Chris Downs
@chris-downs.bsky.social
University worker in the UK
"a teacher's primary responsibility is not to get in the way of learning" - Mark Notturno
"a teacher's primary responsibility is not to get in the way of learning" - Mark Notturno
Pinned
My November was enlivened by seeing 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' by @townsendprod.bsky.social three times.
Writer-actor Neil Gore's play tells the dramatic story of the Grunwick strike of 1976-78.
This was a strike by mainly South Asian women employed by a notoriously anti-trade union firm...
1/8
Writer-actor Neil Gore's play tells the dramatic story of the Grunwick strike of 1976-78.
This was a strike by mainly South Asian women employed by a notoriously anti-trade union firm...
1/8
Reposted by Chris Downs
Great picket at the University of Derby today as they fight back against massive cuts outside their new £75m building in the centre of the city.
December 3, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Great picket at the University of Derby today as they fight back against massive cuts outside their new £75m building in the centre of the city.
Reposted by Chris Downs
Solidarity to our comrades at @ucuessex.bsky.social - what a day to receive the news. Local organising and national solidarity is now more important than ever!
It's official: 400 redundancies and a campus closure. At-risk staff will get a letter next week. Absolutely no serious consideration of any of the union's counterproposals.
Please share widely.
Please share widely.
December 3, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Solidarity to our comrades at @ucuessex.bsky.social - what a day to receive the news. Local organising and national solidarity is now more important than ever!
⏬️ Talk about intrepid! ⏬️
This is what my favourite graphic novel creators get up to when they're not writing & drawing.
Buy their books! They make great gifts. 🌲🎄
This is what my favourite graphic novel creators get up to when they're not writing & drawing.
Buy their books! They make great gifts. 🌲🎄
“130 steep and slippery steps in confined spaces” - you can’t put us off exploring that easily
This is the mysteriously named Giant’s Cave under the Camera Obscura overlooking the best bridge in Britain
This is the mysteriously named Giant’s Cave under the Camera Obscura overlooking the best bridge in Britain
December 3, 2025 at 12:42 PM
⏬️ Talk about intrepid! ⏬️
This is what my favourite graphic novel creators get up to when they're not writing & drawing.
Buy their books! They make great gifts. 🌲🎄
This is what my favourite graphic novel creators get up to when they're not writing & drawing.
Buy their books! They make great gifts. 🌲🎄
Reposted by Chris Downs
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
You can donate to our strike fund here ucu.group.shef.ac.uk/hardship-fund/
You can donate to our strike fund here ucu.group.shef.ac.uk/hardship-fund/
University of Sheffield staff 'intimidated' by pay forfeit warning
University of Sheffield to withhold pay if staff do not make up for teaching missed while striking.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
You can donate to our strike fund here ucu.group.shef.ac.uk/hardship-fund/
You can donate to our strike fund here ucu.group.shef.ac.uk/hardship-fund/
More devastation of UK higher education...
It's official: 400 redundancies and a campus closure. At-risk staff will get a letter next week. Absolutely no serious consideration of any of the union's counterproposals.
Please share widely.
Please share widely.
December 3, 2025 at 7:32 AM
More devastation of UK higher education...
Reposted by Chris Downs
Today the news will be about the government's proposals for juries.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇
December 2, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Today the news will be about the government's proposals for juries.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
Please read this thread so as to be informed about the actual practical problems in the criminal justice system - problems which will not be solved by this misconceived and illiberal tinkering.
⏬️ Just spotted this very positive review of the play that's made my November very memorable. ⏬️
I've been delighted to take eight family & friends to three shows on the @townsendprod.bsky.social tour round the country. All my companions have greatly enjoyed the show.
#Grunwick
I've been delighted to take eight family & friends to three shows on the @townsendprod.bsky.social tour round the country. All my companions have greatly enjoyed the show.
#Grunwick
We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! roars louder than ever ✊️🦁 On tour around the UK until 6 December so get booking!
