Stephen Lynas
@sblynas.bsky.social
Somerset. Church (mostly Anglican). Railways. UK politics.
Retired C of E priest, also the retired General Synod blogger known as 'bathwellschap'
Retired C of E priest, also the retired General Synod blogger known as 'bathwellschap'
Oh yes!
The Romans called the town Ivybridge because the name Forth Bridge was already taken.
November 8, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Oh yes!
Agreed. I've just leafed through the Aldi Christmas food booklet. And I'm not salivating.
Well this Christmas I’m taking a stand against the term ‘must-haves’. Food, clothing and shelter are ‘must-haves’. The rest are ‘devices you desire’.
November 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Agreed. I've just leafed through the Aldi Christmas food booklet. And I'm not salivating.
This is good news!
Bath and Wells has been without a Bishop of Taunton for a while, as Bishop Ruth has been covering vacancies in Coventry and now Liverpool.
So welcome Bishop Fiona!
#CofEpeeps
www.bathandwells.org.uk/news/fiona-g...
Bath and Wells has been without a Bishop of Taunton for a while, as Bishop Ruth has been covering vacancies in Coventry and now Liverpool.
So welcome Bishop Fiona!
#CofEpeeps
www.bathandwells.org.uk/news/fiona-g...
Fiona Gibson to become the next Bishop of Taunton - Bath and Wells Diocese
Downing Street has announced today that Fiona Gibson will be the next Bishop of Taunton. She is currently the Archdeacon of Ludlow in the Diocese of Hereford, a role which she has held since 2021.
www.bathandwells.org.uk
October 22, 2025 at 10:19 AM
This is good news!
Bath and Wells has been without a Bishop of Taunton for a while, as Bishop Ruth has been covering vacancies in Coventry and now Liverpool.
So welcome Bishop Fiona!
#CofEpeeps
www.bathandwells.org.uk/news/fiona-g...
Bath and Wells has been without a Bishop of Taunton for a while, as Bishop Ruth has been covering vacancies in Coventry and now Liverpool.
So welcome Bishop Fiona!
#CofEpeeps
www.bathandwells.org.uk/news/fiona-g...
✝️
Quran burning, freedom of expression and the limits of s.5 Public Order Act 1986: R v Coskun: rather long note on R v Hamit Coskun [2025] Southwark Crown Court 10 October: lawandreligionuk.com/2025/10/22/q...
Quran burning, freedom of expression and the limits of s.5 Public Order Act 1986: R v Coskun | Law & Religion UK
lawandreligionuk.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:29 AM
✝️
A little reminder of the Churches Mutual Credit Union - sensible loans to support ministry!
For those with the resources, an ideal way to support other people - by investing with CMCU.
Not just for #CofEpeeps
Car loans and loans to buy an electric bike, for example.
www.churchesmutual.co.uk
For those with the resources, an ideal way to support other people - by investing with CMCU.
Not just for #CofEpeeps
Car loans and loans to buy an electric bike, for example.
www.churchesmutual.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
A little reminder of the Churches Mutual Credit Union - sensible loans to support ministry!
For those with the resources, an ideal way to support other people - by investing with CMCU.
Not just for #CofEpeeps
Car loans and loans to buy an electric bike, for example.
www.churchesmutual.co.uk
For those with the resources, an ideal way to support other people - by investing with CMCU.
Not just for #CofEpeeps
Car loans and loans to buy an electric bike, for example.
www.churchesmutual.co.uk
The entities formerly known as HSTs, now @gwr.com 'Castle class', are heading for extinction this year.
Caught this one passing Totnes Riverside on the South Devon Railway, en route Exeter -Penzance.
#UKRailways
Caught this one passing Totnes Riverside on the South Devon Railway, en route Exeter -Penzance.
#UKRailways
October 17, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The entities formerly known as HSTs, now @gwr.com 'Castle class', are heading for extinction this year.
Caught this one passing Totnes Riverside on the South Devon Railway, en route Exeter -Penzance.
