Thomas J Bevan

1 week ago | thomasjbevan.substack.com | Thomas J Bevan

I was starting to take myself seriously for a moment there, which is a really unfortunate situation to find yourself in. Deadly even. See, some confluence of pretensions, ambitions and delusions led me to hit upon the misguided idea that I should write an essay about failure. Because that’s a cheery, easy to write about topic that the readership would be sure to lap up.

1 month ago | terryfreedman.substack.com | Terry Freedman |Matthew Long |Thomas J Bevan |Rebecca Holden

Greetings!Sorry this is a bit late. Better late than never though, eh? But enough of this persiflage! On with the newsletter. TerryLast week I had an accident. I thought that while Lady Elaine was out with a group of friends, I’d cycle to a local park, there to read, relax and quaff coffee. However, Fate had other ideas. Here is a depiction of what happened:That is a bit of an exaggeration: what happened was far less dramatic. I was waiting for a gap in the traffic at a junction, perfectly still.

2 months ago | thomasjbevan.substack.com | Thomas J Bevan

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedContended we carve through countryside-Bound for town, for reality, for bed. Beyond the window now a mellow unfolding:Patchwork hedgerows- artichoke barriers around kelly-green grass,Steady slow turn of white windmills,Horizon haze, heat shimmering,Steep valley drops beyond brick bridges. Delays in departure no issue,Each station a saint and we draw patience from them.

Feb 26, 2025 | thomasjbevan.substack.com | Thomas J Bevan

As I draw closer to the end of this Commonplace Newsletter project, I am forced to ask myself what else is there left to say? What topics or ideas or themes have I not yet covered that I would regret leaving untouched? It’s a question I have been turning over in my mind for a couple of weeks now; while on the commuter train to work, while scanning groceries, while queuing at the post office ideas will come to me and I will rapidly realise that I have already written about them.

Jan 24, 2025 | thomasjbevan.substack.com | Thomas J Bevan

The experiment continues…A year ago today (which also happens to be my birthday) I announced a new policy. I would only directly hit my readers with a call to action once a year. January 24th would be the one day each year where I would pass the hat. And only on this one day each year would I approach my readers directly with a reminder that I offer paid subscriptions- both monthly and annually- as well as an option for a one off donation (via ‘Buy Me a Coffee’) if preferred.