Simon Hickman
@simonhickman.bsky.social
Old stuff. Old buildings, old trains, old landscapes, old cars. Based in South Bristol; professional inspector of historic buildings and places.
You know that times are tough when Pecorama, the best reason to visit Devon, announces its closure. Hopefully temporary?? www.pecorama.co.uk
Pecorama Public Statement: November 2025
It is with great sadness and after much soul-searching we have decided to close Pecorama, our well-loved family attraction, for the 2026 season.
www.pecorama.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 5:25 PM
You know that times are tough when Pecorama, the best reason to visit Devon, announces its closure. Hopefully temporary?? www.pecorama.co.uk
Four Forest engines
November 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Four Forest engines
Tomorrow morning, Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society are hosting what promises to be a very interesting talk by Rob Pritchard on the history of Bristol's harbour. Keynsham Masonic Hall at 1030, visitors welcome! b-i-a-s.org.uk/bias-events/
Events from 11 October – 11 October – Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society
b-i-a-s.org.uk
October 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Tomorrow morning, Bristol Industrial Archaeology Society are hosting what promises to be a very interesting talk by Rob Pritchard on the history of Bristol's harbour. Keynsham Masonic Hall at 1030, visitors welcome! b-i-a-s.org.uk/bias-events/
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to.
Mainly because I have a station visitor's pass, and Network Rail wouldn't be pleased if I walked off with it.
I had an ace day adjudicating at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony soon!
Mainly because I have a station visitor's pass, and Network Rail wouldn't be pleased if I walked off with it.
I had an ace day adjudicating at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony soon!
September 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to.
Mainly because I have a station visitor's pass, and Network Rail wouldn't be pleased if I walked off with it.
I had an ace day adjudicating at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony soon!
Mainly because I have a station visitor's pass, and Network Rail wouldn't be pleased if I walked off with it.
I had an ace day adjudicating at the National Railway Heritage Awards. Winners to be revealed at the awards ceremony soon!
If someone could buy me this house I’d be quite grateful ~ bydesignhomes.com/properties/4...
Mid-century modern home with sea and golf course views, in need of total renovation
Elbury Hall is a striking 1960s architect-designed home with panoramic views across Torbay and backing on to Churston Golf Course. Set on a private half-acre plot, the property includes four bedrooms,...
bydesignhomes.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:31 PM
If someone could buy me this house I’d be quite grateful ~ bydesignhomes.com/properties/4...
My marvellous ex-colleagues at Historic England gave me this lovely linoprint as a leaving gift by the talented victoriawillmott.com showing some the fantastic buildings that I worked on over 20 years, Kings Cross, Wolfeton, the National Theatre….and my folding caravan. Thank you!
September 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
My marvellous ex-colleagues at Historic England gave me this lovely linoprint as a leaving gift by the talented victoriawillmott.com showing some the fantastic buildings that I worked on over 20 years, Kings Cross, Wolfeton, the National Theatre….and my folding caravan. Thank you!
To Imberbus 2025, for the finals of the British polite queuing championships
August 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
To Imberbus 2025, for the finals of the British polite queuing championships
Back in Bristol after a trip to the Outer Hebrides. 2000 miles driven, absolutely worth it. Bloody windy though.
August 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Back in Bristol after a trip to the Outer Hebrides. 2000 miles driven, absolutely worth it. Bloody windy though.
Here is a flight for Glasgow taking off from Barra airport’s runway, which is also a beach
August 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Here is a flight for Glasgow taking off from Barra airport’s runway, which is also a beach
South Uist. Still windy but the ability to open the car door has been regained.
August 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
South Uist. Still windy but the ability to open the car door has been regained.
Jesus it’s windy here on South Uist. Difficult to open the front door just now
August 4, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Jesus it’s windy here on South Uist. Difficult to open the front door just now
Today is a good day to be heading for the Western Isles
August 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Today is a good day to be heading for the Western Isles
Paid a visit to Rannoch, one of the UK’s most remote railway stations, and bumped into @timhedleyj.bsky.social! Went for a swim on Rannoch Moor afterwards.
July 31, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Paid a visit to Rannoch, one of the UK’s most remote railway stations, and bumped into @timhedleyj.bsky.social! Went for a swim on Rannoch Moor afterwards.
