Martin Urch

Narrative History Writer | Heritage Photographer | Bringing Britain’s Past to Life
@tigers4ever2010 | ©2026 Martin Urch

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

Most people think the Middle Ages ended centuries ago.

What if they didn’t?

https://t.co/flVw7AykKT

For the past several months I’ve been researching and photographing life at the Hospital of Saint Cross in Winchester, one of England’s oldest charitable foundations. Founded during the civil war known as The Anarchy, it still follows customs whose origins lie in the twelfth century.

I attended Matins, watched the weekly Pay Parade, spoke with the Brothers, historians and archivists, and explored how medieval beliefs became institutional memory that has survived almost 900 years.

The result is Inside Medieval Minds—part historical narrative, part documentary photography, and part fieldwork.

It isn’t simply a story about the past. It’s about discovering how the medieval world still lives among us.

I’d love to hear what resonates with you.

#MedievalHistory #History #Winchester #SaintCross #NormanEngland #DocumentaryPhotography #LivingHistory

[Tigers4Ever @Tigers4Ever2010]

In 45°C+ heat, #water is survival.

For wild #Tigers, a waterhole can mean somewhere to drink, cool down & stay safely inside a protected forest.

This #GlobalGivingBonusDay - 15 July 2026 your donation can help keep wild #Tigers where they belong — in the wild! https://t.co/4kANT70BnK #Wildlife #SaturdayMotivation #SaveWildTigers

[Tigers4Ever @Tigers4Ever2010]

In memory of Gerry Brain
Family & friends chose to donate £1000 inc GiftAid to Tigers4Ever in lieu of funeral flowers-At his family’s request-Gerry’s legacy will fund our borehole to help create a new wildlife waterhole in Sarmania, Bandhavgarh-a lasting tribute to his love of India & its tigers. Giving wild #Tigers a wild future. Thank you

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

Discover the thrill of the #Edinburgh Beltane—its ancient Celtic roots dating back 2,000 years. Experience the mystique of the Picti, as each Spring, the night sky above Calton Hill erupts in a spectacular blaze of roaring fires. @beltanefs
📖Link:
https://t.co/KmKGfT4QOd

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

From ancient purification rites to the roaring fires of Calton Hill. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 My project documents the 2026 Beltane Fire Festival—an exploration of Scotland’s Celtic soul and modern ritual. Link: https://t.co/KmKGfT4QOd

#Beltane #Edinburgh #SocialHistory

[Tigers4Ever @Tigers4Ever2010]

Looking for a cool gift for your #Tiger loving friends & family? Why not check-out this amazing #ColouringBook from our friends @TypicalTigerNFT which helps us to save wild #Tigers with every copy sold #Conservation https://t.co/5fxjNIJRGX

[Typical Tigers 🐯 @TypicalTigerNFT]

📢For immediate release 📢

Typical Tigers NFT project are proud to announce that our Colouring book featuring the Intellectual property (IP) from our Baby Cub Tigers collection is now live on Amazon !

50% of all profits from the sale of the book will be donated to @Tigers4Ever2010, to help give wild tigers wild futures. We have donated $45,711 to date and £27,600 of that to Tigers4Ever.

We are happy to continue our long-term support of Tigers4Ever and hope that the book appeals to children who like colouring and learning fun facts about wildlife.

Dr. Corinne Taylor-Smith (@CorinneTS), Chair of Tigers4Ever:

“Through our partnership with Typical Tigers, digital art is becoming life saving action on the ground in India. Each transaction fuels critical frontline work from keeping anti poaching patrols active and equipping these essential wildlife protectors, to creating permanent wildlife waterholes and restoring lost habitat which sustain wild tigers and many other species too.

Together, we’re not just supporting conservation, we’re securing a future where wild tigers have the safety, space, and freedom to flourish for generations to come.”

You can find the Book on Amazon here :
https://t.co/4oaqGZS6tB

[Tigers4Ever @Tigers4Ever2010]

Today we have placed an order for 100 more powerful waterproof flashlights to help keep wild #Tigers & anti-poaching patrols safe during night patrols, We'd like to do more but we need more donations first https://t.co/gKDA8GjH9o

[Tigers4Ever @Tigers4Ever2010]

We've just received good news from India that work on the 10 wildlife waterholes has been completed today so there are 35 Tigers4Ever waterholes providing year-round #Water for wild #Tigers now! #SavingTigers #SuperSunday

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

🌅 #Easter marks renewal—but 4,600 years ago, Britain’s first farmers were already tracking the spring Equinox.

Today I’m publishing a narrative journey into daily life, community, and belief in Neolithic Britain—far removed from the caveman myth.

https://t.co/ywG9yCqjjl

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

Step into 2600 BC this Easter. 🌱
https://t.co/ywG9yCqjjl

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

🌅 Easter marks renewal—but 4,600 years ago, Britain’s first farmers were already tracking the spring Equinox.

Today I’m publishing a narrative journey into daily life, community, and belief in Neolithic Britain—far removed from the caveman myth.

Step into 2600 BC this Easter.

[Catherine McBride OBE @CeeMacBee]

Here is my new paper for the Great British Business Council on the importance of oil, gas and coal to the UK economy.

The UK’s industrial decline is not inevitable, but the result of decades of deliberate policy choices that have undermined domestic energy production and driven manufacturing offshore. Lowering UK employment and tax revenues, while increasing the UK trade deficit.

The paper also includes a plan to reverse this.

https://t.co/18R7heb7d7

[Kathryn Porter @KathrynPorter26]

ChatGPT made this graphic for me to illustrate the pump price of petrol...

The fuel duty is higher than the crude oil component

And then we pay VAT including on the fuel duty!!

When @RachelReevesMP talks about fuel profiteering she needs to look in the mirror

@griffitha @ClaireCoutinho

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

How did a 17th-century Dorset farmer become a titan of the wine trade? 🍷

My new essay on John Blandy explores a journey from English soil to the rugged coast of Madeira. A study in ambition and social history.

Read story here: https://t.co/3n8fnTegxb

#SocialHistory #Madeira

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

Big news: My new digital home is live! 📸📖

I’ve spent the last few months organising years of fieldwork, photography, and historical research into a new online collection exploring Britain’s "fingerprints of the past

✨ Visit here: https://t.co/J7qvRFPXwd

#CulturalHeritage

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

Enter the wild heart of winter with the Whittlesey Straw Bear. This vivid photo essay explores a rare English folk ritual of straw, dance, fire and disguise at the turning of the agricultural year. #StrawBear
https://t.co/R475PJrtOh

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

Winter comes alive at Whittlesey Straw Bear! Straw-clad bears, Molly dancers, and wild beastly guises fill the streets—ancient folklore in motion, loud, vibrant & unforgettable! #StrawBear
Read here:
https://t.co/R475PJrtOh

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

Winter comes alive at Whittlesey Straw Bear! Straw-clad bears, Molly dancers, and wild beastly guises fill the streets—ancient folklore in motion, loud, vibrant & unforgettable! #StrawBear

https://t.co/R475PJrtOh

[Martin Urch @MartinUrch]

Discover the ancient East Kent tradition of Hoodening! 🐴✨ January’s photo essay captures the mysterious Hooden Horse, a festive stage performance, and living folklore. Dive into hidden heritage:
Link: https://t.co/NUWH4vMBPm

#Hoodening #KentFolklore #FolkTraditions