James_AL_Downs
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magiclantern.bsky.social
James_AL_Downs
@magiclantern.bsky.social
Writer: 'Anton Walbrook' (2020) 'Joseph Pike' (2018) & 'A Carnal Medium' (2012), photohistorian, archivist of Middle East collections at Exeter University, runs the Digital Archive of the Middle East (https://dame.exeter.ac.uk/), collector & bibliophile
My beetle collection
November 9, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Enjoying a Pear Drop Royale (especially the crystallised ginger) while a lady sings Ella Fitzgerald's 'Let's do It' in the background - although the effect is somewhat ruined by the fact that while she croons, all I can hear in my head is Victoria Wood's 'Let's Do It: the Ballad of Barry and Freda'
November 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Misty morning walk
November 8, 2025 at 7:13 AM
A year ago today I was exploring the ruins of Hatra, or al-Ḥaḍra - a vast three acre site that I had all to myself, and which contains some of the most fascinating archaeological structures I've ever seen
November 6, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A book that looks good enough to eat! Settling down to devour this brilliant new work by @annygaul.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza today. I may visit one day but am glad to have been to the old 'Museum of Egyptian Antiquities' in Cairo before they began transferring material.

www.archdaily.com/1035595/the-...
November 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
First November walk
November 1, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Encountered in the woods today
October 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
You can have a pint of Merry Monk here, which is veru appropriate on many levels
October 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Washing down a Waldorf salad with a bottle of chianti, all the while wondering if any occasion (centenary, social eclipse, full moon?) will be special enough to justify opening this
October 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
A shelfie for #PhantomsFriday
October 24, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Although unearthed from Mount Batten, Plymouth, this coin originated in Dorset. I saw this in The Box and immediately thought of @durotrigesdig.bsky.social - some numismatics for #HillfortWednesday
October 22, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Got soaked walking home after work but glad to find this on the doorstep; I'll have a read after drying out
#menasky
October 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Chilling out with today's post this evening @stoneclub.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Sunday morning. I've already had a stroll through a Devon churchyard a few hours ago, now it's time to read up on some related folklore
October 5, 2025 at 10:59 AM
A wonderful way to end Hell Tor 2025 with a panel of Steve Nallon, Claire Amias, Jonathan Rigby and Stephen Volk reflecting on their personal selection of ghostly film and tv clips
September 28, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Pauline Moran and Jonathan Rigby in conversation at the Hell Tor festival this afternoon
September 28, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Another of today's Hell Tor events - (Rev.)Peter Laws, author of 'The Frighteners: Why We Love Monsters, Ghosts, Death & Gore' and many other books & podcasts, exploring why as a society we feel drawn to the paranormal, and the human needs this may meet
September 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Day three of Hell Tor festival beginning with more meticulously-researched myth-busting on the folklore of Screaming Skulls by @folklorepod.bsky.social
September 28, 2025 at 11:29 AM
From this evening's fascinating Hell Tor festival conversation between Jonathan Rigby & Caroline Munro about her career working with Billy Wilder, Hammer, Ray Harryhausen, Tom Savini & many others - plus an audience member expressing gratitude for her Cellar Club with @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Next up at Hell Tor, (l-r) Ashley Thorpe @ashley999thorpe.bsky.social, Lee Morgan of @dandcfilm.bsky.social, Bex Phillips ('The Medusa Box') and Claire Bueno ('Cleanin' up the Town') in an inspiring but realistic and practical discussion on independent filmmaking
September 27, 2025 at 3:48 PM
All set for the start of the second day of the Hell Tor festival with another erudite and entertaining talk from @traceynormanauthor.bsky.social exploring more Dartmoor folklore and local history
September 27, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The Hell Tor Festival kicks off at the Exeter Phoenix tonight, with a chilling start - a reading of Lost Hearts followed by a screening of The Changeling...

Over the weekend we'll have more classic ghost movies, special guests, lectures & performances

exeterphoenix.org.uk/genre/hell-t...
September 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
A sobering explanation from a Persian financial report in 1927
September 26, 2025 at 8:10 AM
And with the DAME conference opening tomorrow and many participants already en route, I wonder if this scenario strikes a chord
September 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM