Brian Groom
@groomb.bsky.social
Ex-Financial Times Assistant Editor. Ex-editor Scotland on Sunday. Author of 'Made in Manchester' and 'Northerners: A History'. 'These Isles' due Feb 2026.
Pinned
Brian Groom
@groomb.bsky.social
· Nov 1
'Made in Manchester: A People's History of the City That Shaped the Modern World' and 'Northerners: A History, from the Ice Age to the Present Day', paperback and hardback. 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' due 26 Feb 2026 (HarperNorth).
Three White Horses On The Liffey, painting by Letitia Marion Hamilton, Irish landscape artist (1878-1964).
February 20, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Three White Horses On The Liffey, painting by Letitia Marion Hamilton, Irish landscape artist (1878-1964).
THESE ISLES: Alfred, king of Wessex, who lived 849-99, is renowned as an English national hero for resisting the Vikings’ advance and for promoting learning and literacy. He gained the epithet ‘the Great’ as early as the 13th century, popularised from the 16th. 1/6
February 20, 2026 at 8:48 AM
THESE ISLES: Alfred, king of Wessex, who lived 849-99, is renowned as an English national hero for resisting the Vikings’ advance and for promoting learning and literacy. He gained the epithet ‘the Great’ as early as the 13th century, popularised from the 16th. 1/6
Newcastle, 1969, photo by Elliott Erwitt, French-born American photographer, b.1928.
February 20, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Newcastle, 1969, photo by Elliott Erwitt, French-born American photographer, b.1928.
Alea Stony Rock, Westlock Terrace, Leeds, photo by Peter Mitchell.
February 20, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Alea Stony Rock, Westlock Terrace, Leeds, photo by Peter Mitchell.
Happy 83rd birthday to film and theatre director Mike Leigh, born on this day 1943 in Welwyn and raised in Broughton, Salford. His paternal grandparents were Russian-Jewish immigrants; the family name, originally Lieberman, was anglicised in 1939.
February 20, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Happy 83rd birthday to film and theatre director Mike Leigh, born on this day 1943 in Welwyn and raised in Broughton, Salford. His paternal grandparents were Russian-Jewish immigrants; the family name, originally Lieberman, was anglicised in 1939.
Remembering TV presenter and music impresario Tony Wilson, born on this day 1950 in Pendleton, Salford.
Made in Manchester, Salford and Stockport: Tony Wilson (1950-2007), record label owner, TV presenter, nightclub manager and impresario, was nicknamed ‘Mr Manchester’ for his work in promoting the city’s culture. 1/7
February 20, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Remembering TV presenter and music impresario Tony Wilson, born on this day 1950 in Pendleton, Salford.
I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Sale U3A , Trafford, on Friday March 27th, 2pm. Sale Moor Community Centre, Norris Road, visitors welcome. sale.u3asite.uk (Book due out Feb 26th, available for preorder.)
February 19, 2026 at 7:20 PM
I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Sale U3A , Trafford, on Friday March 27th, 2pm. Sale Moor Community Centre, Norris Road, visitors welcome. sale.u3asite.uk (Book due out Feb 26th, available for preorder.)
Afterglow at Luskentyre, Harris, Scotland, photo by Verity Milligan @veritymilligan.bsky.social.
February 19, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Afterglow at Luskentyre, Harris, Scotland, photo by Verity Milligan @veritymilligan.bsky.social.
Reposted by Brian Groom
I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Kirkcudbright Book Festival, Sat 7th March, 7pm. (Book due out Feb 26th). Book for event here: kbtbookfestival.org/store-1/p/70...
January 10, 2026 at 2:58 PM
I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Kirkcudbright Book Festival, Sat 7th March, 7pm. (Book due out Feb 26th). Book for event here: kbtbookfestival.org/store-1/p/70...
The Singing Butler, 1992, painting by Jack Vettriano, self-taught Scottish artist (1951-2025).
February 19, 2026 at 1:53 PM
The Singing Butler, 1992, painting by Jack Vettriano, self-taught Scottish artist (1951-2025).
Reposted by Brian Groom
I reckon the last time the son of a sovereign was taken into custody in Britain was the Duke of Monmouth in 1685.
February 19, 2026 at 10:21 AM
I reckon the last time the son of a sovereign was taken into custody in Britain was the Duke of Monmouth in 1685.
