Mark Ellis
@mark-ellis.bsky.social
Particular fondness for family, friends, sport, music, festivals (see you at Glastonbury), walking, heritage, conservation, and fun.
Sometimes found working at the National Memorial Arboretum, leading Scouts, and talking about Staffordshire.
Allons-y
Sometimes found working at the National Memorial Arboretum, leading Scouts, and talking about Staffordshire.
Allons-y
Very excited this evening to attend the launch of OPEN: The People's Exhibition at @leicestermuseums.bsky.social ... especially as it features my eldest's first piece to be on display in a public art gallery.
#Stoneface by Edward Ellis
#Stoneface by Edward Ellis
November 25, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Very excited this evening to attend the launch of OPEN: The People's Exhibition at @leicestermuseums.bsky.social ... especially as it features my eldest's first piece to be on display in a public art gallery.
#Stoneface by Edward Ellis
#Stoneface by Edward Ellis
Wet days at work bring extra duties … but all the umbrellas will be dry and ready for tomorrow’s intrepid explorers. (Featuring a wet floor sign for added safety)
November 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Wet days at work bring extra duties … but all the umbrellas will be dry and ready for tomorrow’s intrepid explorers. (Featuring a wet floor sign for added safety)
As always it was a delight to be at the Royal Albert Hall today for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance - and I’m so proud of the part the National Memorial Arboretum plays in helping to bring society together to remember those who serve and sacrifice.
November 8, 2025 at 11:05 PM
As always it was a delight to be at the Royal Albert Hall today for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance - and I’m so proud of the part the National Memorial Arboretum plays in helping to bring society together to remember those who serve and sacrifice.
It was great to slip onto site today to help our volunteers plant 35,000+ Poppy Tributes for the RBL Field of Remembrance here at the National Memorial Arboretum … my knees were a bit sore after an hour so huge respect and thanks to those who have been out doing it all day.
October 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
It was great to slip onto site today to help our volunteers plant 35,000+ Poppy Tributes for the RBL Field of Remembrance here at the National Memorial Arboretum … my knees were a bit sore after an hour so huge respect and thanks to those who have been out doing it all day.
A very special day at work as we dedicated the new LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial in the presence of His Majesty The King.
Careers, livelihoods, and sometimes lives were lost as a result of the ‘gay ban’, and now people can serve regardless of who they are or who they love
Careers, livelihoods, and sometimes lives were lost as a result of the ‘gay ban’, and now people can serve regardless of who they are or who they love
October 27, 2025 at 5:19 PM
A very special day at work as we dedicated the new LGBT+ Armed Forces Community Memorial in the presence of His Majesty The King.
Careers, livelihoods, and sometimes lives were lost as a result of the ‘gay ban’, and now people can serve regardless of who they are or who they love
Careers, livelihoods, and sometimes lives were lost as a result of the ‘gay ban’, and now people can serve regardless of who they are or who they love
Today's hard work included a meeting at Lichfield Cathedral - the current home of the Fenland Table, a 13 metre long table made from Fenland Black Oak that has been preserved in peat for the last 5,000 years. Not only remarkable but also designed to be used (hence the coffee and pastry)
October 16, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Today's hard work included a meeting at Lichfield Cathedral - the current home of the Fenland Table, a 13 metre long table made from Fenland Black Oak that has been preserved in peat for the last 5,000 years. Not only remarkable but also designed to be used (hence the coffee and pastry)
The changing of the seasons is marked by the pin oaks (Quercus palustris) displaying their gorgeous autumnal colours in Heroes’ Square at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Not only a powerful reminder of the inherent beauty of nature but they also provide a great excuse for a daily walk around site
Not only a powerful reminder of the inherent beauty of nature but they also provide a great excuse for a daily walk around site
October 6, 2025 at 11:51 AM
The changing of the seasons is marked by the pin oaks (Quercus palustris) displaying their gorgeous autumnal colours in Heroes’ Square at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Not only a powerful reminder of the inherent beauty of nature but they also provide a great excuse for a daily walk around site
Not only a powerful reminder of the inherent beauty of nature but they also provide a great excuse for a daily walk around site
Ride To The Wall (RTTW) brings thousands of motorcycle fans from around the UK to the National Memorial Arboretum for huge show of remembrance and respect - always a highlight of my working year.
And despite the challenges brought by Storm Amy this year’s event has been as great as always.
And despite the challenges brought by Storm Amy this year’s event has been as great as always.
October 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Ride To The Wall (RTTW) brings thousands of motorcycle fans from around the UK to the National Memorial Arboretum for huge show of remembrance and respect - always a highlight of my working year.
And despite the challenges brought by Storm Amy this year’s event has been as great as always.
And despite the challenges brought by Storm Amy this year’s event has been as great as always.
An afternoon off near Coventry … and time well spent in my opinion
September 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM
An afternoon off near Coventry … and time well spent in my opinion
Amazing who you meet at work sometimes …
On this occasion to dedicate a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to the 97 men who died in the Le Paradis Massacre in 1940: www.leparadismassacre.com/massacre-ove...
On this occasion to dedicate a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to the 97 men who died in the Le Paradis Massacre in 1940: www.leparadismassacre.com/massacre-ove...
September 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Amazing who you meet at work sometimes …
On this occasion to dedicate a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to the 97 men who died in the Le Paradis Massacre in 1940: www.leparadismassacre.com/massacre-ove...
On this occasion to dedicate a memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to the 97 men who died in the Le Paradis Massacre in 1940: www.leparadismassacre.com/massacre-ove...
After a very dry summer it’s lovely to see some vibrant greenery return to the National Forest before we head into autumn.
September 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
After a very dry summer it’s lovely to see some vibrant greenery return to the National Forest before we head into autumn.
Fixing a broken laptop hinge with nothing but some basic tools, a YouTube video and a sense of adventure … what could possibly go wrong?
September 18, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Fixing a broken laptop hinge with nothing but some basic tools, a YouTube video and a sense of adventure … what could possibly go wrong?
Next door’s cat waiting, with hope over expectation, that a bird decides to take a bath.
September 14, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Next door’s cat waiting, with hope over expectation, that a bird decides to take a bath.
So you probably worked out my last post was Blackpool - and whilst I was there to discuss the many challenges facing the visitor attraction sector with some brilliant people from across our industry, it was also a lot of fun to be at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at night.
September 13, 2025 at 10:02 AM
So you probably worked out my last post was Blackpool - and whilst I was there to discuss the many challenges facing the visitor attraction sector with some brilliant people from across our industry, it was also a lot of fun to be at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at night.
Can you guess where I am …
September 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Can you guess where I am …
This week we bought both an Air Fryer and a Hair Dryer … we are, of course, now conflating them - “I’ll do some Cajun style chicken in the hair dryer this evening”.
#OhHowWeLaugh
#OhHowWeLaugh
September 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This week we bought both an Air Fryer and a Hair Dryer … we are, of course, now conflating them - “I’ll do some Cajun style chicken in the hair dryer this evening”.
#OhHowWeLaugh
#OhHowWeLaugh
Another brilliant weekend at @endoftheroadfestival.com - great bands, great food and drink (so many real ales on offer), great company and a stunningly gorgeous site.
(The Garden Stage wins a prize for not only the best looking stage I have ever seen but also the best sound quality)
(The Garden Stage wins a prize for not only the best looking stage I have ever seen but also the best sound quality)
September 1, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Another brilliant weekend at @endoftheroadfestival.com - great bands, great food and drink (so many real ales on offer), great company and a stunningly gorgeous site.
(The Garden Stage wins a prize for not only the best looking stage I have ever seen but also the best sound quality)
(The Garden Stage wins a prize for not only the best looking stage I have ever seen but also the best sound quality)
August 28, 2025 at 6:31 AM
The tap is fixed … I did all by myself … I am feeling just a little bit proud.
August 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
The tap is fixed … I did all by myself … I am feeling just a little bit proud.
All creatures great and small at Chester Zoo today.
August 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM
All creatures great and small at Chester Zoo today.
Ok - DIY advice needed …
I need to change this tap and it is stuck fast - if I apply more pressure I’m just bending the copper pipe it is fixed to.
Any tips for loosening it or do I need to cut the pipe and join on a new section on which I can mount a new tap?
I need to change this tap and it is stuck fast - if I apply more pressure I’m just bending the copper pipe it is fixed to.
Any tips for loosening it or do I need to cut the pipe and join on a new section on which I can mount a new tap?
August 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Ok - DIY advice needed …
I need to change this tap and it is stuck fast - if I apply more pressure I’m just bending the copper pipe it is fixed to.
Any tips for loosening it or do I need to cut the pipe and join on a new section on which I can mount a new tap?
I need to change this tap and it is stuck fast - if I apply more pressure I’m just bending the copper pipe it is fixed to.
Any tips for loosening it or do I need to cut the pipe and join on a new section on which I can mount a new tap?
A few days after the VJ80 commemorations at the @natmemarb.bsky.social the memorials in the Far East section of the site are still looking wonderful, dressed in flowers and displaying the wreaths laid with such respect by so many people.
August 18, 2025 at 10:25 PM
A few days after the VJ80 commemorations at the @natmemarb.bsky.social the memorials in the Far East section of the site are still looking wonderful, dressed in flowers and displaying the wreaths laid with such respect by so many people.
August 14, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I’ve just noticed that the oak in our garden is bursting with acorns (see picture) - way more than I have seen before.
As a result I have learnt about ‘mast years’ - is this going to be one for oaks?
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/10...
As a result I have learnt about ‘mast years’ - is this going to be one for oaks?
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/10...
August 12, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I’ve just noticed that the oak in our garden is bursting with acorns (see picture) - way more than I have seen before.
As a result I have learnt about ‘mast years’ - is this going to be one for oaks?
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/10...
As a result I have learnt about ‘mast years’ - is this going to be one for oaks?
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/10...
Currently checking out new-to-me music ahead of heading to @endoftheroadfestival.com at the end of the month.
Loving Black Country New Road, Sofia Kourties and BAMBARA this morning - my Clashfinder is beginning to fill up.
#LiveMusic #Festival #EOTR
Loving Black Country New Road, Sofia Kourties and BAMBARA this morning - my Clashfinder is beginning to fill up.
#LiveMusic #Festival #EOTR
August 9, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Currently checking out new-to-me music ahead of heading to @endoftheroadfestival.com at the end of the month.
Loving Black Country New Road, Sofia Kourties and BAMBARA this morning - my Clashfinder is beginning to fill up.
#LiveMusic #Festival #EOTR
Loving Black Country New Road, Sofia Kourties and BAMBARA this morning - my Clashfinder is beginning to fill up.
#LiveMusic #Festival #EOTR