Tessera

Dr Amelia Dowler

@ameliadowler.bsky.social

National Officer FDA Union; Non-Stipendiary Research Fellow at the Institute of Classical Studies; Researcher in numismatics; Poet

201 Posts1712 Follower 2135 Folgt

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 16h ago

There’s an online short zuithitsu workshop with @corrintachibana.bsky.social on Tuesday morning - I went to one of her zuithitsu workshops a few months ago and it was a really great introduction to this Japanese form www.tickettailor.com/events/thepo... #poetry

Buy tickets – Online Workshop: Short Zuihitsu with Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana – Zoom

Online Workshop: Short Zuihitsu with Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana – Zoom, Tue 15 Sep 2026 - Short Zuihitsu There is a tendency to think of the zuihitsu 'running brush' form as a long, sometimes amorphou...

tickettailor.com

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 5d ago

My copy of #14Magazine has arrived! I’m so pleased my poem “Smooth newt” found a home here. Many thanks to editor @richardnskinner.bsky.social. If you’d like your own copy (the other poems are excellent I promise!) you can order from richardskinner.weebly.com/14-magazine.... #poetry

14 magazine

Jill Abram / Clodagh Beresford Dunne / Julian Bishop / Sharon Black / Zelda Cahill-Patten / Hetty Cliss / Claire Collison / Kevin Cormack / Amy Crutchfield / Rachel Curzon / Amelia Dowler / Angie...

richardskinner.weebly.com

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 6d ago

I experimented with some drying beans at our #allotment this year - and here’s the result! On the left, nomadic mix bush beans and on the right, Goût de Chataigne d’Echenans climbing beans. At the back are borlotti beans and a few marrowfat peas, which I have tried before - not a good year for them!

Three blue plates covered in dried beans. The nomadic mix beans are multicoloured with yellow, orange, brown, and burgundy coloured beans, some with patterns. The climbing beans are a violet grey colour. At the back the borlotti beans are swirled in purple and cream patterns. There is a small pot of dried peas on the borlotti bean plate. There aren’t very many of them!

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 3w ago

I have a poem in this year’s issue and I can’t wait to see my copy and read all the other poems too! #14magazine #poetry

Richard Skinner@richardnskinner.bsky.social · 3w ago

Copies of this year’s issue of #14magazine have arrived! All contributors’ copies and pre-orders will go out next week. If you’d like to purchase a copy for just £7 (including UK p&p), please click on the link and scroll down to the bottom for details. richardskinner.weebly.com/14-magazine....

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · last mo.

My friend Jasmin is tutor on an upcoming online course: “(M)other Tongue: Writing Between Languages” run by @creativefutureuk.bsky.social - if you’re an underrepresented writer (more info via link) check it out! Concessions available. #poetry (and prose!) www.creativefuture.org.uk/workshop/mot...

(M)other Tongue: Writing Between Languages (Online) - Creative Future

How do you build bridges between languages – and what does it take to burn them? Find out in this hybrid poetry/prose workshop on multilingualism and exophony.

creativefuture.org.uk

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · last mo.

Some garden friends this weekend! The grasshoppers have been chirping away for months - I finally got a decent photo so I think we have meadow grasshoppers. There are probably crickets about too… The toadflax brocade moth caterpillars are back and we also had a visit from a hummingbird hawk moth!

A side view of a grasshopper. It is mostly brown but with long green patches along its body.

A toadflax brocade moth caterpillar on the remnants of some toadflax. The caterpillar is green underneath with a black stripe along its back and yellow dots.

A hummingbird hawk moth investigating a patch of thyme. It has a chunky brown body and the base of its blurred wings is orange.

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · last mo.

Harvest from an evening trip to our #allotment! The fruit is good this year but we’re harvesting early in comparison to previous years. The main crop potatoes are ok but not brilliant…

Three boxes - one with tomatoes, one with blackberries and one with pears and plums

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · last mo.

Best crop of chokeberries ever - and quite a few had gone over and dropped off by the time I got to the plant! Time to make chokeberry jelly… 🫙

A triangular red bowl containing chokeberries. They are very dark purple small berries in sprays with a few green leaves still attached

Simon Coupland @scoupland.bsky.social · last mo.

Coins from 8th C Chartres and 10th C Cologne both have a barred S. But what does it mean? They've each been interpreted very differently, but surely they're the same symbol. Ideas?

