Sally Watson
@salawatson.bsky.social
Cities, cycling, planning and play. Often on a bike or in a museum.
Co-host - activetravelcafe.org.uk
Trustee - historictownstrust.uk
Co-host - activetravelcafe.org.uk
Trustee - historictownstrust.uk
Reposted by Sally Watson
One in every five Palestinians that Israeli forces killed so far in 2025 across the occupied West Bank was a child, reports the UN.
www.ochaopt.org/content/huma...
www.ochaopt.org/content/huma...
Humanitarian Situation Update #337 | West Bank | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Occupied Palestinian Territory
October 2025 recorded the highest monthly number of Israeli settler attacks since OCHA began documenting such incidents in 2006, with more than 260 attacks resulting in casualties, property damage or ...
www.ochaopt.org
November 8, 2025 at 11:43 AM
One in every five Palestinians that Israeli forces killed so far in 2025 across the occupied West Bank was a child, reports the UN.
www.ochaopt.org/content/huma...
www.ochaopt.org/content/huma...
Reposted by Sally Watson
Did you take part in a mock election at your UK school or college between 1983 and 2001?
Share your memories for a research project on young people and democracy in modern Britain!
Write to us about your experiences here: forms.office.com/e/FNAwjfFR7f
Share your memories for a research project on young people and democracy in modern Britain!
Write to us about your experiences here: forms.office.com/e/FNAwjfFR7f
October 24, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Did you take part in a mock election at your UK school or college between 1983 and 2001?
Share your memories for a research project on young people and democracy in modern Britain!
Write to us about your experiences here: forms.office.com/e/FNAwjfFR7f
Share your memories for a research project on young people and democracy in modern Britain!
Write to us about your experiences here: forms.office.com/e/FNAwjfFR7f
Reposted by Sally Watson
Let's play Bucks Name or Name Name
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Let's play Bucks Name or Name Name
Reposted by Sally Watson
Today I attended an update from
Jarrow Forward, the board leading Jarrow’s Plan for Neighbourhoods work.
A lot of important initiatives but I’m especially excited to see our research and advocacy around play being picked up and placed at the heart of the plan.
@ncl-geography.bsky.social
Jarrow Forward, the board leading Jarrow’s Plan for Neighbourhoods work.
A lot of important initiatives but I’m especially excited to see our research and advocacy around play being picked up and placed at the heart of the plan.
@ncl-geography.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Today I attended an update from
Jarrow Forward, the board leading Jarrow’s Plan for Neighbourhoods work.
A lot of important initiatives but I’m especially excited to see our research and advocacy around play being picked up and placed at the heart of the plan.
@ncl-geography.bsky.social
Jarrow Forward, the board leading Jarrow’s Plan for Neighbourhoods work.
A lot of important initiatives but I’m especially excited to see our research and advocacy around play being picked up and placed at the heart of the plan.
@ncl-geography.bsky.social
A lovely thread in Poole’s play sculptures. If only you could climb on the many animal figures displayed in city centres today. Would love to know if climbing on them is still allowed now they are in a museum?
🦛 🐋 🐢 The Poole play sculptures have come out of hibernation!
Originally installed in the town’s Dolphin Centre (formerly the Arndale Centre) in 1969, the wooden Hippo, Turtle, and Whale sculptures were by renowned artist Peter Hand (1929-2024). 🧵
Originally installed in the town’s Dolphin Centre (formerly the Arndale Centre) in 1969, the wooden Hippo, Turtle, and Whale sculptures were by renowned artist Peter Hand (1929-2024). 🧵
November 7, 2025 at 11:06 AM
A lovely thread in Poole’s play sculptures. If only you could climb on the many animal figures displayed in city centres today. Would love to know if climbing on them is still allowed now they are in a museum?
Reposted by Sally Watson
Huge animals made in wood, steel or fibreglass, these were beautiful works of art for children – made to be touched, climbed on, dived into and slid through.
The Poole animals were the first that Hand created and are among very few known to survive. Are you aware of any more? If so, get in touch!
The Poole animals were the first that Hand created and are among very few known to survive. Are you aware of any more? If so, get in touch!
November 7, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Huge animals made in wood, steel or fibreglass, these were beautiful works of art for children – made to be touched, climbed on, dived into and slid through.
