Tom Hughes
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tomtelltale.bsky.social
Tom Hughes
@tomtelltale.bsky.social
350 followers 570 following 100 posts
Passionate about museums, community heritage, storytelling, stone circles, medieval history, folklore, and bagpipes.
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tomtelltale.bsky.social
Reflecting on some of the fantastic community projects I've been lucky to be involved in during my time with D&G Museums. It's been a pleasure to introduce young people to their local heritage, work with our Ukrainian community settling in the region, help families learn together, and lots more.
A picture of a group of visitors handling folklore items in Dumfries Museum at the start of a history of witchcraft tour. A photograph of Ukrainian families standing on steps outside Dumfries Museum following a tour of the building. A photograph of a group of schoolchildren touring the churchyard at St Michael's in Dumfries. It is raining and they have umbrellas and coat hoods up.
November 13, 2025 at 12:03 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Heading home from an absolutely brilliant day today at the @museumsassociation.org reps meeting in Birmingham. I'm really pleased to be a part of this wonderful organisation and helping to support our members in Scotland. It was great to explore the new Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery too.
A photograph of people looking at artworks in the round gallery of Birmingham Museum. A photograph of the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition at Birmingham Museum. A photograph of people exploring 'The Elephant in the Room' display at Birmingham Museum.
July 15, 2025 at 8:06 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
It's that day again... Happy Bastille Day with bagpipes.
A cartoon of a French bagpiper wearing a tricolore cockade and making puppet figures of the church and state dance whilst figures storm the Bastille in the background.
July 14, 2025 at 7:57 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Summer solstice sunrise at the Twelve Apostles.
June 21, 2025 at 4:26 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Just realised this was 15 years ago today, at the lovely medieval church beside Hailes Abbey with my friend Richard York. Sometimes I forget how long I have been sharing medieval pilgrimage living history, piping and storytelling.
A photograph of two bagpipers wearing medieval clothing in a churchyard. There is a medieval style tent in the background.
May 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Thrilled to have my article on using objects in live interpretation featured in the new Journal of the Association for Heritage Interpretation especially as the AHI celebrate their 50th anniversary.
A photograph of the AHI journal open on the page of the article. There is a picture of Tom Hughes in Victorian costume holding the a "witch bottle" and talking to a group gathering for a guided tour.
May 15, 2025 at 7:58 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
I've just been sent the pictures of me and fellow AMA awardees as we received our certificates at last year's MA conference. I'm already looking forward to this year's conference at the lovely St Fagan’s National History Museum. Hope to see you there! www.museumsassociation.org/events/confe...
A photograph of seven people standing on a conference stage ready to receive their Associateship of the Museums Association certificates.
April 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Happy St Patrick's Day with bagpipes.
An engraving of a bagpiper playing for dancing outside an inn. The original caption says St Patrick's Day
March 17, 2025 at 7:31 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Happy International Bagpipe Day!
A montage of medieval pictures of pigs playing bagpipes. Including a wall painting, pewter badge, painted glass, stone carving, manuscript illustrations, and wood carving. Text reads Happy International Pig Bagpipe Day, with the word pig crossed out.
March 10, 2025 at 6:30 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
A wee snippet in the Museums Journal. The AMA was such a fantastic process, really changing my outlook on life as well as developing skills. Totally recommend this to anyone working in museums. The @museumsassociation.org have been so supportive throughout, it's great to work with them.
A photograph of a clipping from the Museums Journal with a headset photograph of Tom Hughes and a quote, "Working with colleagues across the sector has helped develop my understanding of the profession. The sense of fellowship and support from peers kept me inspired and motivated. After over two decades in museums, I'd wondered whether it was worth starting the AMA. I needn't have doubted it - it's been one of the highlights of my career."
March 7, 2025 at 6:41 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
A World Book Day reflection. I've always enjoyed tales of fools. This is the only one of Alan Garner's books I remember reading as a child. Many years later, I was honoured to be given an original hardback edition by Alan after we talked about how the book had sowed the seeds of storytelling in me.
A photograph of a paperback copy of 'The Guizer' by Alan Garner. It features a fool dressed in animal skins running under a crescent moon. A photograph of an inscription in the book by Alan Garner reading "More know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows. From Alan, Blackden, 4.VII.09
March 6, 2025 at 6:27 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
No to bullies. Always in solidarity. No to appeasement.
Ukrainian flag with text I stand with Ukraine.
March 1, 2025 at 1:03 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Out at Sweetheart Abbey today, volunteering with the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust to tell the story of Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway.
A photograph of three people dressed in medieval clothing in front of the ruins of Sweetheart Abbey.
February 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Wow! I was only expecting about a dozen people for my medieval tour of Dumfries Museum today, but 71 people turned up! Clearly a lot of interest in the Robert the Bruce in Dumfries story.
A photograph of the main hall of Dumfries Museum full of visitors for the tour about to start. A photograph of myself with Liz West, chair of the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust standing in front of a museum display case with artefacts related to the Robert the Bruce story in Dumfries.
February 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Much joy to you all this St Werburgh's day. May we all find ways to work with the natural world and restore what has been destroyed.
A photograph of a painted triptych standing on a bookshelf. The triptych has been painted in a medieval style and depicts St Werburgh with geese. She is holding a miniature abbey and in the background is tyd city of Chester of which she is patron. A photograph of a replica medieval pilgrim badge. It depicts wild geese in a sheep pen, one of the miracles of St Werburgh. A photograph of a medieval oak carving, part of a misericord in the choir stalls of Chester Cathedral. It shows St Werburgh penning in the wild geese, one of her miracles.
February 3, 2025 at 7:55 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
For this week's #StandingStoneSunday, here are some of the Nether Largie stones in Kilmartin Glen. Duncan Williamson said his Traveller family believed the stones would protect you when staying nearby, so long as you didn't touch them.
February 2, 2025 at 7:50 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
For #StandingStoneSunday, here's one of the magnificent Clava Cairns.
A photograph of a cairn of stones with large stones at its edge, surrounded by a ring of standing stones. There are large trees in the background.
January 26, 2025 at 9:27 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Yesterday was the wassail at Norton Priory. Always a wonderful event to be part of and a highlight of the winter.
A photograph of a gathering in a medieval undercroft with audience sitting on benches and some visitors taking part in a play wearing hats for their characters. A photograph of a procession around the ruins at Norton Priory. Led by Tom Hughes playing border bagpipes. The ground is covered with snow and there are candles marking the route. A photograph of a outside table with patches of ice. Lanterns and jugs of cider sit on the table. A photograph of people gathering in the wassail orchard. A table is lit with lanterns and lots of people stand among the trees singing the apple tree wassail song.
January 13, 2025 at 6:56 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
For this #StandingStoneSunday, here's the row of four at Ballymeanoch in Kilmartin Glen.
A photograph of four standing stones in a line. They are relatively thin and have lichens growing on them. The ground is covered with close cropped grass. There is a row of trees on the horizon and a cloudy grey sky.
January 12, 2025 at 8:03 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Just popped over the bridge to the post box. Everywhere looks lovely in the frost. Swans, goosanders and mallards swimming together on the Cluden.
A photograph of the Cluden Water at Newbridge with the river bank and houses covered in frost. The sky is an orangey colour with the sunrise. Two adult mute swans and a cygnet are in the river along with goosander and mallards. A photograph looking west up the Cluden Water at Newbridge with frost on the fields, sloping down to the water. Trees line the edges of the picture. A close up photograph of a post box in the frost. The raised letters of 'post office' and the crown motif are picked out in the frost.
January 11, 2025 at 9:21 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
The Reader's Digest 'Folklore, Myths and Legends of Great Britain' is rightly a classic for folklore fans, but don't hear much of their 'American Folklore and Legend'. More historic tale and doses of racism, rather than customs and traditions. Anyone else have this one or indeed other RD folklore?
A photograph of a bookcase of folklore books including the Readers Digest folklore books. The front cover of Reader's Digest 'American Folklore and Legends, depicting various characters from American history and tales. A caption reads, "The saga of our heroes and heroines, our baggers, boasters and bad men, our beliefs and superstitions." A photograph of a sample page open in the book showing the layout of lots of text with one colour picture and two black and white line drawings. A photograph of a sample page open in the book with lots of text, three line drawings and music notation for a song.
January 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
For this week's #StandingStoneSunday, the Twelve Apostles in the snow.
A photograph of one of the fallen stones at the Twelve Apostles stone circle with a dusting of snow. The sun shines through the clouds. A photograph of four of the stones at the Twelve Apostles stone circle covered with a dusting of snow. A photograph of one of the standing stones at the Twelve Apostles with a dusting of snow. Other stones are visible in the background. A photograph of one of the standing stones at the Twelve Apostles with dusting of snow. The sun shines behind the stone.
January 5, 2025 at 11:28 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
A new year's day wander to Lincluden Abbey. Light has shone through these windows for over six centuries, and here's some of the first rays of light and hope in 2025. Wishing everyone a joyous new year.
A photograph of the ruins of Lincluden Abbey, showing large windows in the nave with their ornate tracery. The sun shines brightly through the centre window with rays spreading in a saltire pattern.
January 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
For #StandingStoneSunday, pictures from this week's trip to the Girdle Stanes at Eskdalemuir. Half the circle has been washed away by the river.
An eerie feel to this visit with the mist, a sheep skeleton strewn about, a hare darting from the stones and a decaying clootie in the thorn tree.
A photograph of a standing stone covered in moss and lichens. Rushes grow alongside and thorn trees and further stones are in the background. It is a misty day and hills are just about visible. A photograph of three standing stones from the Girdle Stanes circle. Two are right next to each other, almost touching. A photograph of part of the Girdle Stanes circle, showing an arc of low standing stones covered with mosses and lichens. A photograph of a standing stone with a thorn tree growing over it. They are both covered in moss and lichens. The background is very misty.
December 29, 2024 at 10:07 AM
tomtelltale.bsky.social
Anyone else feeling this way?
A picture of Star Wars toys of the fat characters reclining, with the caption. During Christmas dinner in a galaxy far, far away.... Jabba the Hutt is wearing a hat from a cracker and he has a speech bubble saying 'I think we'll have a break before the pudding...'
December 25, 2024 at 3:47 PM