Simon Briercliffe
@simonbriercliffe.bsky.social
Historian at the Black Country Museum and elsewhere: talk to me about the Black Country, Shropshire, modern and local British history, the Irish in Britain, museums, local heritage and all stops in between. Baby gaeilgeoir. https://simonbriercliffe.com/
Bit of a busman's holiday, but I don't often get the chance to come to the office as an actual visitor so I had a lovely day showing Maude the full @bclivingmuseum.bsky.social experience.
December 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Bit of a busman's holiday, but I don't often get the chance to come to the office as an actual visitor so I had a lovely day showing Maude the full @bclivingmuseum.bsky.social experience.
You can learn a lot about a person based on who their favourite Muppet is.
December 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
You can learn a lot about a person based on who their favourite Muppet is.
Went for a Boxing Day walk and the dog found a string of sausages in the verge, like we were in an actual cartoon.
December 26, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Went for a Boxing Day walk and the dog found a string of sausages in the verge, like we were in an actual cartoon.
Ten Black Country points if you have a Soak as part of your Christmas buffet tea. (This article features my job-share Clare, probably the most Christmas-obsessed curator you will meet). www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mock turkey and other forgotten festive traditions
Staff at the Black Country Living Museum recall Christmas traditions that have faded over time.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Ten Black Country points if you have a Soak as part of your Christmas buffet tea. (This article features my job-share Clare, probably the most Christmas-obsessed curator you will meet). www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Historic England's new pubs hub: historicengland.org.uk/advice/carin...
England's Historic Pubs | Historic England
Explore Historic England's resources about historic pubs and find out how you can help care for them.
historicengland.org.uk
December 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Historic England's new pubs hub: historicengland.org.uk/advice/carin...
This week I have been mostly listening to Alan Sparhawk's most recent album. A long time since I've listened to anything so emotionally raw. If you knew Low, "turn on the bright lights/And turn up the drum mics" is pretty harrowing, then Alan and Mimi's daughter joins in... youtu.be/FJovwZ8PJUs
Alan Sparhawk - Not Broken (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Alan Sparhawk
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
This week I have been mostly listening to Alan Sparhawk's most recent album. A long time since I've listened to anything so emotionally raw. If you knew Low, "turn on the bright lights/And turn up the drum mics" is pretty harrowing, then Alan and Mimi's daughter joins in... youtu.be/FJovwZ8PJUs
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Artist: Captain Howdy https://b3ta.com/board/11423792
From the 'Internet Christmas' challenge https://b3ta.com/challenge/internetchristmas/popular/ #InternetChristmas
From the 'Internet Christmas' challenge https://b3ta.com/challenge/internetchristmas/popular/ #InternetChristmas
December 19, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Artist: Captain Howdy https://b3ta.com/board/11423792
From the 'Internet Christmas' challenge https://b3ta.com/challenge/internetchristmas/popular/ #InternetChristmas
From the 'Internet Christmas' challenge https://b3ta.com/challenge/internetchristmas/popular/ #InternetChristmas
I think I might make a copy of this for parties and/or public transport.
December 17, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I think I might make a copy of this for parties and/or public transport.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Hey, do you all know that there are people in prison in the UK, arrested for connection to Palestine Action, who have been on hunger strike for 45 days. David Lammy refuses to even engage with MPs to discuss the issue.
David Lammy has taken over £30k from pro-Israel lobby groups.
David Lammy has taken over £30k from pro-Israel lobby groups.
Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers ‘may die without Lammy’s intervention’
Justice secretary criticised for refusing to meet lawyers who say health of their jailed clients is ‘rapidly deteriorating’
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Hey, do you all know that there are people in prison in the UK, arrested for connection to Palestine Action, who have been on hunger strike for 45 days. David Lammy refuses to even engage with MPs to discuss the issue.
David Lammy has taken over £30k from pro-Israel lobby groups.
David Lammy has taken over £30k from pro-Israel lobby groups.
Tremors by a country mile.
December 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Tremors by a country mile.
I'm sure a lot of historians idly wonder what they'd do if they had a time machine. Me, I'd go back to whoever owned our house c1980s and explain that if you have damp in an old house, textured wallpaper with polystyrene behind it and woodchip everywhere Will Not Help. Nice orange underneath though.
December 15, 2025 at 10:53 AM
I'm sure a lot of historians idly wonder what they'd do if they had a time machine. Me, I'd go back to whoever owned our house c1980s and explain that if you have damp in an old house, textured wallpaper with polystyrene behind it and woodchip everywhere Will Not Help. Nice orange underneath though.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Next semester is already looking quite busy with RA work, part time teaching and ploughing on with my book. But if you have transcription or archival (London/SE area) needs please do drop me a line. My rates are now on my webpage. #MedievalSky #EarlyModern
joanneedge.co.uk/freelance-wo...
joanneedge.co.uk/freelance-wo...
Freelance Work
Transcription, scholarly editing, archival visits Joanne is available for freelance work: transcriptions and editions of late medieval and early modern Latin, English and Anglo-Norman manuscript te…
joanneedge.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Next semester is already looking quite busy with RA work, part time teaching and ploughing on with my book. But if you have transcription or archival (London/SE area) needs please do drop me a line. My rates are now on my webpage. #MedievalSky #EarlyModern
joanneedge.co.uk/freelance-wo...
joanneedge.co.uk/freelance-wo...
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Really interesting CFP for #IrishinBritain scholars here from @museumofthehome.bsky.social .
museumofthehome.org.uk/our-work/res...
museumofthehome.org.uk/our-work/res...