#UKRailways
Caught this one passing Totnes Riverside on the South Devon Railway, en route Exeter -Penzance.
#UKRailways
Oh, this is genius!
And a real competitor to the Swiss Railway clock.
Check out the linked video.
#UKRailway
And a real competitor to the Swiss Railway clock.
Check out the linked video.
#UKRailway
October 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Oh, this is genius!
And a real competitor to the Swiss Railway clock.
Check out the linked video.
#UKRailway
And a real competitor to the Swiss Railway clock.
Check out the linked video.
#UKRailway
I think this applies this side of the Atlantic too... ✝️
October 10, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I think this applies this side of the Atlantic too... ✝️
##CofEPeeps need to see this.
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
October 7, 2025 at 9:49 PM
##CofEPeeps need to see this.
I'm not sure Robert Jenrick has quite understood how ventriloquism works.
#UKpolitics
#UKpolitics
October 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I'm not sure Robert Jenrick has quite understood how ventriloquism works.
#UKpolitics
#UKpolitics
#CofEpeeps needs a bit of comment on today's announcement, so here's one for starters.
Delighted by the news that Bishop Sarah is to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury! I wrote this: shared-conversations.com/2025/10/03/w...
White smoke day: the new Archbishop of Canterbury
Because I am on General Synod, friends and family assume that I have some sort of hot line to the process by which the new Archbishop of Canterbury is chosen. Well, in a word, no. I have been as mu…
shared-conversations.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
#CofEpeeps needs a bit of comment on today's announcement, so here's one for starters.
What a cracking photo of Bath Spa in the dark!
#UKRailways
#UKRailways
October 2, 2025 at 1:44 PM
What a cracking photo of Bath Spa in the dark!
#UKRailways
#UKRailways
Interesting exercise to say a prayer for an individual when you don't know who they are...✝️
Two more sleeps to the next Archbishop of Canterbury …
October 2, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Interesting exercise to say a prayer for an individual when you don't know who they are...✝️
Very good.
But some of us are still looking for Series 3 assistance...
Green was good.
😄😄
But some of us are still looking for Series 3 assistance...
Green was good.
😄😄
#CofEPeeps My immediate thought was, ‘Surely ASB help hasn’t been needed since 2000?’ (OK, will find out who they really are now…)
In our latest blog, we break down the changes in the updated statutory guidance for ASB powers.
Read the #blog here 👉 asbhelp.co.uk/government-u...
Read the #blog here 👉 asbhelp.co.uk/government-u...
September 26, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Very good.
But some of us are still looking for Series 3 assistance...
Green was good.
😄😄
But some of us are still looking for Series 3 assistance...
Green was good.
😄😄
Some fun graphics here. And while the name speculation is probably foggy, the explanations about the process are very good.
And it's not paywall protected! 👍✝️
And it's not paywall protected! 👍✝️
‘How the next #Archbishop of #Canterbury is chosen and what happens next’
@thetimes.com , in an article just published this morning, hints that a decision has been made…
@thetimes.com , in an article just published this morning, hints that a decision has been made…
September 26, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Some fun graphics here. And while the name speculation is probably foggy, the explanations about the process are very good.
And it's not paywall protected! 👍✝️
And it's not paywall protected! 👍✝️
One for #UKRailways
2:00 on Friday September 19th and "The Cornish Lunch" - great name for a special train - passes Totnes Riverside on the South Devon Railway.
Destination was Par. Good thing they were eating on the train as by the time they got there they were half an hour late..
Starting point was Cardiff.
Destination was Par. Good thing they were eating on the train as by the time they got there they were half an hour late..
Starting point was Cardiff.
September 20, 2025 at 9:24 PM
One for #UKRailways
2:00 on Friday September 19th and "The Cornish Lunch" - great name for a special train - passes Totnes Riverside on the South Devon Railway.
Destination was Par. Good thing they were eating on the train as by the time they got there they were half an hour late..
Starting point was Cardiff.
Destination was Par. Good thing they were eating on the train as by the time they got there they were half an hour late..
