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@magsybrowne

I like books, libraries, and books about libraries. Also here for the green stuff, wildlife stuff (especially bats), and UK/EU/international politics. Brexit is the dregs of the devil's dunghill.

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10.08.2024
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Latest posts by @magsybrowne

Now he knows I speak German, he thought, and felt his face prickle in embarrassment.

John le CarrΓ©, Smiley's People

05.03.2026 11:59 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Shame on the IOC for this awful action. And may the #StreisandEffect ensure that this Ukrainian athlete’s message spreads 10 times as far because of this hamfisted attempt at censorship.

In today’s frightening world, everything is political, & orgs pretending otherwise appear clueless or complicit.

12.02.2026 08:18 πŸ‘ 511 πŸ” 156 πŸ’¬ 14 πŸ“Œ 5

Fun fact: Your local bookstore is doing more to protect you and your neighbors than Amazon is.

26.01.2026 16:02 πŸ‘ 4067 πŸ” 1022 πŸ’¬ 27 πŸ“Œ 45

1/ Something which I don't think gets articulated clearly often enough is that a system where countries generally respect international sovereignty and territorial integrity is not pure charity or morality by the United States, but in its direct interests.

Despite it being the strongest bear.

17.01.2026 10:24 πŸ‘ 744 πŸ” 251 πŸ’¬ 13 πŸ“Œ 48

Christmas can be a tough time for many. If you or someone you care about needs mental health support, help is available:

NHS 111: 111.nhs.uk/triage/check...

Samaritans: samaritans.org/how-we-can-h...

Mind Charity: mind.org.uk/information-...

Shout: giveusashout.org

24.12.2025 15:21 πŸ‘ 145 πŸ” 74 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say

😍We are rejoining Erasmus. Official announcement tomorrow😍

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

16.12.2025 18:18 πŸ‘ 593 πŸ” 156 πŸ’¬ 25 πŸ“Œ 49
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In case you were wondering...

08.12.2025 10:49 πŸ‘ 144 πŸ” 44 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 3
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Do south east Londoners support Sadiq Khan? Poll Do south east Londoners support Sadiq Khan? Vote in our poll.

This little poll seems to have really upset the racists - many of whom don't appear to live anywhere near London

Why not upset them a little more.

www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/2562835...

19.11.2025 16:25 πŸ‘ 264 πŸ” 75 πŸ’¬ 23 πŸ“Œ 4
Group of men by a Lads & Dads van in a car park.

Group of men by a Lads & Dads van in a car park.

This #InternationalMensDay we teamed up with Dave Muckell, Director of Lads and Dads, to learn what nature means to him.

Lads and Dads, based in Bridgend, helps men & fathers reconnect with themselves, with their children & with each other.

Read more: champ.ly/J-fXT8bE

19.11.2025 08:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Clear out toys now!

Clear out toys now!

Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round

11.11.2025 11:00 πŸ‘ 1591 πŸ” 1035 πŸ’¬ 18 πŸ“Œ 23
An illustration of a girl sitting on a bed looking at a glowing book and smiling, while a happy cat watches and a gift box lies next to her. Plus the words: "Make a difference on World Gift Day"

An illustration of a girl sitting on a bed looking at a glowing book and smiling, while a happy cat watches and a gift box lies next to her. Plus the words: "Make a difference on World Gift Day"

It's #WorldGiftDay - and books are presents that can stay with us forever. 🎁

Could you help a child to start their own lifelong reading story?

Donate here to make a difference today πŸ‘‡

https://bit.ly/3XhOnaG

08.11.2025 08:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The European Affairs Committee is now on Bluesky

06.11.2025 14:54 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.

Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.

They are not the same.

30.10.2025 16:01 πŸ‘ 39542 πŸ” 14912 πŸ’¬ 570 πŸ“Œ 665
An orange poster with the warning β€œBeware! Fake Webs = Real Risks for Wildlife” written at the top in bold, accompanied by a small, friendly-looking spider hanging from a web. The text explains that fake web decorations can trap and harm birds, small mammals, and even toads. A cartoon owl and spider deliver the message, with the spider humorously saying, β€œThis is all natural!” in front of its web, and the owl encouraging people to avoid fake webbing for a spooky yet wildlife-friendly Halloween. The overall tone is playful but highlights an important caution for Halloween decorating.

An orange poster with the warning β€œBeware! Fake Webs = Real Risks for Wildlife” written at the top in bold, accompanied by a small, friendly-looking spider hanging from a web. The text explains that fake web decorations can trap and harm birds, small mammals, and even toads. A cartoon owl and spider deliver the message, with the spider humorously saying, β€œThis is all natural!” in front of its web, and the owl encouraging people to avoid fake webbing for a spooky yet wildlife-friendly Halloween. The overall tone is playful but highlights an important caution for Halloween decorating.

It’s spooky season, but let’s not make it scary for wildlife! πŸŽƒπŸ‘»

Fake web decorations can trap and injure our garden wildlife. Stick to sustainable, indoor decorations and let real spiders do the work outdoors!

Share these tips & help spread awareness πŸ‘‡

21.10.2025 09:40 πŸ‘ 233 πŸ” 135 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 9
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β€œYou described Reform and other parties across Europe today as among the 'right wing equivalents of the fascists in the 1930s'. Why?”

β€œBecause that’s what they are”

@vicderbyshire.bsky.social asks Lord Heseltine about remarks he made at Conservative Party Conference.

#Newsnight

07.10.2025 17:12 πŸ‘ 2110 πŸ” 696 πŸ’¬ 123 πŸ“Œ 160

This detailed demolition of @gullyfoyleuk.bsky.social's "75 Brexit Benefits" by @alanbeattie.bsky.social deserves wider circulation.

