Sarah May
@sarahmay1.bsky.social
Heritage, Archaeologist, solidarity, she/her - hoping for more kindness, often anxious and sharp. Professionally garrulous. Living in Cardiff. Ageless, so no DMs
Reposted by Sarah May
157 years ago, on the 9th of December 1868, the world's first traffic lights were installed outside the Palace of Westminster in London. It used semaphore arms during the day and green/red gas lamps at night. It had to be operated by a constable. It exploded on January 2nd 1869. #otd #history 🗃️
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Sarah May
Solidarity with the staff at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social, the people who actually make the place work, in the face of wretched management.
Due to ongoing strike action, all St Pancras Reading Rooms will be closed today (8 December). We are also likely to have to close our Reading Rooms for the rest of the week and will update if this is the case. Please make sure you check our service updates before you visit: bit.ly/StrikeAction...
Planned strike action in St Pancras
We have been notified of planned strike action taking place between Monday 8 and Friday 12 December 2025.
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Solidarity with the staff at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social, the people who actually make the place work, in the face of wretched management.
Negging seems to be a major component of the Copilot marketing strategy
things Copilot has tried desperately to help me with this morning: a thread
1) suggesting '10 compelling titles' for a spreadsheet I use to log student attendance
1) suggesting '10 compelling titles' for a spreadsheet I use to log student attendance
December 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Negging seems to be a major component of the Copilot marketing strategy
Reposted by Sarah May
Less than 3 hours before the donation & match funding window for this year's Big Give closes at 12 noon.
Spare change? Swap a cup of coffee? A sustainable gift?
Please help @archscot.bsky.social deliver their 'Attainment through Archaeology' program to disadvantaged young people across Scotland 🙏🙏
Spare change? Swap a cup of coffee? A sustainable gift?
Please help @archscot.bsky.social deliver their 'Attainment through Archaeology' program to disadvantaged young people across Scotland 🙏🙏
Empowering Young People Through Archaeology
Please contribute to our fundraising appeal, every pound you give will be matched by the Big Give and your help greatly appreciated donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#archaeology #scotland #learning
Please contribute to our fundraising appeal, every pound you give will be matched by the Big Give and your help greatly appreciated donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
#archaeology #scotland #learning
December 9, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Less than 3 hours before the donation & match funding window for this year's Big Give closes at 12 noon.
Spare change? Swap a cup of coffee? A sustainable gift?
Please help @archscot.bsky.social deliver their 'Attainment through Archaeology' program to disadvantaged young people across Scotland 🙏🙏
Spare change? Swap a cup of coffee? A sustainable gift?
Please help @archscot.bsky.social deliver their 'Attainment through Archaeology' program to disadvantaged young people across Scotland 🙏🙏
Reposted by Sarah May
"If everyone who streamed All Hell on Spotify had done so using Tidal instead, we would have received an extra £31,847.38, which would double the amount we made from streaming of the album in this time period. Or if everyone used Apple Music it would have been £12,331 more."
Los Campesinos:
Los Campesinos:
Here’s how much money Los Camp! make from streaming… - Los Campesinos!
loscampesinos.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:58 PM
"If everyone who streamed All Hell on Spotify had done so using Tidal instead, we would have received an extra £31,847.38, which would double the amount we made from streaming of the album in this time period. Or if everyone used Apple Music it would have been £12,331 more."
Los Campesinos:
Los Campesinos:
Reposted by Sarah May
An important point to come out of the Sandie Peggie case is that 'gender critical' employees can't take matters into their own hands and confront trans employees. If they do that it is likely to be harassment/ bullying/ a hate incident.
December 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
An important point to come out of the Sandie Peggie case is that 'gender critical' employees can't take matters into their own hands and confront trans employees. If they do that it is likely to be harassment/ bullying/ a hate incident.
Reposted by Sarah May
UK households cut spending at fastest pace in 5 years.
Average real wage stuck at 2008 level.
Energy, water, broadband, rents, grocery, dentist, vets prices rising at more than CPI.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
Can't rebuild without redistribution.
Average real wage stuck at 2008 level.
