helenbarnard.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Good to hear #TheArchers have a bit of debate about farmers & inheritance tax changes. Although if you wanted someone to properly undermine any sympathy for farmers, you'd definitely choose David as their spokesman.

submitted 1 hour ago • 1 comment

😆 So odd to see privilege presented as victimhood. Millions live in damp, overcrowded, insecure, unaffordable rented homes, with zero hope of ever owning. If you've already been able to buy, then inherit another house, 'having' to sell - cashing in unearned wealth - is privilege not punishment.

submitted 3 hours ago • 5 comments

That doesn't mean public opinion is irrelevant here. Just that it's a sign of a general viewpoint, not a forensic analysis of this particular set of trade offs.

submitted 17 hours ago • 0 comments

Before anyone starts quoting poll numbers in favour of nationalising British Steel, can I just remind us: The British public are in favour of nationalising most things. Unless they want to ban it. Those really are the only options they like on most issues.

submitted 17 hours ago • 5 comments

Lovely afternoon at @capelmanorgardens.bsky.social in the Spring sunshine

submitted 20 hours ago • 0 comments

Post White Lotus, we're trying Hacks. Watched 4 episodes the first evening. I think it's a keeper.

submitted 2 days ago • 5 comments

I do enjoy the fact that Paul Hollywood doesn’t in any way try to hide his hatred & contempt for celebrity versions of Bake Off. Reminiscent of Christopher Plummer in Sound of Music visibly plotting how to kill his agent.

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

I cannot believe I let my little girl go on this…TWICE! Watch the whole thing if you want to feel your feet go cold.

submitted 3 days ago • 4 comments

This job is closing tomorrow - apply apply!

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

But not nearly as sorry as for Clarrie. All got very 'David Tennant leaving Doctor Who' - "I don't want to go!" 💔 #TheArchers

submitted 4 days ago • 2 comments

Martin Gibson is awful. But I did feel sorry for him tonight. #TheArchers

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

Just rename theme parks 'Festivals of queuing'. "We apologise that your queuing may occasionally be interrupted by going on a ride. Rest assured we'll get you back to queuing very soon." (Yes, I'm a parent & it's the Easter holidays.)

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

So, is Rochelle’s learning as much abbatoir info as possible to plan a sabotage? Someone should hook her up with Mia next uni holiday. And am I the only one relieved George’s latest money making scheme is just cardboard coffins? Could have been SO much worse! #TheArchers

submitted 4 days ago • 3 comments

It's one of those weird days where it's too hot in the sun & too cold in the shade.

submitted 5 days ago • 3 comments

Food insecurity among pensioners = 3% Pensions go up £470. Food insecurity among people on Universal Credit = 41% Universal Credit goes up £81. 🤷‍♂️

submitted 5 days ago • 2 comments

Just read the episode one line summary & George ‘has a brainwave’ sounds like immensely bad news. I mean ‘Donald Trump tries to do economics’ level bad news. #TheArchers

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Vince is bang out of order. If ‘flirting with the boss in the car park’ is part of the selection process then all the candidates should get a go. #TheArchers

submitted 6 days ago • 2 comments

Even if Trump’s ‘plan’ ‘works’ & companies move manufacturing to the US - presumably prices will stay high as the point of manufacturing elsewhere is to cut costs. So tariffs cause an initial spike but then reshoring bakes in higher costs forever.

submitted 7 days ago • 5 comments

Schumer: "They've actually put tariffs on penguins but not Putin."

submitted 8 days ago • 889 comments

STOP CALLING THEM RECIPROCAL!

submitted 10 days ago • 2 comments

Just to clarify - I’m not having dinner with them. I’m on my own, happily reading my book. While Man A (Scottish history enthusiast) declaims loudly & clearly to Man B (very much not & needs another drink ASAP).

submitted 10 days ago • 2 comments

Sitting next to two blokes having dinner. One has been talking solidly, without pause, for 40 minutes about 18th century Scottish history and the myriad ways in which his own family history is involved. I’m finding it fascinating. His dinner companion seems less than enthralled.

submitted 10 days ago • 3 comments

I've had to change carriage. I just can't spend the next 2 hours listening to high volume moaning.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Now listing all the opportunities they've been given and reading out emails effusively thanking them for various bits of work. But in the same ultra-aggrieved tone. Can't fault their articulation and projection though. No one in this carriage is missing out on their annoyance.

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

Sitting opposite 2 young women on the train who 'have a lot to catch up on'. Oh great. So far they're catching up on the total unfairness of being asked by their boss to do their job. I'm currently feeling very sorry for 'Ricky' who seems to have to manage them. Poor Ricky.

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

Feeling both oddly satisfied & outraged to find out thanks to @theatlantic.com that my book is in the massive library of pirated books that Meta is accused of using to train their AI.

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

‼️ Bills are set to rise more than £350 this year, while Universal Credit will only rise by around £80. People turn to food banks when they can’t cover the cost of essentials. Rising bills and failing social security risk pushing more people to food banks. #AwfulApril

submitted 11 days ago • 2 comments

I like to imagine it was about 1630 when Vince said ‘I haven’t eaten since lunchtime. #TheArchers

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

I cannot wait for the cricket team to find out Rex is being paid. It’s going to be excellent. #TheArchers

submitted 11 days ago • 2 comments

It really is #AwfulApril for people on low incomes. Already so many facing hunger & hardship, now bills shooting up by far more than inflation, whilst Universal Credit only rises 1.7%. We need urgent action - social security that at least covers the cost of essentials.

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

It really is #AwfulApril for people on low incomes. Already so many facing hunger & hardship, now bills shooting up by far more than inflation, whilst Universal Credit only rises 1.7%. We need urgent action - social security that at least covers the cost of essentials.

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

A child poverty soars, join us @prospectmagazine.co.uk this Thursday 3rd April: learn from the past & debate the child poverty strategy due this year. Join me, @chriswebbmp.bsky.social @amiddletonbeer.bsky.social @andrewharrop.bsky.social & Alan Rusbridger www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/event/69338/...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

I just took a mouthful of coffee thinking it would be tea, and it's a surprisingly odd experience.

submitted 12 days ago • 5 comments

Must read, blistering article from @sumi-r.bsky.social. Lays out why last week's Spring Statement is set to cause such damage. Why @trusselluk.bsky.social are so worried about impacts on foodbanks & people they support. And why justifications just don't stack up. www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

A child poverty soars, join us @prospectmagazine.co.uk this Thursday 3rd April: learn from the past & debate the child poverty strategy due this year. Join me, @chriswebbmp.bsky.social @amiddletonbeer.bsky.social @andrewharrop.bsky.social & Alan Rusbridger www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/event/69338/...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

As the dust settles on the fallout from Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement, catch up on the @politicshome.bsky.social cshome podcast unpicking what it all meant. ⬇

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

I’m really loving the Maliks living in Ambridge, so hope they stay! #TheArchers

submitted 13 days ago • 1 comment

Lovely day for a woodland walk.

submitted 13 days ago • 2 comments

I’m considering just changing my occupation to being on hold with my bank. With a side hustle of being randomly transferred to the wrong team.

submitted 14 days ago • 3 comments

And now Joy’s taken off, Mick has no idea what to do & we’re all discombobulated. To be honest, after the week this has been, I was hoping for rather more jam-making & less gut-wrenching sadness from #TheArchers tonight.

submitted 15 days ago • 1 comment

And, yes it’s also tough for Susan & Helen. But Clarrie’s the one left swinging in the wind, with a blank future & no financial security. #thearchers

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments