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Nicholas

@nicholasbenn

Yorkshireman, Verger and God-botherer bothered by God. Often found in climbing gyms or churches. Unapologetically trans πŸ³οΈβ€βš§οΈ He/They

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10.02.2024
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Latest posts by Nicholas @nicholasbenn

*healthworkers

09.03.2026 13:19 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

By all means provide them with the necessary access to regular counselling, and proper bloodwork alongside supportive hearhworkers, but if they've got through puberty at age 12 I promise they've thought about transition a hell of a lot

09.03.2026 13:17 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Not up for addressing the entirety of manufactured Trans Debate that politicians, sporting bodies etc have decided is worth their time except to note that if 16/17 year olds are old enough to marry and fight, they are old enough to understand and know if hormonal interventions are right for them.

09.03.2026 13:17 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I know I’ve got some Labour local gov’t types following me, so I want to say this clearly so that you can share it internally as appropriate: I will never again vote Labour while these policies, or Wes Streeting, are in place. I will not vote Labour at any level because of this.

09.03.2026 11:52 πŸ‘ 631 πŸ” 137 πŸ’¬ 8 πŸ“Œ 11
A deflated inflatable of one of those air filled tube shaped things with arms you usually find outside car washes or in this case the Korean food store, that has come to rest on some railings and looks very sorry for itself

A deflated inflatable of one of those air filled tube shaped things with arms you usually find outside car washes or in this case the Korean food store, that has come to rest on some railings and looks very sorry for itself

This slightly sad flailing arm inflatable guy was a little bit too much of a 'portrait of the author' for comfort this evening...

But I'm spending the next three days with my parents so a welcome chance to recharge (once I've taken their Xmas decorations down and other 'to-do' list things!

08.03.2026 18:37 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Agreed to stay and help steward a concert tonight because it is the Ebor Singers by candlelight in the Chapter House so how can I say no?

My soul needs glorious music by Lotti, Whitacre and Bach, especially in those acoustics ❀️🎢

07.03.2026 19:49 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Much needed day of napping, ramen soup making for lunches for the weekend and now settling in for an hour or so of reading in my book nook which I haven't managed to do in an absolute age.

Learning how to use free time when sober is an ongoing project, but today has been lovely

06.03.2026 17:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

This is a good analogy. Very useful in carefully controlled settings for specific usages, but unfortunately being widely inserted into everything and used without training or PPE and poisoning a lot of things and people and we’re going to pay a tonne of money to remove it safely in the future

05.03.2026 11:26 πŸ‘ 701 πŸ” 263 πŸ’¬ 12 πŸ“Œ 4

The last time he was here we had a lovely conversation about Huddersfield where my parents still live.

A work friend gifted me 'I Still Believe in Miracles' by Lucas Jones which I am dipping into on my lunch breaks

05.03.2026 19:34 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

3, when they're on offer because they are a little pricey πŸ˜… I either hang on to pens for a long time or instantly lose them, there is no middle ground. I miss the retail uniform that had a pen pocket on the trousers

05.03.2026 18:56 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

The Diocesan cycle of prayer was for lay people such as Churchwardens, Finance officers, safeguarding leads, and Vergers, and honestly knowing that we were being prayed for by all who follow that cycle was surprisingly needed. Glad you have colleagues who journey alongside πŸ™‚πŸ™πŸ»

05.03.2026 00:24 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Music dept meeting in which we discuss not only the availability of donkeys but also whether or not we want mango on Good Friday. If not for my upbringing I would have been throughly confused on the second pointπŸ₯­πŸ«πŸ˜…

04.03.2026 12:21 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Very first world problems but in going to make peanut butter and banana on toast (one of my safe foods) I discover I have bought smooth peanut butter. Which is just Wrong and should probably be banned.

03.03.2026 20:17 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
A slightly aloof cat sat in the sunshine

A slightly aloof cat sat in the sunshine

A very lovely cat with bengal markings who let me pet them as they were enjoying the sunshine

A very lovely cat with bengal markings who let me pet them as they were enjoying the sunshine

Today's #tinyjoys - on walking through Dean's Park on my break to get some sunshine I happened on two feline friends, and also did #tenminmerlin and found we had robins, goldfinches, magpies, great tits, and wood pigeons - all very lovely 🐦 🐱❀️

03.03.2026 20:02 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

One of the most ludicrous things about suggesting that to be pro trans is to be some sort of β€˜loony lefty’ is that I work for the Church of England for heaven’s sake … I mean the actual Established Church, HM the King and all that, fetes and hats.

03.03.2026 18:29 πŸ‘ 40 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 0

Bishop Andrew announced he had been given a terminal diagnosis during Synod, which was less than a month ago. Praying for him, and for his family, friends, and all mourning him.

03.03.2026 19:36 πŸ‘ 42 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Dean's Park in the sunshine, with crocuses and snowdrops blooming

Dean's Park in the sunshine, with crocuses and snowdrops blooming

Lunch break in the sun makes my upcoming Personal Development one to one feel far less onerous. There is actual heat coming from the round thing in the sky and it is glorious

03.03.2026 14:03 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Lunchtime at the local Tesco Express is probably one of the rare times (barring the teamwide briefings) where a Verger, the Head of IT, and the Research Coordinator from the Collections team in one place at the same time πŸ˜…

02.03.2026 12:40 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

This seems a wise and easy way to stay perhaps even vaguely grounded!

01.03.2026 19:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Clifford's Tower in York, the hill covered with daffodils, the sky blue with white clouds

Clifford's Tower in York, the hill covered with daffodils, the sky blue with white clouds

A carpet of green grass with snowdrops and something that has pink flowers blooming

A carpet of green grass with snowdrops and something that has pink flowers blooming

Yellow and orange flowers poking out of leaf strewn ground

Yellow and orange flowers poking out of leaf strewn ground

A small pond surrounded by trees and shrubs

A small pond surrounded by trees and shrubs

Glimpses of spring finally appearing - good to spend a weekend off seeking out green spaces, hearing the birdsong and very occasionally feeling the sun

01.03.2026 18:57 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

The National Brass Band Championships section 1-4 finals have relocated to York Barbican (which is an excellent move for most of those competing) if anyone needs me that weekend in Sept I'll be over there

27.02.2026 17:27 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Your regular reminder: it NEVER just ends with trans people … NEVER …

26.02.2026 14:48 πŸ‘ 27 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Joined a local group who meet up to just walk and talk around the city until ending up somewhere social (sensibly named 'Walks to the Pub') and there is a baby noodlehound of some description along for the fun which is excellent. I am not pub going but going to Compline at work by the end instead

26.02.2026 18:34 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

[Not a minister so pinch of salt] Gentle video games (Stardew Valley or similar) with brightness way down. Journalling whether just stream of consciousness or more structured list - I use an app to prompt me to record things I am grateful for, but am sure pen & paper would be good for this too

24.02.2026 22:53 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Isn’t it time for cathedrals to move beyond outdated roles like Canon Precentor, Canon Theologian and Canon Chancellor to things like Canon Influencer, Canon Shitposter and EdgeCanon?

22.02.2026 14:19 πŸ‘ 101 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 11 πŸ“Œ 0

We are hugely blessed by our volunteer chaplains who care not only for anyone who comes across the threshold throughout the day but also for our staff

20.02.2026 19:29 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Reminded today how grateful I am for colleagues who look out for one another - today someone offered a much needed listening ear over cups of tea and someone else offered some gentle accountability and weekend plans. The reaching out is something I am still learning but getting there

#tinyjoys

20.02.2026 18:28 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

A little surprised to wake up to chatter about Charles I that isn’t just within Anglican social media circles.

19.02.2026 15:20 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Normalize laughing derisively in men's faces when they deserve it.

18.02.2026 19:00 πŸ‘ 26475 πŸ” 6435 πŸ’¬ 552 πŸ“Œ 1079

Wonderful to have busy services all day, at lunchtime we ran out of orders of service and added extra wafers.

The quiet through the building is a very special atmosphere, with people there to engage rather than sightsee.

And had the privilege of helping lead Evening Prayer which I always love πŸ€—

18.02.2026 21:39 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0