Seasonal Talks Winter Series 2020-21

  Autumn and Winter Talks
2020-21 Season

Autumn 2020

5 November: 'Onward into the Darkness' by Angus Soutar

    We have all the processes and technology to create a sustainable future and the expertise of permaculture design to pull everything together. But our projects are operating in a hostile environment. We need to pay close attention to their viability and use our personal energy wisely.

"It is unlikely that aliens will arrive from Outer Space to help us in our current predicament. Likewise, we must abandon ideas of help from Westminster, let alone places further away. We are on our own. The question is, "How do we respond to this inconvenient truth?"  Let's start a lengthy discussion."

Warning: This talk may contain opinions that some people might find offensive.

19 November: 'Autumn Root Medicine' by Edwina Hodkinson Medical Herbalist,

We will be exploring the medicine that is now under the soil in the form of roots and rhizomes. Medical Herbalist Edwina Hodkinson(link is external) will show us how to work with herbs that can be grown in gardens, as well as weeds and plants which can be found in grocery stores. We will explore the value of root medicine with a brief overview of herbs such as Marshmallow, Angelica, Elecampane, Horseradish, Dandelion, Burdock and Ginger.

26 November: 'Placemaking' by Elsa Little

Placemaking - Discover how the thoughtful and creative design of our public spaces can empower people and bring communities together. Elsa will show examples from her hometown of Portland, Oregon and share how we can all add a little placemaking in our own communities.

03 December:  'Lessons from the Luddites' by Angus Soutar 

   Just over 200 years ago the Luddites saw what was coming - the destruction of their livelihoods, their communities and the very land itself. Their protests were carried out with remarkable organisation and restraint; their solidarity was more important than their sledgehammers. But ultimately they failed - new technologies were imposed with the help of the overwhelming power of the State.

   As another wave of disruptive technology crashes into us, what can we learn from their efforts? And how do we re-create those lost communities?

Warning: this talk will examine our abusive relationship with modern technology. It will contain strong language and may contain opinions that some people may find upsetting and offensive.

17 December: 'Winter Wellbeing' by Teresa Pereira

Teresa shares pathways based on the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine that can support our wellbeing during the long, northern winters. While in nature life moves through cycles of contraction and expansion, somehow, the modern world, expects us to behave like machines on a clock rather than human beings who are a part of the natural world. What strategies can support our wellbeing in winter and what can we learn from the dark, cold season?

Early 2021

21 January: 'At the Crossroads - towards a digital future?' by Angus Soutar

At the crossroads, as night falls, it is difficult to see our way forward in the failing light. Ahead lie the twinkling, seductive lights of the City of Ultimate Machines. Behind us, the howling pack of the Festival of Reason drives us relentlessly onwards and will show no mercy. Where lies our safety? Dead ahead, "all watched over by machines of loving grace"? Or maybe we should turn off this road and search for Bridgid in the hills, accepting a harder road in exchange for a better destination?

Warning: this talk will examine our abusive relationship with modern technology. It will contain strong language and may contain opinions that some people may find upsetting and offensive.

26 January: 'The Ethical Basis of an Alternative Nation' by Marie Edwards

Are you tired of living in a world that appears to have no ethical basis, which rewards those who exploit and abuse other humans and the natural world? Let’s explore the alternative nation as delineated by Bill Mollison that is arising, discreetly on the margins of our dominant culture. A nation that has powerful, life-supporting ethics at its core. Join us to explore this fascinating topic with Marie.

04 February: 'How can we Design the Curriculum for Resilience' by Paula Moses

   Paula Moses facilitates a discussion about what role the school curriculum should have and has in preparing us for life? What and how should we teach? Bring your own ideas and experiences.

   Paula Moses(link is external) is a former school teacher and leader. Now a freelance trainer in Philosophy for Children and PhD Candidate with the University of Cumbria. She also has a small permaculture plot with a focus on growing and selling local, seasonal flowers.(link is external)

11 February: 'Food for Thought: The Poison in Our Food Supply' by Suzanne Clifton

Suzanne provides a forensic exploration of current food supplies. Our food is labeled with nutrition and ingredient information, and food manufacturers are falling over themselves to reassure us how ecologically friendly and nutritionally sound their products are. So why is the population becoming sicker? How much can we trust where our food comes from, and what's in it? (Part 1 of 2)

18 February: 'Food for Thought: We Are What We Eat' by Suzanne Clifton

What are our bodies doing with the food we eat? Why, if people are adhering more closely to the government's nutritional guidelines, year-on-year, are people becoming fatter and sicker? What is the connection between cancer, epilepsy, and diabetes? And how can we eat to avoid these 'diseases of civilisation'? (Part 2 of 2}

25 February: "I Haven't Got the Energy" by  Angus Soutar,

Another chapter in Angus's study of the uneasy relationship between humans and our technology. The discovery of fossil fuels and their release "into the wild" has led to the devastation of soils and ecosystems and now seems to be implicated in climate change bringing threats to life across the whole planet. Our responses have become incredibly short-term while the probability of some form of collapse increases from year to year. When most of us are resource-poor already, how do we prepare for the future?

Warning: this talk will examine our abusive relationship with fossil fuels. It will contain strong language and may contain opinions that some people may find upsetting and offensive.

11 March: 'Spring Medicine' by Edwina Hodkinson

Edwina shares her expertise in working with spring medicine plants, and why working with them is so important for our bodies as we wake up the energy of spring and move out of winter. You will learn, in particular, how to work with dandelion, nettle, cleavers and wild garlic, as well as other plants. Find out what medicines these plants provide and the best way to use them is specific combinations and preparations.

18 March: 'How Does an Eco-garden Grow' by Teresa Pereira 

How can we work with ecological patterns in garden design to develop regenerative gardens that stand the test of time as thriving ecosystems in their own right?

Teresa Pereira reflects on what can we can learn and keep from conventional gardening practices, and how we can start putting ecological processes at the heart of garden design practice.

25 March: "De-fund the Universities!" by Angus Soutar

Universities are unrecognisable from their predecessors of 50 years ago, let alone 500. They have largely lost their way and are no longer no longer fit for purpose. This is a tale of two Tonies: Tony Benn with the "White Heat of Technology" and Tony Blair's "Education, Education, Education", homed in on socialist fantasies. We will look at how their bastard progeny has become a Frankentein's monster stomping around modern Britain, stirring up a new Class War and diverting us from securing a common sustainable future.

In response, Angus will unveil his plan for De-funding the Universities. This will require no government action, just a good standard of education for all!

Warning: this talk will examine our abusive relationship with universities. It will contain strong language and may contain opinions that some people may find upsetting and offensive.

You may also  view these slides as a pdf.

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Go to event archive for  2020 - 2021