MJ Herbert
@mjherbert.bsky.social
Socialist Historian. My work includes books on the history of radical women in Manchester. Been watching Doctor Who since 1963 and author of a biography of the Doctor Who writer Malcolm Hulke. Gender critical. Pronouns? Of course not!
Ken Russell made numerous documentaries for the arts programme Monitor and other BBC programmes. You can find them all here, including Pop Goes the Easel, Elgar and Shelagh Delaney's Salford
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Monitor - The Light Fantastic (1960) by Ken Russell & Ron Hitchins
YouTube video by Play For Forever
www.youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Ken Russell made numerous documentaries for the arts programme Monitor and other BBC programmes. You can find them all here, including Pop Goes the Easel, Elgar and Shelagh Delaney's Salford
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Book launch on Saturday 24th January in Manchester of "I am here to meet all comers" the story of Len Johnson, Manchester Uncrowned Boxing Champion and Communist, by Michael Herbert maryquaileclub.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/m...
January 9, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Book launch on Saturday 24th January in Manchester of "I am here to meet all comers" the story of Len Johnson, Manchester Uncrowned Boxing Champion and Communist, by Michael Herbert maryquaileclub.wordpress.com/2025/12/11/m...
Mary Quaile and Ethel Carnie: different paths taken by two northern working class women, by Bernadette Hyland. maryquaileclub.wordpress.com/working-class
January 9, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Mary Quaile and Ethel Carnie: different paths taken by two northern working class women, by Bernadette Hyland. maryquaileclub.wordpress.com/working-class
On the excellent Yesterday's Papers channel ...10 Female-Fronted Hard-Edged Tracks of the 60s www.youtube.com/watch?v=s213...
YouTube
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:41 AM
On the excellent Yesterday's Papers channel ...10 Female-Fronted Hard-Edged Tracks of the 60s www.youtube.com/watch?v=s213...
Reposted by MJ Herbert
Two queer women with a 6 year old in school today stopped to film ICE and for their bravery ICE agents murdered one before the other’s eyes. The grief in the survivor’s voice is a knife to the gut. Destroying people and their bonds is what ICE has always done.
NEWS: In a heartbreaking video, after ICE shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, a woman who was in the same SUV cries out: “They killed my wife. I don’t know what to do."
“We stopped to videotape, and they shot her in the head,” the distraught woman sobs.
www.advocate.com/news/minneso...
“We stopped to videotape, and they shot her in the head,” the distraught woman sobs.
www.advocate.com/news/minneso...
Distraught woman says ICE killed her wife in video after deadly Minneapolis shooting
“They killed my wife,” the distraught woman says, adding, “They shot her in the head.”
www.advocate.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Two queer women with a 6 year old in school today stopped to film ICE and for their bravery ICE agents murdered one before the other’s eyes. The grief in the survivor’s voice is a knife to the gut. Destroying people and their bonds is what ICE has always done.
This is an article by Bernadette Hylandabout a public dispute between Ethel Carnie and Mary Quaile in the pages of Cotton Factory Times in June 1914 over what kind of education was needed by the working class
maryquaileclub.wordpress.com
maryquaileclub.wordpress.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:04 PM
This is an article by Bernadette Hylandabout a public dispute between Ethel Carnie and Mary Quaile in the pages of Cotton Factory Times in June 1914 over what kind of education was needed by the working class
maryquaileclub.wordpress.com
maryquaileclub.wordpress.com
DOCTOR WHO: SEA DEVIL SPIN OFF SINKS AWAY!
youtube.com/live/-0x-mEO...
Live At 6pm UK Time
1.2 million lost between episode 1 and 5
More Headlines with Brendan and Jon
@gallifrey11
sci-fi chronicles79
youtube.com/live/-0x-mEO...
Live At 6pm UK Time
1.2 million lost between episode 1 and 5
More Headlines with Brendan and Jon
@gallifrey11
sci-fi chronicles79
DOCTOR WHO: 1.2 MILLION SINK FROM RTD'S THE WAR BETWEEN THE LAND AND THE SEA TV RATINGS
YouTube video by The Sense Sphere - The Doctor Who Podcast
youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:43 PM
DOCTOR WHO: SEA DEVIL SPIN OFF SINKS AWAY!
youtube.com/live/-0x-mEO...
