Maria Sienkiewicz
@mariasienk.bsky.social
Archivist. Became an archivist because I like books and now I spend all day glaring at a computer. Manchester and Cheshire.
https://home.barclays/archive-barclays/
https://home.barclays/archive-barclays/
My 14yo’s Fortnite account has been stolen by a Russian. Fortnite’s makers, Epic Games don’t seem to think this is something they might be at least partly responsible for. When will we start to see ‘scams’ etc for what they are, crimes?
November 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
My 14yo’s Fortnite account has been stolen by a Russian. Fortnite’s makers, Epic Games don’t seem to think this is something they might be at least partly responsible for. When will we start to see ‘scams’ etc for what they are, crimes?
I think Network Rail and I might have different ideas of what constitutes ‘quite quiet’.
November 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I think Network Rail and I might have different ideas of what constitutes ‘quite quiet’.
I really hate the Asda Christmas advert.
November 9, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I really hate the Asda Christmas advert.
I would like to buy a traditional card advent calendar from a charity or heritage/arts institution, but am struggling. Any suggestions?
November 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I would like to buy a traditional card advent calendar from a charity or heritage/arts institution, but am struggling. Any suggestions?
This. Not only do I object to the incorrect use of the twelve days before Christmas, but I hate the fact that we don’t use them for their true purpose after Christmas. Christmas Day is not the end. And as for people who take their tree down on Boxing Day….
I have been confronted with an ad for Advent calendars and so it is time for the annual PSA:
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BEGIN
ON
CHRISTMAS
THEY ARE NOT ANY OF THE DAYS LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS
THAT IS ADVENT
WHICH BEGINS FOUR SUNDAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BEGIN
ON
CHRISTMAS
THEY ARE NOT ANY OF THE DAYS LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS
THAT IS ADVENT
WHICH BEGINS FOUR SUNDAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
November 3, 2025 at 7:44 PM
This. Not only do I object to the incorrect use of the twelve days before Christmas, but I hate the fact that we don’t use them for their true purpose after Christmas. Christmas Day is not the end. And as for people who take their tree down on Boxing Day….
Have been to M&S to buy a jumper for my mum and I’d love to know who they imagine their target market is for all of the cropped knitwear they’re selling.
November 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Have been to M&S to buy a jumper for my mum and I’d love to know who they imagine their target market is for all of the cropped knitwear they’re selling.
Catching up on Tuesday’s House of Games and there was a question about the year of the first contactless card in the uk. Never been more sure of an answer (2007).
October 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Catching up on Tuesday’s House of Games and there was a question about the year of the first contactless card in the uk. Never been more sure of an answer (2007).
Reposted by Maria Sienkiewicz
🚨Small boat migrants getting “private health care” while the rest of us have to use the NHS?!🚨
That’s outrageous!
Or is it?
Might the reality be a little more mundane and a little less clickbait-worthy?
Let’s take a 👀
1/17
🧵
That’s outrageous!
Or is it?
Might the reality be a little more mundane and a little less clickbait-worthy?
Let’s take a 👀
1/17
🧵
October 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM
🚨Small boat migrants getting “private health care” while the rest of us have to use the NHS?!🚨
That’s outrageous!
Or is it?
Might the reality be a little more mundane and a little less clickbait-worthy?
Let’s take a 👀
1/17
🧵
That’s outrageous!
Or is it?
Might the reality be a little more mundane and a little less clickbait-worthy?
Let’s take a 👀
1/17
🧵
Reposted by Maria Sienkiewicz
We're delighted that so many new #archives and #recordsmanagement professionals are sharing their experiences on our blog. Our first comes from Cat Goodrick who talks about the challenges in cataloguing a large, complex and long-closed collection: aranewprofessionals.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/a...
aranewprofessionals.wordpress.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:02 AM
We're delighted that so many new #archives and #recordsmanagement professionals are sharing their experiences on our blog. Our first comes from Cat Goodrick who talks about the challenges in cataloguing a large, complex and long-closed collection: aranewprofessionals.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/a...
If nothing else, the Traitors is really proving how real unconscious bias is. They’ve all fallen for a man speaking against a woman. This after banishing 2 black people.
October 16, 2025 at 8:53 PM
If nothing else, the Traitors is really proving how real unconscious bias is. They’ve all fallen for a man speaking against a woman. This after banishing 2 black people.
Interesting article on RG universities taking more students to increase income. My daughter is in the second year of a law degree at a RG university. She’s had minimal work marked, less tutor time than advertised & only had exams in the summer term, no lectures. She came home in April.
Finally, an article that at least touches on teaching quality and staff workload issues. Not that it suggests any viable alternatives to the current state of play. (And for 'colleges' in the headline, read 'universities', a telling choice of nomenclature.
Grade deflation, overcrowding and ‘chaos’ as colleges scr...
Russell group hoovers up international students to stave off budget deficit fears
observer.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Interesting article on RG universities taking more students to increase income. My daughter is in the second year of a law degree at a RG university. She’s had minimal work marked, less tutor time than advertised & only had exams in the summer term, no lectures. She came home in April.
Reposted by Maria Sienkiewicz
Very timely and interesting statement from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Particularly interesting re my own work, but also to those who want to know just what the hell is going on.
