James
@bessantdavies.bsky.social
Welsh photojournalist, filmmaker, and Masters student at Cardiff University School of Journalism. HEFAT trained | John Schofield Trust fellow
https://bessantdavies.com
https://bessantdavies.com
Pinned
James
@bessantdavies.bsky.social
· Dec 14
The Syrians who can’t go home
In August, I was bundled into the back of a pickup while working with a charity supporting Syrian refugees in the Beqaa Valley.
www.spectator.co.uk
I spent a month detained in #Lebanon this summer. I was held in appalling conditions in a detention centre with #Syrian refugees, many of whom children. I got out. Others are still trapped in a system designed to harass refugees, forcing them across the border.
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
Pictures and words in the Cardiffian today on the closure of Cardiff University’s School of Music
#cardiffuni #cardiffunicuts
#cardiffuni #cardiffunicuts
‘We are at threat of losing everything’: Hundreds of musicians protest against #Cardiffuni music school closure.
by @bessantdavies.bsky.social
cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
@karljenkins.bsky.social @cardiffuni.bsky.social
by @bessantdavies.bsky.social
cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
@karljenkins.bsky.social @cardiffuni.bsky.social
'We are at threat of losing everything': Hundreds of musicians protest against music school closure - The Cardiffian
Hundreds of musicians took to Cardiff’s streets on Saturday to protest the proposed closure of Cardiff University’s School of Music.
cardiffjournalism.co.uk
February 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Pictures and words in the Cardiffian today on the closure of Cardiff University’s School of Music
#cardiffuni #cardiffunicuts
#cardiffuni #cardiffunicuts
Reposted by James
“I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line,” said Sam Humphrey from #Penarth - winner of the Run, walk, crawl #Brecon to #Cardiff #Ultramarathon.
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
Read here: cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
Read here: cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
'I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line': The unstoppable rise of ultra running - The Cardiffian
Sam Humphrey claimed victory in the gruelling 43-mile Brecon to Cardiff Classic, finishing in 5 hrs 25 mins. The race, which winds through the Brecon Beacons and along the Taff Trail, saw over 350 com...
cardiffjournalism.co.uk
February 18, 2025 at 6:27 PM
“I felt absolute joy when I crossed the finish line,” said Sam Humphrey from #Penarth - winner of the Run, walk, crawl #Brecon to #Cardiff #Ultramarathon.
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
Read here: cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
Read here: cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
Reposted by James
Heartbreaking (and heartwarming) coverage of the fightback against plans to axe the School of Music by Cardiff University bosses. Produced by student journalist (and CU Music allum) @bessantdavies.bsky.social: youtu.be/KWS0fwn267c
Students and staff react to the proposed closure of Cardiff University's School of Music
YouTube video by The Cardiffian
youtu.be
February 11, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Heartbreaking (and heartwarming) coverage of the fightback against plans to axe the School of Music by Cardiff University bosses. Produced by student journalist (and CU Music allum) @bessantdavies.bsky.social: youtu.be/KWS0fwn267c
Reposted by James
Students #protest the proposed closure to Cardiff music school by public busking protest
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
#music #cardiff #cardiffmusicscene
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
#music #cardiff #cardiffmusicscene
Watch: Students protest against plans to close Cardiff University's music school - The Cardiffian
Music students at Cardiff University arranged a ‘protest busk’ against plans to close the School of Music, as a petition to save the school gains over 22,000 signatures.
cardiffjournalism.co.uk
February 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Students #protest the proposed closure to Cardiff music school by public busking protest
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
#music #cardiff #cardiffmusicscene
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
#music #cardiff #cardiffmusicscene
Reposted by James
@transportforwales.bsky.social passengers travelling from #Penarth are facing up to four cancelled trains a day.
