Martin Tallontire
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tallontire.bsky.social
Martin Tallontire
@tallontire.bsky.social
25 followers 130 following 14 posts
Hanging around
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Reposted by Martin Tallontire
boatmancryptics.co.uk
It's the Seasonal Reposting Competition! Repost this over the weekend, and on Sunday one lucky person will win a signed copy of one of my books. For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 fiendish @theguardian.com #puzzles and all the stories behind them:
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
Boatman - the first 50 reportedly makes a great present or holiday read, exemplified by this image of the book opened to show the story behind the Shipping Forecast puzzle, on display on Brighton beach. Reviewing Boatman - the first 50, Alan Connor (The Guardian's crossword editor and the brains behind many of BBC2’s quiz programs) says: "This is one to savour. Boatman's puzzles are witty and ingenious. It is an extraordinary pleasure to read how his unique mind works. The first 50 is a book I never knew I needed in my life. Gift it to yourself and to the word-lovers in yours". Hugh Stephenson (Alan’s predecessor at The Guardian) says: "This is a unique book of crosswords" and Henry Morris: "a Boatman crossword is like a theme park. Each daunting line is a rollercoaster ... He scares you witless. But you can't wait to do it all over again". Boatman - the second 50 contains another 50 puzzles from The Guardian, with five bonus puzzles previously only available online and including puzzles, solutions and the ideas and stories behind them, exemplified by this image of the book opened to show one of the stories, which is accompanied by a picture of a large cow. Reviewing Boatman - the second 50, Gyles Brandreth says: "If you want a fiendish crossword, you want the best - which means you want Boatman, because he is the best" and Brian Bilston: "Cracking crosswords - each puzzle a delightful daily workout for the brain and a welcome tonic for the soul".
November 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Martin Tallontire
paulisci.bsky.social
A List of Things Said to Have Been Ruined by Women

🧵
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
tallontire.bsky.social
My Library copy of William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury has been doing the rounds for some time. 📚🖋 #booksky
Leeds Libraries crest from the 1950s A lending record dating back to 18 Jun 1954
October 14, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Martin Tallontire
glennyrodge.bsky.social
I see the anti-cauliflower brigade are holding another Ban Cauli Day. Weirdos.
August 25, 2025 at 8:48 AM
tallontire.bsky.social
Finished my 100th book of the year. Favourites so far.....
#booksky
Book covers of The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, Salt Lick by Lulu Allison, Street Level Superstar by Will Hodgkinson, Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace.
August 14, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Reposted by Martin Tallontire
loudribs.bsky.social
Finally, someone is taking a stand
A printed piece of paper stapled to a telephone pole saying ‘REINTRODUCE PIKE TO KIRKSTALL LEISURE CENTRE’ ‘The fact that our children are expected to learn to swim in a pike-free environment is a stain upon this ward’ ‘CONTACT YOUR MP AND DEMAND WHAT’S RIGHTFULLY YOURS:’ ‘A POOL OF WRITHING, SEETHING, VICIOUS LEARNING AIDS’ ‘TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN’ It also features several pictures of pike and one of Kirkstall swimming pool.
July 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
tallontire.bsky.social
#nomowmay (or June)
Long grass with lots of seeds
July 4, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Reposted by Martin Tallontire
annet-leeds.bsky.social
There's so much that we don't yet know about ME. What we do know is that it is a debilitating biological condition that needs greater recognition and understanding. And support for those affected. #MEAwarenessWeek2025.
meassociation.org.uk ME Association @meassociation.org.uk · May 12
Today, on World ME Day, we stand with all those affected by ME to deliver a simple message to the UK government.

@joplatt.bsky.social @eddavey.libdems.org.uk @tessamunt.bsky.social

Read the joint statement: meassociation.org.uk/nsts

#WorldMEDay #MEAwarenessWeek2025
At the top is the text "World ME Day 2025" on a vibrant orange background. Below, text reads: "After generations of neglect and empty promises, now is the time for action." Underneath, there is a collection of logos from various ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and Long COVID advocacy groups, including #ME Action UK; #ThereForME; Action for ME; Cambridge ME Group; Crunch ME; Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland; Kirklees & Calderdale IMESG; Long Covid Nurses & Midwives UK); The ME Association; ME Local Groups Network UK; MERC PAG; Not Recovered UK; Oxfordshire ME Group for Action; Physios for M.E.; Tymes Trust; The 25% ME Group; Keyworker Petition UK; Long Covid Advocacy; Long Covid Physio; Long Covid Scotland; Long Covid Support; ME positive; Sheffield ME & Fibromyalgia Group; Walsall Fibro M.E. Support; Bury & Bolton ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Support Group; ME/CFS Friendship Group in Gloucestershire; and ME Group Staffordshire.. Below, a dark blue banner reads "JOINT STATEMENT" in white capitals.
May 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Martin Tallontire
meassociation.org.uk
Today, on World ME Day, we stand with all those affected by ME to deliver a simple message to the UK government.

