Peter Byrne
@fat-boy-pete.bsky.social
Retired IT geek, now too busy being a pillock of the community to work! Also occasionally excited about West Ham. Reposts not endorsements, simply a 'look at this '.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Amid all the hoohah around the cancelled/reinstated fast 7am Manchester to London train, it's worth remembering that the journey time with HS2 built in full was projected as 67 minutes...
a man in a black and white striped sweater is laying on a bed with #schitts creek written on the bottom
ALT: a man in a black and white striped sweater is laying on a bed with #schitts creek written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Amid all the hoohah around the cancelled/reinstated fast 7am Manchester to London train, it's worth remembering that the journey time with HS2 built in full was projected as 67 minutes...
Reposted by Peter Byrne
What a player. A proper club captain. RIP Billy
November 30, 2025 at 11:56 AM
What a player. A proper club captain. RIP Billy
Reposted by Peter Byrne
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
November 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Have I ever mentioned my mortal fear of former BBC News substitute presenter Mishal Husain? Probably not, since it's not a big issue generally.
Anyway, best get to work
Anyway, best get to work
November 19, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Have I ever mentioned my mortal fear of former BBC News substitute presenter Mishal Husain? Probably not, since it's not a big issue generally.
Anyway, best get to work
Anyway, best get to work
Reposted by Peter Byrne
The last survivor of the Crimean War died in 2004.
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
October 31, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The last survivor of the Crimean War died in 2004.
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
Reposted by Peter Byrne
From step-free access and smart energy features to a secure bike cage, the station prioritises inclusivity and sustainability.
Beaulieu Park: major rail infrastructure done well and quickly.
Jenny Rhodes reports on the opening, with pictures:
Beaulieu Park: major rail infrastructure done well and quickly.
Jenny Rhodes reports on the opening, with pictures:
New station opens to great excitement: ‘history is being made’
The £175 million Beaulieu Park station opens ahead of schedule, boosting Chelmsford’s transport links and regional connectivity
eastangliabylines.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:51 PM
From step-free access and smart energy features to a secure bike cage, the station prioritises inclusivity and sustainability.
Beaulieu Park: major rail infrastructure done well and quickly.
Jenny Rhodes reports on the opening, with pictures:
Beaulieu Park: major rail infrastructure done well and quickly.
Jenny Rhodes reports on the opening, with pictures:
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Nelson's Victory crew included a Brazilian and a Russian, 2 Indians, 2 Swiss, 2 Portuguese, 3 Danes and 3 Norwegian sailors. There were 3 Germans, 4 Italians, 6 Swedes, 7 Dutchmen, 9 West Indians and an African, as well as 21 Americans, 63 Irish, 64 Scots, 441 English.... oh, and 3 French men, too.
October 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Nelson's Victory crew included a Brazilian and a Russian, 2 Indians, 2 Swiss, 2 Portuguese, 3 Danes and 3 Norwegian sailors. There were 3 Germans, 4 Italians, 6 Swedes, 7 Dutchmen, 9 West Indians and an African, as well as 21 Americans, 63 Irish, 64 Scots, 441 English.... oh, and 3 French men, too.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
It’s the 111th anniversary today of the birth of Harry Rée, who was a teacher and conscientious objector when the Second World War broke out, and by the time it ended, when he was 31, had invented ‘blackmail sabotage’ and got a DSO, an OBE, a Croix de Guerre, and a Medaille de la Resistance
October 15, 2025 at 8:29 AM
It’s the 111th anniversary today of the birth of Harry Rée, who was a teacher and conscientious objector when the Second World War broke out, and by the time it ended, when he was 31, had invented ‘blackmail sabotage’ and got a DSO, an OBE, a Croix de Guerre, and a Medaille de la Resistance
Reposted by Peter Byrne
I need a Tommy Flowers Was Robbed t-shirt. Great piece!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Move over, Alan Turing: meet the working-class hero of Bletchley Park you didn’t see in the movies
The Oxbridge-educated boffin is feted as the codebreaking genius who helped Britain win the war. But should a little-known Post Office engineer named Tommy Flowers be seen as the real father of comput...
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I need a Tommy Flowers Was Robbed t-shirt. Great piece!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Peter Byrne
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
British Politics' Midlife Crisis
Why British Parties Can't Make Peace with Their Actual Voters
benansell.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:40 AM
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
Reposted by Peter Byrne
This only happens to you once
September 26, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This only happens to you once
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Pete Murray turned 100 yesterday, what an incredible milestone! Congratulations, Pete. I have so many great memories of being on his radio shows. He was always so supportive of the creative people he interviewed, and his work has introduced many many artists to the public. What a guy!
September 18, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Pete Murray turned 100 yesterday, what an incredible milestone! Congratulations, Pete. I have so many great memories of being on his radio shows. He was always so supportive of the creative people he interviewed, and his work has introduced many many artists to the public. What a guy!
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Timeless humour!
A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:
“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂
Dated circa 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was recovered in London during excavations by MOLA.
📷 Juan Jose Fuldain/MOLA
#Archaeology
A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:
“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂
Dated circa 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was recovered in London during excavations by MOLA.
