Finally finished my #Whaling Cloak! Inspired by the whaling, #maritime and Inuit collections I’ve seen on my travels. Made as part of the (awesome) Artists’ Programme run by @scvaeducation @SainsburyCentre

Hey Listen! This December I'm running a videogame themed tour of the British Museum. Join me for a whistlestop tour of some of the real stories behind your favourite videogames and see some of the incredible artefacts that inspired them! eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-video…

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻 In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year. Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it. ***** "I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude. My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found. At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me. At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul. At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being. At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible. Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever. I’m writing this to tell you something simple: Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again. Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS. You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless. You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours. With love and gentleness, Patricia Routledge ***** Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

📢 Job Opportunity! 📢 Lynn Museum is looking to appoint a Newman Curator as maternity cover to join our curatorial team. 🗓️ Applications close 27 July 2025. For more information and to apply, click here: tinyurl.com/yvmyj69s

I know from personal experience how difficult the PIP & UC process can be. I came into politics pledging to be a voice for disabled and vulnerable people and advocate for those who so often do not have anyone fighting their corner. facebook.com/share/v/16k95EW…

🙂APPLY NOW - We are seeking a Senior Collections Lead to manage our Collections Management, Care & Conservation teams.🦋 Closes Sun 22 June. ow.ly/86Rx50WaW0g @CamUnivMuseums

#VisitMuseumsMW Visit us on a rare Sunday opening! We are celebrating the link between the people of Thetford and Maharajah Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Punjab. Explore our new displays, meet costumed characters & handle real historic artefacts! bit.ly/3Hqpzsm

⚓️ Ahoy there, C20's latest book is published today! Twentieth Century Seaside Architecture, by @SeasideFerry and @BatsfordBooks, is a nostalgic exploration of pools, piers, and pleasure around Britain's coast. Using vintage postcard images, it tells the story of our playful, distinctive and architecturally significant seafront buildings spanning the 1920s to the new millennium. From the De La Warr Pavilion to Blackpool Coral Island, Boscombe’s concrete Pier to Douglas’s UFO Sea Port, via Chamberlin, Powell and Bon’s ‘Barbican-on-Sea’ in Folkestone, and Ilfracombe’s ‘sandcastle’ Landmark Theatre. You want saturated seaside glamour? You got it, in spades. 🛒Available to order now via the C20 Shop: shop.c20society.org.uk/produ…

🦊🌷Competition time! To celebrate May Day and the longed-for coming of summer, I'm giving away a signed edition of my 'Reynard the Fox', a copy of the accompanying gold-tipped 'A Fox for All Seasons' journal, both with map endpapers & fine ribbons, packets of Dorset red butter crumb biscuits and Dorset tea to honour my other main vulpine character, the West Country dwelling Old Fox, & a charming & extremely fluffy fox companion! Simply like, retweet & follow to enter! A winner will be picked on Saturday. 🌷🦊

Shout out to all the Commons staff will be working hard to make today's recall of Parliament work. E.g. MPs were notified late last night that the Commons Library were busy yesterday evening updating their briefing on UK steel. The catering staff will I'm sure be on site ready to make sure 650 MPs and any staff who travel in are looked after. I called the Speakers office last night for advice, and a friendly staff member answered my queries about the day ahead. And of course there'll be many more - from security staff to Hansard writers, and everyone else who keeps everything running for our democracy. Thanks to all of you!

Google images tell me these are Japanese Knotweed shoots. Any gardeners out there know for sure?

I have tariffed the penguins that are on Heard Island and which you were probably assuming did not export goods forgive me they were taking advantage of us so cunning and so cold

My favourite so far today!

PhD funding: @AngliaRuskin & @timetidemuseum are offering an exciting 4-year scholarship focusing on oral histories & coastal livelihoods in Great Yarmouth. Online info session,26.03.25,7-8pm, or in-person session @timetidemuseum,05.04.25,2-4pm yarmouthmuseums.wordpress.co… @ahrcpress

Janey was so right, wasn't she?

A coffee with a fab view this morning. Overlooking @DiscoveryPoint from @VADundee Wonderful!

My story is about a fire extinguisher who falls in love with an image of a toffee latte and their journey of self discovery. What’s your story? #LovinIt

I’ll be at @DiscoveryPoint #Dundee from 11-5 today in the Scotland’s Whale Road exhibition to chat to visitors about my work and the exhibition. Come and say hi!

This weekend! I’ll be at Discovery Point #Dundee. Saturday I’ll be giving an exhibition tour, talk, Q&A with fellow whaling nut Dr Matt Ylitalo. I’ll be in the exhibition the rest of the weekend with sewing machine and handling collection. Come say hi! dundeeheritagetrust.co.uk/ev…