Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
@simondunbavand.bsky.social
MA(Cantab), MMus, ARCO, ARCM
I’m a conductor and pianist. In my spare time I like Mahler, Japan, and Latin America. My partner is Jonathan🏳️🌈and our dog is called Timmy.
I’m a conductor and pianist. In my spare time I like Mahler, Japan, and Latin America. My partner is Jonathan🏳️🌈and our dog is called Timmy.
Pinned
You don’t have to go to Brazil to find the best beach in the world!
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Amount a pensioner receives in the UK is the lowest in Europe, just 2/3rds of France and barely 50% of Italy who are considered a 'poorer' country.
Why is our pension 'unaffordable' when it is so low, and where is all our money actually going?
Why is our pension 'unaffordable' when it is so low, and where is all our money actually going?
September 16, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Amount a pensioner receives in the UK is the lowest in Europe, just 2/3rds of France and barely 50% of Italy who are considered a 'poorer' country.
Why is our pension 'unaffordable' when it is so low, and where is all our money actually going?
Why is our pension 'unaffordable' when it is so low, and where is all our money actually going?
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Centre left gvt for Sweden as far right under performs 🎉 www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Sweden election: exit polls project centre-left government and bad night for the far-right – live
Initial projections put centre-left opposition bloc at 51.3%, with 46.8% for rightwing parties; result worse than expected for far right Sweden Democrats
www.theguardian.com
September 13, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Centre left gvt for Sweden as far right under performs 🎉 www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
September 12, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
WELL DONE EVERYONE. I know several people have responded to SM messages reminding that donation is the loudest voice.
VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET BECAUSE THOSE RNLI VOLUNTEERS CAN COUNT IT and COUNT ON it.
And money grabbing Tommy Ten Names & side-kick Danny Dumbo will see it.
rnli.org/support-us/g...
VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET BECAUSE THOSE RNLI VOLUNTEERS CAN COUNT IT and COUNT ON it.
And money grabbing Tommy Ten Names & side-kick Danny Dumbo will see it.
rnli.org/support-us/g...
September 11, 2026 at 2:33 PM
WELL DONE EVERYONE. I know several people have responded to SM messages reminding that donation is the loudest voice.
VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET BECAUSE THOSE RNLI VOLUNTEERS CAN COUNT IT and COUNT ON it.
And money grabbing Tommy Ten Names & side-kick Danny Dumbo will see it.
rnli.org/support-us/g...
VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET BECAUSE THOSE RNLI VOLUNTEERS CAN COUNT IT and COUNT ON it.
And money grabbing Tommy Ten Names & side-kick Danny Dumbo will see it.
rnli.org/support-us/g...
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Hate loses again.
September 11, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Hate loses again.
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
September 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM
So it’s not Fergie to Kwarteng?
That's HILARIOUS. And I totally know that scene from The Sopranos. It's my favorite TV show of all-time.
September 6, 2026 at 5:50 AM
So it’s not Fergie to Kwarteng?
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
The MAGA regime/ICE-Gestapo have been deporting Cubans living in Florida to countries in Africa even though Cuba is just 90 miles from Florida.
The cruelty has always been the point. I hope Cuban MAGA voters are enjoying the results of their choice.
The cruelty has always been the point. I hope Cuban MAGA voters are enjoying the results of their choice.
September 2, 2026 at 3:39 AM
The MAGA regime/ICE-Gestapo have been deporting Cubans living in Florida to countries in Africa even though Cuba is just 90 miles from Florida.
The cruelty has always been the point. I hope Cuban MAGA voters are enjoying the results of their choice.
The cruelty has always been the point. I hope Cuban MAGA voters are enjoying the results of their choice.
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Can't get a moment's peace on this bloody planet.
September 1, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Can't get a moment's peace on this bloody planet.
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
The BBC have referred to Farage as an MP since he announced his intention to hold a by election in Clacton and Reeves appointed him as Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead on Wednesday, 8 July. He hasn't been an MP since then. Complaints have got this poor stock response.
#ToriesGone769
#ToriesGone769
August 12, 2026 at 11:32 PM
The BBC have referred to Farage as an MP since he announced his intention to hold a by election in Clacton and Reeves appointed him as Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead on Wednesday, 8 July. He hasn't been an MP since then. Complaints have got this poor stock response.
