Rachael Unsworth
@leedstours.bsky.social
Urban geographer & walking tour guide in Leeds 🌍 - local, in a global setting
https://www.leedscitywalkingtours.co.uk/
Researcher, writer ('Leeds: Cradle of Innovation'), presenter, Leeds Phil & Lit, musician 🎻 European
Professional chat posts only
https://www.leedscitywalkingtours.co.uk/
Researcher, writer ('Leeds: Cradle of Innovation'), presenter, Leeds Phil & Lit, musician 🎻 European
Professional chat posts only
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
We are “radical change” says the man who is wholesale importing the fetid dregs of the party that was in power for 14 of the last 15.5 years
January 17, 2026 at 1:48 PM
We are “radical change” says the man who is wholesale importing the fetid dregs of the party that was in power for 14 of the last 15.5 years
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
From the nation’s first president, a reminder that openness to those seeking freedom has been part of the American idea from the beginning.
January 14, 2026 at 11:00 PM
From the nation’s first president, a reminder that openness to those seeking freedom has been part of the American idea from the beginning.
Alexis de Toqueville, thoughtful analyst of political ideas, quoted in @economist.com primer on 'Liberalism': www.economist.com/interactive/...
"He feared that Americans’ scepticism of elites might lead them one day to elect mediocre populists rather than qualified leaders".
"He feared that Americans’ scepticism of elites might lead them one day to elect mediocre populists rather than qualified leaders".
January 14, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Alexis de Toqueville, thoughtful analyst of political ideas, quoted in @economist.com primer on 'Liberalism': www.economist.com/interactive/...
"He feared that Americans’ scepticism of elites might lead them one day to elect mediocre populists rather than qualified leaders".
"He feared that Americans’ scepticism of elites might lead them one day to elect mediocre populists rather than qualified leaders".
Kind of a scandal that passengers (I refuse to acknowledge the company view of me as a ‘customer’) are penalised for not being on a train run by the right company.
I don’t chose to travel TransPennine; I choose my destination and mode of transport.
I don’t chose to travel TransPennine; I choose my destination and mode of transport.
January 13, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Kind of a scandal that passengers (I refuse to acknowledge the company view of me as a ‘customer’) are penalised for not being on a train run by the right company.
I don’t chose to travel TransPennine; I choose my destination and mode of transport.
I don’t chose to travel TransPennine; I choose my destination and mode of transport.
Taken yesterday morning through a window beside Platform 17 of Leeds Station, above the River Aire.
The South Entrance to the station - part of it featured on the left here - opened in January 2016.
The South Entrance to the station - part of it featured on the left here - opened in January 2016.
January 11, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Taken yesterday morning through a window beside Platform 17 of Leeds Station, above the River Aire.
The South Entrance to the station - part of it featured on the left here - opened in January 2016.
The South Entrance to the station - part of it featured on the left here - opened in January 2016.
More searingly analytical and profoundly heartfelt truths - about truth and lies - from historian @timothysnyder.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Maduro in Minneapolis
Murderous Lies
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:48 AM
More searingly analytical and profoundly heartfelt truths - about truth and lies - from historian @timothysnyder.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
"Ardnamurchan teaches you to slow down, to breathe, to let the work ripen."
Spiorad aird nam Murchan / Part 23 / The art of reflective practice:
www.rkphotographic.com/blog/2026/1/...
#SlowCreative #ArdnamurchanSpirit #LandscapePoetics
Spiorad aird nam Murchan / Part 23 / The art of reflective practice:
www.rkphotographic.com/blog/2026/1/...
#SlowCreative #ArdnamurchanSpirit #LandscapePoetics
January 9, 2026 at 8:03 AM
"Ardnamurchan teaches you to slow down, to breathe, to let the work ripen."
Spiorad aird nam Murchan / Part 23 / The art of reflective practice:
www.rkphotographic.com/blog/2026/1/...
#SlowCreative #ArdnamurchanSpirit #LandscapePoetics
Spiorad aird nam Murchan / Part 23 / The art of reflective practice:
www.rkphotographic.com/blog/2026/1/...