The Poole animals were the first that Hand created and are among very few known to survive. Are you aware of any more? If so, get in touch!
The Poole animals were the first that Hand created and are among very few known to survive. Are you aware of any more? If so, get in touch!
Very disappointing from @cyclinguk.bsky.social. Awards like this already exclude many people who are quietly doing good things. But this is a whole other level. Good to see some people refusing to accept this.
Cycling UK say the decision was made following legal advice but that the rule change "doesn't alter our commitment to transgender and non-binary people" road.cc/content/news...
Several winners of Cycling UK 100 Women in Cycling prize decline award due to exclusion of transwomen
Cycling UK say the decision was made following legal advice but that the rule change "doesn't alter our commitment to transgender and non-binary people"
road.cc
November 7, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Very disappointing from @cyclinguk.bsky.social. Awards like this already exclude many people who are quietly doing good things. But this is a whole other level. Good to see some people refusing to accept this.
Reposted by Sally Watson
Human Geography at Leicester is facing closure. Staff contracts are to end in June 2026; students are to be relocated to other universities, or taught out by a maximum of two (!) teaching-only staff. Other departments and subjects are facing closure, too. Please join the demo!
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Human Geography at Leicester is facing closure. Staff contracts are to end in June 2026; students are to be relocated to other universities, or taught out by a maximum of two (!) teaching-only staff. Other departments and subjects are facing closure, too. Please join the demo!
Reposted by Sally Watson
Based in/near Newcastle? @drhick.bsky.social
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
November 2, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Based in/near Newcastle? @drhick.bsky.social
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
and I convening a roundtable on 18th, exploring how signs, fences and barriers affect our experience of place. Inspired by my “Keep On the Grass" exhibition
now at the Farrell Centre.
Contact me if interested in participating.
Reposted by Sally Watson
I’m selling my Riese & Muller Cruiser 2 Mixte Vario.
It’s a lovely bike, I’m just not using it.
Full specs in pics below.
It’s 2 years old and done 2600 miles. Just been serviced.
Tyneside.
Niche so please share!
www.facebook.com/share/1AGbtx...
If you’re not on FB, can share more via DM.
It’s a lovely bike, I’m just not using it.
Full specs in pics below.
It’s 2 years old and done 2600 miles. Just been serviced.
Tyneside.
Niche so please share!
www.facebook.com/share/1AGbtx...
If you’re not on FB, can share more via DM.
November 6, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I’m selling my Riese & Muller Cruiser 2 Mixte Vario.
It’s a lovely bike, I’m just not using it.
Full specs in pics below.
It’s 2 years old and done 2600 miles. Just been serviced.
Tyneside.
Niche so please share!
www.facebook.com/share/1AGbtx...
If you’re not on FB, can share more via DM.
It’s a lovely bike, I’m just not using it.
Full specs in pics below.
It’s 2 years old and done 2600 miles. Just been serviced.
Tyneside.
Niche so please share!
www.facebook.com/share/1AGbtx...
If you’re not on FB, can share more via DM.
Reposted by Sally Watson
Analysis from @friends-earth.bsky.social provides new insight on environmental injustice in the UK:
“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
Low-income areas in England and Wales face worst air pollution, analysis finds
Exclusive: Experts say impact on people of colour and those who do not drive is ‘grave environmental injustice’
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Analysis from @friends-earth.bsky.social provides new insight on environmental injustice in the UK:
“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
“… people of colour, those on low incomes and non-drivers are now disproportionately overrepresented in the 5% of neighbourhoods still exposed to the most extreme air pollution.”
Reposted by Sally Watson
Our YouTube channel has beefed up for the winter! You can now watch lots of brilliant talks about mapmaking and the history of Britain's towns and cities. Please subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@hist_towns
Historic Towns Trust
An educational charity working to map the urban histories of Great Britain.
