Alison Stenning
@alisonstenning.bsky.social
Geographer - Professor - Mum - Playing - #playstreets - Cycling - #kidicalmass - #WarOnCars - Walking - Noticing - Green - North Tyneside - North Shields - UK
Pinned
Hello 👋 I’m here for the chat about (geographies of) (urban) play and everyday mobility, esp children’s, along with neighbourhoods and community; bits on austerity, class & social change; climate & environment; but also the north-east of England (esp Tyneside); and some higher education too.
Who can make these for me!?
I always cycle in mittens in the winter and have some lovely warm Icelandic ones, but these would be even better.
I always cycle in mittens in the winter and have some lovely warm Icelandic ones, but these would be even better.
Urbanist knitters, I need you to know about these mittens: www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib...
"Fuck Cars" Mittens pattern by Erin Megenity
Prepare to show off your love of bikes and become the envy of your urbanist friends with these “Fuck Cars” Mittens! Inspired by my husband, I designed these mittens for those of us who don’t let cold ...
www.ravelry.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Who can make these for me!?
I always cycle in mittens in the winter and have some lovely warm Icelandic ones, but these would be even better.
I always cycle in mittens in the winter and have some lovely warm Icelandic ones, but these would be even better.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Yes, this is correct. And the reason is because our capitalist classes have decided that it is not sufficiently profitable, so they're not going to do it.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Yes, this is correct. And the reason is because our capitalist classes have decided that it is not sufficiently profitable, so they're not going to do it.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
We must understand this reality. Capital *cannot* be relied upon to address the climate crisis.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
With integrated modes, increased bus frequency and reduced journey times #Newcastle could see 170,700 more people connected to the city centre 📢
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
With integrated modes, increased bus frequency and reduced journey times #Newcastle could see 170,700 more people connected to the city centre 📢
Our recent article reflecting on neighbohood play during the first covid-19 lockdown, using Donald Winnicott (and Bonnie Honig and Joanna Kellond) to think about play, space, and care, both in the pandemic and beyond, now has a home in @tibg.bsky.social's December issue.
@wendyrussell.bsky.social
@wendyrussell.bsky.social
Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers | RGS Journal | Wiley Online Library
In this paper, we explore what the experiences of some children and families in their neighbourhoods during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown can tell us about the value and importance of neighbourhood ...
rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Our recent article reflecting on neighbohood play during the first covid-19 lockdown, using Donald Winnicott (and Bonnie Honig and Joanna Kellond) to think about play, space, and care, both in the pandemic and beyond, now has a home in @tibg.bsky.social's December issue.
@wendyrussell.bsky.social
@wendyrussell.bsky.social
A much more positive story, and which testifies to the extraordinary social value of adventure playgrounds:
"Two decades ago, [Portsmouth] council chose to prioritise playgrounds and youth clubs to help its poorer families – and the benefits are plain to see"
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"Two decades ago, [Portsmouth] council chose to prioritise playgrounds and youth clubs to help its poorer families – and the benefits are plain to see"
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
A much more positive story, and which testifies to the extraordinary social value of adventure playgrounds:
"Two decades ago, [Portsmouth] council chose to prioritise playgrounds and youth clubs to help its poorer families – and the benefits are plain to see"
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
"Two decades ago, [Portsmouth] council chose to prioritise playgrounds and youth clubs to help its poorer families – and the benefits are plain to see"
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alison Stenning
‘Similar pressure to London’: the housing crisis reaches Newcastle
‘Similar pressure to London’: the housing crisis reaches Newcastle
In the north-east city, charity Crisis is having to buy its own housing stock to meet sharp rise in homelessness
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
‘Similar pressure to London’: the housing crisis reaches Newcastle
This article broke my heart, and underlines the shocking state children’s mental health care today - the erosion of children’s and parents’ rights, unqualified and inexperienced staff, corporations who don’t care, and so much more.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘The ward felt like a prison. What had I let them do?’: how my daughter was crushed by a health service meant to help her
Ruth was 14 years old and being treated for an eating disorder when she died after being detained under the Mental Health Act. She wasn’t allowed to see her family for more than a few hours a week. Ho...
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This article broke my heart, and underlines the shocking state children’s mental health care today - the erosion of children’s and parents’ rights, unqualified and inexperienced staff, corporations who don’t care, and so much more.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
This is a desperately sad story, one doubtless repeated across the country, but it’s also desperately stupid:
“an independent report … estimated the centre is saving the council more than £500,000 a year in costs that include services in mental health, youth justice and social care”
“an independent report … estimated the centre is saving the council more than £500,000 a year in costs that include services in mental health, youth justice and social care”
Last youth centre in one of England’s most deprived coastal areas faces closure
Pie Factory Music in Ramsgate, Kent, runs creative projects and provides a range of support services, but the building that houses the centre is due to be sold off in February
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This is a desperately sad story, one doubtless repeated across the country, but it’s also desperately stupid:
“an independent report … estimated the centre is saving the council more than £500,000 a year in costs that include services in mental health, youth justice and social care”
“an independent report … estimated the centre is saving the council more than £500,000 a year in costs that include services in mental health, youth justice and social care”
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Unless there's an unbreakably valid safety reason why not, all button-operated pedestrian crossings should activate the lights in pedestrians' favour instantly when pressed.
November 8, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Unless there's an unbreakably valid safety reason why not, all button-operated pedestrian crossings should activate the lights in pedestrians' favour instantly when pressed.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
As @zackpolanski.bsky.social says... We need YOU!
The local elections in May 2026 are fast approaching and are our chance to make hope normal again in Newcastle 🌱
There's never been a more exciting time to get involved. Join us today join.greenparty.org.uk
The local elections in May 2026 are fast approaching and are our chance to make hope normal again in Newcastle 🌱
There's never been a more exciting time to get involved. Join us today join.greenparty.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
As @zackpolanski.bsky.social says... We need YOU!