#SlowCreative #ArdnamurchanSpirit #LandscapePoetics
Sometimes I almost feel sorry for would-be scammers.
Easy to lose count of how many 'hints' there are that this is probably not from BT.
Easy to lose count of how many 'hints' there are that this is probably not from BT.
January 9, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Sometimes I almost feel sorry for would-be scammers.
Easy to lose count of how many 'hints' there are that this is probably not from BT.
Easy to lose count of how many 'hints' there are that this is probably not from BT.
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
Denmark isn't mucking about.
January 8, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Denmark isn't mucking about.
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
More about spring and neap tides here, in a thread about storm Eowyn last year. In this case I was talking about Millport near Glasgow, at Jersey the tide makes much more difference. But Jersey is very exposed to waves, as we saw in 2023.
bsky.app/profile/jowi...
bsky.app/profile/jowi...
"Neap" tides are during half moons, as distinct from spring tides (springing up high, not the season "spring") which are near full or new moon. At neap the gravitational force from the moon is at right-angles to that of the sun, so the combined tidal force on the sea is out of phase.
January 8, 2026 at 3:48 PM
More about spring and neap tides here, in a thread about storm Eowyn last year. In this case I was talking about Millport near Glasgow, at Jersey the tide makes much more difference. But Jersey is very exposed to waves, as we saw in 2023.
bsky.app/profile/jowi...
bsky.app/profile/jowi...
DJT:
"We gotta win the mid-terms ... or they'll find a* reason to impeach me."
* spoilt for choice there
"We don't impeach them because they're mean and smart"
What an extraordinarily weird non sequitur.
"We gotta win the mid-terms ... or they'll find a* reason to impeach me."
* spoilt for choice there
"We don't impeach them because they're mean and smart"
What an extraordinarily weird non sequitur.
January 6, 2026 at 5:23 PM
DJT:
"We gotta win the mid-terms ... or they'll find a* reason to impeach me."
* spoilt for choice there
"We don't impeach them because they're mean and smart"
What an extraordinarily weird non sequitur.
"We gotta win the mid-terms ... or they'll find a* reason to impeach me."
* spoilt for choice there
"We don't impeach them because they're mean and smart"
What an extraordinarily weird non sequitur.
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
Five years ago today, Donald Trump urged his supporters to attack Congress and the Capitol over a proven lie. More than 140 police officers were injured.
Trump then pardoned the attackers.
He betrayed his oath and his country, and we won't ever forget it.
Trump then pardoned the attackers.
He betrayed his oath and his country, and we won't ever forget it.
January 6, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Five years ago today, Donald Trump urged his supporters to attack Congress and the Capitol over a proven lie. More than 140 police officers were injured.
Trump then pardoned the attackers.
He betrayed his oath and his country, and we won't ever forget it.
Trump then pardoned the attackers.
He betrayed his oath and his country, and we won't ever forget it.
Many parts of Europe will experience steep decline, even with migration. All countries experience decline if migration is left out of the equation.
January 6, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Many parts of Europe will experience steep decline, even with migration. All countries experience decline if migration is left out of the equation.
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
I don’t hate cars. Like most North American males I was raised to think cars are cool, and as a design nerd, few objects are more eye-catching.
I hate surrendering our streets, our cities and our lives to them.
Car dependence isn’t freedom.
Great cartoon by @robcowan.bsky.social #CarDependency
I hate surrendering our streets, our cities and our lives to them.
Car dependence isn’t freedom.
Great cartoon by @robcowan.bsky.social #CarDependency
October 2, 2025 at 1:50 AM
I don’t hate cars. Like most North American males I was raised to think cars are cool, and as a design nerd, few objects are more eye-catching.
I hate surrendering our streets, our cities and our lives to them.
Car dependence isn’t freedom.
Great cartoon by @robcowan.bsky.social #CarDependency
I hate surrendering our streets, our cities and our lives to them.
Car dependence isn’t freedom.
Great cartoon by @robcowan.bsky.social #CarDependency
It's vitally important that there's a strong response to an illegal show of military might from remaining democratic states.
