#CODay “… my Socialism is based on a belief in the sacredness of human life and the unity of all human lives. War is the antithesis of Socialism…To participate in war would be to outrage my conscientious and most deeply held convictions. I cannot do it.” Fenner Brockway, 1916

Roy Hattersley and Tawney. tendancecoatesy.wordpress.co… via @Pabloite

Summer 1940, by Sheffield artist Harry Epworth Allen, 1894-1958 (Glynn Vivian Art Gallery).

Roy Hattersley reflects on the poverty in Sheffield in the 1950s that shaped his socialism - after spending the Summer as a milkman’s mate. “It was my first confrontation with the idea of the underserving poor. I rejected it then and I reject it now”.

Hello X! I'm upping my game on here! Expect daily #spyhistory #herstory posts and articles, because I LOVE sharing stories about the men and women who did their very best to cover their tracks. I am particularly obsessed with writing women into the history of espionage and have even written a book - Her Secret Service: The Forgotten Women of British Intelligence, published by @wnbooks Please do join me, @thespyhistorian, as I explore the long history of secret intelligence never meant for your eyes.​ All you need to do is hit the 'follow' button (if you aren't already). If you see this post, show me some love by tapping the 🩶 and if you feel so inclined, repost 🙏🕵️‍♀️ Signed, C [those in the know, know😉]

'Cornflowers' by contemporary UK painter Susan Entwistle #WomensArt

'Symphony in blue' by contemporary painter Sarah Bowman #WomensArt

Annie Soudain, contemporary UK printmaker #WomensArt

Earlier this month, I visited one of the prettiest & most welcoming #Oxford colleges @MansfieldOxford to speak about my award-winning book Her Secret Service: The Forgotten Women of British Intelligence @wnbooks Every seat was taken in the Sir Joseph Hotung Auditorium, as the audience waited patiently to see who the mystery 'special guest' advertised as appearing alongside me was. It was the BIGGEST honour to share the stage with the Director of @GCHQ, Anne Keast-Butler, who made history as the first woman to lead Britain's intelligence, security and cyber agency in 2023. Expertly chaired by the college's impressive Principal, Helen Mountfield KC, Anne and I discussed the main themes in my book, and explored the significance for women in intelligence, past and present. This public event was a major milestone in my journey as an author and in my mission to write women into the history of secret intelligence. Another pinch me moment!🙏 Photograph: (L-R) Anne Keast-Butler (Director of GCHQ), Helen Mountfield KC (Principal of Mansfield College), and Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall.

A reminder of Andrew’s forthcoming talk this week. Tickets on the door or here - bit.ly/4vIbPOh

Suffragette figures/game pieces used in the 1909 'Pank-a-Squith' board game. Depending on what square your suffragette figure falls on, you follow instructions such as: ‘Dodges the police, move ahead two squares' #womensart

If anyone is still on X, my debut book 'Her Secret Service: The Forgotten Women of British Intelligence' @wnbooks @KensingtonBooks has WON the prestigious 2025 Polly Corrigan Book Prize!!! (It hasn't quite sunk in yet!) Sponsored by The King's Centre for the Study of Intelligence @kclintelligence, the Women in Intelligence Network and the Journal of Intelligence and National Security @IntelNatSecJnl, the Prize recognises scholarship within the realm of intelligence and security, written by female scholars and/or about women. I wrote this book to honour the women of British intelligence who served quietly in the shadows without expectation of recognition. Their names are now known and their voices heard. Thank you so much for appreciating these women! The book began with the support and guidance of the brilliant team at @NorthbankTalent, who kick-started my writing journey (incl. @martinjredfern, who was there at the start). I couldn't wish for better representation! 'Her Secret Service' found the perfect home with Weidenfeld & Nicolson, a distinguished and dynamic powerhouse with a long tradition of publishing excellent spy non-fiction & memoir. Thank you to all involved in getting the book to print, promotion & marketing, with a special note of thanks to my W&N editor @maddyprice and Nina Sandelson, who took the reins at the end. Katie Tooke designed an incredible book cover🙏 Jilly Bond (UK) and @AnneFlosnik (USA) did an amazing job narrating the audiobooks 🫶 Lastly, the book would not have been possible without the support of the families and friends of the women whose stories are told for the first time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here's to more incredible spy stories waiting to be told 👀

Delighted to be speaking at Nevill Holt Festival this summer - join me there as I discuss my award-winning book #HerSecretService @wnbooks Set in a truly picture-perfect location in Leicestershire, the Festival brings together an incredible breadth of events, from world-class performance and music to conversation, comedy and more. Head to nevillholtfestival.com for tickets.

Save the Humanities at the University of Hertfordshire - Sign the Petition! c.org/csMYWvD2N9 via @UKChange

UK textie artist Rachel Wright who creates textile art using machine embroidery on calico with fabrics and Madeira rayons #WomensArt #TextileArtWeek

*EVENT* Mansfield Public Lecture, Friday 8 May 2026, Mansfield College, Oxford. 5.30-6.30 PM [In Person/Free Attendance] Join me and a very 'special guest' as we discuss women in intelligence and my debut book, Her Secret Service: The Forgotten Women of British Intelligence. (It's another 'pinch me' moment!) Event information and booking details can be found here: mansfield.ox.ac.uk/news-even… @MansfieldOxford @NorthbankTalent @wnbooks

'Cherry Blossom' painting by contemporary U.S impressionist style painter Erin Hanson #WomensArt #TreeArtWeek 🌳

Botanical inspired watercolours by contemporary artist Sally Ann Langley #WonensArt

We spent our Easter weekend speaking to over 1000 teachers at the NASUWT conference about our free school workshops on Peace and Nuclear Weapons issues! Link is in our bio to find out more about us and book a workshop ☮️

Uk embroidery artist who works under the name Sew Beautiful known for her vast landscapes #WomensArt #Saturday