Mags L Halliday
@magslhalliday.bsky.social
Writer. Waffler. Former redhead.
Occasional public sector comms person. All views my own.
She/Her.
Please use alt text on images.
www.magslhalliday.co.uk or https://linktr.ee/magslhalliday
Occasional public sector comms person. All views my own.
She/Her.
Please use alt text on images.
www.magslhalliday.co.uk or https://linktr.ee/magslhalliday
Pinned
a woman is talking to a man in a room and asking him if he reads every one of these books .
Alt: Belle, a beautiful woman, is talking to a man who is a beast. They’re in his library, and she is asking him if he has read every one of the books.
media.tenor.com
It’s the 2025 “books I’ve read” thread.
I made a mistake and had three non-fiction books on the go at once. This always slows me right down.
I made a mistake and had three non-fiction books on the go at once. This always slows me right down.
And over on WCM I resisted saying “Weston-Sur-Le-Mud”.
I might have thought it whilst writing about the tidal reach and the Severn bore, but I didn’t *write* it. Not once.
I might have thought it whilst writing about the tidal reach and the Severn bore, but I didn’t *write* it. Not once.
My notes from Weston-Super-Mare are now available.
1/2
1/2
Field Notes: Weston-Super-Mare (13 November 2025)
Some of Weston's C20 buildings. One with literal off-white elephants, and two that are more metaphorical ones.
buttondown.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM
And over on WCM I resisted saying “Weston-Sur-Le-Mud”.
I might have thought it whilst writing about the tidal reach and the Severn bore, but I didn’t *write* it. Not once.
I might have thought it whilst writing about the tidal reach and the Severn bore, but I didn’t *write* it. Not once.
Just written teen's GCSE mocks timetable onto the calendar and fighting the urge to create a revision timetable. with colour coding.
November 13, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Just written teen's GCSE mocks timetable onto the calendar and fighting the urge to create a revision timetable. with colour coding.
Oh Claud!
Storm Claudia, named by @aemet.es, will affect the UK on Friday
Heavy rain and strong winds will bring disruption and possible flooding
Warnings are in force so stay #WeatherAware ⚠️
Heavy rain and strong winds will bring disruption and possible flooding
Warnings are in force so stay #WeatherAware ⚠️
November 13, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Oh Claud!
Wait…do you think someone saw the word ‘refuge’ and conflated it with ‘refugee’?
Publishing details about HMOs that are partly used as refuges increases the risk of the property being targeted by violent ex-partners. There’s a reason addresses are kept secret.
Publishing details about HMOs that are partly used as refuges increases the risk of the property being targeted by violent ex-partners. There’s a reason addresses are kept secret.
This one is on your Reform UK
Vandals target property amid owner's row with Reform councillor
Liv Cooke, says her HMOs are often used to house women escaping domestic abuse
Vandals target property amid owner's row with Reform councillor
Liv Cooke, says her HMOs are often used to house women escaping domestic abuse
Vandals target property amid owner's row with Reform councillor
Liv Cooke, 26, says her HMOs are often used to house women escaping domestic abuse
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Wait…do you think someone saw the word ‘refuge’ and conflated it with ‘refugee’?
Publishing details about HMOs that are partly used as refuges increases the risk of the property being targeted by violent ex-partners. There’s a reason addresses are kept secret.
Publishing details about HMOs that are partly used as refuges increases the risk of the property being targeted by violent ex-partners. There’s a reason addresses are kept secret.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
What's from Chicago, hates Illinois Nazis, and is holy as fuck?
It's the Pope in 1982.
It's the Pope in 1982.
November 13, 2025 at 1:37 AM
What's from Chicago, hates Illinois Nazis, and is holy as fuck?
It's the Pope in 1982.
It's the Pope in 1982.
Thanks to @renay.bsky.social posting about it, I’ve realised I actually have a couple of eligible works this year and need to do a post rounding them up.
My not-DoctorWho one is Stranded:
www.dreamtheory.media/str/
My not-DoctorWho one is Stranded:
www.dreamtheory.media/str/
Stranded
by Mags L. Halliday
Artwork by Doan Trang
Hannah was focusing on Reggie, who was in pieces on the hotel bar, when every phone in the place pinged, and people groaned. That was the ferry cancelled,...
www.dreamtheory.media
November 12, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Thanks to @renay.bsky.social posting about it, I’ve realised I actually have a couple of eligible works this year and need to do a post rounding them up.
My not-DoctorWho one is Stranded:
www.dreamtheory.media/str/
My not-DoctorWho one is Stranded:
www.dreamtheory.media/str/
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
At the risk of talking shop: there are just under 50 Government Bills before Parliament (including Employment Rights, English Devolution, Great British Energy) which aren’t getting the media attention that Coalition Bills at a similar point did. We’re missing proper scrutiny outside of Parliament.
This whole Streeting vs Starmer story is such a Westminster bubble inanity from a bored media class that has gotten addicted to toppling governments and abdicated any responsibility for what they're actually meant to be doing in a healthy society
November 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
At the risk of talking shop: there are just under 50 Government Bills before Parliament (including Employment Rights, English Devolution, Great British Energy) which aren’t getting the media attention that Coalition Bills at a similar point did. We’re missing proper scrutiny outside of Parliament.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
When Cornish buildings “go on fire” as the Scots say.
I'm sure it wasn't arson, but I am reminded of a friend whose gran had a knitting stall in a covered mini market in Redruth and had a phone call kindly suggesting she took her stock home that evening 'as there was going to be a big fire just after midnight'.
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
When Cornish buildings “go on fire” as the Scots say.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
This article is required reading.
When I was writing my space opera trilogy a few years ago, I decided never to use the word "race" to refer to alien species. I used "species," "peoples," "civilizations," etc.
I've also tried to stop saying "human race" in casual conversation.
When I was writing my space opera trilogy a few years ago, I decided never to use the word "race" to refer to alien species. I used "species," "peoples," "civilizations," etc.
I've also tried to stop saying "human race" in casual conversation.
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why Elon Musk Needs Dungeons and Dragons to Be Racist
The fantastical roots of “scientific racism”
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This article is required reading.
When I was writing my space opera trilogy a few years ago, I decided never to use the word "race" to refer to alien species. I used "species," "peoples," "civilizations," etc.
I've also tried to stop saying "human race" in casual conversation.
When I was writing my space opera trilogy a few years ago, I decided never to use the word "race" to refer to alien species. I used "species," "peoples," "civilizations," etc.
I've also tried to stop saying "human race" in casual conversation.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why Elon Musk Needs Dungeons and Dragons to Be Racist
The fantastical roots of “scientific racism”
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Me, 1983: this lunchtime detention each time I fail my weekly French vocab test is not helping me learn my vocab.
Teen's school, 2025: we're introducing a weekly Spanish vocab test! Get less than 7/10 and it's a breaktime 'catch-up' to cram.
Me: Merde! Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
Teen's school, 2025: we're introducing a weekly Spanish vocab test! Get less than 7/10 and it's a breaktime 'catch-up' to cram.
Me: Merde! Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
November 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Me, 1983: this lunchtime detention each time I fail my weekly French vocab test is not helping me learn my vocab.
Teen's school, 2025: we're introducing a weekly Spanish vocab test! Get less than 7/10 and it's a breaktime 'catch-up' to cram.
Me: Merde! Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
Teen's school, 2025: we're introducing a weekly Spanish vocab test! Get less than 7/10 and it's a breaktime 'catch-up' to cram.
Me: Merde! Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
It's not Whamaggeddon! if it's a different song.
Just sorting my field notes for Weston-Super-Mare.
November 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
It's not Whamaggeddon! if it's a different song.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Presented without comment.
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Presented without comment.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Even more reason to keep this institution from succumbing to a decade's long attack from the right wing whose strategy is to create an environment where the rest of us hate it enough to accept its demise - the exact same playbook used against the NHS
Ruin it when in power and attack relentlessly
Ruin it when in power and attack relentlessly
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Even more reason to keep this institution from succumbing to a decade's long attack from the right wing whose strategy is to create an environment where the rest of us hate it enough to accept its demise - the exact same playbook used against the NHS
Ruin it when in power and attack relentlessly
Ruin it when in power and attack relentlessly
Gull activity high Exmouth, Dawlish, Bournemouth, Scarborough. Goths low Whitby.
A radio programme like the Shipping Forecast but it’s called Bin Day and it just reads out every single council in the country’s bin schedule
November 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Gull activity high Exmouth, Dawlish, Bournemouth, Scarborough. Goths low Whitby.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
A radio programme like the Shipping Forecast but it’s called Bin Day and it just reads out every single council in the country’s bin schedule
November 10, 2025 at 11:53 PM
A radio programme like the Shipping Forecast but it’s called Bin Day and it just reads out every single council in the country’s bin schedule
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
A lifelong "dress reformer", she wore trousers under short dresses and eventually switched to trousers and jackets. She was frequently arrested for her choice.
