Giles Woodruff
@gileswoodruff.bsky.social
Actuary who volunteers in the local community. My posts are my own views and re-posts not necessarily so.
(1/22) As it will not be around for long, I thought I would post some photos of some excellent artwork - seasonal, charismatic, humorous and mostly painted freehand using rattle cans - by Paul Myerscough of Bespoke Signs (www.bespoke-signs.com). These are located in Hermitage Road in Hitchin.
December 17, 2025 at 11:48 PM
(1/22) As it will not be around for long, I thought I would post some photos of some excellent artwork - seasonal, charismatic, humorous and mostly painted freehand using rattle cans - by Paul Myerscough of Bespoke Signs (www.bespoke-signs.com). These are located in Hermitage Road in Hitchin.
Reposted by Giles Woodruff
Another must-read debunking from Emma. Worth bookmarking to counter any "They're cancelling Christmas" outrage you come across.
OK, strap in….
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
December 13, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Another must-read debunking from Emma. Worth bookmarking to counter any "They're cancelling Christmas" outrage you come across.
(1/2) The sudden interest of Reform and Stephen Yaxley-Lennon in Christianity is, I expect, primarily aimed at pushing a line that Britain is a Christian country. This will give them something to facilitate causing friction with (or disadvantaging) groups they dislike who follow different religions.
December 14, 2025 at 3:33 PM
(1/2) The sudden interest of Reform and Stephen Yaxley-Lennon in Christianity is, I expect, primarily aimed at pushing a line that Britain is a Christian country. This will give them something to facilitate causing friction with (or disadvantaging) groups they dislike who follow different religions.
I doubt Reform's church services will ever include a reading from Matthew 2.13: "... an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him'"
December 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM
I doubt Reform's church services will ever include a reading from Matthew 2.13: "... an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him'"
I think to adults, President Trump being awarded a FIFA Peace Prize is completely harmless. We can all form our own view on what it is worth (or if it is worthless) and whether he deserves it. I do worry a bit though that it is propaganda that most children will not be able to critically process.
December 5, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I think to adults, President Trump being awarded a FIFA Peace Prize is completely harmless. We can all form our own view on what it is worth (or if it is worthless) and whether he deserves it. I do worry a bit though that it is propaganda that most children will not be able to critically process.
Reposted by Giles Woodruff
All the coverage of Reeves ‘lying’ debagged in a single sentence.
I’m quite enjoying the 180 turn on a six pence from “you’ve wrecked the economy and created a black hole” to “there was no black hole and this is even worse”.
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 AM
All the coverage of Reeves ‘lying’ debagged in a single sentence.
I liked this contra dance (this time from the UK). It combines a very good band (WillPower) and caller (Louse Siddons), an interesting dance with a 'Ricochet' Hey ("Pat and Terry's Contra" by Geoff Cubitt), and a high standard of dancing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDM3...
WillPower and Louise Siddons at LBC 2025 7 12 Pat and Terry's Contra
YouTube video by Louise Siddons
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:17 AM
I liked this contra dance (this time from the UK). It combines a very good band (WillPower) and caller (Louse Siddons), an interesting dance with a 'Ricochet' Hey ("Pat and Terry's Contra" by Geoff Cubitt), and a high standard of dancing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDM3...
Nottingham Forest have now won two consecutive games at Anfield (3-0 today and 1-0 last year). While Brian Clough was manager of Nottingham Forest, his team played Liverpool away 18 times (from 1977 to 1993) and didn't win once there.
November 22, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Nottingham Forest have now won two consecutive games at Anfield (3-0 today and 1-0 last year). While Brian Clough was manager of Nottingham Forest, his team played Liverpool away 18 times (from 1977 to 1993) and didn't win once there.
If President Trump does successfully sue the BBC it'll effectively mean that ordinary British people (licence fee payers) will be handing over money to an already very rich man who himself has a reputation for making a large number of false or misleading claims (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_o...).
November 10, 2025 at 1:53 PM
If President Trump does successfully sue the BBC it'll effectively mean that ordinary British people (licence fee payers) will be handing over money to an already very rich man who himself has a reputation for making a large number of false or misleading claims (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_o...).
I have not yet formed a view on any of this, but for information, the full report by Chris (including his proposals for policy shifts in UK farming) is here: a0215923-034a-47e3-8106-ccbf1d925a81.usrfiles.com/ugd/a02159_7... (also accessible via a link in the Farmers Guide article linked below).
British farming is at a crossroads.
I’m calling for bold reform—including new Contracts for Food Security—to make feeding the nation sustainable, restore nature, and ensure farmers thrive.
It’s time to stop asking those who grow our food to carry the weight of a broken system.
I’m calling for bold reform—including new Contracts for Food Security—to make feeding the nation sustainable, restore nature, and ensure farmers thrive.
It’s time to stop asking those who grow our food to carry the weight of a broken system.
Chris Hinchliff MP calls for action to secure future of British farming - Farmers Guide
MP for North East Herts, Chris Hinchliff, proposed new ‘Contracts for Food Security’, outlining need for a shift in agricultural policy.
www.farmersguide.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I have not yet formed a view on any of this, but for information, the full report by Chris (including his proposals for policy shifts in UK farming) is here: a0215923-034a-47e3-8106-ccbf1d925a81.usrfiles.com/ugd/a02159_7... (also accessible via a link in the Farmers Guide article linked below).
Reposted by Giles Woodruff
Milei looks like all the cast of Are You Being Served in one
October 14, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Milei looks like all the cast of Are You Being Served in one
Another (with only c. 400 views) underwatched YouTube video, part of Club Débris's performance of Reel du Combat: www.youtube.com/watch?v=16EV.... There is a full (and in my view, even better) version on the band's excellent CD 'Ricochet' available via clubdebris.bandcamp.com/album/ricochet
Club Débris @ Silas Yard, London - Reel du Combat
YouTube video by Club Débris
www.youtube.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Another (with only c. 400 views) underwatched YouTube video, part of Club Débris's performance of Reel du Combat: www.youtube.com/watch?v=16EV.... There is a full (and in my view, even better) version on the band's excellent CD 'Ricochet' available via clubdebris.bandcamp.com/album/ricochet
Awful from Farage. Very few things in life are 100% certain, but it must surely be better to go with the probabilities (especially where very high) and expert judgements. By all means fund more independent research at the same time, but don't use that as a reason to delay.
Farage asked on @lbc.co.uk whether he agreed with on the unproven link between paracetamol and autism
“I have no idea... We were told thalidomide was a v safe drug and it isn’t. who knows. I don’t know, you don’t know…when it comes to science I don’t side with anybody. It’s never settled.”
“I have no idea... We were told thalidomide was a v safe drug and it isn’t. who knows. I don’t know, you don’t know…when it comes to science I don’t side with anybody. It’s never settled.”
September 24, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Awful from Farage. Very few things in life are 100% certain, but it must surely be better to go with the probabilities (especially where very high) and expert judgements. By all means fund more independent research at the same time, but don't use that as a reason to delay.
Reposted by Giles Woodruff
That’s the way to do it!
Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him
September 3, 2025 at 9:37 PM
That’s the way to do it!
Reposted by Giles Woodruff
Democrat @raskin.house.gov excoriates Nigel Farage for banning journalists from Reform UK events:
"I'm asking you a direct question. Why do you ban journalists who oppose your views from coming to your events? Why did you tell local government not to do interviews with your local newspaper?"
"I'm asking you a direct question. Why do you ban journalists who oppose your views from coming to your events? Why did you tell local government not to do interviews with your local newspaper?"
September 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Democrat @raskin.house.gov excoriates Nigel Farage for banning journalists from Reform UK events:
"I'm asking you a direct question. Why do you ban journalists who oppose your views from coming to your events? Why did you tell local government not to do interviews with your local newspaper?"
"I'm asking you a direct question. Why do you ban journalists who oppose your views from coming to your events? Why did you tell local government not to do interviews with your local newspaper?"
Absolute joy - I have discovered how to switch off the data-hungry Google feed I get on my mobile phone when I swipe right on the home screen: (1) press on the background until a menu appears and select 'Home settings'; (2) select 'Swipe access'; (3) change 'Google feed' to 'Nothing'.
August 16, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Absolute joy - I have discovered how to switch off the data-hungry Google feed I get on my mobile phone when I swipe right on the home screen: (1) press on the background until a menu appears and select 'Home settings'; (2) select 'Swipe access'; (3) change 'Google feed' to 'Nothing'.
Market Place in Hitchin this morning at its best.
If you visit the post box knitted topper, there is a QR code to make a donation to Hitchin Choices (a youth club for children with special needs) or you can make a cash donation (as I did) at the Visit Hitchin office nearby.
If you visit the post box knitted topper, there is a QR code to make a donation to Hitchin Choices (a youth club for children with special needs) or you can make a cash donation (as I did) at the Visit Hitchin office nearby.
August 4, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Market Place in Hitchin this morning at its best.