The US regime is inconsistent in deciding on foes & actions.
It's at least partially about unpredictability, creating chaos & fear.
stoptrump.org.uk/sign-venezue...
The US regime is inconsistent in deciding on foes & actions.
It's at least partially about unpredictability, creating chaos & fear.
stoptrump.org.uk/sign-venezue...
Open letter: UK must not abstain on UN Venezuela vote
Stop Trump Coalition
stoptrump.org.uk
January 5, 2026 at 12:53 PM
It's vitally important that there's a strong response to an illegal show of military might from remaining democratic states.
The US regime is inconsistent in deciding on foes & actions.
It's at least partially about unpredictability, creating chaos & fear.
stoptrump.org.uk/sign-venezue...
The US regime is inconsistent in deciding on foes & actions.
It's at least partially about unpredictability, creating chaos & fear.
stoptrump.org.uk/sign-venezue...
Alternatives to the Mercator projection of the world.
www.openculture.com/2024/08/buck...
(Maybe DJT doesn't realise that Greenland isn't anywhere near as big as it appears to be on the commonest world map?)
www.openculture.com/2024/08/buck...
(Maybe DJT doesn't realise that Greenland isn't anywhere near as big as it appears to be on the commonest world map?)
January 4, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Alternatives to the Mercator projection of the world.
www.openculture.com/2024/08/buck...
(Maybe DJT doesn't realise that Greenland isn't anywhere near as big as it appears to be on the commonest world map?)
www.openculture.com/2024/08/buck...
(Maybe DJT doesn't realise that Greenland isn't anywhere near as big as it appears to be on the commonest world map?)
Jeffrey Sachs telling it how it is: the implications of this latest chapter in a long story of USA interference in other states.
Jeffrey Sachs: U.S. Attacks Venezuela & Kidnaps President Maduro
Jeffrey Sachs: U.S. Attacks Venezuela & Kidnaps President Maduro
YouTube video by Glenn Diesen
www.youtube.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Jeffrey Sachs telling it how it is: the implications of this latest chapter in a long story of USA interference in other states.
January 3, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Great graphic, though at first glance I mistook the nuclear symbol for 🎃, but rapidly realised that it was implausible that fully 12% of electricity should come from this unpromising seasonal bio-source.
Where did Britain get its electricity from in 2025?
🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️
🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️
🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️
🌬️🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌳🌳🌳
🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌊☢️☢️☢️☢️
☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🇳🇱🇧🇪🇩🇰🇩🇰🇳🇴
🇳🇴🇳🇴🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
Explore the data for yourself on the Electric Insights dashboard:
www.electricinsights.co.uk#/dashboard?p...
🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️
🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️
🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️🌬️
🌬️🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌳🌳🌳
🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌊☢️☢️☢️☢️
☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️☢️🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🇳🇱🇧🇪🇩🇰🇩🇰🇳🇴
🇳🇴🇳🇴🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷
Explore the data for yourself on the Electric Insights dashboard:
www.electricinsights.co.uk#/dashboard?p...
January 3, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Great graphic, though at first glance I mistook the nuclear symbol for 🎃, but rapidly realised that it was implausible that fully 12% of electricity should come from this unpromising seasonal bio-source.
While on duty to hand over more copies of 'The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton', I totted up activities as tour guide & presenter over 7 years.
525 events, including presentations (in person & by Zoom).
57% of events have been private commissions.
525 events, including presentations (in person & by Zoom).
57% of events have been private commissions.
January 3, 2026 at 1:24 PM
While on duty to hand over more copies of 'The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton', I totted up activities as tour guide & presenter over 7 years.
525 events, including presentations (in person & by Zoom).
57% of events have been private commissions.
525 events, including presentations (in person & by Zoom).
57% of events have been private commissions.
"... attachment, memory & the senses compose our sense of place & direct our action within it.
My practice recognises that the image is never just light on a sensor; it is a crystallisation of movement, pause, & attention in the landscape; the concretion of a lived moment in Ardnamurchan."
My practice recognises that the image is never just light on a sensor; it is a crystallisation of movement, pause, & attention in the landscape; the concretion of a lived moment in Ardnamurchan."