THESE ISLES: Dame Shirley Bassey, born in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay in 1937, is famed for her powerful, sultry voice and sequined gowns. In a career spanning more than 70 years, she has sold more than 140m records, making her one of the world’s best-selling female singers. 1/7
February 19, 2026 at 8:59 AM
THESE ISLES: Dame Shirley Bassey, born in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay in 1937, is famed for her powerful, sultry voice and sequined gowns. In a career spanning more than 70 years, she has sold more than 140m records, making her one of the world’s best-selling female singers. 1/7
Vulcan Street, Leeds, 1975, by Peter Mitchell, one of the great 20th century photographers (he had various jobs including lorry driving while taking pictures). The man is Eric Massheder.
February 19, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Vulcan Street, Leeds, 1975, by Peter Mitchell, one of the great 20th century photographers (he had various jobs including lorry driving while taking pictures). The man is Eric Massheder.
Heptonstall, west Yorkshire, photo by Michael Ryan.
February 19, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Heptonstall, west Yorkshire, photo by Michael Ryan.
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 1940s (Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives).
February 19, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, 1940s (Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives).
Manchester United played their first game at the new Old Trafford stadium on this day 1910. Brewer John Henry Davies had rescued Newton Heath from a financial crisis, changed name to Manchester United and built the £60,000 stadium. In first match, United lost 4-3 to Liverpool.
February 19, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Manchester United played their first game at the new Old Trafford stadium on this day 1910. Brewer John Henry Davies had rescued Newton Heath from a financial crisis, changed name to Manchester United and built the £60,000 stadium. In first match, United lost 4-3 to Liverpool.
I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Turton Local History Society, near Bolton, on Thursday March 26th, 7.30pm, Harwood Methodist Church. Visitors welcome. www.turtonhistory.com/2020/11/thes... (Book due out Feb 26th.)
February 18, 2026 at 7:34 PM
I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Turton Local History Society, near Bolton, on Thursday March 26th, 7.30pm, Harwood Methodist Church. Visitors welcome. www.turtonhistory.com/2020/11/thes... (Book due out Feb 26th.)
Children's party, Abertillery, south-east Wales, 1974, photo by David Hurn, Welsh photographer who worked for Magnum.
February 18, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Children's party, Abertillery, south-east Wales, 1974, photo by David Hurn, Welsh photographer who worked for Magnum.
Reposted by Brian Groom
I’ll be at York Literature Festival talking about ‘These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales’. Weds 18th March, 6pm, in conversation with Prof Gweno Williams. Book here: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/these-i...
January 23, 2026 at 2:11 PM
I’ll be at York Literature Festival talking about ‘These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales’. Weds 18th March, 6pm, in conversation with Prof Gweno Williams. Book here: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/these-i...
‘He invented a style’: war chronicler Robert Capa refashioned himself and revolutionised photography. www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
‘He invented a style’: war chronicler Robert Capa refashioned himself and revolutionised photography
A Paris exhibition showcases how the Magnum agency founder documented not just battle but also victims of war
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:50 PM
‘He invented a style’: war chronicler Robert Capa refashioned himself and revolutionised photography. www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
'It's overwhelming': plastic from 1960s Canada washes up on Orkney beach. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'It's overwhelming': Plastic from 1960s Canada washes up on Orkney's Sanday
One litter picker says he has seen a huge increase in the amount of plastic washing up on Sanday this year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 1:45 PM
'It's overwhelming': plastic from 1960s Canada washes up on Orkney beach. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Horden, County Durham. 'Just push us into the sea': The frustration of an area failed by politics. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Inside Horden, the County Durham town failed by politics
In Horden, County Durham, Westminster slogans have long been left unmet as the population has plummeted.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Horden, County Durham. 'Just push us into the sea': The frustration of an area failed by politics. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Doonaghore Castle, County Clare, painting by Ann Daly, Irish artist.
February 18, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Doonaghore Castle, County Clare, painting by Ann Daly, Irish artist.
Preorders of 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' currently more than 40% off the cover price at Amazon. Due out Feb 26th. www.amazon.co.uk/These-Isles-...
These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales: Amazon.co.uk: Groom, Brian: 9780008608569: Books
Buy These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales by Groom, Brian (ISBN: 9780008608569) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Preorders of 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' currently more than 40% off the cover price at Amazon. Due out Feb 26th. www.amazon.co.uk/These-Isles-...
THESE ISLES: Medieval Scottish warrior Sir William Wallace has been celebrated by 19th century historians as a national hero, debunked by others as a self-serving outlaw and immortalised by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart. 1/6
February 18, 2026 at 9:14 AM
THESE ISLES: Medieval Scottish warrior Sir William Wallace has been celebrated by 19th century historians as a national hero, debunked by others as a self-serving outlaw and immortalised by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart. 1/6