Call for Papers: ‘Irish Blood, English Hearth: creativity, identity and the migrant Irish home' - Museum of the Home
Call for papers for ‘Irish Blood, English Hearth: creativity, identity and the migrant Irish home’, a one-day symposium inspired by the Irish room that was launched at the Museum of the Home in 2024.
museumofthehome.org.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Really interesting CFP for #IrishinBritain scholars here from @museumofthehome.bsky.social .
museumofthehome.org.uk/our-work/res...
museumofthehome.org.uk/our-work/res...
They say this because they haven't tried a Master System with Alex Kidd in Miracle World built in where there's no save option and you have to play the entire thing through to complete it (which I never did)
Why do Gen Z have a growing appetite for retro tech?
Why do Gen Z have a growing appetite for retro tech?
Gen Z are going retro, with studies showing a resurgence in people buying tech in the modern age that can be dated back decades.
www.bbc.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
They say this because they haven't tried a Master System with Alex Kidd in Miracle World built in where there's no save option and you have to play the entire thing through to complete it (which I never did)
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
From the 1936 catalogue of the Tipton electrical manufacturing company of Revo. "Typical" street lighting installations inc. some v Thirties seaside stuff as well as the old Marble Arch layout in London. @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social @sabre-roads.org.uk @roads.org.uk @lccmunicipal.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
From the 1936 catalogue of the Tipton electrical manufacturing company of Revo. "Typical" street lighting installations inc. some v Thirties seaside stuff as well as the old Marble Arch layout in London. @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social @sabre-roads.org.uk @roads.org.uk @lccmunicipal.bsky.social
That's Parr and Nick Hedges in the last year, two of the most wonderful photographers of working-class life, and two that made a particular study of the Black Country. I'm a bit fearful for John Bulmer 😕
Martin Parr, photographer acclaimed for observations of British life, dies aged 73. www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Martin Parr, photographer acclaimed for observations of British life, dies aged 73
Known for acute observations of class system, Parr’s images were often in vivid colour with more than a dash of humour
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM
That's Parr and Nick Hedges in the last year, two of the most wonderful photographers of working-class life, and two that made a particular study of the Black Country. I'm a bit fearful for John Bulmer 😕
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
The Winter edition of The Blackcountryman magazine is now available to buy from the Black Country Living Museum shop. 96 pages full of sparkly Black Country goodness. Includes a ghost walk through the BCLM site. A perfect read for long Winter evenings.
December 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The Winter edition of The Blackcountryman magazine is now available to buy from the Black Country Living Museum shop. 96 pages full of sparkly Black Country goodness. Includes a ghost walk through the BCLM site. A perfect read for long Winter evenings.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Interested in old maps? My new @ihr.bsky.social 'Discovery' Short Course will introduce the history of cartography, how to find and work with old maps online, and even how to georeference historical maps! We'll also get hands-on with map collections, plus lecture from @kparkerhistorian.bsky.social
Announcing IHR Discovery Courses: Historic Maps, Townscape & Architecture, and Archaeology for Historians. Suitable for historians working in all contexts, or anyone looking for new learning experiences, and inspiration. www.history.ac.uk/study-traini...
December 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Interested in old maps? My new @ihr.bsky.social 'Discovery' Short Course will introduce the history of cartography, how to find and work with old maps online, and even how to georeference historical maps! We'll also get hands-on with map collections, plus lecture from @kparkerhistorian.bsky.social
I wonder if five lodgers would cover the mansion tax?
November 30, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I wonder if five lodgers would cover the mansion tax?
Three of our girls working on their album cover
November 27, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Three of our girls working on their album cover
Listen to the clarity here. My singing range has contracted to about half an octave but here was a man well into his sixties singing better than he ever had.
youtu.be/EsuW3dg7Q90?...
youtu.be/EsuW3dg7Q90?...
Jimmy Cliff Many Rivers To Cross Later with Jools Holland Duet Live HD
YouTube video by You Tuber
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Listen to the clarity here. My singing range has contracted to about half an octave but here was a man well into his sixties singing better than he ever had.
youtu.be/EsuW3dg7Q90?...
youtu.be/EsuW3dg7Q90?...
If we were in a normal timeline, Ed Davey would be about to burst out of this.
Zack Polanski, along with a group of MPs and campaigners, has left a massive pile of 'wealth tax revenue' cash outside Parliament this morning
November 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
If we were in a normal timeline, Ed Davey would be about to burst out of this.
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
Cluedo inventor's daughter hands over archives to Birmingham museum - BBC News share.google/7Qv94t3X2q9K...
Cluedo inventor's daughter hands over archives to Birmingham museum
Anthony Pratt's daughter explains how evenings performing at country hotels inspired the murder-mystery game.
share.google
November 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Cluedo inventor's daughter hands over archives to Birmingham museum - BBC News share.google/7Qv94t3X2q9K...
Reposted by Simon Briercliffe
I wonder if any Irish historians on here can help me identify any of the people in this picture? Early 1900s probably in Dublin, it's Tom Clarke in the middle and I think I know who it is on the left of the image. Any of the others though?
November 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I wonder if any Irish historians on here can help me identify any of the people in this picture? Early 1900s probably in Dublin, it's Tom Clarke in the middle and I think I know who it is on the left of the image. Any of the others though?
I wonder if any Irish historians on here can help me identify any of the people in this picture? Early 1900s probably in Dublin, it's Tom Clarke in the middle and I think I know who it is on the left of the image. Any of the others though?
November 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I wonder if any Irish historians on here can help me identify any of the people in this picture? Early 1900s probably in Dublin, it's Tom Clarke in the middle and I think I know who it is on the left of the image. Any of the others though?