Starting point was Cardiff.
September 20, 2025 at 7:28 PM
2:00 on Friday September 19th and "The Cornish Lunch" - great name for a special train - passes Totnes Riverside on the South Devon Railway.
Destination was Par. Good thing they were eating on the train as by the time they got there they were half an hour late..
Starting point was Cardiff.
Destination was Par. Good thing they were eating on the train as by the time they got there they were half an hour late..
Starting point was Cardiff.
An antidote to the flummery, from today's @theguardian.com
September 18, 2025 at 9:28 AM
An antidote to the flummery, from today's @theguardian.com
OK, got round to buying it.
Now I'm going to have to read it...
(No, looking forward to it, @revcharlottegale.bsky.social)
✝️
Now I'm going to have to read it...
(No, looking forward to it, @revcharlottegale.bsky.social)
✝️
September 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
OK, got round to buying it.
Now I'm going to have to read it...
(No, looking forward to it, @revcharlottegale.bsky.social)
✝️
Now I'm going to have to read it...
(No, looking forward to it, @revcharlottegale.bsky.social)
✝️
The Very Expensive Train (Brittanic Explorer) passes the South Devon Railway at Totnes Riverside.
Blue 66 on the rear, GWR autocoach on the SDR service train.
#UKRailways
Blue 66 on the rear, GWR autocoach on the SDR service train.
#UKRailways
August 31, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The Very Expensive Train (Brittanic Explorer) passes the South Devon Railway at Totnes Riverside.
Blue 66 on the rear, GWR autocoach on the SDR service train.
#UKRailways
Blue 66 on the rear, GWR autocoach on the SDR service train.
#UKRailways
I think it does! ✝️
Trying out some different angles to get a feel of the Hen Runs to promote private retreats. Does this one look enticing?
August 28, 2025 at 10:11 PM
I think it does! ✝️
Oh my life!
Shades of Ceaucescu, or North Korea.
In the former home of the brave, land of the free.
Errrrgh.
Shades of Ceaucescu, or North Korea.
In the former home of the brave, land of the free.
Errrrgh.
Witkoff: "There's only one thing I wish for: that that Nobel committee finally gets its act together and realizes that you are the single finest candidate since that Nobel award was ever talked about."
August 27, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Oh my life!
Shades of Ceaucescu, or North Korea.
In the former home of the brave, land of the free.
Errrrgh.
Shades of Ceaucescu, or North Korea.
In the former home of the brave, land of the free.
Errrrgh.
Oooh and @petercrumpler.bsky.social has a letter in the new @privateeyenews.bsky.social this week!
✝️
✝️
‘We need to teach creation care,’ says John Truscott in today’s Herts Advertiser #FaithFocus #CofEpeeps
August 21, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Oooh and @petercrumpler.bsky.social has a letter in the new @privateeyenews.bsky.social this week!
✝️
✝️
5 minutes before the Northern Belle came over the Cogload flyover from Bristol, a GWR IEP came under it from Castle Cary, forming a Paddington-Paignton service.
#UKRailways
#UKRailways
August 19, 2025 at 9:18 PM
5 minutes before the Northern Belle came over the Cogload flyover from Bristol, a GWR IEP came under it from Castle Cary, forming a Paddington-Paignton service.
#UKRailways
#UKRailways
57513 Scarborough Castle leading the Northern Belle Birmingham-Paington trip off the Cogload Junction flyover 19 August 2025.
57314 on the rear.
The whole consist looks amazing, pity about the Mk1 coaches!
#UKRailways
57314 on the rear.
The whole consist looks amazing, pity about the Mk1 coaches!
#UKRailways
August 19, 2025 at 9:10 PM
57513 Scarborough Castle leading the Northern Belle Birmingham-Paington trip off the Cogload Junction flyover 19 August 2025.
57314 on the rear.
The whole consist looks amazing, pity about the Mk1 coaches!
#UKRailways
57314 on the rear.
The whole consist looks amazing, pity about the Mk1 coaches!
#UKRailways