@joplatt.bsky.social @eddavey.libdems.org.uk @tessamunt.bsky.social

Read the joint statement: meassociation.org.uk/nsts

#WorldMEDay #MEAwarenessWeek2025
At the top is the text "World ME Day 2025" on a vibrant orange background. Below, text reads: "After generations of neglect and empty promises, now is the time for action." Underneath, there is a collection of logos from various ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and Long COVID advocacy groups, including #ME Action UK; #ThereForME; Action for ME; Cambridge ME Group; Crunch ME; Hope 4 ME & Fibro Northern Ireland; Kirklees & Calderdale IMESG; Long Covid Nurses & Midwives UK); The ME Association; ME Local Groups Network UK; MERC PAG; Not Recovered UK; Oxfordshire ME Group for Action; Physios for M.E.; Tymes Trust; The 25% ME Group; Keyworker Petition UK; Long Covid Advocacy; Long Covid Physio; Long Covid Scotland; Long Covid Support; ME positive; Sheffield ME & Fibromyalgia Group; Walsall Fibro M.E. Support; Bury & Bolton ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Support Group; ME/CFS Friendship Group in Gloucestershire; and ME Group Staffordshire.. Below, a dark blue banner reads "JOINT STATEMENT" in white capitals.
May 12, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Reposted by Martin Tallontire
meassociation.org.uk
We're kicking off ME Awareness Week with International ME Awareness Day - 12th May 2025

Take a moment to learn more about ME/CFS—and help us create a better future for those affected: https://meassociation.org.uk/what-is-mecfs/

#MEAwarenessWeek #MEAwarenessWeek2025 #MEAwarenessDay #MECFS #pwME
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Photo of a woman with ME/CFS lying in be, which was contributed as part of the Real ME Campaign. Heading - 12 May 2025 - International ME Awareness Day. ME Association logo. IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Photo of a man with ME/CFS lying in bed, which was contributed through the Real ME Campaign. Wording - International ME Awareness Day. ME/CFS is a debilitating illness impacting millions worldwide, leaving many bedbound and unseen. IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Photo of a young woman with ME/CFS lying in bed, which was contributed through the Real ME Campaign. Wording - International ME Awareness Day - Despite this, research, recognition and medical support are desperately lacking. Wording - Help us to raise awareness this International ME Awareness Day. Find out more about ME/CFS on our website. Images - along the bottom of the image are the social media icons for Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Youtube, Threads and BlueSky
May 12, 2025 at 9:30 AM
tallontire.bsky.social
I recognise some of those onlookers @annet-leeds.bsky.social @marytallontire.bsky.social
sirwobbly.bsky.social Sir Balthazar Wobbly @sirwobbly.bsky.social · Apr 25
Start of LEL 2017.

Club: The Guv'nors Assembly (AKA "The GA") are gentlemen and gentlelady riders of the sublime Pashley Guv'nor.

(I may have grown a beard since then)

#Audax
A chap wearing a Guv'nors Assembly woollen cycling jersey, also wearing a pith helmet, holding his bike which is a Pashley Guv'nor.
April 27, 2025 at 8:19 AM
tallontire.bsky.social
Now on Storygraph 🙂
March 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Martin Tallontire
marytallontire.bsky.social
my new interactive experience Veg Slop is up on my itch page now, takes about 10 mins to play!! Explore family gatherings over the years through the eyes of a child. matallon.itch.io/veg-slop #indiedev #screenshotsaturday #indiegame #interactivestorytelling
Veg Slop by matallon
the big northern family gathering simulator
matallon.itch.io
January 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
tallontire.bsky.social
Very impressed with my Christmas / Birthday book haul. Should keep me going for a couple of weeks 💙📚
Eighteen book covers
January 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
tallontire.bsky.social
Second tranche of favourite books read in 2024 💙📚

The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach
Into the Woods - Tana French
Fourth of July Creek - Smith Hendersob
Fourth of July Creek front cover. White spider web on red background The Art of Fielding front cover. A wooden chair. In The Woods front cover. Misty trees
December 31, 2024 at 6:41 PM
tallontire.bsky.social
146 Books read in 2024, a few of the favourites -

Prophet Song - Paul Lynch The Deluge - Stephen Markley
Something New Under The Sun - Alexandra Kleeman
💙📚
The Deluge front cover - white clouds on a blue sky Prophet Song front cover. Black red and cream blocking like houses Something New Under The Sun front cover - an empty swimming pool with flames behind.
December 31, 2024 at 5:59 PM
tallontire.bsky.social
Did my thousandth #wordle yesterday, so very nice for the NYT to acknowledge that so quickly with today's word 😀 (still took me 5 though...)
November 17, 2024 at 2:22 PM
tallontire.bsky.social
If you can see this post a beach from your gallery (and about time for a first post....)
Rockliffe beach, Dumfries and Galloway, with the tide out
November 14, 2024 at 9:24 PM