C John Hughes
@pen0lver.bsky.social
Retired Chartered Librarian BA (Open) Former ILM consultant. Rock, Jazz, Blues (Folk). Bolton Wanderers. Film/theatre/politics. Socialist.
Father of two and grandfather of four. I'm 82.
Reposts are lazy. No DMs pse.
Disagree but no sustained arguing.
Father of two and grandfather of four. I'm 82.
Reposts are lazy. No DMs pse.
Disagree but no sustained arguing.
Sun Records celebrates Black History Month: that label beingone of the very first to record black artists, as featured here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vngr...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vngr...
Bourbon Street Jump
YouTube video by Raymond Hill - Topic
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Sun Records celebrates Black History Month: that label beingone of the very first to record black artists, as featured here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vngr...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vngr...
Difficult that Miles Davis has been around for 100 years, though his active musical years are less of course. Still background when growing up influences us all:
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
‘He used the trumpet as a songbird’: 100 years of Miles Davis, by jazz greats Sonny Rollins, Yazz Ahmed and more
Ahead of the centenary of Davis’s birth, musicians including Terence Blanchard and John Scofield analyse his brilliance: from his soft phrasing and spiritual feel to his raspy cussing and leather outf...
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Difficult that Miles Davis has been around for 100 years, though his active musical years are less of course. Still background when growing up influences us all:
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...
This looks like a good development for younger children. Older children who are within the SEN cohorts should already be receiving an upgraded service.
openpolicy.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/06/l...
openpolicy.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/06/l...
Launching a new Co-design Toolkit for Early Years Services
This blog launches a new co-design toolkit to support the development of services for early years. The co-design toolkit is a practical set of resources created to enable local authorities and communi...
openpolicy.blog.gov.uk
January 7, 2026 at 5:21 PM
This looks like a good development for younger children. Older children who are within the SEN cohorts should already be receiving an upgraded service.
openpolicy.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/06/l...
openpolicy.blog.gov.uk/2026/01/06/l...
Polly Toynbee on the GOOD things the Labour Government has done since taking office: a refreshing change from what her Guardian colleagues have been saying for months:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Let me tell you the good things the government has done in 2025 – because it certainly won’t | Polly Toynbee
It’s all there: more apprenticeships, more rights for workers and renters – and most of all, a focus on children. What a shame Labour wavers about saying so, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Polly Toynbee on the GOOD things the Labour Government has done since taking office: a refreshing change from what her Guardian colleagues have been saying for months:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
An apposite cartoon, featuring one cartoon figure and one who should never be cartooned:
ella-baron-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-cartoon
ella-baron-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-cartoon
December 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
An apposite cartoon, featuring one cartoon figure and one who should never be cartooned:
ella-baron-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-cartoon
ella-baron-donald-trump-vladimir-putin-cartoon
County Council shows solidarity with Ukraine | Gloucestershire County Council
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk
December 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Europe must not be fearful about pushing back against Trump's interference.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Trump has confirmed Europeans’ worst fears. Are their leaders ready to stand up to him now?
The White House has formalised its contempt for ‘decaying’ Europe with an ominous plan to undermine the EU and boost the far right
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Europe must not be fearful about pushing back against Trump's interference.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Being "cautious" in the face of far right ideas coming from Germany, of all countries, after Trump's interventionist stance is weak European politics.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
AfD responds to Trump ‘erasure’ claims with call for nationalist revival in Europe
Continent’s other nationalist parties wary of echoing sentiments of US president due to his unpopularity
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Being "cautious" in the face of far right ideas coming from Germany, of all countries, after Trump's interventionist stance is weak European politics.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Not at all sure about this. I understand that Starmer's government wants to get closer to the EU, but this looks like a compromise too far for a Labour government that should be supportive, across the board, of human rights laws, rather than constraining them.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK joins call for Europe’s human rights laws to be ‘constrained’
Britain aligns with some of Europe’s hardline governments in calling for change to allow Rwanda-style migration deals
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Not at all sure about this. I understand that Starmer's government wants to get closer to the EU, but this looks like a compromise too far for a Labour government that should be supportive, across the board, of human rights laws, rather than constraining them.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Gloucestershire County County planning to get on top of domestic social issues, especially this one:
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...
Gloucestershire County Council launches new strategy to tackle domestic abuse | Gloucestershire County Council
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk
December 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Gloucestershire County County planning to get on top of domestic social issues, especially this one:
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...
Many years ago, when she was my girlfriend, my wife introduced me to the Irish band, Hothouse Flowers, and I was hooked. I've just played what I believe to be their first album "Home" (vinyl) and still love it. Their vocals and piano are by Liam O Moanlai, a real showman who writes too. Stream it.
December 7, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Many years ago, when she was my girlfriend, my wife introduced me to the Irish band, Hothouse Flowers, and I was hooked. I've just played what I believe to be their first album "Home" (vinyl) and still love it. Their vocals and piano are by Liam O Moanlai, a real showman who writes too. Stream it.