👉 saltertonartsreview.com/2025/11/we-a...
📸 Townsend Theatre Productions
👉 saltertonartsreview.com/2025/11/we-a...
📸 Townsend Theatre Productions
We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! - Townsend Theatre Productions / Sands Films Studio, London – Salterton Arts Review
Townsend Theatre Productions revive We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Grunwick dispute in Willesden, North London. The Story of the Grunwick Strike Last night’s theatr...
saltertonartsreview.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
⏬️ Just spotted this very positive review of the play that's made my November very memorable. ⏬️
I've been delighted to take eight family & friends to three shows on the @townsendprod.bsky.social tour round the country. All my companions have greatly enjoyed the show.
#Grunwick
I've been delighted to take eight family & friends to three shows on the @townsendprod.bsky.social tour round the country. All my companions have greatly enjoyed the show.
#Grunwick
My November was enlivened by seeing 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' by @townsendprod.bsky.social three times.
Writer-actor Neil Gore's play tells the dramatic story of the Grunwick strike of 1976-78.
This was a strike by mainly South Asian women employed by a notoriously anti-trade union firm...
1/8
Writer-actor Neil Gore's play tells the dramatic story of the Grunwick strike of 1976-78.
This was a strike by mainly South Asian women employed by a notoriously anti-trade union firm...
1/8
December 1, 2025 at 10:40 PM
My November was enlivened by seeing 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' by @townsendprod.bsky.social three times.
Writer-actor Neil Gore's play tells the dramatic story of the Grunwick strike of 1976-78.
This was a strike by mainly South Asian women employed by a notoriously anti-trade union firm...
1/8
Writer-actor Neil Gore's play tells the dramatic story of the Grunwick strike of 1976-78.
This was a strike by mainly South Asian women employed by a notoriously anti-trade union firm...
1/8
Oh yes... ⬇️
One of my favorite Douglas Adams quotes:
“All opinions are not equal. Some are a very great deal more robust, sophisticated, and well supported in logic and argument than others.”
More timely today than ever, don't you think? 💙
#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #BookSky
“All opinions are not equal. Some are a very great deal more robust, sophisticated, and well supported in logic and argument than others.”
More timely today than ever, don't you think? 💙
#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #BookSky
December 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Oh yes... ⬇️
⏬️ A five star review and a couple of great pictures of the action. ⏬️
I took my nephew last Monday, and took some friends to see it on Saturday night in Willesden, where another featured songwriter was in attendance - Leon Rosselson.
This @townsendprod.bsky.social play is in Scotland this week. Go!
I took my nephew last Monday, and took some friends to see it on Saturday night in Willesden, where another featured songwriter was in attendance - Leon Rosselson.
This @townsendprod.bsky.social play is in Scotland this week. Go!
theatreandartreviews.com/2025/11/27/w...
Review from Monday night's play. Flu has knocked me off course this week. @chloenelkinconsulting @inked_gay @dramagroups @townsendproductions #Grunwick #Review #strikeshistory
Review from Monday night's play. Flu has knocked me off course this week. @chloenelkinconsulting @inked_gay @dramagroups @townsendproductions #Grunwick #Review #strikeshistory
We Are the Lions, Mr Manager! By Neil Gore.
We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! Tells the human side of the story about the Asian women striking over wages and more importantly their dignity at the Great Grunwick Film Processing Factory from 1976-…
theatreandartreviews.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:40 PM
⏬️ A five star review and a couple of great pictures of the action. ⏬️
I took my nephew last Monday, and took some friends to see it on Saturday night in Willesden, where another featured songwriter was in attendance - Leon Rosselson.
This @townsendprod.bsky.social play is in Scotland this week. Go!
I took my nephew last Monday, and took some friends to see it on Saturday night in Willesden, where another featured songwriter was in attendance - Leon Rosselson.