Last day with Historic England after 18 years! Few pints at the @kingsheadbs1.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Last day with Historic England after 18 years! Few pints at the @kingsheadbs1.bsky.social
This should be bought by the council, and the route from Temple Meads to the Cumberland Basin safeguarded for future public transport use. www.bristol247.com/news-and-fea...
Historic railway cutting for sale
The cutting leads to a 260-metre long tunnel that once linked Temple Meads to Bathurst Basin
www.bristol247.com
July 23, 2025 at 11:57 AM
This should be bought by the council, and the route from Temple Meads to the Cumberland Basin safeguarded for future public transport use. www.bristol247.com/news-and-fea...
Reposted by Simon Hickman
Increasingly convinced the cheapest way to address this is to reverse local government austerity. Returning English local authority budgets to 2010 levels would cost about £7bn. Factor in population and demographic change and you'd want maybe £15bn. Benefits could be seen quickly and felt widely.
"The truly unnerving thing about the fall of Rome (yes, I’m going there again, sorry) was that most Romans probably didn’t notice it had happened."
Morning all!
Morning all!
The decline and fall of Great Britain
From the graffiti to the economy, a sense of terminal rot has set in.
www.newstatesman.com
July 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Increasingly convinced the cheapest way to address this is to reverse local government austerity. Returning English local authority budgets to 2010 levels would cost about £7bn. Factor in population and demographic change and you'd want maybe £15bn. Benefits could be seen quickly and felt widely.
On my way to work, and what do you know, the Spanish buccaneers have blockaded Wetherspoons.
July 21, 2025 at 7:46 AM
On my way to work, and what do you know, the Spanish buccaneers have blockaded Wetherspoons.
You can borrow a sailing boat at the Bristol harbour festival and drift round for an hour for just a fiver, it’s class.
July 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
You can borrow a sailing boat at the Bristol harbour festival and drift round for an hour for just a fiver, it’s class.
Took my folding caravan out for a weekend in the arid Somerset plains. I hadn’t raised the side panel before but it made an excellent temporary grandstand for watching the rounders
July 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Took my folding caravan out for a weekend in the arid Somerset plains. I hadn’t raised the side panel before but it made an excellent temporary grandstand for watching the rounders
I see they've announced the reopening of the Portishead Line. Comes round every couple of months.
a man in a suit and tie is talking into a microphone while a crowd looks on .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is talking into a microphone while a crowd looks on .
media.tenor.com
July 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I see they've announced the reopening of the Portishead Line. Comes round every couple of months.
After 18 years with Historic England and its predecessor, I’ve made the very difficult decision to move on. More on that story later.
These photos show before and after 18 years of service - I bear the scars, but it’s been a hugely enjoyable privilege and an honour to work for HE.
These photos show before and after 18 years of service - I bear the scars, but it’s been a hugely enjoyable privilege and an honour to work for HE.
July 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM
After 18 years with Historic England and its predecessor, I’ve made the very difficult decision to move on. More on that story later.
These photos show before and after 18 years of service - I bear the scars, but it’s been a hugely enjoyable privilege and an honour to work for HE.
These photos show before and after 18 years of service - I bear the scars, but it’s been a hugely enjoyable privilege and an honour to work for HE.
On August 10th 1991, 12 year old me went by train from Southampton to Edinburgh and had a terrific day spotting trains
June 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
On August 10th 1991, 12 year old me went by train from Southampton to Edinburgh and had a terrific day spotting trains
Banana Bridge back open, lovely stuff. Slight disappointment at no ramped access though.
June 20, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Banana Bridge back open, lovely stuff. Slight disappointment at no ramped access though.
Reposted by Simon Hickman
Today I’m launching my latest Plymouth Buildings at Risk list of ten historic buildings in our city that need more love. My challenge to the owners is simple: invest in them or sell them to someone who will.
www.lukepollard.org/news/2025/06...
www.lukepollard.org/news/2025/06...
Buildings at Risk 2025: Luke re-issues “invest or sell up” challenge - Luke Pollard MP
MP publishes fourth annual Buildings at Risk list for Plymouth. Three buildings leave the list after progress from owners. Palace Theatre remains Luke’s top concern. Luke Pollard MP has issued a fresh...
www.lukepollard.org
June 18, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Today I’m launching my latest Plymouth Buildings at Risk list of ten historic buildings in our city that need more love. My challenge to the owners is simple: invest in them or sell them to someone who will.
www.lukepollard.org/news/2025/06...
www.lukepollard.org/news/2025/06...