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Fred

@fredsl

he/him Queer, Quaker, trans, bi, polyamorous optimist. Swimming & cycling & birdwatching & sewing & folk fiddle & SFF &...

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14.08.2023
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Latest posts by Fred @fredsl

Preview
7 books to start conversations about peace with children Reading is a great way to explore the world, including ways to build peace.

On #WorldBookDay, here are seven books to help start conversations about peace and justice with kids πŸ“šπŸ§’ https://www.quaker.org.uk/blog/7-books-to-start-conversations-about-peace

05.03.2026 17:04 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Westminster Meeting House raided by Metropolitan Police again. Statement: β€œFor Quakers, faith and action are inseparable. Peaceful protest, prayer and nonviolent action are integral parts of many Quakers' religious life.

Whilst we take the planning of criminal acts very seriously, we believe that this incident is a deliberate targeting of committed young people who want to make our country a more equitable place. This raid is part of a systematic stifling of dissent.

That this is the second time in a year that the police have raided our meeting house dramatically illuminates the broader trend in the UK of cracking down on those who disagree with the government. The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. It's a key part of how people make their voices heard between elections.” – Oliver Robertson, Head of Witness and Worship
Quakers in Britain, 5 March 2026

Westminster Meeting House raided by Metropolitan Police again. Statement: β€œFor Quakers, faith and action are inseparable. Peaceful protest, prayer and nonviolent action are integral parts of many Quakers' religious life. Whilst we take the planning of criminal acts very seriously, we believe that this incident is a deliberate targeting of committed young people who want to make our country a more equitable place. This raid is part of a systematic stifling of dissent. That this is the second time in a year that the police have raided our meeting house dramatically illuminates the broader trend in the UK of cracking down on those who disagree with the government. The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy. It's a key part of how people make their voices heard between elections.” – Oliver Robertson, Head of Witness and Worship Quakers in Britain, 5 March 2026

Yesterday evening, for the second time in a year, the Met Police raided Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrested a number of young nonviolent activists.

STATEMENT: www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

06.03.2026 10:37 πŸ‘ 533 πŸ” 349 πŸ’¬ 29 πŸ“Œ 69
Preview
Anna Gurney: Norfolk’s Queer, Disabled, Geologist Guest writer Beau Brannick discusses North Norfolk β€˜cottage lady’ Anna Gurney, whose life-long romantic relationship her partner Sarah has echoes all over Victorian Cromer.

This year’s LGBT+ History Month theme is scientists and innovators, so we’re highlighting disabled, fossil-hunting, school-starting β€˜cottage lady’ Anna Gurney (1795-1857). πŸ«πŸ„ πŸ”Ž

queernorfolk.com/news/anna-gu...

23.02.2026 14:54 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

Turmeric. I used to think it tasted of mud; I am a total convert since discovering non-out-of-date turmeric.

23.02.2026 17:38 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
William Blake’s illustration for β€œThe Tyger” has what appears to be a dippy grin for some reason.

William Blake’s illustration for β€œThe Tyger” has what appears to be a dippy grin for some reason.

The wonderful thing about Tyggers
Is Tyggers are burning bright
Their tops are made out of rubber
In the forest of the night

What bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy,
Immortal hand or eye
Did frame the most wonderful thing about Tyggers,
Their fearful symmetry!

04.02.2026 02:13 πŸ‘ 1076 πŸ” 428 πŸ’¬ 18 πŸ“Œ 19

(14-17 in Whitby in August.)

03.01.2026 10:37 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Toasty!

03.01.2026 10:36 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Presumably your midwinter sea is the same temperature as our Whitby sea in August? I am a bit jealous.

03.01.2026 08:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I often buy books I've already read so I can lend them to my dad (and potentially other people too).

02.01.2026 09:01 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Post a perfect album* from the 90s that isn't nirvana, soundgarden, pearl jam, or alice in chains.

28.12.2025 08:46 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

*hug*

28.12.2025 08:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I do it because I like being told I'm good.

