Old photo: "Leigh Court Barn is an outstanding example of English medieval carpentry, and the largest cruck framed structure in Britain. Built for Pershore Abbey in about 1325, it is over 42 metres long with 18 cruck blades each made from a single oak tree". Text: English Heritage. Photo: me.

Old photo: at 330.4m the Arqiva Tower, West Yorkshire, (still generally referred to around here as 'Emley Moor Mast') is the tallest free-standing structure in the UK, and a Grade II listed building. Photograph taken less than a mile from my home.

Old photo: St Cuthbert's Isle lies off the coast of Holy Island (Lindisfarne), Northumberland, and like the main island is accessible on foot at low tide. It's said that Cuthbert used a tiny cell on the island as a place of retreat and contemplation. The wooden cross marking this can just be seen...

Bloody Robert Jenrick is sitting in for @mrjamesob.bsky.social on LBC👍 this morning. I've just had the sheer, visceral joy of switching him off, in favour of some @mrmarksteel.bsky.social podcasts. About time you woke up on here again, Mark!👍

Old photo: the glorious, highly decorated (and heavily restored) Gothic West Front of Wells Cathedral, Somerset. Fun question: Wells is one of two English cathedral cities without a railway station. Which is the other one?

When I asked earlier today, two names were mentioned more than once as potential opponents to the five-million-pound-man. One was Count Binface. The other was @carolvorders.bsky.social What about it Carol? A highly intelligent MP would be a novelty for Clacton! And unusual in the Commons... 🤔

Two genuine questions... What do you all think? 1) Is Farage running a risk that people will see through his childish and expensive stunt, and refuse to vote? 2) Should "progressive" parties agree on a single anti-Reform candidate that they can all support?

Fingers crossed... It would be a fitting (and hilarious) end if he took his bat and ball home in a sulk. Although I expect the billionaires would soon find another "man of the people" 🤮

Well done Belgium!! 👏👏👏👏🎉🎊 Up yours, #Trump! 😂🤣🤮

Old photo: another elderly bridge for you! The world's first iron bridge (now Grade I listed) was completed in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, in 1780 - the area later becoming known as Ironbridge as a result. * photographed before restoration in 2018 returned it to its original red-brown colour.

He would have been 79 today. He died tragically young at the age of just 31. Richard Beckinsale's roles - Lennie Godber in Porridge and Going Straight, Alan in Rising Damp, showcased his easy style and natural timing. Today, his daughters Kate and Samantha continue his legacy. Rest Easy, Richard.

A meeting of minds... The most corrupt figure in world sport bows to the most corrupt POTUS ever. Grotesque profiteering, dividing matches into quarters, and now this blatant political pressuring. Thanks America, for taking a celebration of the rest of the world's sport and ruining it! 🤮

Old photo: the Union Chain Bridge, of 1820, crosses the River Tweed where it forms the English-Scottish border, a few miles upstream from Berwick. This view, from Scotland, looks over to the English end of the bridge which, as a curiosity, is at this point, slightly to the north of the Scottish end!

Ahem... Louise Haigh: conditional discharge in 2014. Boris Johnson (for example): Fixed Penalty Notice in 2022, subsequently found to have misled parliament. Robert Jenrick: Fined £1,639 plus costs in 2023. Anything to distract from little Nigel, eh Bobby? 🤮

Old photo: The graceful 11th Century 'Rainbow Arch' of Lindisfarne Priory, Northumberland, once had a partner interlocking with it; together they formed a vault, helping to support the central tower. Remarkably, this single rib survived the collapse of the tower in the 18th century.

"Patriotism is a mass psychosis meticulously engineered by the ruling class. They artificially inflate your pride for a dirt patch you do not even own, just to ensure you will gleefully murder a terrified stranger across an imaginary line the second they snap their fingers." Leo Tolstoy

Old photo: late summer in the grounds of Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire. The manor was once the family home of Sir Isaac Newton, and the tree protected by the wicker surround is said to be the very one from which he saw an apple fall. Which set him thinking...

The Sun. 😡 As quoted by Zia Yusuf. 🫣 And relayed by Nigel Farage. 🤮 Nothing like impeccably sourced information, is there? 😂

Well, we all know that Nigel Farage is forever calling for debates. So I'm sure he'll be anxious to speak in this one, that Richard Burgon MP has secured time for. Won't you Nigel? 🤔

Old photo: the Carolean elegance and symmetry of Belton House, Lincolnshire.

Reece - anyone doubting Reform's attitude to women should remind themselves of that photograph of Farage with "an important voice for men"... Although I'd love to see any senior Reform figure debating with @carolvorders.bsky.social. Intellectually, she'd eat any of 'em for breakfast! 😂👍

Old photo: my beloved Yorkshire. Langstrothdale limestone, ancient drystone walls, and the upper reaches of the River Wharfe, on a crisp spring afternoon...

How low can you get? This appeared on the Nazi's hellsite this morning. Attacking not just immigrants but, specifically, refugees. People seeking sanctuary from "a well founded fear of persecution". They comprise about 0.8% of our population. But they're a nice easy target... 🤮

The science is inarguable. The Earth is heating, rapidly. Humans need to follow the science, and take immediate steps to reduce emissions. At the same time, just to be on the safe side... Maybe chuck a few billionaires in a volcano, as a sacrifice to the Sun God? Can't do the world any harm can it?

I can't think which national leader projected his country's identity as his own - and vice versa. Some German bloke in the middle of the last century... As I recall, little good came of it. Wake up, Americans. There's still time!

That Zack Polanski is right is all too scarily obvious. But, nevertheless, only a few hours ago Richard Tice's head was still buried firmly in the sand. (Even Alastair Campbell is correct here). There are none so blind as those who will not see... #NetZeroNow!

Old photo: a crisp, bright day in Balmacara, looking west along the coastline of Loch Alsh. In the distance the main span of the Skye Crossing is just visible against the magnificent background of the Cuillin ridge.

Bollocks! The primary reason Britain's vaccine rollout was more efficient than in Europe was the existence of the NHS! Johnson's, arrogant dismissal of inconvenient facts is one the reasons he was Britain's worst Prime Minister, Truss included - he did more insidious damage, over a longer term...

Old photo: Oh to be downwind of that lovely cool water! A summer storm is starting to gather over the spectacular Perseus and Andromeda fountain, in the formal gardens of Witley Court, Worcestershire.