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
‘There is ALWAYS a problem': More than four trains a day cancelled at Penarth station - The Cardiffian
Penarth station saw 1,690 train cancellations over the past year, impacting 8.7% of services—almost double the Transport for Wales network average. Local councillor Anthony Ernest called the situation...
cardiffjournalism.co.uk
January 28, 2025 at 4:54 PM
@transportforwales.bsky.social passengers travelling from #Penarth are facing up to four cancelled trains a day.
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
By @bessantdavies.bsky.social
Chris Booth shares his experiences in Moscow, Chechnya, and Iraq—along with the internal struggles that led to his detainment in a UK psychiatric ward. Considered, kind, and deeply purposeful, Chris is an infectious person to be around. Give it a listen. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct5pdm
Outlook - War was my comfort zone, until I had to walk away - BBC Sounds
Chris Booth dodged bullets and bombs, but came home with mental health concerns.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Chris Booth shares his experiences in Moscow, Chechnya, and Iraq—along with the internal struggles that led to his detainment in a UK psychiatric ward. Considered, kind, and deeply purposeful, Chris is an infectious person to be around. Give it a listen. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct5pdm
Reposted by James
Charities are warning that NHS #mentalhealth funding and the #MHIS could be at risk
Secretary for Health and Social Care #WesStreeting has stated he is “committed to the MHIS,” with full financial allocations releasing in the new year.
But what is the #MHIS, and why are charities still concerned?
Secretary for Health and Social Care #WesStreeting has stated he is “committed to the MHIS,” with full financial allocations releasing in the new year.
But what is the #MHIS, and why are charities still concerned?
December 23, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Charities are warning that NHS #mentalhealth funding and the #MHIS could be at risk
Secretary for Health and Social Care #WesStreeting has stated he is “committed to the MHIS,” with full financial allocations releasing in the new year.
But what is the #MHIS, and why are charities still concerned?
Secretary for Health and Social Care #WesStreeting has stated he is “committed to the MHIS,” with full financial allocations releasing in the new year.
But what is the #MHIS, and why are charities still concerned?
Reposted by James
Reform UK has today visited the US and met Elon Musk.
Two critical points:
1. UK Govt needs to act NOW to limit political donations before Musk tries to buy UK politics like he has in the US.
2. That painting behind them is the funniest crime ever committed in the world of art.
Two critical points:
1. UK Govt needs to act NOW to limit political donations before Musk tries to buy UK politics like he has in the US.
2. That painting behind them is the funniest crime ever committed in the world of art.
December 17, 2024 at 2:31 PM
Reform UK has today visited the US and met Elon Musk.
Two critical points:
1. UK Govt needs to act NOW to limit political donations before Musk tries to buy UK politics like he has in the US.
2. That painting behind them is the funniest crime ever committed in the world of art.
Two critical points:
1. UK Govt needs to act NOW to limit political donations before Musk tries to buy UK politics like he has in the US.
2. That painting behind them is the funniest crime ever committed in the world of art.
Ever fancied giving #Bellringing a try? Or wondered what it is to be a #Bell-Ringer? Go along to a session in #Penarth in the New Year.
My words and photos in @thecardiffian.bsky.social
#Cardiff #Christmas
cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
My words and photos in @thecardiffian.bsky.social
#Cardiff #Christmas
cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
A look at the joys of bellringing - a hidden British tradition - The Cardiffian
Bell-ringers in Penarth meet for weekly practice nights at St. Augustine's Church. The tower is encouraging learners to get involved.
cardiffjournalism.co.uk
December 16, 2024 at 5:16 PM
Ever fancied giving #Bellringing a try? Or wondered what it is to be a #Bell-Ringer? Go along to a session in #Penarth in the New Year.
My words and photos in @thecardiffian.bsky.social
#Cardiff #Christmas
cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
My words and photos in @thecardiffian.bsky.social
#Cardiff #Christmas
cardiffjournalism.co.uk/thecardiffia...
Reposted by James
Great piece by my colleague @bessantdavies.bsky.social on his harrowing ordeal of being detained in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley while doing humanitrian work www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
The Syrians who can’t go home
In August, I was bundled into the back of a pickup while working with a charity supporting Syrian refugees in the Beqaa Valley.
www.spectator.co.uk
December 14, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Great piece by my colleague @bessantdavies.bsky.social on his harrowing ordeal of being detained in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley while doing humanitrian work www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
I spent a month detained in #Lebanon this summer. I was held in appalling conditions in a detention centre with #Syrian refugees, many of whom children. I got out. Others are still trapped in a system designed to harass refugees, forcing them across the border.
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
The Syrians who can’t go home
In August, I was bundled into the back of a pickup while working with a charity supporting Syrian refugees in the Beqaa Valley.
www.spectator.co.uk
December 14, 2024 at 12:31 PM
I spent a month detained in #Lebanon this summer. I was held in appalling conditions in a detention centre with #Syrian refugees, many of whom children. I got out. Others are still trapped in a system designed to harass refugees, forcing them across the border.
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
For an in-depth and current insight into Georgia’s recent demonstrations - see this piece by Chris Booth.
open.substack.com/pub/newnotes...
open.substack.com/pub/newnotes...
Notes on an Uprising
What the demonstrations mean for Georgians - and what they can tell the rest of us.
open.substack.com
December 5, 2024 at 11:14 PM
For an in-depth and current insight into Georgia’s recent demonstrations - see this piece by Chris Booth.
open.substack.com/pub/newnotes...
open.substack.com/pub/newnotes...
Reposted by James
Blimey.
Barn Cymru poll by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales/ @walesgovernance.bsky.social
Puts Plaid Cymru ahead of Labour. Reform joint 2nd.
Senedd voting intention:
- Plaid Cymru - 24% (+1)
- Labour - 23% (-4)
- Reform UK - 23% (+5)
- Con - 19% (+1)
- Lib Dem - 5% (-1)
- Green - 6% (+1)
Barn Cymru poll by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales/ @walesgovernance.bsky.social
Puts Plaid Cymru ahead of Labour. Reform joint 2nd.
Senedd voting intention:
- Plaid Cymru - 24% (+1)
- Labour - 23% (-4)
- Reform UK - 23% (+5)
- Con - 19% (+1)
- Lib Dem - 5% (-1)
- Green - 6% (+1)
December 1, 2024 at 7:42 AM
Blimey.
Barn Cymru poll by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales/ @walesgovernance.bsky.social
Puts Plaid Cymru ahead of Labour. Reform joint 2nd.
Senedd voting intention:
- Plaid Cymru - 24% (+1)
- Labour - 23% (-4)
- Reform UK - 23% (+5)
- Con - 19% (+1)
- Lib Dem - 5% (-1)
- Green - 6% (+1)
Barn Cymru poll by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales/ @walesgovernance.bsky.social
Puts Plaid Cymru ahead of Labour. Reform joint 2nd.
Senedd voting intention:
- Plaid Cymru - 24% (+1)
- Labour - 23% (-4)
- Reform UK - 23% (+5)
- Con - 19% (+1)
- Lib Dem - 5% (-1)
- Green - 6% (+1)
Reposted by James
When Russian missiles hurtle towards the Ukrainian power plant and employees scramble for the bomb shelter, a handful of workers stay above ground in a control room protected by sandbags to keep the system running manually reut.rs/3OvEP7J
Meet the energy workers battling to keep the lights on in Ukraine
When Russian missiles hurtle towards the Ukrainian power plant and employees scramble for the bomb shelter, a handful of workers stay above ground in a control room protected by sandbags to keep the system running manually.
reut.rs
November 29, 2024 at 8:32 AM
When Russian missiles hurtle towards the Ukrainian power plant and employees scramble for the bomb shelter, a handful of workers stay above ground in a control room protected by sandbags to keep the system running manually reut.rs/3OvEP7J