Energy, water, broadband, rents, grocery, dentist, vets prices rising at more than CPI.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
Can't rebuild without redistribution.
UK households cut spending at fastest pace in almost five years, says Barclays
Bank reports 1.1% drop in card spending despite Black Friday boost for retailers
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:29 AM
UK households cut spending at fastest pace in 5 years.
Average real wage stuck at 2008 level.
Energy, water, broadband, rents, grocery, dentist, vets prices rising at more than CPI.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
Can't rebuild without redistribution.
Average real wage stuck at 2008 level.
Energy, water, broadband, rents, grocery, dentist, vets prices rising at more than CPI.
Poorest 20% pay higher proportion of income in taxes than the richest 20%.
Can't rebuild without redistribution.
Immigrants often do amazing things.
Work extraordinarily hard, take risks, raise children with a strong drive to achieve, save, build, make things happen (after all, moving countries is hard) so I get the immigrant hero posts and stories.
But you don't need to be a hero to belong. >
Work extraordinarily hard, take risks, raise children with a strong drive to achieve, save, build, make things happen (after all, moving countries is hard) so I get the immigrant hero posts and stories.
But you don't need to be a hero to belong. >
December 9, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Immigrants often do amazing things.
Work extraordinarily hard, take risks, raise children with a strong drive to achieve, save, build, make things happen (after all, moving countries is hard) so I get the immigrant hero posts and stories.
But you don't need to be a hero to belong. >
Work extraordinarily hard, take risks, raise children with a strong drive to achieve, save, build, make things happen (after all, moving countries is hard) so I get the immigrant hero posts and stories.
But you don't need to be a hero to belong. >
Reposted by Sarah May
The regulator might be looking into this over the next 4 months or so
bsky.app/profile/sund...
bsky.app/profile/sund...
Ofcom is reviewing how one major platform is dealing with hate crime - including antisemitism and anti-Muslim prejudice. It does not want to publicly say which platform. It is opaque as to whether all forms of racism have similar or assymetric levels of priority
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Ofcom Launches Investigation Into Social Media Major Platforms Over Illegal Hate Content
Internet regulator Ofcom has launched a new investigation into whether social media platforms are doing enough to identify and take down illegal te...
www.politicshome.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The regulator might be looking into this over the next 4 months or so
bsky.app/profile/sund...
bsky.app/profile/sund...
Reposted by Sarah May
Both governments and oppositions persistently call for new laws and policies to do things that already happen, relying on the lack of knowledge of the public but mediated through the tendency of the media to report such calls at face value without pointing that out, as here
December 9, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Both governments and oppositions persistently call for new laws and policies to do things that already happen, relying on the lack of knowledge of the public but mediated through the tendency of the media to report such calls at face value without pointing that out, as here
Reposted by Sarah May
This statement appears to be untrue for 95-99% of British people convicted and imprisoned abroad
I would be interested to see the statistics per country per year behind this statement
“We, the UK, take back our citizens if they’re convicted of criminal offences overseas. It’s only reasonable to expect other countries to do the same thing"
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
“We, the UK, take back our citizens if they’re convicted of criminal offences overseas. It’s only reasonable to expect other countries to do the same thing"
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
All criminals with dual nationality must be deported, say Tories
The Conservative party’s policy also includes stripping people of their British citizenship when they are found guilty of a crime
www.thetimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:51 AM
This statement appears to be untrue for 95-99% of British people convicted and imprisoned abroad
Reposted by Sarah May
Just a classic example of the UK's crumbling bureaucracy that could easily be fixed to make many lives better www.ft.com/content/f4e5...
Why Britain doesn’t have enough dentists
Plenty of trained foreigners want to work, but slots for the qualification exam seem as hard to get as Glastonbury tickets
www.ft.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Just a classic example of the UK's crumbling bureaucracy that could easily be fixed to make many lives better www.ft.com/content/f4e5...
Reposted by Sarah May
Let them have their bus shelter.
Sheringham Bus Shelter siege enters ninth day. Town Council to meet today in secret. County Council bailiffs conducting night raids
The battle for Sheringham bus shelter: protesters defiant as bailiffs sent in
Norfolk county council wants to demolish a ‘beloved’ 1950s bus shelter in Sheringham, but campaigners are staging a 24/7 sit-in
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Let them have their bus shelter.