This @townsendprod.bsky.social play is in Scotland this week. Go!
I popped into @lselibrary.bsky.social at the weekend and was delighted to see a copy of @rickardsisters.com graphic novel adaptation of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists included in the Combining Efforts exhibition.
The exhibition commemorates the...
1/2
www.londonfreelance.org/fl/2510lse.h...
The exhibition commemorates the...
1/2
www.londonfreelance.org/fl/2510lse.h...
Combining efforts: 200 years of trade union history - exhibition until 31/01/26 | The Freelance
Worth dropping in, says Mick Holder
www.londonfreelance.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I popped into @lselibrary.bsky.social at the weekend and was delighted to see a copy of @rickardsisters.com graphic novel adaptation of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists included in the Combining Efforts exhibition.
The exhibition commemorates the...
1/2
www.londonfreelance.org/fl/2510lse.h...
The exhibition commemorates the...
1/2
www.londonfreelance.org/fl/2510lse.h...
Reposted by Chris Downs
Congratulations @townsendprod.bsky.social for their production of “We Are The Lions Mr Manager” last night, near to the original Grunswick factory site, and attended by some of those who supported the strikes.
Still on tour - highly recommend for anyone who can catch it.
@brenttuc.bsky.social
Still on tour - highly recommend for anyone who can catch it.
@brenttuc.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Congratulations @townsendprod.bsky.social for their production of “We Are The Lions Mr Manager” last night, near to the original Grunswick factory site, and attended by some of those who supported the strikes.
Still on tour - highly recommend for anyone who can catch it.
@brenttuc.bsky.social
Still on tour - highly recommend for anyone who can catch it.
@brenttuc.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Downs
🚨 DLR cleaners are being denied basic company sick pay.
The current offer?
One week’s pay — but ONLY if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Please share if you think that's unfair.
The current offer?
One week’s pay — but ONLY if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Please share if you think that's unfair.
December 1, 2025 at 8:07 AM
🚨 DLR cleaners are being denied basic company sick pay.
The current offer?
One week’s pay — but ONLY if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Please share if you think that's unfair.
The current offer?
One week’s pay — but ONLY if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Please share if you think that's unfair.
Reposted by Chris Downs
Should workers get company sick pay?
Yes/No - reply why!
Currently DLR cleaners working for Bidvest Noonan get no sick pay, and have only been offered a weeks pay if they're diagnosed with a terminal illness!
Yes/No - reply why!
Currently DLR cleaners working for Bidvest Noonan get no sick pay, and have only been offered a weeks pay if they're diagnosed with a terminal illness!
November 30, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Should workers get company sick pay?
Yes/No - reply why!
Currently DLR cleaners working for Bidvest Noonan get no sick pay, and have only been offered a weeks pay if they're diagnosed with a terminal illness!
Yes/No - reply why!
Currently DLR cleaners working for Bidvest Noonan get no sick pay, and have only been offered a weeks pay if they're diagnosed with a terminal illness!
Short and to the point - an interview with Cory Doctorow on @theguardian.com's Today in Focus podcast.
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
‘Enshittification’: how we got the internet no one asked for – podcast
Tech critic Cory Doctorow explains why for so many the internet – from Amazon to Google to Instagram – seems to be getting worse
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Short and to the point - an interview with Cory Doctorow on @theguardian.com's Today in Focus podcast.
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2...
Reposted by Chris Downs
Grumpy activist relatives who are difficult to buy for? Here’s a solution…
Available from all good bookshops (in person or online), or even from us at RickardSisters.com
Available from all good bookshops (in person or online), or even from us at RickardSisters.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Grumpy activist relatives who are difficult to buy for? Here’s a solution…
Available from all good bookshops (in person or online), or even from us at RickardSisters.com
Available from all good bookshops (in person or online), or even from us at RickardSisters.com
⏬️ It was a great night. The hall was packed. And Jack Warshaw was in the audience. Jack is the writer of the song 'Hold The Line' that's featured in the play. Playwright Neil Gore's delight was umistakable and Jack spoke movingly after the play ended.
youtu.be/KQQLcL4dQY8?...
youtu.be/KQQLcL4dQY8?...