The local elections in May 2026 are fast approaching and are our chance to make hope normal again in Newcastle 🌱
There's never been a more exciting time to get involved. Join us today join.greenparty.org.uk
The local elections in May 2026 are fast approaching and are our chance to make hope normal again in Newcastle 🌱
There's never been a more exciting time to get involved. Join us today join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Trinity Square car park, Gateshead, 2007, photo by Sally Ann Norman. The 'Get Carter' car park, demolished 2010.
November 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Trinity Square car park, Gateshead, 2007, photo by Sally Ann Norman. The 'Get Carter' car park, demolished 2010.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Hulme, Manchester, 1965, by Shirley Baker, 1932-2014 (Café Royal Books).
November 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Hulme, Manchester, 1965, by Shirley Baker, 1932-2014 (Café Royal Books).
Reposted by Alison Stenning
England has bus routes whose names sound like outlines of a novel.
November 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
England has bus routes whose names sound like outlines of a novel.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Find a great-value, eco-friendly gift this Christmas! Visit the Pre-Loved Bike Event at the Linskill Centre, Sat 15 Nov, 10am–12pm. Over 50 children’s bikes, all safety-checked. First come, first served. Proceeds support Linskill Charity with North Tyneside Council.
November 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Find a great-value, eco-friendly gift this Christmas! Visit the Pre-Loved Bike Event at the Linskill Centre, Sat 15 Nov, 10am–12pm. Over 50 children’s bikes, all safety-checked. First come, first served. Proceeds support Linskill Charity with North Tyneside Council.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
Someone at a Russell Group university was moved to almost-poetry by their Faculty Meeting… Can anyone do better?
November 7, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Someone at a Russell Group university was moved to almost-poetry by their Faculty Meeting… Can anyone do better?
It’s apparently trolley season in Jarrow - looked like lots had been used (and abused) for Halloween and Bonfire Night, but also just for moving stuff round the streets - and for playing in and with.
November 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
It’s apparently trolley season in Jarrow - looked like lots had been used (and abused) for Halloween and Bonfire Night, but also just for moving stuff round the streets - and for playing in and with.
Whilst I was in Jarrow, I popped to see this skatepark.
It’s not really been repaired, there’s lots of burnt debris - and the access traffic lights are out again.
I’ll follow this all up, but these less glamorous aspects of play provision need as much attention as the headlines.
It’s not really been repaired, there’s lots of burnt debris - and the access traffic lights are out again.
I’ll follow this all up, but these less glamorous aspects of play provision need as much attention as the headlines.
November 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Whilst I was in Jarrow, I popped to see this skatepark.
It’s not really been repaired, there’s lots of burnt debris - and the access traffic lights are out again.
I’ll follow this all up, but these less glamorous aspects of play provision need as much attention as the headlines.
It’s not really been repaired, there’s lots of burnt debris - and the access traffic lights are out again.
I’ll follow this all up, but these less glamorous aspects of play provision need as much attention as the headlines.
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
Please sign and share!
Solidarity to Leicester geographers 👊
Solidarity to Leicester geographers 👊
SAVE GEOGRAPHY at Leicester University (UK) - We call on the University of Leicester to urgently reconsider the proposal to dissolve Geography. This is direct attack on the discipline of Geography at Leicester with likely loss of Geography staff. Please sign + share
www.change.org/p/save-geogr...
www.change.org/p/save-geogr...
November 7, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Please sign and share!
Solidarity to Leicester geographers 👊
Solidarity to Leicester geographers 👊
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.
Very happy to have got my hands on a commemorative print of Prefab77’s Net Worth. Not quite as impressive as the mural itself, but looking forward to getting it up alongside his Siren (a fundraising print of the first North Shields trail mural) in our new house soon.
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Very happy to have got my hands on a commemorative print of Prefab77’s Net Worth. Not quite as impressive as the mural itself, but looking forward to getting it up alongside his Siren (a fundraising print of the first North Shields trail mural) in our new house soon.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
*taps sign*
Two years ago I interviewed a 31-year-old NY state assemblymember about a 7-year-old girl killed by an SUV driver in his district. I hung up the phone, astonished that I'd talked to a legislator who so thoughtfully articulated what actually needs to change on our streets.
He'll make a great mayor
He'll make a great mayor
November 5, 2025 at 2:12 AM
*taps sign*
Really sad to see this; this is a skatepark close to the school and community with whose children I’ve been researching over the past 2 years, and just more evidence of the precarious provision of play in Jarrow. Pleased to see at least that it’s been repaired so quickly.
November 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Really sad to see this; this is a skatepark close to the school and community with whose children I’ve been researching over the past 2 years, and just more evidence of the precarious provision of play in Jarrow. Pleased to see at least that it’s been repaired so quickly.
Reposted by Alison Stenning
These courses have not been ‘suspended’ at all; such language only minimises what is actually happening at Nottingham: a systemic gutting out of the arts and humanities with no clear business case. These cuts affect us all; please, join UCU in fighting for our future
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:10 PM
These courses have not been ‘suspended’ at all; such language only minimises what is actually happening at Nottingham: a systemic gutting out of the arts and humanities with no clear business case. These cuts affect us all; please, join UCU in fighting for our future
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Above and beyond my concern for fellow academics and their students, as the mother of a language- and music-loving 14 year old I'm also concerned what her chance of a decent university education is going to be.
More devastating news from the East Midlands:
"All modern language and music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"All modern language and music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham
In a statement the institution also says it is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Above and beyond my concern for fellow academics and their students, as the mother of a language- and music-loving 14 year old I'm also concerned what her chance of a decent university education is going to be.