Wikimediauk-l August 2026

wikimediauk-l@lists.wikimedia.org

4 participants
5 discussions

Documenting drought in England and Wales through Wikimedia Commons
by Richard Nevell 21 Aug '26

21 Aug '26

Hi all, You may have seen on the news <https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70gk2dl5jyo> that all of Wales and two-thirds of England is in drought. The articles on this year's heatwaves <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_Kingdom_heatwaves> and drought in the UK <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drought_in_the_United_Kingdom> (generally, not just this year) are getting quite a bit of traffic <https://pageviews.wmcloud.org/?project=en.wikipedia.org&platform=all-access…> . There are some images on Commons, but more to document the impacts of the drought would be helpful. Stuff like: - plants changing colour and shedding leaves like it's autumn; - low water levels in rivers and bodies of water (reservoirs, lakes, ponds, moats); - wetlands becoming less wet; - parched and cracked ground; - impacts from wildfire; - flooding if drought is followed by heavy rain. If you have photos of these and anything else you can think of, please consider uploading them to Commons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:2026_drought_in_the_United_King… Hopefully opportunities for the last two on the list are rare. Stay safe if you are out taking photos. Best wishes, Richard -- Dr Richard Nevell (he/him) Programme Manager My name is pronounced like this <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_Nevell_-_pronunciation_-_20…> Wikimedia UK <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…> is the national chapter for the global Wikimedia open knowledge movement. Follow us on LinkedIn <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…>, Facebook <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…>, and Instagram <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…> . Registered charity in England, Wales No.1144513. and Scotland No. SC048644. Company Limited by Guarantee, Registration No. 6741827. Address: ℅ Wikimedia; Level 4; Room 46018; 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB.

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First event Users with Extended Rights Conference
by Sara Thomas 17 Aug '26

17 Aug '26

Hi there all, This is one for any and all users with extended rights on this list, I'm sharing the following from Natalia from the WMF. *Scholarship applications are open until end of day on September 4th:* 📢* First ever Users with Extended Rights Conference* 📍Porto, 📅 *December 11-13 2026* Wikimedia Portugal and the Wikimedia Foundation invite users with extended rights ( admins, checkusers, stewards, bureaucrats, oversights, arbcom members etc.) - to participate in the first ever multi day convening for this group of users. 📝 We are now opening *attendance applications, till* *Sept 4th EOD* *Details and application link:* https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Users_with_Extended_Rights_Conference_2026 <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=wikimedia.org&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9tZXRh…> All the best, Sara -- Dr Sara Thomas Programme Manager 07803 505 172 *My pronouns are she/her, and my name is pronounced like this. <https://namedrop.io/sarathomas> * *I work part time, my usual days are Monday - Thursday.* [image: https://wikimedia.org.uk/gift-knowledge-your-way/] <https://wikimedia.org.uk/gift-knowledge-your-way/> Wikimedia UK <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…> is the national chapter for the global Wikimedia open knowledge movement. Follow us on LinkedIn <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…>, Facebook <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…>, and Instagram <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…> . Registered charity in England, Wales No.1144513. and Scotland No. SC048644. Company Limited by Guarantee, Registration No. 6741827. Address: C/O Wikimedia; Level 4; Room 46018; 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB.

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Online Community Celebration 2026 - Save the date and a call for lightning talks
by Rupal Karia 17 Aug '26

17 Aug '26

Hello! I hope this finds you well. Save the date! On *Sunday 22nd November, 11am - 1pm*, Wikimedia UK will be holding the fourth annual *Wikimedia UK Community Celebration*. This is now a regular fixture in Wikimedia UK's annual calendar of events and something we very much look forward to. As in previous years, this online event will be a *celebration* of what the Wikimedia UK community has achieved in the last year, a *recognition* of that work through the Wikimedian of the Year awards, and an opportunity to *showcase* some of the incredible, often unseen work on Wiki projects that has taken place across the UK over the last year. We very much hope that you can make it! *A Call for Lightning Talks* So much of the work done by Wikimedians goes unseen, or isn't known about by others in the community, and so we'd like to highlight and celebrate the work that the UK community has been doing over the last year through a set of *lightning talks*. You can see last year's inspiring lightning talks here. <https://wikimedia.org.uk/2024/12/wmuk-2024-community-celebration-videos-and…> We’d really like to hear about what you have been doing in the Wiki world, that you would like to *share and celebrate with others* in a short (5 minutes or less) presentation. Or why not encourage someone else who has done something on wiki, that you feel should be highlighted, to do a lightning talk? Our aim is to prioritise community voices and activities. If you'd like to be involved, please email me at rupal.karia(a)wikimedia.org.uk <rupal.karia(a)wikimedia.org.uk>off-list to have a chat. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, Rupal Karia (she/her) Outreach and Community Coordinator *My pronouns are she/her and my name is pronounced like this <https://namedrop.io/rupalkaria>* Working hours - Mondays 9am-3pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9-6pm Wikimedia UK <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…> is the national chapter for the global Wikimedia open knowledge movement. Follow us on LinkedIn <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…>, Facebook <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…>, and Instagram <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…> . Registered charity in England, Wales No.1144513. and Scotland No. SC048644. Company Limited by Guarantee, Registration No. 6741827. Address: C/O Wikimedia; Level 4; Room 46018; 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB.

