Michael Hill
@mike-hill.bsky.social
CEO of landscape charity Friends of the Lake District. Before that, 35 years in media and technology, mostly at the BBC. Now usually up a mountain in #Cumbria UK.
@friendsoflakes.bsky.social
@friendsoflakes.bsky.social
A rare opportunity to explore an old tungsten mine today, near Mungrisdale. With the expert guidance of Warren Allison we waded into tunnels deep under the fell. He pointed out the vein of quartz that miners chased into the mountain, blowing passageways with dynamite (the tungsten is in the quartz).
August 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
A rare opportunity to explore an old tungsten mine today, near Mungrisdale. With the expert guidance of Warren Allison we waded into tunnels deep under the fell. He pointed out the vein of quartz that miners chased into the mountain, blowing passageways with dynamite (the tungsten is in the quartz).
Reposted by Michael Hill
Ever-rising height of car bonnets a ‘clear threat’ to children, report says
Ever-rising height of car bonnets a ‘clear threat’ to children, report says
High-fronted SUVs are more likely to kill and are on the rise in Europe with the UK an extreme example
The bonnet height of new cars in the UK and Europe is rising relentlessly, a report has found, bringing a “clear and growing threat to public safety, especially for children”.
Higher fronts on cars significantly increase the death rate when pedestrians are struck. The analysis also found that drivers in the tallest cars could not see children as old as nine at all when they were directly in front of the vehicle. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
June 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Ever-rising height of car bonnets a ‘clear threat’ to children, report says
First ‘legs out’ walk of the summer
May 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
First ‘legs out’ walk of the summer
Reposted by Michael Hill
Heat pumps are only a matter of 'political controversy' because gas and boiler companies have stoked a culture war against them. You'd expect the BBC to resist lobbying, but it succumbs again and again. It’s an institutional problem.
A culture of fear and favour dominates the organisation.
A culture of fear and favour dominates the organisation.
The BBC is utterly beholden to the right. Why else would it fear an Evan Davis podcast about heat pumps? asks @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
It is appeasing itself to death, he says
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It is appeasing itself to death, he says
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC is utterly beholden to the right. Why else would it fear a podcast about heat pumps? | George Monbiot
The broadcaster behaves like Starmer’s government: suppress the left, cave to your critics, and undermine your own survival, writes Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
May 1, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Heat pumps are only a matter of 'political controversy' because gas and boiler companies have stoked a culture war against them. You'd expect the BBC to resist lobbying, but it succumbs again and again. It’s an institutional problem.
A culture of fear and favour dominates the organisation.
A culture of fear and favour dominates the organisation.
Reposted by Michael Hill
Cartoon with caption by my buddy @jackhauen.bsky.social
April 29, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Cartoon with caption by my buddy @jackhauen.bsky.social
This is a moronic decision. There’s nothing ‘woke’ about heat pumps.
Glad this got some coverage. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
‘They dictate the rules’: BBC tells PM’s Evan Davis to stop hosting heat pump podcast
Presenter believes decision was taken due to the technology’s link with net zero after he was told he risked accusations of political bias
www.theguardian.com
April 22, 2025 at 6:39 PM
This is a moronic decision. There’s nothing ‘woke’ about heat pumps.
Spotted this camping #cargobike made by @riesemuller.bsky.social. Definitely on the wish list!
April 13, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Spotted this camping #cargobike made by @riesemuller.bsky.social. Definitely on the wish list!
Reposted by Michael Hill
The question of if a country could fuck itself harder than the UK did with Brexit has today been answered.
April 2, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The question of if a country could fuck itself harder than the UK did with Brexit has today been answered.
Big plume of filthy water heading out into the River Kent. Hey @unitedutilities.bsky.social, it hasn’t even rained recently. What’s the excuse this time?
March 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Big plume of filthy water heading out into the River Kent. Hey @unitedutilities.bsky.social, it hasn’t even rained recently. What’s the excuse this time?
Been building an electric cargo bike at the weekends. It’s a Dutch ‘Bakfiets’ with new front forks, rebuilt front wheel with hub motor, and it’ll shortly have hydraulic disc brakes too. Gem seemed to enjoy the first wobbly test ride!
March 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Been building an electric cargo bike at the weekends. It’s a Dutch ‘Bakfiets’ with new front forks, rebuilt front wheel with hub motor, and it’ll shortly have hydraulic disc brakes too. Gem seemed to enjoy the first wobbly test ride!
If you’ve ever wondered how coppicing works, or whether the ancient craft of hedge-laying has a future, here’s a short video I’ve made.
youtu.be/MUw7fYP9kyo?...
youtu.be/MUw7fYP9kyo?...
Postcard video March 2025 hedge laying and coppicing
YouTube video by Friends of the Lake District
youtu.be
March 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
If you’ve ever wondered how coppicing works, or whether the ancient craft of hedge-laying has a future, here’s a short video I’ve made.
youtu.be/MUw7fYP9kyo?...
youtu.be/MUw7fYP9kyo?...
