Stephen Witkowski
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stephenwitkowski.bsky.social
Stephen Witkowski
@stephenwitkowski.bsky.social
Retired archivist/librarian, reader, horror fan. Usually found in a sedentary position.
Reposted by Stephen Witkowski
In Agadoo did Kubla Khan
Push pineapples, shake the tree
January 1, 2026 at 5:37 PM
If you’re interested here’s my top ten horror films for 2025. Still far too many ‘grief is the monster’ movies but they seem to be thankfully declining. Happy New Year.
December 31, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Wishing all my fellow Blue Sky friends a merry and peaceful Christmas.
December 24, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Stephen Witkowski
Christmas past comes alive as Sheffield pubs, halls and theatre celebrate hyper-local carols
Christmas past comes alive as Sheffield pubs, halls and theatre celebrate hyper-local carols
Crucible’s production of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol incorporates festive songs from the area, where aural traditions stay strong
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
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Day 17. Time for a route one selection. This is genuinely one of the best ever.

Wombling Merry Christmas

youtu.be/_JhVkWNHaU4?...
The Wombles - Wombling Merry Christmas
YouTube video by DramaticoMusic
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Wallace and Gromit are on the front cover of the Christmas Radio Times for the second year in a row. I do like them, but the lack of imagination from the RT symbolises in a very small, insignificant way where we are these days.
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by Stephen Witkowski
To those commissioning DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K booklet essays: I write mainly about British and American films - 60s, 70s, 80s cinema. Worked for Arrow (How to Get Ahead in Advertising, September, Count Yorga, Lifeforce, Incubus) and Indicator (Birdy, Fatherland, Captain Clegg, Robin Hood at Hammer).1/2
November 28, 2025 at 11:20 PM
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It's Doctor Who Day. To celebrate, I've edited and designed a new digital bookazine for @radiotimes.bsky.social, collecting the best of the magazine's articles and rare photography from the show's early years. Download it FREE from www.radiotimes.com/doctor-who-t...
November 23, 2025 at 10:11 AM
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***ANNOUNCEMENT***

Coming on December 15th on #4K in the UK from @hammerfilms.bsky.social: #WhisperingSmithHitsLondon (1952)!

In this rediscovered classic, restored for a new generation, Private detective Steve "Whispering" Smith is intent on holidaying in England but soon becomes
October 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Reposted by Stephen Witkowski
I should mention that the Manchester Festival of Fantastic Films (which I’m
Involved with) takes place in two Friday’s time. Guests include James Swanton, Dominic Brunt and Virginia Wetherall. We’ve talks, book launches, performances and much more. fantastic-films.uk
Festival of Fantastic Films Manchester – The unique annual celebration of horror, SF and fantasy in films, TV and books
fantastic-films.uk
October 14, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I should mention that the Manchester Festival of Fantastic Films (which I’m
Involved with) takes place in two Friday’s time. Guests include James Swanton, Dominic Brunt and Virginia Wetherall. We’ve talks, book launches, performances and much more. fantastic-films.uk
Festival of Fantastic Films Manchester – The unique annual celebration of horror, SF and fantasy in films, TV and books
fantastic-films.uk
October 14, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposted by Stephen Witkowski
Time to write to your MP and make your feelings known. If Labour push the ban through it will be a huge vote loser for them. actionnetwork.org/letters/scra...
Scrap the Bathroom Ban
🚨This is urgent🚨 Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities, has a decision to make. The EHRC, a regulator mired in controversy over anti-trans views, has sent a new draft Code of Prac...
actionnetwork.org
October 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by Stephen Witkowski
A reminder that tickets are now available for all my Halloween and Christmas shows at London's Dickens Museum! Choose from THE SIGNAL-MAN & THE TRIAL FOR MURDER, THE HAUNTED MAN and the immortal CHRISTMAS CAROL before they sell out: dickensmuseum.com/blogs/all-ev...
September 15, 2025 at 1:02 PM
This will be good.
And while we're at it, it's time to dust off your Blue Peter Annual (and burn your Magpie one): we've just released tickets for Peter Fleming's Dismally Ill-Prepared TV Pub Quiz, from @nottomburgess.bsky.social. Sunday 7th September, at regular XS prices! wegottickets.com/event/673651
August 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Stephen Witkowski
Calling historians and researchers. The BBC Written Archives Centre has changed its access rules without consultation. This means an end to proper independent research into the BBC's rich history. 178 have already signed the open letter. Please join the campaign here:

tinyurl.com/bbcwaccampaign
Open letter BBC Written Archives - August 2025
Join the campaign to protect the future of independent research at the BBC Written Archives Centre The following text is an open letter expressing the concern of historians and researchers about chan...
tinyurl.com
August 18, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Don’t look now has just started on BBC4, the opening sequence is among the most dazzling in cinema history. I never tire of watching it. Christie’s scream at the climax of the scene is utterly chilling.
July 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I am up to page 112 of HORROR MOVIE by @paultremblay.bsky.social . I am unnerved and disturbed in equal measure. ‘I can’t go on. I’ll go on.’
July 7, 2025 at 12:19 AM
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Excellent deep dive by Frank as usual. Here is my own piece on the film: cinephiliabeyond.org/silent-runni...
June 14, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Stephen Witkowski
Pat Troughton and Sylvia Sims as Winston and Julia in this recovered radio production of Nineteen Eighty Four www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Hidden Treasures - Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell - BBC Sounds
Winston Smith rebels against Big Brother.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 1, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I fancied a bit of cheering up.
March 22, 2025 at 11:47 AM
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6: "You might as well just blow your brains out on the first day."
January 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
So, a double bill of Hawk’s SCARFACE and Eggars’s NOSFERATU in 35mm. A lovely old theatre.
December 28, 2024 at 4:25 PM
Boxing Day breakfast in Bolingbrook
December 26, 2024 at 4:26 PM