The reason I started this substack is simple: it’s been a really hard year, and I wanted to look on the bright side. I’ve always considered optimism a useful skill in the work I do, and I want to share it.
All of my work over the last 25 years has been - although it’s often overlooked - political. It all takes ideas of people organising for themselves (and not relying on leaders), and being able to make the place they live better. I produced the book Dan Thompson Stuff in lockdown (published by local art imprint Swell Publishing) to put the work in that context. It includes writing by Prof Martin Parker from Bristol Uni, storyteller Bernadette Russell, and educator Lorna Dallas Conte. My friend and collaborator Keith Brymer Jones said ‘Dan Thompson has played an important part in developing community art and heritage projects across the UK. This book is an amazing insight into Dan’s career,’ and he’s a clever chap.
I’m saying this stuff, which is a bit too close to me being cocky for my liking, because I’m not landing any work at the moment. Nothing I’m pitching for is coming my way. It’s not just me - other people with similar careers are facing it too. And it times like these, a little reminder that we are good, know what we’re doing, and are coming from the right place seems essential. It certainly helps me remain optimistic.
An extension to a fairly ordinary midcentury house. Simple, but extraordinarily cool.
Recycled Pringle tubes have been used by the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants to help release water voles into the wild. Spotted by Charlie.
The Alabama Coastal Foundation run an oyster shell recycling program for local restaurants! Oyster shells collected through this program are going back into Alabama waters to help more oysters grow, provide habitat, limit erosion and improve water quality.
Conservationists, cattle and a remote-controlled mower are helping to save one of Wales's most endangered animals. Butterfly Conservation has deployed the mooing and mowing machines to protect the beautiful High Brown Fritillary butterfly at the last known site where it is found in Wales.
An unknown Roman town found while surveying for a new solar site has been given Scheduled Ancient Monument protection. The geophys looks fantastic - a complex layout of streets, houses, workshops. Wonderful find, and great that profit came second to preservation.
More archaeology from Time Team News.
Greenpeace are calling for a Climate Railcard in the UK, to simplify the current 50 million (yes, really!) ticket options. They have evidence of it catching on across the rest of Europe. It means you pay a flat fee every month to go wherever you want, making it easier to use trains (and not use private cars).
Ornamental flowering plants can help to clean up fertilisers and manure loaded with phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients that have been flushed into waterways, a study in Florida has found.
Meanwhile, two beavers are the first to be born in Hampshire for 400 years.
And finally, I’ve also got a paid substack, Rich and Strange, where I’ll be talking about seaside towns, regeneration, and more. This paid level will support my work, and also help me in my ambition to get to university for the first time, aged 50. And there’s news next week about some added extras for subscribers, too.