John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
@johnbarnes.org
I read the network news on 40 BBC radio stations from MediaCityUK in sunny Salford.
Bewhiskered historian, folkie & morris dancer.
Former academic but still a geek.
Husband of @davespenceruk.bsky.social.
Trustee of @baysar.bsky.social.
Lancaster, UK.
Bewhiskered historian, folkie & morris dancer.
Former academic but still a geek.
Husband of @davespenceruk.bsky.social.
Trustee of @baysar.bsky.social.
Lancaster, UK.
Reposted by John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
We’re back … and we’re here in the Coachella Valley till the end of the month.
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵
February 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
We’re back … and we’re here in the Coachella Valley till the end of the month.
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵
We’re back … and we’re here in the Coachella Valley till the end of the month.
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵
February 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
We’re back … and we’re here in the Coachella Valley till the end of the month.
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵
We’re looking forward to some extended downtime in the desert sunshine.🌵
After a day walking for miles around Dublin you invariably end up in Temple Bar at night.
February 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM
After a day walking for miles around Dublin you invariably end up in Temple Bar at night.
It’s an Irish law that if you’re in Dublin you have to do the Supermac’s thing within 24 hours of arriving in the city.
February 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
It’s an Irish law that if you’re in Dublin you have to do the Supermac’s thing within 24 hours of arriving in the city.
I’m normally unmoved by the passing of celebrities but the death of Catherine O’Hara has hit me hard.
I bloody loved her.
I was emotional when I read the news on the BBC last night.
I’ll raise a glass of fruit wine to the memory of the extraordinary Moira Rose later.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I bloody loved her.
I was emotional when I read the news on the BBC last night.
I’ll raise a glass of fruit wine to the memory of the extraordinary Moira Rose later.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Catherine O'Hara: Pedro Pascal and Meryl Streep lead tributes
The Canadian comedic actress died in Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 71 following a brief illness.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I’m normally unmoved by the passing of celebrities but the death of Catherine O’Hara has hit me hard.
I bloody loved her.
I was emotional when I read the news on the BBC last night.
I’ll raise a glass of fruit wine to the memory of the extraordinary Moira Rose later.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I bloody loved her.
I was emotional when I read the news on the BBC last night.
I’ll raise a glass of fruit wine to the memory of the extraordinary Moira Rose later.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I’m listening to some great music to aid my post-operation blues.
I could listen to this on repeat all day.
When the pipes REALLY kick in at 3:20 it totally blows my mind.
RURA - The Great Herdsman of Etive
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH2e...
I could listen to this on repeat all day.
When the pipes REALLY kick in at 3:20 it totally blows my mind.
RURA - The Great Herdsman of Etive
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH2e...
RURA - The Great Herdsman of Etive
YouTube video by RURA
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:00 AM
I’m listening to some great music to aid my post-operation blues.
I could listen to this on repeat all day.
When the pipes REALLY kick in at 3:20 it totally blows my mind.
RURA - The Great Herdsman of Etive
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH2e...
I could listen to this on repeat all day.
When the pipes REALLY kick in at 3:20 it totally blows my mind.
RURA - The Great Herdsman of Etive
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH2e...
I’m heading into hospital for an operation later today.
It should all be relatively straightforward.
I’ll see you lot on the other side.
It should all be relatively straightforward.
I’ll see you lot on the other side.
January 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM
I’m heading into hospital for an operation later today.
It should all be relatively straightforward.
I’ll see you lot on the other side.
It should all be relatively straightforward.
I’ll see you lot on the other side.
Reposted by John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
I’m doing the packing ahead of us spending all of February out of the UK.
I hadn’t really taken into account that in losing 150 pounds all my shorts, jeans and t-shirts would be massively too big.
The only thing that fits is my new tweed suit which may not be the best attire for the desert heat.
I hadn’t really taken into account that in losing 150 pounds all my shorts, jeans and t-shirts would be massively too big.
The only thing that fits is my new tweed suit which may not be the best attire for the desert heat.
January 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM
I’m doing the packing ahead of us spending all of February out of the UK.
I hadn’t really taken into account that in losing 150 pounds all my shorts, jeans and t-shirts would be massively too big.
The only thing that fits is my new tweed suit which may not be the best attire for the desert heat.
I hadn’t really taken into account that in losing 150 pounds all my shorts, jeans and t-shirts would be massively too big.
The only thing that fits is my new tweed suit which may not be the best attire for the desert heat.
Reposted by John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
They murdered a nurse who cared for military veterans & then called him a terrorist.
January 25, 2026 at 2:39 PM
They murdered a nurse who cared for military veterans & then called him a terrorist.
Reposted by John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
Statement from the Obamas:
January 25, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Statement from the Obamas:
I’m reading the news on BBC Radio Manchester tomorrow.
I’ve not done a lot of work here over the years but I was first on the station back in 1997 which makes this my longest run on any outlet from first to most recent appearance.
I’ve not done a lot of work here over the years but I was first on the station back in 1997 which makes this my longest run on any outlet from first to most recent appearance.
January 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM
I’m reading the news on BBC Radio Manchester tomorrow.
I’ve not done a lot of work here over the years but I was first on the station back in 1997 which makes this my longest run on any outlet from first to most recent appearance.
I’ve not done a lot of work here over the years but I was first on the station back in 1997 which makes this my longest run on any outlet from first to most recent appearance.
