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matthewkilburn.bsky.social
Freelance writer, editor and consulting historian - Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Doctor Who Magazine - and Alzheimer's carer. Ex-History of Parliament, also liable to write about North-East England and Oxford as well as television.
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Posts 18 Comments 32

This is the kind of naive glorification of pre globalisation 'small towns' that I find so unrealistic. Technology evolved, and it wasn't as if there wasn't crime without immigrants. Nostalgia won't restore the idealised times that never were, we need to understand the world of today.

submitted 8 hours ago • 10 comments

Just been standing outside a bar in Rome next to some young priests having a drink and a smoke and a gossip. Big Westminster pub in the run up to an election vibe. Like The Thick of It x Conclave

submitted 20 hours ago • 14 comments

Even Fox News and the NY Post are calling him stupid now.

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Dalek Accused Of Making Controversial "Roman" Gesture, Claim Some On Left

submitted 1 day ago • 4 comments

Before everything else, some work was managed early this morning, folding in some useful new information for an ODNB subject whose geographical and ecclesiastical associations have been broadened - there's still more to do with them.

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Catching up on the laundry backlog amidst not-my-flat admin and parent-caring. One day I will try the Chinese takeaway food van's offerings, but that day is not today.

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

A science fiction magazine has just given my my debut by publishing one of my short stories. I am very happy that the editor liked it enough to pay me. I must likewise acknowledge Button Moon, which inspired me and established my love of science fiction.

submitted 1 day ago • 17 comments

For @illuminations.bsky.social !

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Nobody did it better, etc. Who will Amazon MGM bring in? variety.com/2025/film/gl...

submitted 2 days ago • 3 comments

I got COVID from #gally1 even though I was wearing a mask most of the time (and am up to date on COVID vaccines), so I’d recommend testing if you’re able! I tested negative yesterday evening after symptoms started, but positive this evening.

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

With all this Eastenders anniversary talk I suppose I should share my favourite fact about the show: Dead Reg Cox, the body found in the very first scene of Eastenders, was played by Johnny Clayton who was the spiky faced Delegate in Doctor Who’s Mission to the Unknown.

submitted 2 days ago • 15 comments

Salvador Dalek #Glasgow #Kelvingrove #DoctorWho #Dalek

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Died #OnThisDay 1902 William Spencer Thomas Wentworth Fitzwilliam. First entered Parliament as an MP in the reign of William IV. Survived to see first Parliament of Edward VII’s reign, in the Lords as Earl Fitzwilliam. For more on the Fitzwilliams, see victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2014/11/28/m...

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

This is just to say I have fired the bureaucrats throughout your government Even the ones that were probably keeping planes in the air Forgive me I am not very smart So efficiency Much savings

submitted 3 days ago • 18 comments

While we're about it - first acquired as reprints in 1978, the first in February half-term at WHSmith in Newcastle, the second in July at Hammicks in Windsor.

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

EastEnders turned 40 today. How about we celebrate its hard-working celebrants, gang violence problem, and poor birth planning by looking at the data on births, marriages and deaths on the Square...

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

The 1976 reprint was bought for me one weekend in November or December 1976 at WHSmith in the Victoria Centre, Nottingham. I expected this book to explain the second Doctor's remarks about Cybermen to Benton in Doctor Who - The Three Doctors. It didn't, but I was only more intrigued.

submitted 2 days ago • 2 comments

My dog has a Dutch passport. My kids have a Dutch passport. I am the only member of my family without a Dutch passport. Was this what Brexit was for? Dogs having more rights than humans? It’s more likely Brits will vote to make it legal to marry your pet than to reverse Brexit. Say yes to Dogsit.

submitted 4 days ago • 2 comments