Extraordinarily unhappy that Bluesky had decided that I have to give my birthdate to use the platform in any way. I've done so, because I like you folks. But boy do I hate it
December 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Extraordinarily unhappy that Bluesky had decided that I have to give my birthdate to use the platform in any way. I've done so, because I like you folks. But boy do I hate it
Reposted by Sarah May
"After her hearing ended, three-year-old Lucy cuddled her teddy bear as she walked back from the lawyer’s table and took a seat.
Moments later, the next child was called up to face the judge..."
coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
Moments later, the next child was called up to face the judge..."
coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"After her hearing ended, three-year-old Lucy cuddled her teddy bear as she walked back from the lawyer’s table and took a seat.
Moments later, the next child was called up to face the judge..."
coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
Moments later, the next child was called up to face the judge..."
coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
Reposted by Sarah May
First new #UrbanPrehistory blog post for a while. Here, I reflect on two fake 'megaliths' I recently saw at a prog thrash metal gig in Glasgow, Blood Incantation.
'Because allusions to prehistory, however wrong or baffling, seem to be everywhere'
theurbanprehistorian.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/b...
'Because allusions to prehistory, however wrong or baffling, seem to be everywhere'
theurbanprehistorian.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/b...
Blood incantation
The most (in)famous example of heavy metal and prehistory harmonising is surely the undersized Stone’enge that is slowly lowered into the midst of guitars and spandex in the 1984 mock-rock-do…
theurbanprehistorian.wordpress.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
First new #UrbanPrehistory blog post for a while. Here, I reflect on two fake 'megaliths' I recently saw at a prog thrash metal gig in Glasgow, Blood Incantation.
'Because allusions to prehistory, however wrong or baffling, seem to be everywhere'
theurbanprehistorian.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/b...
'Because allusions to prehistory, however wrong or baffling, seem to be everywhere'
theurbanprehistorian.wordpress.com/2025/12/08/b...
Reposted by Sarah May
This is how Spanish TV announced the boycott of Eurovision
If Russia is banned for what they're doing to Ukraine, surely Israel should be banned for what they're doing in Palestine?
When is the UK going to boycott Eurovision?
If Russia is banned for what they're doing to Ukraine, surely Israel should be banned for what they're doing in Palestine?
When is the UK going to boycott Eurovision?
December 7, 2025 at 12:49 AM
This is how Spanish TV announced the boycott of Eurovision
If Russia is banned for what they're doing to Ukraine, surely Israel should be banned for what they're doing in Palestine?
When is the UK going to boycott Eurovision?
If Russia is banned for what they're doing to Ukraine, surely Israel should be banned for what they're doing in Palestine?
When is the UK going to boycott Eurovision?
Reposted by Sarah May
You will see this widely misrepresented by mainstream media (BBC et al) & politicians (Bad Enoch) as a win for Peggie, but ALL the claims Peggie made against Dr Beth Upton FAILED.
The only findings in Peggie’s favour was against Fife Health Board related to it’s investigation process & management.
The only findings in Peggie’s favour was against Fife Health Board related to it’s investigation process & management.
Decision in the Sandie Peggie case.
She was not directly or indirectly discriminated against, her claim of victimisation fails entirely, her claim of harassment fails largely and her claim against Beth Upton fails entirely. www.judiciary.uk/judgments/sa...
She was not directly or indirectly discriminated against, her claim of victimisation fails entirely, her claim of harassment fails largely and her claim against Beth Upton fails entirely. www.judiciary.uk/judgments/sa...
Sandie Peggie -v- Fife Health Board and another (judgment and summary) - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Case number: 4104864/2024 Employment Tribunal, Scotland 8 December 2025 Before: Employment Judge A KempTribunal Member L BrownTribunal Member C Russell Between: Mrs Sandie Peggie -v- Fife Health Board...
www.judiciary.uk
December 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
You will see this widely misrepresented by mainstream media (BBC et al) & politicians (Bad Enoch) as a win for Peggie, but ALL the claims Peggie made against Dr Beth Upton FAILED.
