Raph Metcalf
@raphmetcalf.bsky.social
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
It's time for this year's installment of the Gingerbread Pubs of St Albans! This is the fourth year I've been recreating the iconic, historic pubs of St Albans, England in gingerbread, and giving them as a gift to the pubs. Read on for lots of pictures and details! 🧵 #stalbans #gingerbread
December 21, 2025 at 8:57 AM
It's time for this year's installment of the Gingerbread Pubs of St Albans! This is the fourth year I've been recreating the iconic, historic pubs of St Albans, England in gingerbread, and giving them as a gift to the pubs. Read on for lots of pictures and details! 🧵 #stalbans #gingerbread
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
OK, strap in….
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
December 13, 2025 at 12:41 PM
OK, strap in….
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
Here is part 2 of the “Tesco/(insert other brand) are cancelling Christmas” claims!
🎄🎅🤶🎄
TL:DR? Christmas is alive and well everywhere you look.
And so too, sadly, is manufactured Christmas rage baiting.
Here is just 7 day’s worth of Daily Mail Christmas Rage bait
🧵
1/31
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
December 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
In a surprise to absolutely no one, the mum she’s describing is not claiming benefits as a “lifestyle choice”.
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
December 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
In a surprise to absolutely no one, the mum she’s describing is not claiming benefits as a “lifestyle choice”.
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
This paywalled article is full of “in my grandparents day, blah blah blah” and nasty sneery comments about latest iPhones for spoilt children🙄
🧵
1/9
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
November 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
"The web page points out that autism rates have risen in recent decades and so has the number of infant vaccinations—an observation that might also be made about prestige TV shows and pumpkin-spice lattes"
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
The Undermining of the C.D.C.
The Department of Health and Human Services maintains that it is hewing to “gold standard, evidence-based science”—doublespeak that might unsettle Orwell.
www.newyorker.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
"The web page points out that autism rates have risen in recent decades and so has the number of infant vaccinations—an observation that might also be made about prestige TV shows and pumpkin-spice lattes"
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
The US State Department classified state-funded abortion services, including NHS services, as 'human rights violations'. Make no mistake, this will embolden the UK's anti-choice Christian Nationalist movement, hell-bent on reversing women's rights. humanists.uk/2025/11/27/n...
New US policy designates NHS abortions as human rights breaches
The US State Department has classified state-funded abortion services, including those provided by the NHS, as human rights violations that it will report on in its annual Country Reports on Human Rig...
humanists.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The US State Department classified state-funded abortion services, including NHS services, as 'human rights violations'. Make no mistake, this will embolden the UK's anti-choice Christian Nationalist movement, hell-bent on reversing women's rights. humanists.uk/2025/11/27/n...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
This SUNDAY - COLCHESTER!!
A solo show for @samaritans.bsky.social
Tickets here
www.redlionbooks.co.uk/product/poet...
Tell your friends
A solo show for @samaritans.bsky.social
Tickets here
www.redlionbooks.co.uk/product/poet...
Tell your friends
November 22, 2025 at 10:48 AM
This SUNDAY - COLCHESTER!!
A solo show for @samaritans.bsky.social
Tickets here
www.redlionbooks.co.uk/product/poet...
Tell your friends
A solo show for @samaritans.bsky.social
Tickets here
www.redlionbooks.co.uk/product/poet...
Tell your friends
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
You're not asking trans people. You're asking all people. This affects us all. Anyone could be barred from services based on appearance. Since, surprisingly we all have a fecking appearance
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trans people could be barred from services based on appearance
The new code of practice on access to single-sex services cannot gain legal force until it gets sign-off from ministers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
You're not asking trans people. You're asking all people. This affects us all. Anyone could be barred from services based on appearance. Since, surprisingly we all have a fecking appearance
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
The Weekly Howl
The British government just did something I agree with, and it feels almost gross to mention it. Also: who invented the week? And some Beeching-themed maps.
jonn.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
I am increasingly of the opinion that people who change menus and look and feel of computer software just so that you know it's a new version should be personally forced to play tech support to my mother for five months.
November 19, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I am increasingly of the opinion that people who change menus and look and feel of computer software just so that you know it's a new version should be personally forced to play tech support to my mother for five months.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
The basic problem with the temporary refugee status policy - especially one lasting up to 20 years - is it leads to very few removals (based on Denmark's experience) but does significantly worsen integration.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Your regular reminder that there is absolutely nothing "hard" or "tough" about targeting the poorest, most vulnerable, and least able to defend themselves groups of people on the entire planet
November 17, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Your regular reminder that there is absolutely nothing "hard" or "tough" about targeting the poorest, most vulnerable, and least able to defend themselves groups of people on the entire planet
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
I was tagged and asked to take a look at this claim - cos, well just look at it!🙄
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
November 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
I was tagged and asked to take a look at this claim - cos, well just look at it!🙄
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Does it seem plausible that THE Trocadero is going to be turned into a Mosque?
It was pretty easy to debunk but I decided to do a deep dive into the reality AND the appalling press coverage
🧵
1/26
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Scrolling through X so you don't have to
November 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Scrolling through X so you don't have to
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
A brief thread on Trump renewing his threat to sue the BBC.
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
(Note I am not an American lawyer, this is perspective of an English legal commentator.)
>
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Sickening rhetoric by Home Secretary. Denying access to human rights isn't "protecting the public". This is Labour further demonising those seeking asylum in language very reminiscent of the far right. Yes, some break the law, so should be prosecuted within the law. Removing rights is not the answer
November 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Sickening rhetoric by Home Secretary. Denying access to human rights isn't "protecting the public". This is Labour further demonising those seeking asylum in language very reminiscent of the far right. Yes, some break the law, so should be prosecuted within the law. Removing rights is not the answer
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
And we knew this. This wasn't speculation. We studied it, we had the talking points. We trained volunteers to explain this to people. It's not a surprise. Rich people don't flee places with good quality of life when we increase the quality of life. They might try to cheat us, but they don't leave.
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 AM
And we knew this. This wasn't speculation. We studied it, we had the talking points. We trained volunteers to explain this to people. It's not a surprise. Rich people don't flee places with good quality of life when we increase the quality of life. They might try to cheat us, but they don't leave.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
It blows my mind that there are real people who see a post like this and actually believe the whole “Christmas is being cancelled by Muslims” BS 🙄
Let’s have a quick look at what’s happening to Sheffield so you can put your Express reading uncle’s mind at ease!😆
1/15
🧵
Let’s have a quick look at what’s happening to Sheffield so you can put your Express reading uncle’s mind at ease!😆
1/15
🧵
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It blows my mind that there are real people who see a post like this and actually believe the whole “Christmas is being cancelled by Muslims” BS 🙄
Let’s have a quick look at what’s happening to Sheffield so you can put your Express reading uncle’s mind at ease!😆
1/15
🧵
Let’s have a quick look at what’s happening to Sheffield so you can put your Express reading uncle’s mind at ease!😆
1/15
🧵
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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🧵
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women
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🧵
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
My new newsletter is out, in which we use basic high-school maths to complain about street design
simple.ghost.io/lets-do-the-...
simple.ghost.io/lets-do-the-...
November 1, 2025 at 11:52 AM
My new newsletter is out, in which we use basic high-school maths to complain about street design
simple.ghost.io/lets-do-the-...
simple.ghost.io/lets-do-the-...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
We always try to get Nine Lessons shows beyond London - it is never profitable but we hope it makes it accessible for others - This year is CARDIFF - but no one seems to want to come - so we will pull it next week if we see that it is going to lose us too much money
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People - The Glee Club
The iconic Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People season extravaganza is headed to Cardiff for the first time
www.glee.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
We always try to get Nine Lessons shows beyond London - it is never profitable but we hope it makes it accessible for others - This year is CARDIFF - but no one seems to want to come - so we will pull it next week if we see that it is going to lose us too much money
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
Reposted by Raph Metcalf