Live At 6pm UK Time
1.2 million lost between episode 1 and 5
More Headlines with Brendan and Jon
@gallifrey11
sci-fi chronicles79
youtube.com/live/-0x-mEO...
Live At 6pm UK Time
1.2 million lost between episode 1 and 5
More Headlines with Brendan and Jon
@gallifrey11
sci-fi chronicles79
Reposted by MJ Herbert
For many of those seeking asylum a mobile phone isn't just a lifeline to keep in contact with loved ones, it's an essential resource in accessing information and resources. State mandated theft is another example of Labour's dehumanisation of people seeking safety
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK’s plans to seize asylum seekers’ phones condemned by campaigners
People who are sent to Manston processing centre will be eligible for searches for electronic devices from Monday
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:32 AM
For many of those seeking asylum a mobile phone isn't just a lifeline to keep in contact with loved ones, it's an essential resource in accessing information and resources. State mandated theft is another example of Labour's dehumanisation of people seeking safety
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by MJ Herbert
A Mancunian #FilmNoir classic capturing a lost city. An excellent article by Manchester Mill about Val Guest’s #BritNoir Hell is a City (1960) : manchestermill.co.uk/a-mancunian-...
A Mancunian noir classic capturing a lost city
In 1960, Hell is a City set the bar for neo-noir. Now it's a window into a past long demolished
manchestermill.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 7:57 AM
A Mancunian #FilmNoir classic capturing a lost city. An excellent article by Manchester Mill about Val Guest’s #BritNoir Hell is a City (1960) : manchestermill.co.uk/a-mancunian-...
The Mary Quaile Club is delighted to announce its latest publication, “I am here to meet all comers”; the story of Len Johnson, Manchester Uncrowned Champion Boxer and Communist, written by Michael Herbert.
Mary Quaile Club
History, activism and discussion in the Greater Manchester area
maryquaileclub.wordpress.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:59 AM
The Mary Quaile Club is delighted to announce its latest publication, “I am here to meet all comers”; the story of Len Johnson, Manchester Uncrowned Champion Boxer and Communist, written by Michael Herbert.
DOCTOR WHO NEWSNIGHT
Live At 8pm UK Time
youtube.com/live/EnSgcaC...
"Dr Who Needs Fresh Innovation - New Blood" warns media insider
"You go STALE after 3 years" warns Innes Lloyd
Brendan, Jon @gallifrey11
(sci-fi Chronicles79) and Divining Dragon Christian plus the Whopets
Live At 8pm UK Time
youtube.com/live/EnSgcaC...
"Dr Who Needs Fresh Innovation - New Blood" warns media insider
"You go STALE after 3 years" warns Innes Lloyd
Brendan, Jon @gallifrey11
(sci-fi Chronicles79) and Divining Dragon Christian plus the Whopets
DOCTOR WHO NEWS: " DR WHO NEEDS INNOVATION - RISK OF BEING STALE" WARNS INSIDER AFTER RTD'S NUWHO
YouTube video by The Sense Sphere - The Doctor Who Podcast
youtube.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:46 PM
DOCTOR WHO NEWSNIGHT
Live At 8pm UK Time
youtube.com/live/EnSgcaC...
"Dr Who Needs Fresh Innovation - New Blood" warns media insider
"You go STALE after 3 years" warns Innes Lloyd
Brendan, Jon @gallifrey11
(sci-fi Chronicles79) and Divining Dragon Christian plus the Whopets
Live At 8pm UK Time
youtube.com/live/EnSgcaC...
"Dr Who Needs Fresh Innovation - New Blood" warns media insider
"You go STALE after 3 years" warns Innes Lloyd
Brendan, Jon @gallifrey11
(sci-fi Chronicles79) and Divining Dragon Christian plus the Whopets
the launch of "I must take on all comers": the story of Len Johnson, Manchester's Uncrowned Boxing Champion and Communist , will take place on Sat 24 January 2pm in The Lounge at the Central Methodist Hall Oldham Street Manchester. maryquaileclub.wordpress.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
the launch of "I must take on all comers": the story of Len Johnson, Manchester's Uncrowned Boxing Champion and Communist , will take place on Sat 24 January 2pm in The Lounge at the Central Methodist Hall Oldham Street Manchester. maryquaileclub.wordpress.com
Reposted by MJ Herbert
Our tribute to Terrance Dicks concludes this week, as we discuss his first original Doctor Who novel and also take the opportunity to talk about what he achieved and how much we owe him. @kateorman.bsky.social and @adamrichard.com.au join us.
