1. These West African containers often held the hair and nails of departed loved ones. I saw this one in Ghana this week. It was made with imported copper sheets, probably from Cornwall. This is the other side of my Cornish copper walk in Our Island Stories.

Very honoured to have met Dr Miranda Kaufmann, Historian on African Renaissance in Britain and Author, Black Tudors at the launch of “Colonial Countryside - An Anthology of Creative and Historical Responses, edited by Prof. Corrine Fowler and Jeremy Poynting.

News! I've been appointed next Head of Department for Music at UoN from next summer. Hope to deliver support & leadership for our team and students as we weather a really challenging sector/industry environment. Plus bring a very different intersectional voice to some new rooms!

Myself and Debbie North, Cabinet Office appointed Disability and Access Ambassador for the Countryside. Writer, Consultant and Keynote Speaker Member of the British Guild of Travel, writer, travel journalist, and passionate activist dedicated to promoting access for all.

Great meeting Defra Minister Baroness Hayan at the Ramblers' reception today House of Lords. It was to mark 75 years since Royal Assent of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was passed. We await to see if the Labour Government would honour its pledge.

With Kate Ashbrook Patron of SEM and Ross Maloney CEO of the Ramblers Association at the Ramblers reception, House of Lords.

‘You’re made to feel you don’t belong’: the black hikers challenging UK rural stereotypes | Walking | The Guardian theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2…

The US version of my book ('The Countryside') has been named as a best book of 2024 chronicle.com/article/the-be…

Just arrived at the Houses of Parliament upon invitation by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP and Baroness Jenny Jones to attend the parliamentary event titled, “Toxic Air and Social Justice: The Unequal Burden of Air Pollution” on minoritised communities.

On the panel of the new strategy for Investment in Nature Recovery for the North of England aimed at driving greater investment and leadership for nature’s recovery across the North of England ⁦Defra UK⁩ ⁦Natural England⁩ ⁦The National Lottery Heritage Fund⁩

Great to join fellow climate activists at the parliamentary launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Race and Community report, “A Vision for Climate Justice: Tackling the climate and nature emergency and global systemic racism” by Runnymead at Houses of Parliament.

It was great to meet and speak with David Renwick, Regional Director North, Natural England at the launch of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s Wilder2030 strategy and refreshed brand today at Chatsworth House.

My review of *The Truth About Empire* edited by Alan Lester with contributions from Sathnam Sanghera and historians in the field bellacaledonia.org.uk/2024/12/18/the…

My final commute yesterday after 15 yrs University of Leicester I've taken voluntary redundancy to write more books & changemake. Meanwhile Higher Ed. is in crisis, my colleagues' jobs are at risk. Has the nation noticed this silent decimation of our most prestigious uk sector?

Delighted to join enthusiastic anti-race campaigners/activists from the Global Majority at the 2025 RACE Summit, Kings College, London. The Summit showcased career journeys of people such as myself in the environment/conservation sectors to encourage others.

I enjoyed a wonderful weekend at Malham Youth Hostel with the Sheffield & District African-Caribbean Community Association Women’s Health Group some with mobility problems, highlighting intersectionality between ‘race ‘ and disability in relation to access and national parks.

Just arrived into Chester to attend a conference and took this picture with the statue of Thomas Brassey (1805- 1870) known as the World’s foremost Engineer of building railways born in Alford, Chester. What a great man, who made it easy to travel around.

Such a blessing to celebrate Dr Dr Ayamba receiving his Black Studies PhD from the Chancellor and to see so many wonderful Music student celebrate their degrees. 🩷