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
70 W Europe named storms in 10 years
Most in a season: 12 in 2023/24
Least in a season: 2 in 2022/23
Highest gust speed: 122mph Storm Eunice, 2022, Isle of Wight
Lowest mean sea level pressure 941.9 hPa: Storm Éowyn, 2025, Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides
Highest rainfall: 266.8 mm, Storm Desmond, 2015
Most in a season: 12 in 2023/24
Least in a season: 2 in 2022/23
Highest gust speed: 122mph Storm Eunice, 2022, Isle of Wight
Lowest mean sea level pressure 941.9 hPa: Storm Éowyn, 2025, Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides
Highest rainfall: 266.8 mm, Storm Desmond, 2015
📰 Today marks 10 years since the @metoffice.gov.uk named the first #storm, Storm Abigail.
Since then, there has been a total of 70 named storms, like #StormDesmond, #StormChristoph and #StormHenk.
🔗 www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
Since then, there has been a total of 70 named storms, like #StormDesmond, #StormChristoph and #StormHenk.
🔗 www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/new...
10 years since Storm Abigail: a decade of named storms
Today marks 10 years since the Met Office named its first storm, Storm Abigail, launching a public-facing initiative that has since become a cornerstone of weather communication in the UK.
www.metoffice.gov.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
70 W Europe named storms in 10 years
Most in a season: 12 in 2023/24
Least in a season: 2 in 2022/23
Highest gust speed: 122mph Storm Eunice, 2022, Isle of Wight
Lowest mean sea level pressure 941.9 hPa: Storm Éowyn, 2025, Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides
Highest rainfall: 266.8 mm, Storm Desmond, 2015
Most in a season: 12 in 2023/24
Least in a season: 2 in 2022/23
Highest gust speed: 122mph Storm Eunice, 2022, Isle of Wight
Lowest mean sea level pressure 941.9 hPa: Storm Éowyn, 2025, Isle of Tiree, Inner Hebrides
Highest rainfall: 266.8 mm, Storm Desmond, 2015
HCR on 6 Nov 2025:
🌠 top summary of what’s happening
🌠 how history (recent & older) informs interpretation
🌠 commentary on great progress on push-back + encouragement to keep at it
Follow & share
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3f-...
🌠 top summary of what’s happening
🌠 how history (recent & older) informs interpretation
🌠 commentary on great progress on push-back + encouragement to keep at it
Follow & share
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3f-...
This Week in Politics | Explainer
YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
HCR on 6 Nov 2025:
🌠 top summary of what’s happening
🌠 how history (recent & older) informs interpretation
🌠 commentary on great progress on push-back + encouragement to keep at it
Follow & share
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3f-...
🌠 top summary of what’s happening
🌠 how history (recent & older) informs interpretation
🌠 commentary on great progress on push-back + encouragement to keep at it
Follow & share
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3f-...
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
this is excellent by @peteroborne : government should not be run by political advisors, who know and care nothing about good policy, principles , integrity, just “winning” open.substack.com/pub/bylinesu...
'The Most Powerful Individual in Britain' – Peter Oborne on Morgan McSweeney
Peter Oborne’s exclusive Byline Times reporting exposes how Keir Starmer's chief strategist is driving a Labour Government towards defeat by the far-right
open.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
this is excellent by @peteroborne : government should not be run by political advisors, who know and care nothing about good policy, principles , integrity, just “winning” open.substack.com/pub/bylinesu...
V interesting to read about the complex methodology for interactive map.
Assumptions on travel speeds in Roman Empire:
Walking 4 km/h
Ox cart 2 km/h
Pack animal 4.5 km/h
Horse courier 6 km/h
Major navigable rivers: 2.5 km/h for downriver and 0.6 km/h for upriver.
(Based on Carreras et al. 2019).
Assumptions on travel speeds in Roman Empire:
Walking 4 km/h
Ox cart 2 km/h
Pack animal 4.5 km/h
Horse courier 6 km/h
Major navigable rivers: 2.5 km/h for downriver and 0.6 km/h for upriver.
(Based on Carreras et al. 2019).
Wow! 😮🤩
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
November 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
V interesting to read about the complex methodology for interactive map.
Assumptions on travel speeds in Roman Empire:
Walking 4 km/h
Ox cart 2 km/h
Pack animal 4.5 km/h
Horse courier 6 km/h
Major navigable rivers: 2.5 km/h for downriver and 0.6 km/h for upriver.
(Based on Carreras et al. 2019).