Planet Poetry @planetpoetry.bsky.social · last mo.

Now UP: Our Season Six Finale featuring Will Harris plus poems from @fiddes.bsky.social, Tess Jolly and more planetpoetry.buzzsprout.com/1414696/epis... with your hosts @peter-kenny.bsky.social and @robinhoughton.bsky.social

Noticing | Noticing - with Will Harris - Planet Poetry

Cor what a scorcher! Time to bask in the company of Will Harris. You will delight in his fresh and distinct style, with cuttlefish-fast leaps of metaphor and imagery as we explore his two Granta volum...

planetpoetry.buzzsprout.com

Dave Penman @fdagensec.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Statement from the FDA regarding legal action launched today by Sir Olly Robbins, challenging his dismissal:

Copy of FDA statement: Sir Oliver Robbins submits legal challenge of his dismissal

The FDA represents Sir Oliver Robbins. Olly has today issued proceedings requesting a Judicial Review of his dismissal as Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service.

The Prime Minister has acknowledged that his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the United States in December 2024 was a mistake. He should also admit that sacking Olly was a mistake, based on a grievous misunderstanding of how the National Security Vetting (NSV) system worked and a rash response to a media story.

A point of principle is at stake, which affects all FDA members. It damages the core values of a professional and impartial civil service if its most senior officials can be dismissed on a Prime Ministerial whim, without even the semblance of a fair process or considered understanding of the core issue.

Olly’s submission to the Court is that:

The Prime Minister has asserted publicly that it was his decision to dismiss Olly, however the Prime Minister has no statutory authority to dismiss the Head of the Diplomatic Service;
Not only was there no fair procedure involved in his dismissal, there was no process at all; and
Insofar as Olly has been given reasons for his dismissal, they are irrational. Rather than being under a duty to tell ministers about the process leading up to the vetting decision, Olly was under an obligation not to. The process is independent of government ministers, who are only informed of the final outcome. This position was confirmed in a letter of 16 September 2025 that was signed by the Foreign Secretary, using text both drafted and approved by No.10

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Extremely dry on the #allotment today - heat and a very dry wind gusting over everything… To be honest even the weeds were struggling 😬

An allotment plot with very dry brown grass paths around it

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"Excessive workloads are already a huge issue for many of our members in Ofsted. If more monitoring inspections are being pushed towards HMI then Ofsted need to ensure there is adequate resourcing in place." FDA National Officer Matt Newman tells @tesmagazine.bsky.social

Tes magazine@tesmagazine.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Exclusive: Tes analysis reveals a big increase in the proportion of schools facing Ofsted monitoring visits after inspection, prompting fears about school leaders' wellbeing

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"The broader inspection framework should ensure every school is held accountable for creating an inclusive environment where all children can succeed." FDA National Officer Matt Newman writes to @theguardian.com on Ofsted's role in addressing the literacy crisis in schools:

How to solve the literacy crisis in schools | Letters

Letters: Readers respond to a report that disadvantaged white children have lower reading fluency than other groups, leading to disengagement and school absence

theguardian.com

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 2mo ago

“Working in partnership with employers is how we deliver what FDA members want from their union, influence over their world of work. It strengthens our influence without compromising our ability to challenge if necessary." @fdagensec.bsky.social on new Partnership Framework with the Cabinet Office.

Civil service unions agree partnership framework with Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office and trade unions will endeavour to treat others with respect in all means of communication and approach civil service workforce issu...

civilserviceworld.com

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This was a great event! Thank you @emmabastin.bsky.social @lucyjanesantos.bsky.social and @seasideferry.bsky.social for organising us all! I’m looking forward to future network events

Independent Historians Network (UK)@indyhistnetwork.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today is the day! 🎺🥁 It's our first ever meet-up this evening in central London and we are really looking forward to meeting the thirty-plus independent historians who are coming along! If you want to join in the fun too, drop us a DM and I can send details.

Katherine McDonald @katherinemcdon.bsky.social · 3mo ago

All welcome!

Dr Victoria Leonard@tigerlilyrocks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The next #WCCWiki online editing session is tomorrow, Fri 26 June, 13.00-15.00 BST. We meet on Zoom, have a chat, help each other out, & edit #Wikipedia together to improve the gendered representation of classicists (broadly conceived) online. All welcome us06web.zoom.us/j/85192010168

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 3mo ago

A quick trip to our #allotment tonight to strim and harvest! More beans and loganberries… And our first proper cherry harvest! Lots more to come if we get there before the birds do!

