Sheila Pankhurst
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profpankhurst.bsky.social
Sheila Pankhurst
@profpankhurst.bsky.social
Followed the science exodus from Twitter. Interested in wildlife conservation, climate change. European at heart. Lucky to live in Cumbria. Banner pic is the Rannerdale bluebells. She/her. #covidisnotover
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
As I've said before the lack of focus on A&E in govt plans is bewildering even just from a political perspective. For many people it's their most viseral and memorable interaction with the state.
This week an elderly woman died alone on a trolley in a hospital corridor, with desperate, exhausted staff unable to tend to her

This is the reality in our NHS right now and for those on the front line, it’s horrifying
Woman left to die alone on corridor trolley in 'broken' A&E
Staff at a Merseyside hospital told the ECHO that an older woman died without being tended to by exhausted and overrun NHS teams at a hospital experiencing overwhelming demand
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM
On my list to explore - possibly this autumn. Goes through some beautiful countryside. #Cumbria #https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2xeexn3w4o
New Westmorland and Furness Way walking route announced
Hikers will be able to tackle the 120 mile (193km) trail which will take eight to 17 days.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 3:08 PM
When I retired, one of my resolutions was to try to learn more about identifying mosses and lichens. I’m making some progress with mosses, but finding lichens tricky .. Great respect for the experts involved in this work. #cumbria
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Borrowdale Valley rare lichens thriving due to farming practices
The National Trust says results from a lichen survey in Cumbria uncovered new species.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
People experiencing homelessness were given £2,000 with no conditions through the Personal Grants Project. Early findings show the money went on rent deposits, furniture, courses and childcare. We’re proud to be funding this UK-first trial with CHI.

Read more: https://loom.ly/ufqFIqg
Homeless people were given free money, no strings attached. Here's what happened
A new trial gave homeless people £2,000 to spend however they choose. What they spent the money on may surprise you.
www.bigissue.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
No Covid infection is mild. We need layered mitigations because Covid vaccines were designed to reduce disease severity not necessarily prevent infection and any infection can cause long covid. Yet we are still being gaslighted on this!
January 2, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Happy Christmas everyone. And thank you to Jay Mistry. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'I hold festive hikes after a lonely Christmas'
Hikes are held in Northumberland and the Lake District to bring people who might be alone together.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 25, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
A Winter Walk - by one of my favourite artists and printmakers, Hester Cox @hestercoxprint.bsky.social

More of Hester's stunning artwork, here: www.hestercox.com

#art #printmaking #fox #winter
December 24, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
One of the most successful pedestrian streets in the world, the Strøget in Copenhagen, was filled with cars until a 2 year pedestrianization pilot project in 1962. The opposition argued “no cars means no business,” but the street has been a massive retail success, the city’s busiest shopping street.
December 24, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Fellow parents! Carers! Anyone looking after children over half-term! Here is a thread of videos showing TOYS you can MAKE at home from scrap stuff you probably have lying around. First, the utterly delightful "balancing bird" alomshaha.com/balancing-bi...
October 19, 2024 at 8:52 AM
Small glimmers of hope - the restoration of UK access to Erasmus, a transformational educational exchange scheme www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...
Students react to UK rejoining Erasmus scheme as Tories accuse ministers of caving into EU
British students will be able to spend a year studying at EU universities without paying extra fees, and vice versa for European students.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
#SundaySquirrel is in a hurry to be here today
Cumbrian red squirrel
#UKwildlife #mammals
December 14, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Excellent as always.
✨Please share! My newsletter is out.

🤒Flu, COVlD, RSV info
💨Fat = COVlD viral reservoir
👁️Retina FAZ increases in Long COVlD (microvasc)
💥LC pain- autoAb & spike prot peptides
💉Hep B vax at birth policy change w/o new data
😮Immunotx cure for HIV?

& much more buff.ly/VsGSekx

#medsky #IDsky 🛟😷🧪
December 8, 2025 at 7:17 AM
More than 1,000 people have lost their lives .. barely a mention in the mainstream media
My god, the death toll from a fortnight of extreme weather in southern Asia has passed 1100.

'Floods and mudslides from simultaneous tropical storms late last month have wiped out entire villages in Sri Lanka and across the Indonesian island of Sumatra.'

#SMH #Asia #floods
December 7, 2025 at 7:31 AM
The Beaver Trust is advertising for a new Chief Executive. Not easy finding a link to the job advert other than via Facebook, but here’s the link to the recruitment pack. Closing date for applications is 10th December. #wildlife #beaver #speciesreintroduction beavertrust.org/wp-content/u...
beavertrust.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I’ve only just seen this. A really good wildflower-rich hay meadow is a wonderful thing. #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Lake District sees more hay meadows restored
Land in the Lake District, equivalent to the size of 23 football pitches, is restored.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Snacktime! 🐿️😍

During autumn, red squirrels scour their habitats for nuts, berries & other vital energy sources. They don't hibernate, so they cache lots of this foraged food in shallow holes and tree crevices to keep them going through the cold winter months.

🎥 Paul Burke

#NatureInFlux
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Now published! My edited book ‘Long COVID and Society’ - my introduction is free to read for everyone. Download from the link below and check out the others chapters too (Chapter 14, about LC children and families, is also open access)

link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Long COVID and Society
This is the first book to bring together academics and activists living with Long COVID to explore the social impacts of the new complex chronic condition.
link.springer.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Japan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister reut.rs/4ne1PXy
Japan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister
Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, won the lower house vote to choose the next prime minister, clearing the way for her inauguration as the country's first female premier later in the day.
reut.rs
October 21, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Nobel Peace Prizes have often been awarded to people who fight autocracy. Maria Corina Machado fits right into that tradition

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Why María Machado Deserved the Nobel Peace Prize
The Venezuelan opposition leader shows why participation matters.
www.theatlantic.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
A ladybird first for Britain

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare ladybird recorded in the New Forest is a UK first
The Little Arboreal Ladybirds have made their way to the UK across the English Channel.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 14, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
We’re heartbroken to learn that Dr Jane Goodall has passed away, aged 91.

Dr Goodall was one of the true conservation giants of our time. Let’s honour her legacy by choosing to make a difference in the world - by protecting it.

Thank you, Jane, for everything you did for our planet. 💚
October 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurst
Within the first year of my daughter’s life, the Lionesses have won the Euros and the Red Roses have won the World Cup in front of sell-out crowds and huge tv audiences and it’s so wonderful to know she will grow up thinking that of course women play sport and of course everybody watches it
September 27, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I think I can hear eider ducks calling in the background? Or am I imagining it? Lovely anyway.
Lindisfarne at daybreak.
September 26, 2025 at 6:09 AM