Assumptions on travel speeds in Roman Empire:
Walking 4 km/h
Ox cart 2 km/h
Pack animal 4.5 km/h
Horse courier 6 km/h
Major navigable rivers: 2.5 km/h for downriver and 0.6 km/h for upriver.
(Based on Carreras et al. 2019).
I asked GROK for:
Main solutions to the deleterious effects of extremely high concentrations of wealth.
ie. how to solve problems caused/exacerbated by … Musk & others in the stratosphere of wealth of power.
Headings:
Fiscal
Regulatory & Market
Structural & Social
Global Coordination
Let's go:
Main solutions to the deleterious effects of extremely high concentrations of wealth.
ie. how to solve problems caused/exacerbated by … Musk & others in the stratosphere of wealth of power.
Headings:
Fiscal
Regulatory & Market
Structural & Social
Global Coordination
Let's go:
November 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
I asked GROK for:
Main solutions to the deleterious effects of extremely high concentrations of wealth.
ie. how to solve problems caused/exacerbated by … Musk & others in the stratosphere of wealth of power.
Headings:
Fiscal
Regulatory & Market
Structural & Social
Global Coordination
Let's go:
Main solutions to the deleterious effects of extremely high concentrations of wealth.
ie. how to solve problems caused/exacerbated by … Musk & others in the stratosphere of wealth of power.
Headings:
Fiscal
Regulatory & Market
Structural & Social
Global Coordination
Let's go:
I asked GROK:
What are the main negative effects that extremely wealthy people can have?
ANSWER
1. Distortion of Democracy & Policy
2. Exacerbation of Economic Inequality
3. Environmental Degradation
4. Market Distortions & Monopolistic Practices
5. Social & Cultural Impacts
See post on solutions
What are the main negative effects that extremely wealthy people can have?
ANSWER
1. Distortion of Democracy & Policy
2. Exacerbation of Economic Inequality
3. Environmental Degradation
4. Market Distortions & Monopolistic Practices
5. Social & Cultural Impacts
See post on solutions
November 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I asked GROK:
What are the main negative effects that extremely wealthy people can have?
ANSWER
1. Distortion of Democracy & Policy
2. Exacerbation of Economic Inequality
3. Environmental Degradation
4. Market Distortions & Monopolistic Practices
5. Social & Cultural Impacts
See post on solutions
What are the main negative effects that extremely wealthy people can have?
ANSWER
1. Distortion of Democracy & Policy
2. Exacerbation of Economic Inequality
3. Environmental Degradation
4. Market Distortions & Monopolistic Practices
5. Social & Cultural Impacts
See post on solutions
OXFAM America takes on the American oligarchy
I’d love to hear any one of the billionaires supporting Project 2025 being challenged about the underlying insidious agenda of accumulation of wealth & power, removal of rights for all but a minority of white males & their cynical use of ‘Christianity’.
I’d love to hear any one of the billionaires supporting Project 2025 being challenged about the underlying insidious agenda of accumulation of wealth & power, removal of rights for all but a minority of white males & their cynical use of ‘Christianity’.
November 7, 2025 at 12:35 PM
OXFAM America takes on the American oligarchy
I’d love to hear any one of the billionaires supporting Project 2025 being challenged about the underlying insidious agenda of accumulation of wealth & power, removal of rights for all but a minority of white males & their cynical use of ‘Christianity’.
I’d love to hear any one of the billionaires supporting Project 2025 being challenged about the underlying insidious agenda of accumulation of wealth & power, removal of rights for all but a minority of white males & their cynical use of ‘Christianity’.
Climate crisis is an *equity* crisis.
Strong main message from @kevinclimate.bsky.social
Professor of Energy & Climate Change, University of Manchester
#R4Today: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
at 2:36:35 in the 3-hour programme
Strong main message from @kevinclimate.bsky.social
Professor of Energy & Climate Change, University of Manchester
#R4Today: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
at 2:36:35 in the 3-hour programme
Today - 07/11/2025 - BBC Sounds
News and current affairs, including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Climate crisis is an *equity* crisis.
Strong main message from @kevinclimate.bsky.social
Professor of Energy & Climate Change, University of Manchester
#R4Today: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
at 2:36:35 in the 3-hour programme
Strong main message from @kevinclimate.bsky.social
Professor of Energy & Climate Change, University of Manchester
#R4Today: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
at 2:36:35 in the 3-hour programme
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
"How 'War' Becomes War: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Ours of Us"
"From the moment the armed services violently engage their first civilians, their prestige will be gone forever, and service members will be destroying the Republic they are sworn to serve."
snyder.substack.com/p/how-war-be...