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Passing of Robert Forsythe
by Harry Mitchell 16 Aug '26

16 Aug '26

List members and community members may wish to know that Robert Forsythe (User:Robertforsythe) died recently. As well as his on-wiki activities, Robert was involved in several Wikimedia initiatives in the north east, including Newcastle meetups, a partnership with the Mining Institute, and as Wikimedian in Residence at the Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums, supported by Wikimedia UK, in 2013. I have few further details but, according to a Facebook post, more details will be available in due course. With regret, Harry

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Upcoming Wikimedia UK Sandbox Sessions
by Rupal Karia 13 Aug '26

13 Aug '26

Hello! We have a few Sandbox Session events coming up over the next few months, which may be of interest to some of you. Sandbox Sessions are volunteer-led events organised and supported by Wikimedia UK. All are welcome to attend! These workshops are intended to be a chance for our community to learn about different areas of the Wiki-verse, find out something new, and connect with other Wikimedians. Please read on for further details and how to register for these events. *Improving Wikidata References: A Hands-On Workshop with the Reference Validator Tool* Date: Saturday 15th August Time: 17:00- 18:00 London / Europe Presenters: Josef Antony *Register here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:WMUK_Sandbox_Sessions/Improving_Wikid…>* This session will introduce the Wikidata Reference Validator tool, which helps identify whether references used in Wikidata items are still accessible or have gone offline. Reliable references are essential for ensuring the quality and trustworthiness of Wikidata, and this session will focus on practical ways to improve them. *Exploring the Wikidata Toolbox* Date: Wednesday 16th September Time: 17:00 UTC Presenters: Chinonso Chidi *More info and register here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:WMUK_Sandbox_Sessions/Exploring_the_W…>* Wikidata tools are software applications and interfaces that allow users to interact with and utilise the data stored in Wikidata. Wikidata gadgets are optional user scripts that enhance the functionality and user experience. Overall, these tools and gadgets generally help to facilitate data contribution, querying, visualisation and other forms of editing on Wikidata. The session is focused on exploring the functionality and use cases of selected Wikidata tools/gadgets with a live demo. *Improving Wikipedia Articles - Achieving Featured Article Status*Date: Thursday 29th October Time: 6pm - 7pm Presenters: Harry Mitchell Register here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:WMUK_Sandbox_Sessions/Improving_Wikip…> The aim of this event is to guide community members through the process of enhancing Wikipedia articles to achieve Featured Article (FA) status. This session will be useful for anyone wanting to improve their Wikipedia articles. Harry will offer personalized support to up to three community members. Those selected will receive dedicated advice tailored to their specific articles or questions, helping them progress toward FA or GA status. To sign up for Harry's advice, please register for the event here and then email Rupal to put your name forward for bespoke advice on your article. We look forward to seeing you at a session soon! Best wishes, Rupal Karia (she/her) Outreach and Community Coordinator *My pronouns are she/her and my name is pronounced like this <https://namedrop.io/rupalkaria>* Working hours - Mondays 9am-3pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9-6pm Wikimedia UK <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…> is the national chapter for the global Wikimedia open knowledge movement. Follow us on LinkedIn <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…>, Facebook <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…>, and Instagram <https://eu-west-1.protection.sophos.com/?d=sophos.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS13ZXN…> . Registered charity in England, Wales No.1144513. and Scotland No. SC048644. Company Limited by Guarantee, Registration No. 6741827. Address: C/O Wikimedia; Level 4; Room 46018; 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB.

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Wikimediauk-l August 2026