November 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
⏬️ It was a great night. The hall was packed. And Jack Warshaw was in the audience. Jack is the writer of the song 'Hold The Line' that's featured in the play. Playwright Neil Gore's delight was umistakable and Jack spoke movingly after the play ended.
youtu.be/KQQLcL4dQY8?...
youtu.be/KQQLcL4dQY8?...
"We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!... shines a light on a story of dignity, rights, pride and solidarity in the face of institutional racism and entrenched ideologies that sought to undermine the hardwon freedoms of working people." - Northern Arts Review
1/2
northernartsreview.co.uk/central-nort...
1/2
northernartsreview.co.uk/central-nort...
'We Are The Lions Mr Manager' Jayaben Desai & the Grunwick Strike- theatre production touring the UK - Northern Arts Review
Marking the 50th anniversary of the Grunwick Strike (1976-1978), Townsend Productions remounts their acclaimed We Are the Lions, Mr Manager! for a UK tour. This timely and urgent retelling of one of t...
northernartsreview.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 AM
"We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!... shines a light on a story of dignity, rights, pride and solidarity in the face of institutional racism and entrenched ideologies that sought to undermine the hardwon freedoms of working people." - Northern Arts Review
1/2
northernartsreview.co.uk/central-nort...
1/2
northernartsreview.co.uk/central-nort...
⏬️ More on the @townsendprod.bsky.social play about the Grunwick strike. The play has been on tour this autumn and is on at the Sands Studios in Rotherhithe, London this week. ⏬️
sandsmusic.eventive.org/films/682ca3...
sandsmusic.eventive.org/films/682ca3...
November 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
⏬️ More on the @townsendprod.bsky.social play about the Grunwick strike. The play has been on tour this autumn and is on at the Sands Studios in Rotherhithe, London this week. ⏬️
sandsmusic.eventive.org/films/682ca3...
sandsmusic.eventive.org/films/682ca3...
If you're going to see 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' in London this week, you're in for a treat.
"Rukmini Sircar plays Jayaben Desai and delivers phenomenal performances that capture the resilience, fearlessness and dedication of Jayaben." - @bristolwomensvoice.bsky.social
1/3
"Rukmini Sircar plays Jayaben Desai and delivers phenomenal performances that capture the resilience, fearlessness and dedication of Jayaben." - @bristolwomensvoice.bsky.social
1/3
November 25, 2025 at 8:59 AM
If you're going to see 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' in London this week, you're in for a treat.
"Rukmini Sircar plays Jayaben Desai and delivers phenomenal performances that capture the resilience, fearlessness and dedication of Jayaben." - @bristolwomensvoice.bsky.social
1/3
"Rukmini Sircar plays Jayaben Desai and delivers phenomenal performances that capture the resilience, fearlessness and dedication of Jayaben." - @bristolwomensvoice.bsky.social
1/3
⏬️ The play is on in Southampton tomorrow night, and then in Rotherhithe Wednesday to Friday, and Willesden on Saturday. Go see it if you can! ⏬️
See @townsendprod.bsky.social for details.
See @townsendprod.bsky.social for details.
We are the Lions, Mr Manager, a play by Townsend Theatre Productions, commemorates the Grunwick strikes and the historic fight for worker rights led by Jayaben Desai and South Asian women almost 50 years ago.
https://hyphenonline.com/2025/11/04/grunwick-strike-play-we-are-the-lions-mr-manager/
https://hyphenonline.com/2025/11/04/grunwick-strike-play-we-are-the-lions-mr-manager/
We Are the Lions, Mr Manager brings Grunwick strikes to the stage
Almost 50 years on, this theatre production remembers the women who stood up for their rights and changed the labour movement
hyphenonline.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
⏬️ The play is on in Southampton tomorrow night, and then in Rotherhithe Wednesday to Friday, and Willesden on Saturday. Go see it if you can! ⏬️
See @townsendprod.bsky.social for details.