"From the moment the armed services violently engage their first civilians, their prestige will be gone forever, and service members will be destroying the Republic they are sworn to serve."
snyder.substack.com/p/how-war-be...
How “War” Becomes War
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Ours of Us
snyder.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:41 PM
"How 'War' Becomes War: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine and Ours of Us"
"From the moment the armed services violently engage their first civilians, their prestige will be gone forever, and service members will be destroying the Republic they are sworn to serve."
snyder.substack.com/p/how-war-be...
"From the moment the armed services violently engage their first civilians, their prestige will be gone forever, and service members will be destroying the Republic they are sworn to serve."
snyder.substack.com/p/how-war-be...
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
"The Lib Dems and Electoral Reform Society both support the Single Transferable Vote (STV) - a proportional and ranked preference system.
The Green Party should join them in explicitly supporting STV as soon as possible, and in demanding reform to STV from Labour."
The Green Party should join them in explicitly supporting STV as soon as possible, and in demanding reform to STV from Labour."
November 6, 2025 at 6:14 AM
"The Lib Dems and Electoral Reform Society both support the Single Transferable Vote (STV) - a proportional and ranked preference system.
The Green Party should join them in explicitly supporting STV as soon as possible, and in demanding reform to STV from Labour."
The Green Party should join them in explicitly supporting STV as soon as possible, and in demanding reform to STV from Labour."
Seen yesterday.
A pity not to catch the horses as they clopped past the Victorian office at the previous corner. Hard to believe that so recently, the sound of horses' hooves would have been everywhere in the streets. A place the size of Leeds maybe had ~17K horse in the 1870s.
ALT text for ref
A pity not to catch the horses as they clopped past the Victorian office at the previous corner. Hard to believe that so recently, the sound of horses' hooves would have been everywhere in the streets. A place the size of Leeds maybe had ~17K horse in the 1870s.
ALT text for ref
November 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Seen yesterday.
A pity not to catch the horses as they clopped past the Victorian office at the previous corner. Hard to believe that so recently, the sound of horses' hooves would have been everywhere in the streets. A place the size of Leeds maybe had ~17K horse in the 1870s.
ALT text for ref
A pity not to catch the horses as they clopped past the Victorian office at the previous corner. Hard to believe that so recently, the sound of horses' hooves would have been everywhere in the streets. A place the size of Leeds maybe had ~17K horse in the 1870s.
ALT text for ref
After a slog since late June to edit* this book by my local historian friend Steve Burt, the files were sent to the printer yesterday. 🎆
Due out before Christmas.
Includes a wealth of historic images - many never published before.
*Included writing a chapter & supplying >100 contemporary pics.
Due out before Christmas.
Includes a wealth of historic images - many never published before.
*Included writing a chapter & supplying >100 contemporary pics.
November 5, 2025 at 8:33 AM
After a slog since late June to edit* this book by my local historian friend Steve Burt, the files were sent to the printer yesterday. 🎆
Due out before Christmas.
Includes a wealth of historic images - many never published before.
*Included writing a chapter & supplying >100 contemporary pics.
Due out before Christmas.
Includes a wealth of historic images - many never published before.
*Included writing a chapter & supplying >100 contemporary pics.
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
Government Tracker – Full Fact
Full Fact is monitoring the government’s delivery on its promises
fullfact.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Reform folk don’t like questions about how they actually do (at local level) or would do (at national level) the complex work of governing.
Nigel Farage’s new cost-cutting chief, Richard Tice, has hit back at “pathetic” questions over efforts to save money at one of Reform UK’s best-known councils.
Reform UK’s DOGE chief takes aim at ‘pathetic’ questions on council savings drive
Richard Tice advised POLITICO to “grow up” when asked if he had given up on seeking a data-sharing agreement with Kent County Council
www.politico.eu
November 4, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Reform folk don’t like questions about how they actually do (at local level) or would do (at national level) the complex work of governing.
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
As anti-Labour media will always put words in her mouth, why not beat them to it:
"Yes it's true, Daily Mail readers, we are coming for you and your money because a) everyone else had to pay under the Tories b) Brexit screwed the poor c) you voted for both. Cheers, Rachel."
"Yes it's true, Daily Mail readers, we are coming for you and your money because a) everyone else had to pay under the Tories b) Brexit screwed the poor c) you voted for both. Cheers, Rachel."