#ToriesGone769
#ToriesGone769
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
🇱🇻 Latvia launches comprehensive military operation to curb migration from Belarus and Russia
Latvia will deploy drones, helicopters and additional troops to its eastern border as part of Operation Werewolf, government officials said at a briefing.
Latvia will deploy drones, helicopters and additional troops to its eastern border as part of Operation Werewolf, government officials said at a briefing.
August 11, 2026 at 11:16 PM
🇱🇻 Latvia launches comprehensive military operation to curb migration from Belarus and Russia
Latvia will deploy drones, helicopters and additional troops to its eastern border as part of Operation Werewolf, government officials said at a briefing.
Latvia will deploy drones, helicopters and additional troops to its eastern border as part of Operation Werewolf, government officials said at a briefing.
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
1/2 Russia's "Matryoshka" campaign flooding German elections with fake media videos and smears against democratic candidates is hybrid warfare in action. Undermining democratic processes across Europe threatens our shared security. When will we build robust cyber defenses? #FBPE 🛡️
Russian ‘Matryoshka’ Campaign Targets German Elections with Fabricated Media Reports - https://eutoday.net
The operation, known as “Matryoshka”, is distributing material designed to resemble reporting by established broadcasters, including the BBC and Germany’s
eutoday.net
August 7, 2026 at 12:43 PM
1/2 Russia's "Matryoshka" campaign flooding German elections with fake media videos and smears against democratic candidates is hybrid warfare in action. Undermining democratic processes across Europe threatens our shared security. When will we build robust cyber defenses? #FBPE 🛡️
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
It's a bit of a kerfuffle, but sending the money to an offshore account in the Cayman Islands, who then convert it to crypto before forwarding it to a shell company in Montenegro who then make the actual payment is worth it to avoid any suspicions of wrongdoing...
July 26, 2026 at 11:23 AM
It's a bit of a kerfuffle, but sending the money to an offshore account in the Cayman Islands, who then convert it to crypto before forwarding it to a shell company in Montenegro who then make the actual payment is worth it to avoid any suspicions of wrongdoing...
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
'For years, Nigel Farage could dismiss every scandal as a “lefty media witch hunt”.
That works brilliantly when the only people asking questions are journalists.
More difficult when the Met Police, National Crime Agency, the Electoral Commission and HMRC start getting involved."
via Keith Anderson
That works brilliantly when the only people asking questions are journalists.
More difficult when the Met Police, National Crime Agency, the Electoral Commission and HMRC start getting involved."
via Keith Anderson
July 26, 2026 at 10:15 AM
'For years, Nigel Farage could dismiss every scandal as a “lefty media witch hunt”.
That works brilliantly when the only people asking questions are journalists.
More difficult when the Met Police, National Crime Agency, the Electoral Commission and HMRC start getting involved."
via Keith Anderson
That works brilliantly when the only people asking questions are journalists.
More difficult when the Met Police, National Crime Agency, the Electoral Commission and HMRC start getting involved."
via Keith Anderson
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Two worlds divided, New York, USA - no photoshop #photography
The photograph shows the stark contrast between Manhattan's dense skyline & the lush greenery of Central Park, captured perfectly along Central Park West. The image was taken from a doorless helicopter by photographer Kathleen Dolmatch.
The photograph shows the stark contrast between Manhattan's dense skyline & the lush greenery of Central Park, captured perfectly along Central Park West. The image was taken from a doorless helicopter by photographer Kathleen Dolmatch.
July 25, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Two worlds divided, New York, USA - no photoshop #photography
The photograph shows the stark contrast between Manhattan's dense skyline & the lush greenery of Central Park, captured perfectly along Central Park West. The image was taken from a doorless helicopter by photographer Kathleen Dolmatch.
The photograph shows the stark contrast between Manhattan's dense skyline & the lush greenery of Central Park, captured perfectly along Central Park West. The image was taken from a doorless helicopter by photographer Kathleen Dolmatch.