Water vapour was definitely doing its thang today
March 1, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Water vapour was definitely doing its thang today
Reposted by Michael Hill
An attack on nature is taking place across the pond as Trump (AKA Musk) empties the National Park/Forestry of staff.
These great landscapes are what make the national identity. Without them, the U.S is nothing.
This has potential to be repeated in the U.K. in 4 years.
Stay wise to it.
These great landscapes are what make the national identity. Without them, the U.S is nothing.
This has potential to be repeated in the U.K. in 4 years.
Stay wise to it.
February 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
An attack on nature is taking place across the pond as Trump (AKA Musk) empties the National Park/Forestry of staff.
These great landscapes are what make the national identity. Without them, the U.S is nothing.
This has potential to be repeated in the U.K. in 4 years.
Stay wise to it.
These great landscapes are what make the national identity. Without them, the U.S is nothing.
This has potential to be repeated in the U.K. in 4 years.
Stay wise to it.
Reposted by Michael Hill
When the Dutch build bike parking facilities, they don't 'just' build them. They build pieces of art.
Like the IJboulevard parking at Amsterdam Central Station. The parking not only offers space for 4,000 bikes, it also houses two copies of famous paintings that are actually in the Rijksmuseum.
Like the IJboulevard parking at Amsterdam Central Station. The parking not only offers space for 4,000 bikes, it also houses two copies of famous paintings that are actually in the Rijksmuseum.
February 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
When the Dutch build bike parking facilities, they don't 'just' build them. They build pieces of art.
Like the IJboulevard parking at Amsterdam Central Station. The parking not only offers space for 4,000 bikes, it also houses two copies of famous paintings that are actually in the Rijksmuseum.
Like the IJboulevard parking at Amsterdam Central Station. The parking not only offers space for 4,000 bikes, it also houses two copies of famous paintings that are actually in the Rijksmuseum.
Great opportunity to work with the brilliant team here at @friendsoflakes.bsky.social on an 18-month traineeship. Learn about Landscape Engagement from the best in the business! Please share. #Cumbria #lakedistrict #jobs #landscape
www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/engagement-t...
www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/engagement-t...
Engagement Trainee
This position will help us to deliver our engagement program across Cumbria, connecting communities with the Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes and building support for our incredible work.
www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk
January 29, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Great opportunity to work with the brilliant team here at @friendsoflakes.bsky.social on an 18-month traineeship. Learn about Landscape Engagement from the best in the business! Please share. #Cumbria #lakedistrict #jobs #landscape
www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/engagement-t...
www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/engagement-t...
Reposted by Michael Hill
I wrote this on one of the darkest days of my life. It gave me an anchor to hold onto.
January 24, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I wrote this on one of the darkest days of my life. It gave me an anchor to hold onto.
Reposted by Michael Hill
“Public transport doesn’t need invention. Just like water and electricity, we've solved the technology challenges for urban and long-distance transport. It’s the political will, not technological capability, that is lacking. We don't need invention; we need implementation.” @garethdennis.bsky.social
January 20, 2025 at 6:48 AM
“Public transport doesn’t need invention. Just like water and electricity, we've solved the technology challenges for urban and long-distance transport. It’s the political will, not technological capability, that is lacking. We don't need invention; we need implementation.” @garethdennis.bsky.social
Stolen from Facebook (but true, nonetheless)
January 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Stolen from Facebook (but true, nonetheless)
Reposted by Michael Hill
“People ask me to predict the future, when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it. Predicting the future is too easy, anyway. You look at the people around you, the street you stand on, the air you breathe, and predict more of the same. To hell with more. I want better.” - Ray Bradbury
January 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“People ask me to predict the future, when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it. Predicting the future is too easy, anyway. You look at the people around you, the street you stand on, the air you breathe, and predict more of the same. To hell with more. I want better.” - Ray Bradbury
Reposted by Michael Hill
Cycle parking at a hospital in the Netherlands. Dedicated spaces for staff, as well as patients coming for medical appointments by bike
December 28, 2024 at 6:20 PM
Cycle parking at a hospital in the Netherlands. Dedicated spaces for staff, as well as patients coming for medical appointments by bike
Bubble and squeak…and bubbles
December 27, 2024 at 7:15 PM
Bubble and squeak…and bubbles
Agree, she’s great. She is quietly incredibly knowledgeable, and has an impressive range of presentation styles, including powerful empathy. She always gets the best out of an interviewee.
Mishal Husain’s last day on #r4today this morning.
She’s the best of their presenters by far in my opinion. Capable of balance, & of rigorous, devastating interviews, without ever getting shrill, or hectoring & speaking over her interviewees.
A real loss for the BBC.
She’s the best of their presenters by far in my opinion. Capable of balance, & of rigorous, devastating interviews, without ever getting shrill, or hectoring & speaking over her interviewees.
A real loss for the BBC.
December 17, 2024 at 7:44 AM
Agree, she’s great. She is quietly incredibly knowledgeable, and has an impressive range of presentation styles, including powerful empathy. She always gets the best out of an interviewee.
This is really good
Sheffield is building medium density, mixed used development like no where else in Britain.
December 15, 2024 at 1:09 PM
This is really good