November 4, 2025 at 8:57 AM
As anti-Labour media will always put words in her mouth, why not beat them to it:
"Yes it's true, Daily Mail readers, we are coming for you and your money because a) everyone else had to pay under the Tories b) Brexit screwed the poor c) you voted for both. Cheers, Rachel."
"Yes it's true, Daily Mail readers, we are coming for you and your money because a) everyone else had to pay under the Tories b) Brexit screwed the poor c) you voted for both. Cheers, Rachel."
So many of us wonder about whether we'll suffer dementia.
Evidence about how to reduce risk/delay onset is gradually emerging.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
(My average so far this year >7000 steps p. day & I've been more sedentary than normal while editing a huge book.)
🚶♀️🚶♂️
⬆️ Bad posture
Evidence about how to reduce risk/delay onset is gradually emerging.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
(My average so far this year >7000 steps p. day & I've been more sedentary than normal while editing a huge book.)
🚶♀️🚶♂️
⬆️ Bad posture
Walking 3,000 or more steps a day may slow progression of Alzheimer’s, study says
Scientists find even modest amounts of exercise appear to delay brain changes and cognitive decline in patients
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
So many of us wonder about whether we'll suffer dementia.
Evidence about how to reduce risk/delay onset is gradually emerging.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
(My average so far this year >7000 steps p. day & I've been more sedentary than normal while editing a huge book.)
🚶♀️🚶♂️
⬆️ Bad posture
Evidence about how to reduce risk/delay onset is gradually emerging.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
(My average so far this year >7000 steps p. day & I've been more sedentary than normal while editing a huge book.)
🚶♀️🚶♂️
⬆️ Bad posture
Reposted by Rachael Unsworth
How can maps inspire #art? Joanathan Besacci was surrounded by the vast variety of the world, past and present, growing up in Lyon, France. Bessaci started as a graffiti artist in his teens and evolved to elaborate paper cut-out sculptures, using #maps and photographs. buff.ly/Pe5SVUg #GeoHumanities
November 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
How can maps inspire #art? Joanathan Besacci was surrounded by the vast variety of the world, past and present, growing up in Lyon, France. Bessaci started as a graffiti artist in his teens and evolved to elaborate paper cut-out sculptures, using #maps and photographs. buff.ly/Pe5SVUg #GeoHumanities
“Inequality is a policy choice,” - Rebecca Riddell, senior policy lead for economic justice at Oxfam America.
Top 10 US billionaires’ collective wealth grew by $698bn in past year – report
Top 10 US billionaires’ collective wealth grew by $698bn in past year – report
Oxfam warns Trump policies risk driving inequality to new heights – but Democrats have also exacerbated wealth gap
The collective wealth of the top 10 US billionaires has soared by $698bn in the past year, according to a new report from Oxfam America published on Monday on the growing wealth divide.
The report warns that Trump administration policies risk driving US inequality to new heights, but points out that both Republican and Democratic administrations have exacerbated the US’s growing wealth gap. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:18 PM
“Inequality is a policy choice,” - Rebecca Riddell, senior policy lead for economic justice at Oxfam America.
Public Service Announcement (unofficial)
When doing a recce for a tour the other day, I spotted that the Whitehall Waterfront footbridge will be closed from today until ... (no info).
So not possible to cross between the left bank of the river and the canal towpath at the moment.
Photo from 2021.
When doing a recce for a tour the other day, I spotted that the Whitehall Waterfront footbridge will be closed from today until ... (no info).
So not possible to cross between the left bank of the river and the canal towpath at the moment.
Photo from 2021.
November 3, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Public Service Announcement (unofficial)
When doing a recce for a tour the other day, I spotted that the Whitehall Waterfront footbridge will be closed from today until ... (no info).
So not possible to cross between the left bank of the river and the canal towpath at the moment.
Photo from 2021.
When doing a recce for a tour the other day, I spotted that the Whitehall Waterfront footbridge will be closed from today until ... (no info).
So not possible to cross between the left bank of the river and the canal towpath at the moment.
Photo from 2021.
Last evening, our talented designer sent this much-revised file of 'The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton' and now it's off to the printer. No more amendments.
Receiving the physical book will be a joy more than tinged with nervousness about spotting mistakes that will by then be indelible.
Receiving the physical book will be a joy more than tinged with nervousness about spotting mistakes that will by then be indelible.
