The Museum of English Rural Life
@themerl.bsky.social
The Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading. We explore the history of the English countryside and its people. Chaotic Good.
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/
https://merl.reading.ac.uk/
in the meantime, here's a fantastic thread that @georgemonbiot.bsky.social shared yesterday which we discuss within the episode: a history of how we perceive the urban and the rural, contextualising it right within the present moment, and thoughts about the future.
bsky.app/profile/geor...
bsky.app/profile/geor...
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
November 6, 2025 at 9:34 AM
in the meantime, here's a fantastic thread that @georgemonbiot.bsky.social shared yesterday which we discuss within the episode: a history of how we perceive the urban and the rural, contextualising it right within the present moment, and thoughts about the future.
bsky.app/profile/geor...
bsky.app/profile/geor...
hmmmmmmmmmm
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
hmmmmmmmmmm
pictured: two folk almanacs from our library, which give plenty of examples of the kinds of folk celebrations that would happen throughout the English calendar year - whether that's Halloween or Bonfire Night, which takes place this evening!
(MERL LIBRARY--8830-HAD, MERL LIBRARY--8830-WHI)
(MERL LIBRARY--8830-HAD, MERL LIBRARY--8830-WHI)
November 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
pictured: two folk almanacs from our library, which give plenty of examples of the kinds of folk celebrations that would happen throughout the English calendar year - whether that's Halloween or Bonfire Night, which takes place this evening!
(MERL LIBRARY--8830-HAD, MERL LIBRARY--8830-WHI)
(MERL LIBRARY--8830-HAD, MERL LIBRARY--8830-WHI)
in short:
if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
November 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
in short:
if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
@olliedouglas.bsky.social any ideas?
November 5, 2025 at 9:05 AM
@olliedouglas.bsky.social any ideas?
get you a podcast that can do both
November 4, 2025 at 10:50 AM
get you a podcast that can do both
we would love to hear more about what you're researching!
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 AM
we would love to hear more about what you're researching!
all (rural) roads lead to MERL
November 4, 2025 at 10:28 AM
all (rural) roads lead to MERL
ty for listening and for the shoutout! <3
November 3, 2025 at 8:35 AM
ty for listening and for the shoutout! <3
thank you very much Lucy, really appreciate it!
October 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM
thank you very much Lucy, really appreciate it!