loftywr1ter.bsky.social
@loftywr1ter.bsky.social
A couple of visitors to the garden yesterday. In between bullfinches, goldfinches, blue tits, great tits, blackbirds, dunnock, wren, robin, collared dove, pigeon, magpie, house sparrow, crow. And frisky squirrels.
January 26, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Louise Whitfield met a distant cousin when she visited #HarrogateLibrary on 21st Jan. Fiona Carnegie came along to see the celebration of Louise, the library and to chat at the end of the show.
Always brilliant to meet Carnegie family & explore links/stories handed down generations.
January 26, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Saw three of these in garden this morning. Doing my count tomorrow
"Everybody - wake up! It's the #BigGardenBirdwatch!"

Will you be taking part today? 👀🌳
January 24, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Reposted
On the International Day of Education, book your place for BLF’s Education Programme, 24 June to 10 July 2026. With writers, poets, scientists and historians, all curriculum linked. Free for non-fee-paying schools and home educators: https://www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/education-programme/
January 24, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Miranda Dickinson, 2004
open.substack.com/pub/26writer...
Another 20:26 piece. One I'm sure that so many will identify with.
Irene Lofthouse on 26
Can be such a hard decision to make and take, applaud that determination & resilience. Uplifting to read and visualise.
open.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Tony Clarke, 2013
open.substack.com/pub/26writer...
Another evocative piece from #26writers #20:26project. With just 46 words, writers share a seminal moment in time, and why it affected them so much. #writing #reflecting #lifechanges
Irene Lofthouse on 26
Another resonating piece. '... not me on the shelf' - an evocative ending.
open.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Regina Beach, 2017
open.substack.com/pub/26writer...
One of the 20:26 pieces from #26 writers. We chose a moment in the last 26 years that shaped the person we are today. She had just 46 words, 20:26. Here's how Regina responded...
Rob Self-Pierson on 26
Such an incredibly powerful 20:26. Talk about every word counting. And even more potent published today, 20th Jan, inauguration day in the US. To better times ahead, we hope, Regina.
open.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Only 7 tickets left for Meet Louise Whitfield. Listen #BBCRadioLeeds breakfast show Fri 9.15 for details of the show. Book now and make it a sell-out to celebrate #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 120th anniversary. #Carnegie #womeninfluencers #philanthropy @literacy-trust.bsky.social #NationalReadingYear
January 15, 2026 at 7:36 PM
And to you too. Just working on #IrenesOutings for2026... coming soon 🎄
Best wishes to you too Irene. Hope to see you in 2026!
December 26, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Yuletide Greetings to all the people who've supported me over this difficult personal year, and all the folks I've worked, written, walked, talked, created and performed with.

And to everyone, have an Irenic 2026.
December 24, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted
Meet Louise Whitfield #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21st Jan & already 1/3 of tickets booked. Library's 120th anniversary. Come and discover how Louise influenced #AndrewCarnegie #philanthropy before/after they married, & their rocky romance. #inspirationalwomen #hiddenhistory #drama #performance
December 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Hear me on BRADVENT #BBCRadioLeeds @bradford2025.co.uk to mark the end of the year. A short reflection tomorrow 7.20am Breakfast show, 10.50 on Daytimes. Pic of me a tree spirit performing my 'Travelling Trees' poem, part of #CliffeCastle's 75th anniversary, brilliant day. Thanks to #eretoere
December 17, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Meet Louise Whitfield #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21st Jan & already 1/3 of tickets booked. Library's 120th anniversary. Come and discover how Louise influenced #AndrewCarnegie #philanthropy before/after they married, & their rocky romance. #inspirationalwomen #hiddenhistory #drama #performance
December 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Recorded stories of Bradford with #BBCRadioLeeds earlier this year, as part of BBC's partnership with @bradford2025.co.uk. New BBC voice #HumairaBahm wandered with me to explore the City's history & heritage. #history #heritage #storytelling #research #myths #legends
Hidden Bradford - The millionaires of the Wool Exchange - BBC Sounds
Explore Bradford’s rise as the worsted wool capital.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Today's 26 Twinned Bridges is my collaboration with #BobHarvey. Hewenden Viaduct, Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, UK, and The Eel Bridge, Piha, NZ. open.substack.com/pub/26writer...
Hewenden Viaduct, Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, UK, and The Eel Bridge, Piha, NZ.
Hewenden ViaductThanks for reading!
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, UK & 1865 Tāmaki River Bridge, Panmure, New Zealand. History, geography, cultural awareness across hemispheres. Evocative collaboration https://://open.substack.com/pub/26writersgroup/p/bridge-of-sighs-oxford-uk-and-the?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, UK and The 1865 Tāmaki River Bridge, Panmure, New Zealand
Bridge of Sighs
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:50 PM
26 Twinned Bridges project starts its Substack sharing today. Collaboration twixt 13 UK writers, 13 in Oz. #26writers Discover new places & writers.
Cody Dock Rolling Bridge, London, UK and Auckland Harbour Bridge, NZ. open.substack.com/pub/26writer...
Irene Lofthouse on 26
Fascinating stories and wonderful evocative words. Learning so much from the twinning collaborations and places I've been to, but not seen what's described in the pieces.
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Thanks to #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary for delving into their archives to enable me to weave original documents and information into my play about Louise. I'm learning so much about #Carnegie library buildings as I tour this show. @harrogateradio.bsky.social @magnorth.bsky.social
Meet Louise Whitfield (aka Mrs Andrew Carnegie), at #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21 Jan, 2.30, part of the 120th anniversary celebrations. Discover how she influenced Andrew, their philanthropy, her contributions to the Carnegie trusts. Booking now, selling fast! Start 2026 with a hidden history.
November 27, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Meet Louise Whitfield (aka Mrs Andrew Carnegie), at #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21 Jan, 2.30, part of the 120th anniversary celebrations. Discover how she influenced Andrew, their philanthropy, her contributions to the Carnegie trusts. Booking now, selling fast! Start 2026 with a hidden history.
November 27, 2025 at 9:10 PM
'Mucky Beck' exhib launch #LouieHaslamChance Using beck water to explore effects of pollution on developed film, part of Our Turn 2025. Intro narration created/recorded by me, fitting as a BfdBeck volunteer. It's on til 5th Dec at Fourth Idea, Shipley BD17 7DA, Fri-Mon 10am - 5pm
#becks #rivers
November 16, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Mucky Beck exhib launch 14th Nov by #LouieHaslamChance in #Shipley. As vol #FriendofBradfordBeck, it's fab when folks explore, create, share research & events. Oh, and I wrote/recorded narrative that introduces the exhib. See you there. #muckybeck @bradford2025.co.uk @bdproducinghub.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Some images from #WalkingwithWords #DarkAngels in Berlin. Fascinating tour underground about success of tunnels each side of the Wall, how it went up, personal stories. Gained much more understanding of geography and effects on residents. Important right now #peace
October 12, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Andrew (and Louise) was so passionate about Libraries. UK libs are under pressure, asked to do so much with so little. As Louise Whitfield/Carnegie, I'm touring celebrating Carnegie lib anniversaries, bringing histories to life & Louise's influential role in supporting UK libs. Image #CathMuldowney
October 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
2026 DATE Meet Louise Whitfield. Harrogate Library's 120th anniversary 2026 & 21 Jan Louise will be visiting to celebrate too. 'Felt like there was a whole cast of characters on stage - superb'. Hold the date - details of how to book coming soon. @magnorth.bsky.social @northyorkslit.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 5:35 PM