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Gent in baseball hat, "I would like to see Andy Burnham succeed, I think there are huge opportunities"
Neelam Aslam, "One piece of advice you want to give Andy Burnham"
Gent in baseball hat, "Get on with rejoining the EU as fast as possible"
Neelam Aslam, "One piece of advice you want to give Andy Burnham"
Gent in baseball hat, "Get on with rejoining the EU as fast as possible"
July 25, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Gent in baseball hat, "I would like to see Andy Burnham succeed, I think there are huge opportunities"
Neelam Aslam, "One piece of advice you want to give Andy Burnham"
Gent in baseball hat, "Get on with rejoining the EU as fast as possible"
Neelam Aslam, "One piece of advice you want to give Andy Burnham"
Gent in baseball hat, "Get on with rejoining the EU as fast as possible"
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
This is Willing. She recently learned that sitting gets her a treat and now follows her human around popping a squat every few feet. Can't blame her for being an overachiever. 12/10 (TT: adoptdurham)
July 16, 2026 at 10:43 PM
This is Willing. She recently learned that sitting gets her a treat and now follows her human around popping a squat every few feet. Can't blame her for being an overachiever. 12/10 (TT: adoptdurham)
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
A security detail would know where Farage was and who he was meeting at all times.
I can't help thinking that might have been a factor in Farage declining the offer.
I can't help thinking that might have been a factor in Farage declining the offer.
July 14, 2026 at 10:05 AM
A security detail would know where Farage was and who he was meeting at all times.
I can't help thinking that might have been a factor in Farage declining the offer.
I can't help thinking that might have been a factor in Farage declining the offer.
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
You only get one life. Do as much good for others as you can while you still have the chance.
July 12, 2026 at 11:12 AM
You only get one life. Do as much good for others as you can while you still have the chance.
Yes, absolutely, but it would really rattle the former member for Clacton if—after billing ‘Count Binface’—it turns out to be his alter ego Jon, in a snappy suit and tie. The burn would be historic!
BBC - Please invite Farage and Count Binface on to Question Time.
July 10, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Yes, absolutely, but it would really rattle the former member for Clacton if—after billing ‘Count Binface’—it turns out to be his alter ego Jon, in a snappy suit and tie. The burn would be historic!
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Ahem.
I’ve written a book about Baxter.
Not just a memoir about one ridiculous dog, but a funny, illustrated exploration of how wolves became the idiots farting on our sofas.
Coming this autumn.
I’ll be looking for ARC readers soon. Reply if you’d like to know when applications open.
I’ve written a book about Baxter.
Not just a memoir about one ridiculous dog, but a funny, illustrated exploration of how wolves became the idiots farting on our sofas.
Coming this autumn.
I’ll be looking for ARC readers soon. Reply if you’d like to know when applications open.
July 10, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Ahem.
I’ve written a book about Baxter.
Not just a memoir about one ridiculous dog, but a funny, illustrated exploration of how wolves became the idiots farting on our sofas.
Coming this autumn.
I’ll be looking for ARC readers soon. Reply if you’d like to know when applications open.
I’ve written a book about Baxter.
Not just a memoir about one ridiculous dog, but a funny, illustrated exploration of how wolves became the idiots farting on our sofas.
Coming this autumn.
I’ll be looking for ARC readers soon. Reply if you’d like to know when applications open.
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
After I wrote last week's column, I learnt that a neighbour with severe disabilities, an extremely tough & resourceful woman who lived to the full, died in the heatwave. Everyone here is devastated. I can scarcely express my anger towards a mindset that treats people like her as collateral damage. 🧵
July 6, 2026 at 6:54 AM
After I wrote last week's column, I learnt that a neighbour with severe disabilities, an extremely tough & resourceful woman who lived to the full, died in the heatwave. Everyone here is devastated. I can scarcely express my anger towards a mindset that treats people like her as collateral damage. 🧵
Reposted by Simon Dunbavand #FBPE
Reform keep telling us that the poorest people
are getting too much money
so that we won't focus on the richest
and demand #TaxTheRich
"Next time you hear UK politicians and the media say we can't afford welfare, remember it is smaller as a share of the GDP than it was 15 years ago, not bigger."
are getting too much money
so that we won't focus on the richest
and demand #TaxTheRich
"Next time you hear UK politicians and the media say we can't afford welfare, remember it is smaller as a share of the GDP than it was 15 years ago, not bigger."
July 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Reform keep telling us that the poorest people
are getting too much money
so that we won't focus on the richest
and demand #TaxTheRich
"Next time you hear UK politicians and the media say we can't afford welfare, remember it is smaller as a share of the GDP than it was 15 years ago, not bigger."
are getting too much money
so that we won't focus on the richest
and demand #TaxTheRich
"Next time you hear UK politicians and the media say we can't afford welfare, remember it is smaller as a share of the GDP than it was 15 years ago, not bigger."