The only findings in Peggie’s favour was against Fife Health Board related to it’s investigation process & management.
The only findings in Peggie’s favour was against Fife Health Board related to it’s investigation process & management.
Reposted by Sarah May
Thinking of studying for a PhD? I'd be happy to hear from anyone considering research into British or Irish prehistory, monuments, radiocarbon dating, heritage. Part-time, distance options. There are funding schemes here at @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social - but be quick, deadlines are in Jan/Feb!
PhD funding | PhD and Research Degrees | University of Exeter
www.exeter.ac.uk
December 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Thinking of studying for a PhD? I'd be happy to hear from anyone considering research into British or Irish prehistory, monuments, radiocarbon dating, heritage. Part-time, distance options. There are funding schemes here at @uniofexeterhass.bsky.social - but be quick, deadlines are in Jan/Feb!
Reposted by Sarah May
This is followed by the BBC highlighting only parts of the Tribunal ruling where the disciplinary procedure was flawed, while completely omitting that the rest of the claim was dismissed and all points regarding the lawfulness of a trans-inclusive workplace toilet.
December 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This is followed by the BBC highlighting only parts of the Tribunal ruling where the disciplinary procedure was flawed, while completely omitting that the rest of the claim was dismissed and all points regarding the lawfulness of a trans-inclusive workplace toilet.
Reposted by Sarah May
As Dorian says, linking to "religion" is tedious, and dismissive. Being autistic/ADHD isn't something you choose. Nor is being non-binary. It's a part of who someone is. That means it's important people can be able to, without harassment from two bit columnists, see themselves through that lens. 2/
December 8, 2025 at 6:41 PM
As Dorian says, linking to "religion" is tedious, and dismissive. Being autistic/ADHD isn't something you choose. Nor is being non-binary. It's a part of who someone is. That means it's important people can be able to, without harassment from two bit columnists, see themselves through that lens. 2/
Reposted by Sarah May
'I asked if the badge would have been okay if it said Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. Yes, he said, Israel is not controversial!'
- John Kelly, LDFP
- John Kelly, LDFP
“A seemingly systematic silencing of pro-Palestinian campaigners, that goes against the very principles that parliament is founded on."
What is happening??
MPs please take note.
Exclusive: UK parliament accused of confiscating pro-Palestine material
www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-parl...
What is happening??
MPs please take note.
Exclusive: UK parliament accused of confiscating pro-Palestine material
www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-parl...
Exclusive: UK parliament accused of confiscating pro-Palestine material
Liberal Democrat campaigner and Amnesty International say they have had Palestine symbols and leaflets removed
www.middleeasteye.net
December 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
'I asked if the badge would have been okay if it said Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel. Yes, he said, Israel is not controversial!'
- John Kelly, LDFP
- John Kelly, LDFP
Reposted by Sarah May
This is a really great summary of the recent raccoon paper! Ties in nicely with my "pet" critique of domestication research (GROAN): we're constantly jumping in our minds to a (specific) end-result, which gets in the way of seeing diversity in how animals adapt to people
Listen, I want a cute pet raccoon as much as the next person (ok I don't, you don't want to live a life with a chaos gremlin with HANDS).
But if you've seen the paper about how raccoons are on their way to domestication... brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/raccoons-d...
But if you've seen the paper about how raccoons are on their way to domestication... brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com/p/raccoons-d...
Raccoons: Domesticated by a nose?
Are raccoons headed toward pet-dom?
brookshire-team-trash.beehiiv.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
This is a really great summary of the recent raccoon paper! Ties in nicely with my "pet" critique of domestication research (GROAN): we're constantly jumping in our minds to a (specific) end-result, which gets in the way of seeing diversity in how animals adapt to people
Reposted by Sarah May
And if we want to encourage people to be interested in the environment around them, we need to include that environmental context. Nature isn't just a wilderness you have to actively seek, nor is it something that only exists in the gaps between human domination.
December 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
And if we want to encourage people to be interested in the environment around them, we need to include that environmental context. Nature isn't just a wilderness you have to actively seek, nor is it something that only exists in the gaps between human domination.