My daughter and I went to see "Back to the future" on its first release and came away as Huey Lewis and The News fans.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
‘We didn’t think Back to the Future sounded plausible – or good’: Huey Lewis and the News on The Power of Love
‘I told the producers I didn’t know how to do a song for a film – and added that, frankly, I didn’t fancy writing one called Back to the Future. They said, “No problem, just give us one of your songs”...
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:10 AM
My daughter and I went to see "Back to the future" on its first release and came away as Huey Lewis and The News fans.
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
I can see the need to rebalance the Lords, but it goes against the grain to see Labour adding more peerages.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Keir Starmer expected to award 25 new Labour peerages
Exclusive: Former union bosses and Labour staffers on list as prime minister aims to balance chamber
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:05 AM
I can see the need to rebalance the Lords, but it goes against the grain to see Labour adding more peerages.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Personally, I think the left, especially the Labour government, will just stand by and watch these two "parties" disintegrate when their truths are fully exposed by their inaction and bland statements.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Farage and the Tory right will unite because they want power. Will the left just stand by? | Neal Lawson
It’s time for a harsh reality check. A progressive bloc of parties refusing to see a common threat risks disaster, says Neal Lawson of Compass
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Personally, I think the left, especially the Labour government, will just stand by and watch these two "parties" disintegrate when their truths are fully exposed by their inaction and bland statements.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
@pguythompson.bsky.social
I so like your nature photography.
I so like your nature photography.
December 4, 2025 at 10:55 AM
@pguythompson.bsky.social
I so like your nature photography.
I so like your nature photography.
The German Chancellor is absolutely right. It's taken time for European leaders to take on their responsibility in supporting Ukraine to the hilt and now they have to turn to the whole European context that Putin has basically challenged.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
German chancellor warns leaders that decisions they make now on Ukraine will ‘decide the future of Europe’ – live
Intervention from Merz comes as Putin says peace talks are ‘difficult work’ but Trump insists Russian president does want a deal
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The German Chancellor is absolutely right. It's taken time for European leaders to take on their responsibility in supporting Ukraine to the hilt and now they have to turn to the whole European context that Putin has basically challenged.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
His film career was short but he made up for it with many TV appearances where he was a favoured guest. Best film "The girl can't help it", with his road band. Talking to Charles Connor, the drummer, he told me he got to kiss Jayne Mansfield on the set!
www.vintagerockmag.com/2025/11/litt...
www.vintagerockmag.com/2025/11/litt...
Little Richard’s film career on the big and small screen
Leaping from jukebox star to rocking at the movies, Vintage Rock celebrates Little Richard’s film career on the big and small screen
www.vintagerockmag.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM
His film career was short but he made up for it with many TV appearances where he was a favoured guest. Best film "The girl can't help it", with his road band. Talking to Charles Connor, the drummer, he told me he got to kiss Jayne Mansfield on the set!
www.vintagerockmag.com/2025/11/litt...
www.vintagerockmag.com/2025/11/litt...
The Guardian has some good news about migration, together with a clever cartoon about a Peruvian immigrant!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Ben Jennings on migration and the hard right – cartoon
Net migration to the UK has fallen by 69%, says the ONS, with the lowest level recorded in the year to June since 2021
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:28 AM
The Guardian has some good news about migration, together with a clever cartoon about a Peruvian immigrant!
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Manifestos are there to lay the groundwork to come, but when that groundwork is affected by real events, things have to change, and this letter hits the nail on the head, when others hit their thumbs instead:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Why it’s silly to focus on Labour’s manifesto pledges | Letter
Letter: Manifestos are not binding contracts – good politics is about being able to react to circumstances, says Tony Wright
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Manifestos are there to lay the groundwork to come, but when that groundwork is affected by real events, things have to change, and this letter hits the nail on the head, when others hit their thumbs instead:
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The money just keeps rolling in good to have a loca authority that keep tabs on financial funding options and then bids.
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...
Over £2million boost for projects driving local growth and innovation | Gloucestershire County Council
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk
December 1, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The money just keeps rolling in good to have a loca authority that keep tabs on financial funding options and then bids.
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...
www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gcc-news/new...
@notoracism.bsky.social
Here is question I have an answer to How do I respond to "I'm not a racist, but":
My own response would be "I don't have a racist butt"
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Here is question I have an answer to How do I respond to "I'm not a racist, but":
My own response would be "I don't have a racist butt"
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
How do I respond to someone who says ‘I’m not racist, but ... ’? | Leading questions
It’s important to express your disagreement: for their sake as much as yours, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. But first decide on what you aim to accomplish
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:44 AM
@notoracism.bsky.social
Here is question I have an answer to How do I respond to "I'm not a racist, but":
My own response would be "I don't have a racist butt"
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Here is question I have an answer to How do I respond to "I'm not a racist, but":
My own response would be "I don't have a racist butt"
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
I think the EU will ultimately regret this decision in the context of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and the continuing war:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Talks for UK to join EU defence fund collapse in blow to Starmer’s bid to reset relations
UK had been pushing to join €150bn Safe fund, a loan scheme that is part of bloc’s drive to rearm Europe
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I think the EU will ultimately regret this decision in the context of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and the continuing war:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