A kitchen work surface with a large bag of broad beans, two boxes of loganberries and one box of cherries

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Today’s #allotment harvest! Now to pod some beans…

A selection of fruit and veg in boxes and bags. There are lots of broad beans, potatoes, two artichokes and three boxes of loganberries.

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Our Carers’ Report emphasises the evident impact of knowledgeable & confident managers in supporting carers. As @ameliadowler.bsky.social told @civilserviceworld.bsky.social this Carers’ Week, we want to see this as a model for civil service managers. www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

Helping carers to reach their potential in the civil service – what’s improved and what needs to get better?

A new survey of carers who work in the civil service shows there has been positive change in the last five years, but some employers have a way to ...

civilserviceworld.com

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Read more about the FDA's recent report here: fda.org.uk/news/changin... Thank you to the civil servants who contributed to this research.

86% of carers are not aware of their civil service employer complying with new regulations, FDA report finds - FDA

To mark Carers Week, the FDA have published a new report, Changing Perceptions: Helping carers in the civil service reach their potential, which uses the experiences of our members with caring respons...

fda.org.uk

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Following the publication of the FDA's own report looking at the experiences of carers in the civil service, the FDA will be contributing to the government's consultation and we encourage members to engage with the consultation process. #CarersWeek www.gov.uk/government/c...

Make Work Pay: employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children

We are seeking views on the employment rights that are available to people with unpaid caring responsibilities and parents who have a seriously ill child.

gov.uk

Carers UK@carers-uk.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Last night, Carers UK and TSB brought together employers, policymakers and carers ahead of today's launch of the Government's consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers.

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 3mo ago

To mark #CarersWeek, the FDA have today published a new report, which uses the experiences of our members with caring responsibilities to understand the working lives of carers in the civil service and highlight the barriers they face. Find out more 👇 www.fda.org.uk/news/changin...

86% of carers are not aware of their civil service employer complying with new regulations, FDA report finds - FDA

fda.org.uk

Dr Amelia Dowler @ameliadowler.bsky.social · 4mo ago

There’s a really nice write up of the Orbis Poetry Prize 2025 in Ars Notoria by Yogesh Patel - it’s lovely to be featured alongside Jenna Plewes, Jan FitzGerald, and Lynne Taylor! You can read all our poems in Yogesh’s review #poetry arsnotoria.com/2026/05/19/t...

The Orbis Poetry Prize 2025: A Subscribers’ Choice

Crystal Orb. Photograph Phil Hall by Yogesh Patel There is a particular genuine sincerity in a prize decided not by…

arsnotoria.com

Simon Coupland @scoupland.bsky.social · 4mo ago

For #FindsFriday one of 258 early Danish pennies of the face/deer type found at Damhus in 2018. The hoard showed there was a controlled economy in nearby Ribe in the 820s and a mint striking probably hundreds of 000s of coins. Four halfpennies (ship/deer) were also present. 📷 Sydvestjyske Museer

Women’s Classical Committee UK @womeninclassicsuk.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Join this month’s #WCCWIKI editing session 🏛️🏛️ Zoom link below! us06web.zoom.us/j/85192010168

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Pay progression for Senior Civil Servants is welcome, but remains ‘top pay priority’ for other grades after ‘lack of meaningful change for two decades’

Writers' Guild of Great Britain @writersguildgb.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Today we launch ‘How to protect against scammers – a guide for authors’ with @societyofauthors.bsky.social following an uptick in enquiries from writers who are being targeted by ever more sophisticated fraudulent activity, often driven by AI Download the free guide www.writersguild.org.uk/scams

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Congratulations to Anna Whittaker from Welsh Government, winner of the 2026 FDA Wendy Jones Equality Award, presented by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister @darrenpjones.bsky.social

Anna Whittaker is presented with the 2026 FDA Wendy Jones Equality Award by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones

FDA Union @fdaunion.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister @darrenpjones.bsky.social opened his address to ADC by thanking FDA members "for your service and all of your work" and defending the impartiality of the civil service as one of the "foundations of our democracy".