#DoctorWho
500yeardiary.com/s3/e6
#DoctorWho
500yeardiary.com/s3/e6
December 28, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Our tribute to Terrance Dicks concludes this week, as we discuss his first original Doctor Who novel and also take the opportunity to talk about what he achieved and how much we owe him. @kateorman.bsky.social and @adamrichard.com.au join us.
#DoctorWho
500yeardiary.com/s3/e6
#DoctorWho
500yeardiary.com/s3/e6
Reposted by MJ Herbert
How I'm walking out of 2025.
a man and a woman are sitting at a table in a restaurant while a waitress serves them food .
Alt: Classic Victoria Wood sketch. A man and a woman are sitting at a table in a restaurant while a waitress walks across the cafe, spilling soup as she moves.
media.tenor.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
How I'm walking out of 2025.
Reposted by MJ Herbert
Unfashionable or not, it actually IS a really good episode of TV’s Doctor Who.
Even though I own the DVD and it’s on the IPlayer, I still recorded and watched the BBC Four repeat of ONE.
It might be an unfashionable of me but I think this is a really good episode of TV’s Doctor Who
It might be an unfashionable of me but I think this is a really good episode of TV’s Doctor Who
December 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Unfashionable or not, it actually IS a really good episode of TV’s Doctor Who.
DOCTOR WHO MISSING EPISODES CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
The Abominable Snowmen
youtu.be/_JZKRZ5_Yzo?...
Snowy Tibet, fearsome Yeti, a top TARDIS team, mysterious monastic chants...what more do you want?
Brendan and Stefan focus their forensic and fun eyes
The Abominable Snowmen
youtu.be/_JZKRZ5_Yzo?...
Snowy Tibet, fearsome Yeti, a top TARDIS team, mysterious monastic chants...what more do you want?
Brendan and Stefan focus their forensic and fun eyes
DOCTOR WHO MISSING EPISODES: THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMEN - MASTERPIECE OF SUSPENSE TROUGHTON STORY? YETI
YouTube video by The Sense Sphere - The Doctor Who Podcast
youtu.be
December 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
DOCTOR WHO MISSING EPISODES CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
The Abominable Snowmen
youtu.be/_JZKRZ5_Yzo?...
Snowy Tibet, fearsome Yeti, a top TARDIS team, mysterious monastic chants...what more do you want?
Brendan and Stefan focus their forensic and fun eyes
The Abominable Snowmen
youtu.be/_JZKRZ5_Yzo?...
Snowy Tibet, fearsome Yeti, a top TARDIS team, mysterious monastic chants...what more do you want?
Brendan and Stefan focus their forensic and fun eyes
now available "I am here to meet all comers": the story of Len Johnson: Manchester's Uncrowned Boxing Champion and Communist, by Michael herbert. www.lulu.com/shop/michael...
"I am here to meet all comers"
“Anything that I have and anything that I am, I owe unconditionally to the booth. The booth with its work, its careful living and, above all, its frame of mind… I am here to meet all comers and all co...
www.lulu.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
now available "I am here to meet all comers": the story of Len Johnson: Manchester's Uncrowned Boxing Champion and Communist, by Michael herbert. www.lulu.com/shop/michael...
In my biography of the television sciptwriter Malcolm Hulke ""Things are not always what they seem" I discuss his episode for the series Sergeant Cork - "The Case of the Silent Policeman" - broadcast in September 1966. www.lulu.com/shop/michael...
December 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
In my biography of the television sciptwriter Malcolm Hulke ""Things are not always what they seem" I discuss his episode for the series Sergeant Cork - "The Case of the Silent Policeman" - broadcast in September 1966. www.lulu.com/shop/michael...
Reposted by MJ Herbert
The BBC Scandal That Went Unnoticed
Christian Kriticos for the Telegraph on the disastrous changes to access at the BBC Written Archives Centre. The article does an excellent job at detailing the issues at stake [gift link]
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/65a1031...
Christian Kriticos for the Telegraph on the disastrous changes to access at the BBC Written Archives Centre. The article does an excellent job at detailing the issues at stake [gift link]
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/65a1031...