We’ve been Avanti spotting on the Settle–Carlisle line in the Yorkshire Dales.
Here’s one about to cross the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct on an extraordinarily cold day.
The historic line is being used as a diversionary route while work is being carried out on the main line in Cumbria.
Here’s one about to cross the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct on an extraordinarily cold day.
The historic line is being used as a diversionary route while work is being carried out on the main line in Cumbria.
January 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM
We’ve been Avanti spotting on the Settle–Carlisle line in the Yorkshire Dales.
Here’s one about to cross the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct on an extraordinarily cold day.
The historic line is being used as a diversionary route while work is being carried out on the main line in Cumbria.
Here’s one about to cross the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct on an extraordinarily cold day.
The historic line is being used as a diversionary route while work is being carried out on the main line in Cumbria.
Dave waits for a train in sub-zero temperatures at Ribblehead railway station in the Yorkshire Dales.
January 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Dave waits for a train in sub-zero temperatures at Ribblehead railway station in the Yorkshire Dales.
Reposted by John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
“and in other news, President Trump has ordered the bombing of Venezuela”
“Caracas?”
“not according to his doctors”
“Caracas?”
“not according to his doctors”
January 3, 2026 at 8:10 AM
“and in other news, President Trump has ordered the bombing of Venezuela”
“Caracas?”
“not according to his doctors”
“Caracas?”
“not according to his doctors”
Over the last year I’ve lost 10 stone 10 pounds (150 pounds) and gone down from 25 stone (350 pounds) to 14 stone 4 pounds (200 pounds).
I can now wear my husband’s shirts which is an added bonus.
There’s still a little way to go but it’s a pretty good situation to be in after 12 months.
I can now wear my husband’s shirts which is an added bonus.
There’s still a little way to go but it’s a pretty good situation to be in after 12 months.
January 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Over the last year I’ve lost 10 stone 10 pounds (150 pounds) and gone down from 25 stone (350 pounds) to 14 stone 4 pounds (200 pounds).
I can now wear my husband’s shirts which is an added bonus.
There’s still a little way to go but it’s a pretty good situation to be in after 12 months.
I can now wear my husband’s shirts which is an added bonus.
There’s still a little way to go but it’s a pretty good situation to be in after 12 months.
Greetings from the Central News Service studio at MediaCityUK in Salford.
I’ll be marking the new year by reading network news bulletins on 40 BBC radio stations across the evening.
Have a marvellous night and I’ll catch you on the other side.
I’ll be marking the new year by reading network news bulletins on 40 BBC radio stations across the evening.
Have a marvellous night and I’ll catch you on the other side.
December 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Greetings from the Central News Service studio at MediaCityUK in Salford.
I’ll be marking the new year by reading network news bulletins on 40 BBC radio stations across the evening.
Have a marvellous night and I’ll catch you on the other side.
I’ll be marking the new year by reading network news bulletins on 40 BBC radio stations across the evening.
Have a marvellous night and I’ll catch you on the other side.
Merry Christmas from both of us.
Wishing you much love and joy for the holiday season.
Wishing you much love and joy for the holiday season.
December 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Merry Christmas from both of us.
Wishing you much love and joy for the holiday season.
Wishing you much love and joy for the holiday season.
10 years ago today I had my first major stroke.
I had a second just two days later.
I eventually made a full recovery but my brain was scrambled for months.
Dave was the most important part of the whole healing process.
I’ll be forever grateful for his love, care and understanding.
I had a second just two days later.
I eventually made a full recovery but my brain was scrambled for months.
Dave was the most important part of the whole healing process.
I’ll be forever grateful for his love, care and understanding.
December 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
10 years ago today I had my first major stroke.
I had a second just two days later.
I eventually made a full recovery but my brain was scrambled for months.
Dave was the most important part of the whole healing process.
I’ll be forever grateful for his love, care and understanding.
I had a second just two days later.
I eventually made a full recovery but my brain was scrambled for months.
Dave was the most important part of the whole healing process.
I’ll be forever grateful for his love, care and understanding.
Reposted by John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
I always think there’s something terribly romantic about taking the train across southern Spain.
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I always think there’s something terribly romantic about taking the train across southern Spain.
I always think there’s something terribly romantic about taking the train across southern Spain.
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I always think there’s something terribly romantic about taking the train across southern Spain.
Reposted by John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
Greetings from Ronda in Andalusia where I’m delighted to discover that the locals have made a giant figure of me in the centre of the town.
December 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Greetings from Ronda in Andalusia where I’m delighted to discover that the locals have made a giant figure of me in the centre of the town.
The obligatory photo of the spectacular Puente Nuevo at Ronda in Andalusia.
The bridge spans the 120-metre-deep chasm that carries the Guadalevín River and divides the 15th-century new town from the old town which dates back to Moorish rule.
The bridge spans the 120-metre-deep chasm that carries the Guadalevín River and divides the 15th-century new town from the old town which dates back to Moorish rule.
December 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The obligatory photo of the spectacular Puente Nuevo at Ronda in Andalusia.
The bridge spans the 120-metre-deep chasm that carries the Guadalevín River and divides the 15th-century new town from the old town which dates back to Moorish rule.
The bridge spans the 120-metre-deep chasm that carries the Guadalevín River and divides the 15th-century new town from the old town which dates back to Moorish rule.