The Museum of English Rural Life
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themerl.bsky.social
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/
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...
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. 🧵
November 6, 2025 at 9:34 AM
hmmmmmmmmmm
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
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)
November 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
in short:

if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
November 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
November 5, 2025 at 9:05 AM
<3 <3
November 4, 2025 at 11:03 AM
get you a podcast that can do both
November 4, 2025 at 10:50 AM
we would love to hear more about what you're researching!
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 AM
all (rural) roads lead to MERL
November 4, 2025 at 10:28 AM
correct
November 3, 2025 at 8:35 AM
ty for listening and for the shoutout! <3
November 3, 2025 at 8:35 AM
thank you very much Lucy, really appreciate it!
October 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM