Henry Morris

Henry Morris

@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

Writer, Field Maneuvers boss, PT, comedy, 50+ ultra marathons, west Wales knotweed farmer I was the Secret Tory Substack: https://mrhenrymorris.substack.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/henrymorrispt

26.1K followers1.1K following2.8K posts

Henry Morris reposted

HulloThere
@jethroreading32.bsky.social

Three years ago, my dad said that all fish are the same shape. Out of spite, I decided to draw all 478 families of bony fish listed in Nelson 2016. There's still some stuff I need to edit and some fish I want to redraw but, after 985 days, I finished my big dumb fish project last night.

Henry Morris reposted

Mark Avery
@markavery.bsky.social

A heads up on my forthcoming book: Where the Wild Things Live. Available: late November. A search for species, from lichens to mammals & from moths to fungi, in an ordinary garden. How many species would you find in your garden? More details markavery.info/my-new-book-...

Henry Morris reposted

Mark Simmonds
@markbirdingpinoso.bsky.social

Really pleased to see that my ‘friendly’ White-spotted Bluethroat is back at my local spring. Such fantastic birds to have around for the winter. #birds #birdphotography #birding #naturephotography #Alicante

Henry Morris reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Henry Morris reposted

Michael Balazo
@mbalazo.bsky.social

SACHA BARON COHEN: My satire exposes hate and bigotry in society. BORAT: (molesting donkey) I like very much eating from toilet!!!

Henry Morris reposted

Lorna MacGillivray
@elemjay.bsky.social

🤣👏✨️

Henry Morris@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

🚨Exclusive I got hold of a copy of Liz Truss's new book - The Bank Job. "People often ask me why I didn’t stick to my guns. Three words: bad communication" app.thenewworld.co.uk/story/164507...

app.thenewworld.co.uk‘The deep state stole my mini-budget’: An exclusive extract from Liz Truss’s new bookThe short-lived PM’s Bank Job reveals how everything bad was actually someone else’s fault

Henry Morris reposted

TensegrityFan🐝🍯
@tensegrityfan.bsky.social

Based on how chapter one was going, I can only assume there’s also a chapter in there about how it’s ‘all the fault of the Liberal Democrats’?

Henry Morris@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

🚨Exclusive I got hold of a copy of Liz Truss's new book - The Bank Job. "People often ask me why I didn’t stick to my guns. Three words: bad communication" app.thenewworld.co.uk/story/164507...

app.thenewworld.co.uk‘The deep state stole my mini-budget’: An exclusive extract from Liz Truss’s new bookThe short-lived PM’s Bank Job reveals how everything bad was actually someone else’s fault
Henry Morris
@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

That headline on the screen though!

Nick Walker@nickwalker.bsky.social

Bizarre GB News clip doing the rounds where host Nana Akua and panellist Andy Twelves have an argument in which they keep saying each other's full names.

Henry Morris reposted

Scree
@screecycle.bsky.social

Replying to @mrhenrymorris.substack.com

Jackdaw is proof, that if our politicians sit around for long enough, they can eventually come up with a decision that keeps their sponsors happy.

Henry Morris
@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

Good news about the Jackdaw decision.

Prof. Eliot Jacobson@climatecasino.net

Your 'doom quote' for today: "For several decades, scientists have consistently warned of a future marked by extreme climatic conditions because of escalating global temperatures caused by ongoing human activities that release harmful GHGs into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, time is up."

academic.oup.comThe 2023 state of the climate report: Entering uncharted territoryLife on planet Earth is under siege. We are now in an uncharted territory. For several decades, scientists have consistently warned of a future marked by e

Henry Morris reposted

Dr Toby Driver
@drtobydriver.bsky.social

Hooray it's #HillfortsWednesday 🥳 This is the final approach through the gateway passage of Tre'r Ceiri hillfort, Gwynedd 😮🫣 This powerful, long-lived hilltop defended town dominated the Llyn Peninsula, home to the Gangani or 'Geese People' 🪿🪿⚔️ It was partly restored in the 80s & 90s 📷 My own

Henry Morris reposted

BUCKERS
@deathofbuckley.bsky.social

Nobody hates you as much as the fella in the corner shop which is also a parcel drop-off shop when you go in to collect or drop off a parcel. Mate, I'm here to have a QR code scanned, not shit in your bargain bin chill out x