Intellectual garbage disposal is a valuable public service!

05.10.2025 19:37 πŸ‘ 178 πŸ” 75 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 2
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Help us speak up for bats The legislation that protects bats is at risk, endangering all bat species including several that are at risk of extinction. We want to build a strong evidence-based policy foundation that reduces the...

The protection of bats is under continued attack. Please donate towards supporting this important aspect of our work. www.justgiving.com/campaign/hel... Help us speak up for #bats πŸ¦‡

01.10.2025 18:08 πŸ‘ 24 πŸ” 15 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Reform losing their shit over being told their policies are racist, so maybe they are too.
What are you then?
Cos β€˜legitimate concerns’ don’t stretch to violent threats against immigrants, mass deportations or demanding British people be white.
You’re whiny racists. Don’t blame us for your shame.

01.10.2025 17:21 πŸ‘ 511 πŸ” 129 πŸ’¬ 23 πŸ“Œ 1
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Despite the worsening state of our waters, industry, agriculture, mining - and even some Member States - are trying to derail EU water laws with unfounded claims

We urge @ec.europa.eu to reject ANY attempts to weaken the Water Framework Directive πŸ’§

πŸ“„ Read our letter www.wwf.eu?19399941/Pro...

01.10.2025 07:30 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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πŸͺ˜ Free Drumming Workshop for Refugees & Asylum Seekers πŸͺ˜

Join us for an uplifting afternoon of rhythm and connection with the wonderful Tony B Happy Drums

πŸ“… Thursday 2nd October
πŸ•’ 3:00 – 5:00 PM (Arrive at 2:45 PM)
πŸ“St John's Church Waterloo Rd, SE1 8TY

30.09.2025 10:43 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Just fuck off with this. How about start the conversation by highlighting how much immigrants contribute to the UK - not least by propping up the NHS and social care system!

Also - forced volunteering is not volunteering, it's unpaid labour.

29.09.2025 09:09 πŸ‘ 4871 πŸ” 1336 πŸ’¬ 251 πŸ“Œ 124

No need even to include your email address.
Currently 93%! think the policy is not racist.

29.09.2025 07:18 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
A dove illustrated and the text International Day of Peace on a light blue/green background. On the right hand side the EU flag.

A dove illustrated and the text International Day of Peace on a light blue/green background. On the right hand side the EU flag.

πŸ•ŠοΈ It’s the International Day of Peace.

The EU stands for a world where peace is protected, partnerships are genuine, and where the principles of the United Nations Charter are upheld.

Today, tomorrow, always.

#PeaceDay

21.09.2025 08:51 πŸ‘ 50 πŸ” 21 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 2
A portrait photo of Robert Schuman, a balding man with glasses, wearing a dark suit and a striped tie, holding papers. Beside him, a quote reads: "World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it." The quote is attributed to Robert Schuman on May 9, 1950. The European Commission logo is in the top right corner.

A portrait photo of Robert Schuman, a balding man with glasses, wearing a dark suit and a striped tie, holding papers. Beside him, a quote reads: "World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it." The quote is attributed to Robert Schuman on May 9, 1950. The European Commission logo is in the top right corner.

Peace starts with us.

The European Union was created to turn a divided continent into one of dialogue between πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί countries, cooperation, and solidarity.

Peace is not just part of our past β€” it remains our mission.

Today and every day.

#PeaceDay

21.09.2025 07:28 πŸ‘ 364 πŸ” 125 πŸ’¬ 11 πŸ“Œ 5

Bear with me, I anticipate your disagreement. There is a clear pattern to the advice given to those who want to press back against rising racism. What it boils down to is that if you point out that racism is often being dressed up as β€œlegitimate concerns” you will alienate people. /1

15.09.2025 16:33 πŸ‘ 820 πŸ” 359 πŸ’¬ 30 πŸ“Œ 85
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Looked hard for Donald.

30.08.2025 07:32 πŸ‘ 179 πŸ” 39 πŸ’¬ 7 πŸ“Œ 3
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It's another scorcher.. πŸ₯΅β˜€οΈ

Be sure to put out plenty of water for birds & wildlife in your garden so they can keep cool and have enough to drink.

Got your patch covered? Share this reminder!

12.08.2025 14:16 πŸ‘ 560 πŸ” 189 πŸ’¬ 12 πŸ“Œ 11
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Statement on the taxpayer-funded appointment of former "sexist of the year" & ex-Sun editor David Dinsmore.

30.07.2025 18:04 πŸ‘ 73 πŸ” 33 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 4
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Most people in France, Germany, Italy and Spain would support UK rejoining EU, poll finds YouGov survey suggests majority support idea of Britain returning to bloc – but not on same terms it once enjoyed

Poll found majorities in the EU’s 4 largest countries would support the UK rejoining, from 51% in Italy to 63% in Germany, but the number drops significantly when asked if Britain should be allowed back on the same terms it had before. www.theguardian.com/politics/202... @theguardian.com

13.07.2025 09:26 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 12 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 0
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Petition: Fund a National Climate Resilience Plan: protect communities from climate impact From floods to extreme temperatures, climate impacts risk damaging homes, health, businesses, services, and the economy. We want Government to prioritise adaptation; fund a new Resilience Plan that wo...

As we head into the 3rd heatwave of the summer, *please* take just 2 moments to sign this petition calling on government to help our communities adapt & prepare for the impacts of #climate change. We are not safe β€” we need to be #SAFER @climatemajority.bsky.social

10.07.2025 16:42 πŸ‘ 230 πŸ” 149 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 5