If you visit the post box knitted topper, there is a QR code to make a donation to Hitchin Choices (a youth club for children with special needs) or you can make a cash donation (as I did) at the Visit Hitchin office nearby.
If you visit the post box knitted topper, there is a QR code to make a donation to Hitchin Choices (a youth club for children with special needs) or you can make a cash donation (as I did) at the Visit Hitchin office nearby.
Trump thinks he can manipulate whatever government statistics he likes. His core supporters won't care about something like this. Congress won't stop him. Neither will the Supreme Court. But I wonder if, ultimately, the markets will?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump fires labor statistics chief hours after data showed jobs growth slowed
US president accused of ‘firing the messenger’ as he makes claims without evidence about Erika McEntarfer
www.theguardian.com
August 2, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Trump thinks he can manipulate whatever government statistics he likes. His core supporters won't care about something like this. Congress won't stop him. Neither will the Supreme Court. But I wonder if, ultimately, the markets will?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Giles Woodruff
This is one of the best ideas I've heard in ages.
July 30, 2025 at 6:45 AM
This is one of the best ideas I've heard in ages.
I have just discovered a useful live map of the Great Northern / Thameslink rail network showing the status of (late running) engineering work: livemap.greatnorthernrail.com#/GN/mapview
Live dynamic distruption route map
livemap.greatnorthernrail.com
July 27, 2025 at 9:03 AM
I have just discovered a useful live map of the Great Northern / Thameslink rail network showing the status of (late running) engineering work: livemap.greatnorthernrail.com#/GN/mapview
I was walking along a footpath in Hitchin yesterday, and did not expect to come across this.
July 24, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I was walking along a footpath in Hitchin yesterday, and did not expect to come across this.
You get some ridiculous clickbait articles about football. Here's one: www.footballinsider247.com/morgan-gibbs....
The "news" in the article is just: "[Wood] has been taking a break away from football and he shared his holiday pictures with his Instagram followers, which was liked by Gibbs-White."
The "news" in the article is just: "[Wood] has been taking a break away from football and he shared his holiday pictures with his Instagram followers, which was liked by Gibbs-White."
Morgan Gibbs-White reacts to Chris Wood amid Tottenham transfer uncertainty
Morgan Gibbs-White has reacted to team mate Chris Wood following his move to Spurs being called off due to Forest's legal stance.
www.footballinsider247.com
July 14, 2025 at 6:44 AM
You get some ridiculous clickbait articles about football. Here's one: www.footballinsider247.com/morgan-gibbs....
The "news" in the article is just: "[Wood] has been taking a break away from football and he shared his holiday pictures with his Instagram followers, which was liked by Gibbs-White."
The "news" in the article is just: "[Wood] has been taking a break away from football and he shared his holiday pictures with his Instagram followers, which was liked by Gibbs-White."
This news story sums up Reform in a nutshell. Their candidate: (1) is rich enough to be able to spend £1,700 on his own election campaign; (2) did not understand the rules; (3) as a consequence may have broken the law. Their whistleblower: has been sacked. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....
Reform Devon county councillors reported to police by colleague
Councillors Neil Stevens and his brother Tony were reported by fellow Reform councillor and Ed Hill.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 19, 2025 at 8:44 PM
This news story sums up Reform in a nutshell. Their candidate: (1) is rich enough to be able to spend £1,700 on his own election campaign; (2) did not understand the rules; (3) as a consequence may have broken the law. Their whistleblower: has been sacked. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....
Reposted by Giles Woodruff
As today is World Parrot Day I’m bringing back to the timeline my favourite rendition of Whole Lotta Rosie by Tico (parrot) and Frank (non-parrot) of Tico and the Man (a truly great squawk n' roll band)
May 31, 2025 at 11:28 AM
As today is World Parrot Day I’m bringing back to the timeline my favourite rendition of Whole Lotta Rosie by Tico (parrot) and Frank (non-parrot) of Tico and the Man (a truly great squawk n' roll band)
I suspect many Reform supporters would prefer the pound to be preserved. Are there any experts here who can advise whether permitting donations in cryptocurrency makes it easier for a political party to contravene laws relating to permitted donations? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform UK to accept donations via bitcoin, Nigel Farage says
Party leader says he wants UK to be a ‘crypto powerhouse’ during speech at Las Vegas conference
www.theguardian.com
May 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I suspect many Reform supporters would prefer the pound to be preserved. Are there any experts here who can advise whether permitting donations in cryptocurrency makes it easier for a political party to contravene laws relating to permitted donations? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...