Henry Morris reposted

Lorna MacGillivray
@elemjay.bsky.social

"That said, Jonah had the advantage of knowing, with reasonable certainty, he was inside a fish. I am in Court Room Three." The superb Henry Morris on the Russell Brand court case:

Henry Morris@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

Confessions of a Contemporary Prophet. Being extracts from the private journal of a the man who mistook the dock for a pulpit. "Arose early, having slept poorly on account of the persecution. My dreams are filled with thoughts of Jonah and the Whale..." mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/confession...

mrhenrymorris.substack.comConfessions of a contemporary prophetBeing extracts from the private journal of the man who mistook a dock for a pulpit

Henry Morris reposted

Gareth Bouch
@garethbouch.bsky.social

Pretty much refuse to believe this isn't real.

Henry Morris@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

Confessions of a Contemporary Prophet. Being extracts from the private journal of a the man who mistook the dock for a pulpit. "Arose early, having slept poorly on account of the persecution. My dreams are filled with thoughts of Jonah and the Whale..." mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/confession...

mrhenrymorris.substack.comConfessions of a contemporary prophetBeing extracts from the private journal of the man who mistook a dock for a pulpit

Henry Morris reposted

Sally Bosley
@sallybosley.bsky.social

So well written, his reedy, self important voice almost seems to narrate the whole thing. But read it anyway.

Henry Morris@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

Confessions of a Contemporary Prophet. Being extracts from the private journal of a the man who mistook the dock for a pulpit. "Arose early, having slept poorly on account of the persecution. My dreams are filled with thoughts of Jonah and the Whale..." mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/confession...

mrhenrymorris.substack.comConfessions of a contemporary prophetBeing extracts from the private journal of the man who mistook a dock for a pulpit

Henry Morris reposted

George Monbiot
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

Call me a masochist, but I'm returning to this issue, as I feel it has been poorly understood. Please read the whole thread before responding. First, I hope we can agree that the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza and horrific crimes in the West Bank and the wider region.

Henry Morris reposted

James Felton
@jimmfelton.bsky.social

Replying to @jimmfelton.bsky.social

obvs i love that story, imagine figuring out the circumference of the Earth. this is how woide the earth is, everybody, just so we're all clear

iflscience.comHow Eratos­thenes Measured The Earth's Circumference With A Stick In 240 BCE, At An Astonishing 38,624 KilometersThough the exact length of a "stadia" is unknown, his measurement is thought to be accurate to within one percent of the actual circumference of the Earth.

Henry Morris reposted

David Vaudin
@vaudindavid.bsky.social

"We'll be introducing updates to your service and moving Britain to a new subscription-based premium service model. Nothing changes today but we'll communicate more details to you before each change takes effect"

Henry Morris@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

“The people saying you can’t imagine problems out of existence are the same naysayers who claim you can’t park your 3.2l Ford Ranger in a patient-only bay outside a chemotherapy unit. Nobody ever checks on Boundary Road. So, you can actually.” mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/reform-to-...

mrhenrymorris.substack.comReform to Suspend Patients Until Further NoticeHot on the heels of Reform’s pledge to suspend the asylum system for a full parliamentary term come reports of plans to tackle NHS waiting lists using the same principle.
Henry Morris
@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

“The people saying you can’t imagine problems out of existence are the same naysayers who claim you can’t park your 3.2l Ford Ranger in a patient-only bay outside a chemotherapy unit. Nobody ever checks on Boundary Road. So, you can actually.” mrhenrymorris.substack.com/p/reform-to-...

mrhenrymorris.substack.comReform to Suspend Patients Until Further NoticeHot on the heels of Reform’s pledge to suspend the asylum system for a full parliamentary term come reports of plans to tackle NHS waiting lists using the same principle.

Henry Morris reposted

Mark Chadbourn
@chadbourn.bsky.social

Replying to @chadbourn.bsky.social

Cloudflare Data Explorer shows the amount of russian bot traffic has dropped to 49% after Ukraine struck a yandex data center.

Henry Morris
@mrhenrymorris.substack.com

Not sure 'livestream' is the correct word for this.

Phil Lewis@phillewis.bsky.social

The Pentagon says it will livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan

apnews.comPentagon says the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be livestreamedThe Pentagon says the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be livestreamed after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution would be “public.”