📷 Juan Jose Fuldain/MOLA
#Archaeology
![The photo shows four images of the same Roman iron stylus pen, one below the other. The knib to the left. It has an inscription which runs along its length on four sides. The four images show the four lines of inscribed text which read:
‘ab urbe v[e]n[i] munus tibi
gratum adf(e)ro
acul[eat]um ut habe[a]s memor[ia]m nostra(m)
rogo si fortuna dar[e]t quo possem
largius ut longa via ceu sacculus est (v)acuus’
‘I have come from the City. I bring you a welcome gift
with a sharp point that you may remember me.
I ask, if fortune allowed, that I might be able (to give)
as generously as the way is long (and) as my purse is empty.’
The pen was used to write on wax-filled wooden writing tablets. Found in London (Roman ‘Londinium’) by MOLA. Photo by Juan Jose Fuldain/MOLA](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:j56ydp325adovobhwpkzc6sp/bafkreifzhfymde7cyrv2i7fu7e2v33veporn5rsywwi2rqdgswkxpj6xre@jpeg)
September 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Timeless humour!
A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:
“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂
Dated circa 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was recovered in London during excavations by MOLA.
📷 Juan Jose Fuldain/MOLA
#Archaeology
A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:
“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂
Dated circa 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was recovered in London during excavations by MOLA.
📷 Juan Jose Fuldain/MOLA
#Archaeology
Reposted by Peter Byrne
12 points to Gryffindor
July 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
12 points to Gryffindor
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Wouldn't like to be in their choux
July 16, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Wouldn't like to be in their choux
Reposted by Peter Byrne
on the left, the carpet that's been down in one of the bars of my pub for at least 50 years. centre, the hole that a (now) little old fella called Bill has made by shuffling his feet when he gets excited about horse racing over half a century. right, the carpet as revealed under a fitted bench
July 12, 2025 at 11:06 AM
on the left, the carpet that's been down in one of the bars of my pub for at least 50 years. centre, the hole that a (now) little old fella called Bill has made by shuffling his feet when he gets excited about horse racing over half a century. right, the carpet as revealed under a fitted bench
Reposted by Peter Byrne
I think a recliner specifically for eating cheese on is a great idea though.
July 6, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I think a recliner specifically for eating cheese on is a great idea though.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
1934 Jeanie Dicks undertook 1st permanent electrification of #WinchesterCathedral. Electrifying nave meant removing & reburying coffins except Jane Austen’s (moved gently to side). Press called her girl engineer she was 40! d. #OTD 6 Jul 1980 #JaneAusten #WomenInSTEM en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanie_...
July 6, 2025 at 9:07 AM
1934 Jeanie Dicks undertook 1st permanent electrification of #WinchesterCathedral. Electrifying nave meant removing & reburying coffins except Jane Austen’s (moved gently to side). Press called her girl engineer she was 40! d. #OTD 6 Jul 1980 #JaneAusten #WomenInSTEM en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanie_...
Reposted by Peter Byrne
A week later, and the neighbour’s Ferrari has gone… but in its place is this rather nifty-looking touring caravan.
I’ve honestly never seen a midlife crisis progress so quickly.
I’ve honestly never seen a midlife crisis progress so quickly.
June 29, 2025 at 6:24 AM
A week later, and the neighbour’s Ferrari has gone… but in its place is this rather nifty-looking touring caravan.
I’ve honestly never seen a midlife crisis progress so quickly.
I’ve honestly never seen a midlife crisis progress so quickly.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
okay and here is my ‘sounds like a shitpost but it’s genuine’ UK heatwave tip: if there is a Saxon or Norman church near you, and it’s open, go sit in it. not gothic, they have too many windows, get you some thick stone walls with some high up tiny windows. they stay cold. and you can just sit there
June 20, 2025 at 12:42 PM
okay and here is my ‘sounds like a shitpost but it’s genuine’ UK heatwave tip: if there is a Saxon or Norman church near you, and it’s open, go sit in it. not gothic, they have too many windows, get you some thick stone walls with some high up tiny windows. they stay cold. and you can just sit there
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Has government just quietly told us that it’s building HS2?
I’d better explain.
I’d better explain.
June 15, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Has government just quietly told us that it’s building HS2?
I’d better explain.
I’d better explain.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
They shall log not off, as we that are left log off:
Cache shall not sign them out, nor the update (twice).
At the shutting down of the app and in the reboot
We will remember them on this device.
Cache shall not sign them out, nor the update (twice).
At the shutting down of the app and in the reboot
We will remember them on this device.
June 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
They shall log not off, as we that are left log off:
Cache shall not sign them out, nor the update (twice).
At the shutting down of the app and in the reboot
We will remember them on this device.
Cache shall not sign them out, nor the update (twice).
At the shutting down of the app and in the reboot
We will remember them on this device.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Well this couldn’t have come at a better time www.bbc.com/news/article...
Scientists at Loughborough University create 'world's smallest violin'
The violin is smaller than a human hair and has "laid the groundwork" for future research.
www.bbc.com
June 5, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Well this couldn’t have come at a better time www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Peter Byrne
I don't know if there is a more appropriate goodbye to Loretta Swit, than her last scene in MASH in the series finale.
Loretta won two Emmy's for her role as Major Houlihan.
Loretta won two Emmy's for her role as Major Houlihan.
May 31, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I don't know if there is a more appropriate goodbye to Loretta Swit, than her last scene in MASH in the series finale.
Loretta won two Emmy's for her role as Major Houlihan.
Loretta won two Emmy's for her role as Major Houlihan.