The BBC scandal of 2025 that went unnoticed
The Written Archives Centre has closed its doors to the public, despite being funded by the licence fee
www.telegraph.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The BBC Scandal That Went Unnoticed
Christian Kriticos for the Telegraph on the disastrous changes to access at the BBC Written Archives Centre. The article does an excellent job at detailing the issues at stake [gift link]
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/65a1031...
Christian Kriticos for the Telegraph on the disastrous changes to access at the BBC Written Archives Centre. The article does an excellent job at detailing the issues at stake [gift link]
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/65a1031...
TV RATINGS CRASH
ONE MILLION VANISH ON PRIME TIME SUNDAY BBC1
youtube.com/live/FWJFSMz...
We Are Live At 7pm UK Time
Brendan and Jon @gallifrey11
of Sci-FI Chronicles79
dissect the ratings and a good fun chat guaranteed too
ONE MILLION VANISH ON PRIME TIME SUNDAY BBC1
youtube.com/live/FWJFSMz...
We Are Live At 7pm UK Time
Brendan and Jon @gallifrey11
of Sci-FI Chronicles79
dissect the ratings and a good fun chat guaranteed too
DOCTOR WHO: ONE MILLION VANISH FROM RTD'S THE WAR BETWEEN THE LAND AND THE SEA TV RATINGS
YouTube video by The Sense Sphere - The Doctor Who Podcast
youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:54 PM
TV RATINGS CRASH
ONE MILLION VANISH ON PRIME TIME SUNDAY BBC1
youtube.com/live/FWJFSMz...
We Are Live At 7pm UK Time
Brendan and Jon @gallifrey11
of Sci-FI Chronicles79
dissect the ratings and a good fun chat guaranteed too
ONE MILLION VANISH ON PRIME TIME SUNDAY BBC1
youtube.com/live/FWJFSMz...
We Are Live At 7pm UK Time
Brendan and Jon @gallifrey11
of Sci-FI Chronicles79
dissect the ratings and a good fun chat guaranteed too
Blodwyn Pig - Ahead Rings Out www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm8B...
It's Only Love (2006 Remaster)
YouTube video by Blodwyn Pig - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Blodwyn Pig - Ahead Rings Out www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm8B...
Delighted to be a guest on Spill the Geek Tea podcast discussing H G Wells' "The Time Machine" and its influence on Doctor Who www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b7s...
STGT 64: The Time Machine by H. G. Wells with British Author & Historian Michael Herbert
YouTube video by SPILL THE GEEK TEA
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Delighted to be a guest on Spill the Geek Tea podcast discussing H G Wells' "The Time Machine" and its influence on Doctor Who www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b7s...
Occupations by Trevor Griffiths (1974) Donald Pleasence, Georgina Hale, Jack Shepherd & Nigel Hawthorne. Gransci leads a takeover of the factories by the workers. He is offered assistance by Kabak from Moscow but suspects his motives... www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Kx...
Occupations - starring Donald Pleasence, Georgina Hale, Jack Shepherd & Nigel Hawthorne (1974)
YouTube video by Classic British Telly
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Occupations by Trevor Griffiths (1974) Donald Pleasence, Georgina Hale, Jack Shepherd & Nigel Hawthorne. Gransci leads a takeover of the factories by the workers. He is offered assistance by Kabak from Moscow but suspects his motives... www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Kx...
I will be a guest on "Spill The Geek Tea" on Sunday evening discussing H G Wells and "The Time Machine" fantasiesofpossibility.wordpress.com/list-of-post...
A list of posts on this blog
an introduction to the blog and why I am writing it. Posted on 17th January 2016 2. A message from the stars: A for Andromeda , BBC TV, 1961. Posted on 25th January 2016 3. A storm from the des…
fantasiesofpossibility.wordpress.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:33 AM
I will be a guest on "Spill The Geek Tea" on Sunday evening discussing H G Wells and "The Time Machine" fantasiesofpossibility.wordpress.com/list-of-post...
Review of my biography of Malcolm Hulke "Things are not always what they seem" on The Doctor Who companion website thedoctorwhocompanion.com/2025/07/26/r...
Reviewed: Things Are Not Always What They Seem – The Writings And Politics of Malcolm Hulke
Fans will know Hulke for Doctor Who and the Silurians, The Sea Devils, and Frontier in Space.
thedoctorwhocompanion.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Review of my biography of Malcolm Hulke "Things are not always what they seem" on The Doctor Who companion website thedoctorwhocompanion.com/2025/07/26/r...