecosiasearch.bsky.social AI pal: “Teams of people, coordinated, pulling with ropes, sometimes aided by animals.”) fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
Solstice sunrise, salute the turning of the year
I have my moments of despair, the doomster feeling that we’ve cooked ourselves a new dark ages. Yet, the sun is shining. After dreary days of relentless rain that alone would be worth getting…
fayyoung.org
December 29, 2025 at 11:28 PM
No machinery, just tools made by hand of wood, stone, bone wielded with human determination. Brawn, brain, and collaborative effort (or to quote my @ecosiasearch.bsky.social AI pal: “Teams of people, coordinated, pulling with ropes, sometimes aided by animals.”) fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
I have my moments of despair, the doomster feeling that we've cooked ourselves a new dark ages. But the solstice surprised me with an unexpected sense of primeval excitement at the turning of the year
fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
Solstice sunrise, salute the turning of the year
I have my moments of despair, the doomster feeling that we’ve cooked ourselves a new dark ages. Yet, the sun is shining. After dreary days of relentless rain that alone would be worth getting…
fayyoung.org
December 28, 2025 at 10:54 AM
I have my moments of despair, the doomster feeling that we've cooked ourselves a new dark ages. But the solstice surprised me with an unexpected sense of primeval excitement at the turning of the year
fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
fayyoung.org/solstice-sun...
And climate change? Homo sapiens doesn’t care about tomorrow when they can take off for Christmas
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
Airlines on track for the biggest holiday season getaway in history as industry braces for record demand
giftarticle.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:39 AM
And climate change? Homo sapiens doesn’t care about tomorrow when they can take off for Christmas
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
Bumper Christmas for air travel as 300mn take to the skies
#Bondi attacks show old hatreds are flourishing again
“…social media has become a fire hose of toxic, racist content, whipped up both by some domestic politicians for their own ends and by external forces.”
Stephen Bush @FT
“…social media has become a fire hose of toxic, racist content, whipped up both by some domestic politicians for their own ends and by external forces.”
Stephen Bush @FT
Bondi attacks show old hatreds are flourishing again
A permissive environment has been created in which Israel is conflated with all Jews, everywhere
giftarticle.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
#Bondi attacks show old hatreds are flourishing again
“…social media has become a fire hose of toxic, racist content, whipped up both by some domestic politicians for their own ends and by external forces.”
Stephen Bush @FT
“…social media has become a fire hose of toxic, racist content, whipped up both by some domestic politicians for their own ends and by external forces.”
Stephen Bush @FT
Reading December’s RHS magazine I’m thinking how much politicians could learn from a pragmatic, creative, uplifting approach to climate change adaptation.
Gardening shows a way to live well and within our means - and enjoy doing it too.
Hands up any gardening politicians?
#gardens #climatechange
Gardening shows a way to live well and within our means - and enjoy doing it too.
Hands up any gardening politicians?
#gardens #climatechange
December 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Reading December’s RHS magazine I’m thinking how much politicians could learn from a pragmatic, creative, uplifting approach to climate change adaptation.
Gardening shows a way to live well and within our means - and enjoy doing it too.
Hands up any gardening politicians?
#gardens #climatechange
Gardening shows a way to live well and within our means - and enjoy doing it too.
Hands up any gardening politicians?
#gardens #climatechange
Reposted by Fay Young
A result which both illustrates the magnitude of the Reform threat and the problems with Labour’s “Farage is right, don’t vote for him” response. 37 point Lab to Reform swing. Labour go from first to 4th as anti-Reform vote splits 3 ways. Combined Lab/LD/Grn vote larger than Reform vote.
Red Hall & Lingfield (Darlington) Council By-Election Result:
➡️ RFM: 37.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 17.3% (-22.5)
🔶 LDM: 17.3% (New)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-37.1)
🌍 GRN: 9.8% (+3.6)
🙋 Ind: 1.0% (New)
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
➡️ RFM: 37.7% (New)
🌳 CON: 17.3% (-22.5)
🔶 LDM: 17.3% (New)
🌹 LAB: 16.8% (-37.1)
🌍 GRN: 9.8% (+3.6)
🙋 Ind: 1.0% (New)
Reform GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
December 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
A result which both illustrates the magnitude of the Reform threat and the problems with Labour’s “Farage is right, don’t vote for him” response. 37 point Lab to Reform swing. Labour go from first to 4th as anti-Reform vote splits 3 ways. Combined Lab/LD/Grn vote larger than Reform vote.
This old post just popped up
Raises some topical thoughts about political choices and budgets
Who pays, who benefits, what does it cost, could the money be better spent?