27.12.2025 19:51 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

More than one partner is fine if they're long-term - they ask a whole load of questions.

27.12.2025 19:50 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The River Has Roots ebook by Amal El-Mohtar - Rakuten Kobo Read "The River Has Roots The Sweeping, Magical Solo Debut by the Best-Selling Co-Author of THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR" by Amal El-Mohtar available from Rakuten Kobo. Follow the river Liss to t...

If you’re in the UK & are so inclined, from Dec 25 to Jan 5 you can get the Kindle edition of THE RIVER HAS ROOTS for 99p as part of their 12 Days of Kindle event! This means in the UK you can also get that price matched at other etailers, like Kobo! Merry Christmas!

www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...

25.12.2025 18:25 πŸ‘ 191 πŸ” 99 πŸ’¬ 7 πŸ“Œ 22

You know, some days I sit and think about how absolutely wild it is that we've built a society where we don't provide a place for people to even sleep at night without having to pay for it, and that we've somehow made it seem like that's normal.

17.12.2025 02:28 πŸ‘ 2507 πŸ” 625 πŸ’¬ 31 πŸ“Œ 17

We had "catch a tigger..."

17.12.2025 07:52 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

🀞

16.12.2025 12:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Ugh, sympathy.

15.12.2025 14:06 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Equality boss expects people to 'follow rules' over single-sex spaces Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said

When this guidance is published (given legal standing), as it almost certainly will be, as a trans man I will not be allowed to use non-unisex public toilets. Which is almost every public toilet.

Just want that to sink in, there.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

13.12.2025 21:40 πŸ‘ 825 πŸ” 312 πŸ’¬ 31 πŸ“Œ 9

I should re-rewatch This Life.

14.12.2025 08:25 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Text:
"A devilish dance through Victorian fakery - a story that's mysterious, driven, and above all, great fun to read."

The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder by Stephen Cox
A striking book cover with the title and author name dominating.
A rich dark blue background, and a touch of mist. The text appears in gold in a gold rectangular frame, the font is old fashioned implying C19th century. The frame has three rondels or cameos each containing a picture. Top right is a golden bee brooch with the body and one wing streaked with red blood. Middle left is foxgloves, spires of small bell flowers in pink, white and purple. Bottom right is a dark brown medicine bottle, with a pale label. The word LAUDANUM is just visible.
There are pink highlights on some of the letters.
Taken together it is bold, mysterious, and Victorian.

Text: "A devilish dance through Victorian fakery - a story that's mysterious, driven, and above all, great fun to read." The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder by Stephen Cox A striking book cover with the title and author name dominating. A rich dark blue background, and a touch of mist. The text appears in gold in a gold rectangular frame, the font is old fashioned implying C19th century. The frame has three rondels or cameos each containing a picture. Top right is a golden bee brooch with the body and one wing streaked with red blood. Middle left is foxgloves, spires of small bell flowers in pink, white and purple. Bottom right is a dark brown medicine bottle, with a pale label. The word LAUDANUM is just visible. There are pink highlights on some of the letters. Taken together it is bold, mysterious, and Victorian.

I'm just a poster, skeeting into the void, saying that maybe you'd like my 'devilish dance through Victorian fakery" #spooky #sapphic murderfest.

#books #booksky #LGBT #London

19.11.2025 17:07 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Oof

13.12.2025 09:13 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you! I hope you have a very good rest.

13.12.2025 09:11 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you.

13.12.2025 09:05 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

This is an excellent book.

08.12.2025 11:35 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Local authorities in England and Wales warn finances at β€˜breaking point’ More councils expected to fall into bankruptcy in near future as they face nervous wait over government funding

When we talk about the lack of opportunities for young people, we rarely talk about local government funding decimation. The lack of cultural funding, third sector funding, place based funding, training opportunities - all of that has evaporated over 15 years www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

08.12.2025 10:54 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

This is great so far (I've only listened to the first episode)

07.12.2025 19:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

☹️

07.12.2025 11:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

..and lots and lots of Marriott Edgar and AA Milne

07.12.2025 11:19 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0