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Our YouTube channel has beefed up for the winter! You can now watch lots of brilliant talks about mapmaking and the history of Britain's towns and cities. Please subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@hist_towns
Visiting York again made me think there’s a whole generation, me included, who came to know all about ceiling bosses because of a Blue Peter competition to design new ones following the 1984 York Minster fire. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
York Minster: Blue Peter winner inspires fundraising badge - BBC News
A competition winning design by Laura Edwards has been turned into a special pin badge 40 years on.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Visiting York again made me think there’s a whole generation, me included, who came to know all about ceiling bosses because of a Blue Peter competition to design new ones following the 1984 York Minster fire. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There’s a small exhibition on the St Cuthbert window and its restoration in York Minster. Worth a visit if you are in York.
November 1, 2025 at 8:40 PM
There’s a small exhibition on the St Cuthbert window and its restoration in York Minster. Worth a visit if you are in York.
Gargoyles in waiting.
November 1, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Gargoyles in waiting.
Reposted by Sally Watson
Another installment in the surprising reach of the 1951 Festival of Britain: the scale model of the Midland Railway completed for the Festival in the then Derby Borough Museum. Now located in the Silk Mill Museum of Making.
November 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Another installment in the surprising reach of the 1951 Festival of Britain: the scale model of the Midland Railway completed for the Festival in the then Derby Borough Museum. Now located in the Silk Mill Museum of Making.
Reposted by Sally Watson
Driver sticks their car through a Primary School fence while children are in School and NOTHING WILL HAPPEN www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinbur...
Midlothian car ploughs through primary school fence before flipping onto roof
Images taken from outside St Mary's Primary School in Bonnyrigg show a white vehicle on its roof after reportedly crashing through a fence.
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 8:02 AM
I cannot for the life of me see how testing children in year 8 and telling many that they are ‘a failure’ is going to help with their reading. Or encourage them to go to school.
November 1, 2025 at 9:10 AM
I cannot for the life of me see how testing children in year 8 and telling many that they are ‘a failure’ is going to help with their reading. Or encourage them to go to school.
Need to find somewhere for dinner in York tonight. Anyone got any recommendations? Taking youngest teen for a last minute half term trip.
October 31, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Need to find somewhere for dinner in York tonight. Anyone got any recommendations? Taking youngest teen for a last minute half term trip.
Arrived just in time for my train journey to York today! @katrinanavickas.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Arrived just in time for my train journey to York today! @katrinanavickas.bsky.social
Reposted by Sally Watson
"Children are basically living very captive and kind of contained lives, and that's just not healthy." @timrgill.bsky.social on this @thewaroncars.bsky.social podcast.
podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id14...
More info on Tim rethinkingchildhood.com/about/
#PlayStreetsBETA
podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id14...
More info on Tim rethinkingchildhood.com/about/
#PlayStreetsBETA
About Tim
Tim Gill is an independent scholar, writer and consultant on childhood, and a global advocate for children’s play and mobility. He is the author of Urban Playground: How child-friendly urban …
rethinkingchildhood.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:15 PM
"Children are basically living very captive and kind of contained lives, and that's just not healthy." @timrgill.bsky.social on this @thewaroncars.bsky.social podcast.
podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id14...
More info on Tim rethinkingchildhood.com/about/
#PlayStreetsBETA
podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id14...
More info on Tim rethinkingchildhood.com/about/
#PlayStreetsBETA
Today’s Oxfam bookshop haul. The English Heritage book of games is from 2007.
October 29, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Today’s Oxfam bookshop haul. The English Heritage book of games is from 2007.
Reposted by Sally Watson
My book UP IN THE AIR: A HISTORY OF HIGH-RISE BRITAIN is out today!
October 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
My book UP IN THE AIR: A HISTORY OF HIGH-RISE BRITAIN is out today!
Reposted by Sally Watson
With some fabulous playwork, youth work, and school-based colleagues - and with local children - we’ve been working in Jarrow to shout about the value of play, so very very pleased to see “further investment focused on a new play strategy for children” in the developing plans of Jarrow Forward.
Ambitious £20m plans to transform North East town unveiled
The Jarrow Forward neighbourhood board has produced a ten-year regeneration plan for the South Tyneside town after listening to the views of more than 1,000 residents
www.chroniclelive.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM
With some fabulous playwork, youth work, and school-based colleagues - and with local children - we’ve been working in Jarrow to shout about the value of play, so very very pleased to see “further investment focused on a new play strategy for children” in the developing plans of Jarrow Forward.