November 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Last evening, our talented designer sent this much-revised file of 'The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton' and now it's off to the printer. No more amendments.
Receiving the physical book will be a joy more than tinged with nervousness about spotting mistakes that will by then be indelible.
Receiving the physical book will be a joy more than tinged with nervousness about spotting mistakes that will by then be indelible.
Left: Sept 2025 official report recommending new towns
Right: Our* 2014 entry for Wolfson Prize in Economics.
We didn’t win but we did the thinking from 2010-14 for ‘a city within a city’.
Good to be vindicated; shame about the delay.
*Leeds Sustainable Development Group - a CIC, now wound up
Right: Our* 2014 entry for Wolfson Prize in Economics.
We didn’t win but we did the thinking from 2010-14 for ‘a city within a city’.
Good to be vindicated; shame about the delay.
*Leeds Sustainable Development Group - a CIC, now wound up
November 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Left: Sept 2025 official report recommending new towns
Right: Our* 2014 entry for Wolfson Prize in Economics.
We didn’t win but we did the thinking from 2010-14 for ‘a city within a city’.
Good to be vindicated; shame about the delay.
*Leeds Sustainable Development Group - a CIC, now wound up
Right: Our* 2014 entry for Wolfson Prize in Economics.
We didn’t win but we did the thinking from 2010-14 for ‘a city within a city’.
Good to be vindicated; shame about the delay.
*Leeds Sustainable Development Group - a CIC, now wound up
Excellent graphic.
Grim that a significant chunk of red bleeds into turquoise.
(What went on the head of the rare voter who shifted from Green to Conservative or from Lib Dem to Reform?)
Grim that a significant chunk of red bleeds into turquoise.
(What went on the head of the rare voter who shifted from Green to Conservative or from Lib Dem to Reform?)
Aggregate Result of the 145 Council By-Elections (for 148 Seats) since the 2025 Local Elections:
RFM: 51 (+43)
LDM: 45 (+17)
CON: 16 (-17)
LAB: 13 (-34)
GRN: 11 (+2)
Ind: 6 (-4)
Local: 3 (-6)
SNP: 2 (-1)
PLC: 1 (=)
Explore: electionmaps.uk/byelections-...
RFM: 51 (+43)
LDM: 45 (+17)
CON: 16 (-17)
LAB: 13 (-34)
GRN: 11 (+2)
Ind: 6 (-4)
Local: 3 (-6)
SNP: 2 (-1)
PLC: 1 (=)
Explore: electionmaps.uk/byelections-...
November 2, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Excellent graphic.
Grim that a significant chunk of red bleeds into turquoise.
(What went on the head of the rare voter who shifted from Green to Conservative or from Lib Dem to Reform?)
Grim that a significant chunk of red bleeds into turquoise.
(What went on the head of the rare voter who shifted from Green to Conservative or from Lib Dem to Reform?)
@grahamrickson.bsky.social
The Chapel Allerton book is going to the printer on Monday. The aim is for it to be available just in time for Christmas.
leedscivictrust.org.uk/chapel-aller...
Midnight oil burning atm - on checking the index and more.
The Chapel Allerton book is going to the printer on Monday. The aim is for it to be available just in time for Christmas.
leedscivictrust.org.uk/chapel-aller...
Midnight oil burning atm - on checking the index and more.
The Illustrated History of Chapel Allerton - Help Publish This Book / Online Lectures - Leeds Civic Trust
Historian Steven Burt and Urban Geographer Rachael Unsworth are publishing a book on the history of Chapel Allerton in 2025. They are seeking donors to support the publication of the book: CLICK HERE ...
leedscivictrust.org.uk
November 1, 2025 at 11:41 PM
@grahamrickson.bsky.social
The Chapel Allerton book is going to the printer on Monday. The aim is for it to be available just in time for Christmas.
leedscivictrust.org.uk/chapel-aller...
Midnight oil burning atm - on checking the index and more.
The Chapel Allerton book is going to the printer on Monday. The aim is for it to be available just in time for Christmas.
leedscivictrust.org.uk/chapel-aller...
Midnight oil burning atm - on checking the index and more.
The (former) home of Tetley’s brewery. The 1931 office building is the only remaining part of the 24 acre complex of buildings that used to cover the site. Under way: offices + 1400 apartments and more.
November 1, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The (former) home of Tetley’s brewery. The 1931 office building is the only remaining part of the 24 acre complex of buildings that used to cover the site. Under way: offices + 1400 apartments and more.