Raises some topical thoughts about political choices and budgets
Who pays, who benefits, what does it cost, could the money be better spent?
My Irish Baby Box, a vintage treasure with topical notes - Sceptical Scot
'It’s a post-war period piece, a personal memento from a different world and yet it echoes with the aims of the Finnish baby box.' Fay Young re-opens her forty-year-old Irish 'baby box' to find topica...
sceptical.scot
December 12, 2025 at 8:41 AM
This old post just popped up
Raises some topical thoughts about political choices and budgets
Who pays, who benefits, what does it cost, could the money be better spent?
Raises some topical thoughts about political choices and budgets
Who pays, who benefits, what does it cost, could the money be better spent?
“The SNP appears to have pulled off the political trick of staying in power even as it consistently fails to deliver – a combination mercilessly punished elsewhere.” John McLaren for @scepscot.bsky.social on government (and voters) reluctance to get real
#economy
#economy
UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed - Sceptical Scot
John McLaren explains in no uncertain terms why the UK Budget is such a disappointment, doing nothig when so much needs to be done, further eroding trust in mainstream politicians, pushing voters towa...
sceptical.scot
December 12, 2025 at 8:29 AM
“The SNP appears to have pulled off the political trick of staying in power even as it consistently fails to deliver – a combination mercilessly punished elsewhere.” John McLaren for @scepscot.bsky.social on government (and voters) reluctance to get real
#economy
#economy
Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit
But, says Stephen Bush, UK politicians will, sooner or later, catch up with the public and decide to move closer to the EU, even if neither Starmer nor Badenoch is trying to lead us there.
But, says Stephen Bush, UK politicians will, sooner or later, catch up with the public and decide to move closer to the EU, even if neither Starmer nor Badenoch is trying to lead us there.
Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit
Critical comments about leaving the EU do not mean they want to return, despite public support for rejoining
giftarticle.ft.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Neither Keir Starmer nor Kemi Badenoch wants to reverse Brexit
But, says Stephen Bush, UK politicians will, sooner or later, catch up with the public and decide to move closer to the EU, even if neither Starmer nor Badenoch is trying to lead us there.
But, says Stephen Bush, UK politicians will, sooner or later, catch up with the public and decide to move closer to the EU, even if neither Starmer nor Badenoch is trying to lead us there.
Gusts up to 50mph still - a ‘strong gale’ on the Beaufort Scale my weather app tells me (StormBram thinks so too)
From the window our trees are standing defiant, red squirrels foraging with ruffled tails, swans at the sluice hoping for a little extra something
#woodlandgarden
From the window our trees are standing defiant, red squirrels foraging with ruffled tails, swans at the sluice hoping for a little extra something
#woodlandgarden
December 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Gusts up to 50mph still - a ‘strong gale’ on the Beaufort Scale my weather app tells me (StormBram thinks so too)
From the window our trees are standing defiant, red squirrels foraging with ruffled tails, swans at the sluice hoping for a little extra something
#woodlandgarden
From the window our trees are standing defiant, red squirrels foraging with ruffled tails, swans at the sluice hoping for a little extra something
#woodlandgarden
“Macron and Starmer…are allowing Farage and Le Pen to set the agenda.”
Tony O’Donnell for @scepscot.bsky.social on populist advance in US, UK and European
“Under Donald Trump the US has moved from (unreliable) ally to become an actual enemy not just of the EU but the UK …”
Tony O’Donnell for @scepscot.bsky.social on populist advance in US, UK and European
“Under Donald Trump the US has moved from (unreliable) ally to become an actual enemy not just of the EU but the UK …”
Les enfants de la patrie – but the enduring trap of populism is not unique to France - Sceptical Scot
Trump has seized on opportunities Macron and Starmer have created. Macron and Starmer. alike in their determination to ignore politicians of the left, have allowed Farage and Le Pen to set the agenda,...
sceptical.scot
December 9, 2025 at 11:03 PM
“Macron and Starmer…are allowing Farage and Le Pen to set the agenda.”
Tony O’Donnell for @scepscot.bsky.social on populist advance in US, UK and European
“Under Donald Trump the US has moved from (unreliable) ally to become an actual enemy not just of the EU but the UK …”
Tony O’Donnell for @scepscot.bsky.social on populist advance in US, UK and European
“Under Donald Trump the US has moved from (unreliable) ally to become an actual enemy not just of the EU but the UK …”
“Unfortunately, no party is competing with Reform by being honest about the current state of affairs. Maybe if they did they would garner additional support. It’s difficult to see how some of their polling numbers could get much worse” John McLaren for @scepscot.bsky.social
John McLaren laments UK govt failings likely to push voters towards outlying political parties. “So far Reform are the chief beneficiaries, but their appeal is based on even wilder policy promises which are destined to fail on an even grander scale.”
sceptical.scot/2025/12/uk-b...
sceptical.scot/2025/12/uk-b...
UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed - Sceptical Scot
John McLaren explains in no uncertain terms why the UK Budget is such a disappointment, doing nothig when so much needs to be done, further eroding trust in mainstream politicians, pushing voters towa...
sceptical.scot
December 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
“Unfortunately, no party is competing with Reform by being honest about the current state of affairs. Maybe if they did they would garner additional support. It’s difficult to see how some of their polling numbers could get much worse” John McLaren for @scepscot.bsky.social
John McLaren laments UK govt failings likely to push voters towards outlying political parties. “So far Reform are the chief beneficiaries, but their appeal is based on even wilder policy promises which are destined to fail on an even grander scale.”
sceptical.scot/2025/12/uk-b...
sceptical.scot/2025/12/uk-b...
UK Budget 2025? Get real. The world has changed - Sceptical Scot
John McLaren explains in no uncertain terms why the UK Budget is such a disappointment, doing nothig when so much needs to be done, further eroding trust in mainstream politicians, pushing voters towa...
sceptical.scot
December 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
John McLaren laments UK govt failings likely to push voters towards outlying political parties. “So far Reform are the chief beneficiaries, but their appeal is based on even wilder policy promises which are destined to fail on an even grander scale.”
sceptical.scot/2025/12/uk-b...
sceptical.scot/2025/12/uk-b...
A fierce amount of brown water coming over the sluice, just fed our swan family and wished them well in the threatening storm
#extremeweather #StormBram #climatechange
#extremeweather #StormBram #climatechange
December 9, 2025 at 2:55 PM
A fierce amount of brown water coming over the sluice, just fed our swan family and wished them well in the threatening storm
#extremeweather #StormBram #climatechange
#extremeweather #StormBram #climatechange
Sneak preview: two splendid new pieces by John McLaren and Tony O'Donnell for @scepscot.bsky.social on the failing governments of UK and France. Unable to make urgently needed reforms, Starmer and Macron are letting Farage and Le Pen set the agenda. Much to Trump's delight.
#populism
#populism
December 8, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Sneak preview: two splendid new pieces by John McLaren and Tony O'Donnell for @scepscot.bsky.social on the failing governments of UK and France. Unable to make urgently needed reforms, Starmer and Macron are letting Farage and Le Pen set the agenda. Much to Trump's delight.
#populism
#populism
“There is still hope in the handwriting that refuses to be mass-produced for the world.” Leena Norms
Let me recommend the Advent Poetry Calendar by @annierutherford.bsky.social raising funds for #MSF
This year’s selection fits the world we live in like a glove
mailchi.mp/posteo/poetr...
Let me recommend the Advent Poetry Calendar by @annierutherford.bsky.social raising funds for #MSF
This year’s selection fits the world we live in like a glove
mailchi.mp/posteo/poetr...
Poetry Advent Calendar: 6 December
mailchi.mp
December 6, 2025 at 12:08 PM
“There is still hope in the handwriting that refuses to be mass-produced for the world.” Leena Norms
Let me recommend the Advent Poetry Calendar by @annierutherford.bsky.social raising funds for #MSF
This year’s selection fits the world we live in like a glove
mailchi.mp/posteo/poetr...
Let me recommend the Advent Poetry Calendar by @annierutherford.bsky.social raising funds for #MSF
This year’s selection fits the world we live in like a glove
mailchi.mp/posteo/poetr...
#NHSScotland is unsustainable "The NHS in Scotland has not improved in line with commitments made by the Scottish Government, despite having more staff and more money."
@auditscotland.bsky.social says Scottish Government must deliver reform plans youtu.be/oJHhvLyCh38?...
@auditscotland.bsky.social says Scottish Government must deliver reform plans youtu.be/oJHhvLyCh38?...
NHS in Scotland 2025
YouTube video by Audit Scotland
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 11:47 PM
#NHSScotland is unsustainable "The NHS in Scotland has not improved in line with commitments made by the Scottish Government, despite having more staff and more money."
@auditscotland.bsky.social says Scottish Government must deliver reform plans youtu.be/oJHhvLyCh38?...
@auditscotland.bsky.social says Scottish Government must deliver reform plans youtu.be/oJHhvLyCh38?...