'Engaging with the grief and anger of white working-class communities that this comment...' 1/3
'Engaging with the grief and anger of white working-class communities that this comment...' 1/3
Beyond the flags: grief, polarisation and the work of repair
Amid grief, rage and division, there are seeds of hope and repair to be found in the North East. But they will not flourish if we stay silent.
www.jrf.org.uk
October 2, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Very timely and interesting statement from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Particularly interesting re my own work, but also to those who want to know just what the hell is going on.
'Engaging with the grief and anger of white working-class communities that this comment...' 1/3
'Engaging with the grief and anger of white working-class communities that this comment...' 1/3
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Engaging, thought-provoking, informative with a warmth and lightness of touch that delights. The book is definitely going on my Christmas list.
Just finished listening to the first episode of #AHistoryOfEnglandIn25Poems. Did they play me out with Elgar's Nimrod? Of course they did! Broadcast every day this week at 11.45 (repeated at half past midnight) + on BBC Sounds: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
September 30, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I cannot recommend this highly enough. Engaging, thought-provoking, informative with a warmth and lightness of touch that delights. The book is definitely going on my Christmas list.
Reposted by Maria Sienkiewicz
Chuffing great day! #Railway200 #Darlington
September 27, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Chuffing great day! #Railway200 #Darlington
Reposted by Maria Sienkiewicz
A very happy 200th birthday to the Stockton & Darlington Railway!
Bravo Darlo, Hopetown, S&DR200, Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and everyone involved in making today so memoribale 😍😍
Bravo Darlo, Hopetown, S&DR200, Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and everyone involved in making today so memoribale 😍😍
September 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A very happy 200th birthday to the Stockton & Darlington Railway!
Bravo Darlo, Hopetown, S&DR200, Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and everyone involved in making today so memoribale 😍😍
Bravo Darlo, Hopetown, S&DR200, Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and everyone involved in making today so memoribale 😍😍
The 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway gives me a chance to shine a spotlight on this amazing document - the subscription deed for the railway. Held by Barclays because one of our early bankers was Treasurer to the railway (continues)
September 27, 2025 at 10:29 AM
The 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway gives me a chance to shine a spotlight on this amazing document - the subscription deed for the railway. Held by Barclays because one of our early bankers was Treasurer to the railway (continues)
September 24, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest via the south west face. The expedition was led by Chris Bonington and sponsored by Barclays, which is why we have this splendid flag in the archives.
September 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest via the south west face. The expedition was led by Chris Bonington and sponsored by Barclays, which is why we have this splendid flag in the archives.
Battle doomscrolling by posting 5 small pleasures in life:
Laughing with my kids.
Granola, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast.
A cup of tea when I really need a cup of tea.
Reading in bed on a Sunday morning.
Walking the dog.
Laughing with my kids.
Granola, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast.
A cup of tea when I really need a cup of tea.
Reading in bed on a Sunday morning.
Walking the dog.
battle doomscrolling by posting 5 small pleasures in life:
a chip sandwich with white bread and loads of butter
sticking your face in a cat's belly fur
woodworking videos on YT
taking your bra off
singing
a chip sandwich with white bread and loads of butter
sticking your face in a cat's belly fur
woodworking videos on YT
taking your bra off
singing
battle doomscrolling by posting 5 small pleasures in life:
first sip of coffee
picking up a conker, cool and soapy in your hand
geese honking overhead
leaves changing colour: green, yellow, red
debating when to put the heating on
(I really like autumn, ok)
first sip of coffee
picking up a conker, cool and soapy in your hand
geese honking overhead
leaves changing colour: green, yellow, red
debating when to put the heating on
(I really like autumn, ok)
September 16, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Battle doomscrolling by posting 5 small pleasures in life:
Laughing with my kids.
Granola, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast.
A cup of tea when I really need a cup of tea.
Reading in bed on a Sunday morning.
Walking the dog.
Laughing with my kids.
Granola, fruit and yoghurt for breakfast.
A cup of tea when I really need a cup of tea.
Reading in bed on a Sunday morning.
Walking the dog.
The glamour of working in archives - I find myself in a service lift. My favourite bit was when I got out, pushed open a door and emerged from what looked like a wall!
September 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The glamour of working in archives - I find myself in a service lift. My favourite bit was when I got out, pushed open a door and emerged from what looked like a wall!
Being in receipt of a glut of damsons, I thought I’d try my hand at making chutney. Covering half the kitchen in vinegar was not part of the plan. Chutney now underway. Is the smell of the chutney masking the smell of vinegar?
September 7, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Being in receipt of a glut of damsons, I thought I’d try my hand at making chutney. Covering half the kitchen in vinegar was not part of the plan. Chutney now underway. Is the smell of the chutney masking the smell of vinegar?
Why does it look like there is so much choice at the opticians, but there’s really just slight variations on 2 basic styles?
August 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Why does it look like there is so much choice at the opticians, but there’s really just slight variations on 2 basic styles?
I don’t do banking stuff but I have some advice. If the bank has registered a charge against your property when you took out a loan/mortgage, make sure they remove that charge when you pay off the loan/mortgage, because it’s REALLY hard to sort it out years later. And the archives really can’t help.
August 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I don’t do banking stuff but I have some advice. If the bank has registered a charge against your property when you took out a loan/mortgage, make sure they remove that charge when you pay off the loan/mortgage, because it’s REALLY hard to sort it out years later. And the archives really can’t help.