“Gaelic place-names are conveyors of response: tactile, descriptive, often visceral, encoding landforms, histories, and use.”
Discover more: www.rkphotographic.com/blog/2025/12...
Spiorad aird nam Murchan Pt.22
#GaelicCulture #Toponymy #Ardnamurchan
Discover more: www.rkphotographic.com/blog/2025/12...
Spiorad aird nam Murchan Pt.22
#GaelicCulture #Toponymy #Ardnamurchan
January 1, 2026 at 10:01 AM
"... attachment, memory & the senses compose our sense of place & direct our action within it.
My practice recognises that the image is never just light on a sensor; it is a crystallisation of movement, pause, & attention in the landscape; the concretion of a lived moment in Ardnamurchan."
My practice recognises that the image is never just light on a sensor; it is a crystallisation of movement, pause, & attention in the landscape; the concretion of a lived moment in Ardnamurchan."
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
At a time when billionaires and oligarchs own the majority of our press, when local journalism is in decline, and social media is rife with misinformation and abuse, there has never been a greater need for citizen journalism
Who funds us? No one...except you. Become a friends of Bylines supporter:
Who funds us? No one...except you. Become a friends of Bylines supporter:
Friends of Bylines Network - Bylines Network
Stand with us – sign up. now to become a Friend of Bylines Network
bylinesnetwork.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 12:23 PM
At a time when billionaires and oligarchs own the majority of our press, when local journalism is in decline, and social media is rife with misinformation and abuse, there has never been a greater need for citizen journalism
Who funds us? No one...except you. Become a friends of Bylines supporter:
Who funds us? No one...except you. Become a friends of Bylines supporter:
'The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton' on the ground
Walking tour 14:00-16:00 Sunday 18 January relating to a new book by local historian Steve Burt.
I'm editor + author of Ch.8 & supplied loads of photos.
Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-illust...
(I'll be offering other dates later.)
Walking tour 14:00-16:00 Sunday 18 January relating to a new book by local historian Steve Burt.
I'm editor + author of Ch.8 & supplied loads of photos.
Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-illust...
(I'll be offering other dates later.)
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 6:55 PM
'The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton' on the ground
Walking tour 14:00-16:00 Sunday 18 January relating to a new book by local historian Steve Burt.
I'm editor + author of Ch.8 & supplied loads of photos.
Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-illust...
(I'll be offering other dates later.)
Walking tour 14:00-16:00 Sunday 18 January relating to a new book by local historian Steve Burt.
I'm editor + author of Ch.8 & supplied loads of photos.
Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-illust...
(I'll be offering other dates later.)
Good explainer.
Doesn’t broaden the frame to include the hugely damaging, illogical stance on the environment (drill for fossil fuels; to hell with environmental protection laws & action) that tends to go with pro-natalist, ‘women should all be homemakers’ rhetoric.
Doesn’t broaden the frame to include the hugely damaging, illogical stance on the environment (drill for fossil fuels; to hell with environmental protection laws & action) that tends to go with pro-natalist, ‘women should all be homemakers’ rhetoric.
The Trump administration is using declining fertility rates to embrace unabashedly pronatalist rhetoric.
I spoke with sociologist & demographer Karen Guzzo about if we should *actually* be worried about declining birth rates.
I spoke with sociologist & demographer Karen Guzzo about if we should *actually* be worried about declining birth rates.
Trump Wants Women To Have More Babies. Just 1 Problem.
The Trump administration is using declining fertility rates to embrace unabashedly pronatalist rhetoric.
www.huffpost.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Good explainer.
Doesn’t broaden the frame to include the hugely damaging, illogical stance on the environment (drill for fossil fuels; to hell with environmental protection laws & action) that tends to go with pro-natalist, ‘women should all be homemakers’ rhetoric.
Doesn’t broaden the frame to include the hugely damaging, illogical stance on the environment (drill for fossil fuels; to hell with environmental protection laws & action) that tends to go with pro-natalist, ‘women should all be homemakers’ rhetoric.
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