"I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes," she said.
2/3
"I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes," she said.
2/3
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A lifelong "dress reformer", she wore trousers under short dresses and eventually switched to trousers and jackets. She was frequently arrested for her choice.
"I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes," she said.
2/3
"I don't wear men's clothes, I wear my own clothes," she said.
2/3
This woman is one of my top 5 from the hundreds we have on Carve Her Name.
“I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” After she was arrested for wearing trousers.
“I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” After she was arrested for wearing trousers.
#OnThisDay, 11 Nov 1865, Dr Mary Edwards Walker receives the Medal of Honor from US President Andrew Johnson for her services as a field surgeon in the American Civil War.
#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #WomenInWar #AmericanHistory 🗃️
1/3
#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #WomenInWar #AmericanHistory 🗃️
1/3
November 11, 2025 at 9:35 AM
This woman is one of my top 5 from the hundreds we have on Carve Her Name.
“I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” After she was arrested for wearing trousers.
“I don’t wear men’s clothes, I wear my own clothes.” After she was arrested for wearing trousers.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
The worst thing about flags and poppies being stolen as performative tokens by cunts, is the implication that the members of my own family who fought and died over the last century or so were corned-beef nostalgists who mainly climbed into Lancasters and foxholes to stick it to the libs.
November 11, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The worst thing about flags and poppies being stolen as performative tokens by cunts, is the implication that the members of my own family who fought and died over the last century or so were corned-beef nostalgists who mainly climbed into Lancasters and foxholes to stick it to the libs.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’
Black and Asian staff left feeling ‘deliberately intimidated’, according to chief executive of one NHS trust
NHS staff who care for patients in their own homes fear some areas have become “no-go zones” for them because of the presence of St George’s flags, health leaders have said.
Black and Asian staff have been left feeling “deliberately intimidated” as a result of the flags that were put up in many parts of England during the summer, according to the chief executive of one NHS trust in England, who asked to remain anonymous. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:07 AM
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
This is great news: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n.... Not least because it removes one of the common denialist retorts “what’s the point if China aren’t doing it” - they clearly are and so should we
China’s CO2 emissions have been flat or falling for past 18 months, analysis finds
World’s biggest polluter on track to hit peak emissions target early but miss goal for cutting carbon intensity
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
This is great news: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n.... Not least because it removes one of the common denialist retorts “what’s the point if China aren’t doing it” - they clearly are and so should we
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
What bothers me is that impartiality and balance are two different and incompatible things. Impartiality means that you don't intervene to put your thumb on the scales. Balance necessarily requires that you intervene to artificially make every issue look like a 50/50.
November 10, 2025 at 10:49 AM
What bothers me is that impartiality and balance are two different and incompatible things. Impartiality means that you don't intervene to put your thumb on the scales. Balance necessarily requires that you intervene to artificially make every issue look like a 50/50.
Do I know anyone who knows much about underwater archaeology?
I'm writing something and am wondering how well vitreous enamel survives on the seabed. Does it get encrusted? Would it eventually break from its metal base due to metal corrosion?
(I'm thinking yes, and 'hopefully not' respectively.)
I'm writing something and am wondering how well vitreous enamel survives on the seabed. Does it get encrusted? Would it eventually break from its metal base due to metal corrosion?
(I'm thinking yes, and 'hopefully not' respectively.)
November 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Do I know anyone who knows much about underwater archaeology?
I'm writing something and am wondering how well vitreous enamel survives on the seabed. Does it get encrusted? Would it eventually break from its metal base due to metal corrosion?
(I'm thinking yes, and 'hopefully not' respectively.)
I'm writing something and am wondering how well vitreous enamel survives on the seabed. Does it get encrusted? Would it eventually break from its metal base due to metal corrosion?
(I'm thinking yes, and 'hopefully not' respectively.)
“Finding things on the internet to ‘hate read’ is a way of feeling great about yourself because you’re not as stupid and wrong as those other people.”
inspired by this, I have done a free extract of this section of the book here. it is about understanding that *with all its problems* the BBC is as important for our intellectual health as the NHS is for our physical health:
naomialderman.substack.com/p/the-bbc-an...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/the-bbc-an...
November 10, 2025 at 8:04 AM
“Finding things on the internet to ‘hate read’ is a way of feeling great about yourself because you’re not as stupid and wrong as those other people.”