See @townsendprod.bsky.social for details.
Reposted by Chris Downs
We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! is the story of the Great Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike of 1976-8, and the inspirational strike-leader Jayaben Desai.
The play comes to Southampton for one night only on Monday.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/11/23/w...
The play comes to Southampton for one night only on Monday.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/11/23/w...
Play We Are The Lions comes to Southampton for one night only - In-Common - Southampton
Coming to Southampton for one night only, on Monday, 24th November, We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! is the story of the Great Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike of 1976-8, and the inspirational str...
www.in-common.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 4:20 PM
We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! is the story of the Great Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike of 1976-8, and the inspirational strike-leader Jayaben Desai.
The play comes to Southampton for one night only on Monday.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/11/23/w...
The play comes to Southampton for one night only on Monday.
www.in-common.co.uk/2025/11/23/w...
The 'Resistance' exhibition in Edinburgh includes photos from the Grunwick strike of 1976-8.
The story of the strike is told in @townsendprod.bsky.social's brilliant play 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' on tour now, and soon to reach Scotland.
www.townsendproductions.org.uk
The story of the strike is told in @townsendprod.bsky.social's brilliant play 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' on tour now, and soon to reach Scotland.
www.townsendproductions.org.uk
November 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The 'Resistance' exhibition in Edinburgh includes photos from the Grunwick strike of 1976-8.
The story of the strike is told in @townsendprod.bsky.social's brilliant play 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' on tour now, and soon to reach Scotland.
www.townsendproductions.org.uk
The story of the strike is told in @townsendprod.bsky.social's brilliant play 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' on tour now, and soon to reach Scotland.
www.townsendproductions.org.uk
📣 1 night only!
📣 In Southampton tomorrow evening.
📣 @townsendprod.bsky.social present their brilliant play about the Grunwick strike.
📣 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' at The Edmund & Elizabeth Kell Community Hall, Bellevue Road SO15 2AY
www.ticketsource.co.uk/UCSGOVAN/t-v...
📣 In Southampton tomorrow evening.
📣 @townsendprod.bsky.social present their brilliant play about the Grunwick strike.
📣 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' at The Edmund & Elizabeth Kell Community Hall, Bellevue Road SO15 2AY
www.ticketsource.co.uk/UCSGOVAN/t-v...
www.ticketsource.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 12:49 PM
📣 1 night only!
📣 In Southampton tomorrow evening.
📣 @townsendprod.bsky.social present their brilliant play about the Grunwick strike.
📣 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' at The Edmund & Elizabeth Kell Community Hall, Bellevue Road SO15 2AY
www.ticketsource.co.uk/UCSGOVAN/t-v...
📣 In Southampton tomorrow evening.
📣 @townsendprod.bsky.social present their brilliant play about the Grunwick strike.
📣 'We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!' at The Edmund & Elizabeth Kell Community Hall, Bellevue Road SO15 2AY
www.ticketsource.co.uk/UCSGOVAN/t-v...
Reposted by Chris Downs
NEW There's no overstating how significant the Nathan Gill case is. On Friday, the close associate of Nigel Farage was jailed for over 10 years for taking bribes ultimately from a friend of Putin. It's a complex, detail-heavy story that raises questions about Farage’s claim Gill was ‘one bad apple’🧵
November 23, 2025 at 11:53 AM
NEW There's no overstating how significant the Nathan Gill case is. On Friday, the close associate of Nigel Farage was jailed for over 10 years for taking bribes ultimately from a friend of Putin. It's a complex, detail-heavy story that raises questions about Farage’s claim Gill was ‘one bad apple’🧵