Rural Voices
Welcome to Rural Voices, our new series of carefully curated talks served with a full English breakfast!
At 9am on the first Saturday of each month (except January), you are invited to join us at Horningsham Village Hall where you will be served a delicious cooked breakfast made with locally sourced produce (vegetarian options available) followed by a talk exploring our theme of Rural Creative Communities. We are inviting a range of fascinating speakers including farmers, writers, artists, historians and much more - many of them local - who all share an interest in rural communities and the many varied ways we can find collective strength and resilience.
Please arrive promptly at 9am for breakfast, the talk will begin at 9.45am.
Tickets are £10 plus the Humanitix booking fee - All profits go to the Village Hall Regeneration Fund.
If you need any help with booking please contact cherry@horningshamvillagehall.com
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2nd November 2024 - Charles Dowding
This month we are joined by renowned horticulturalist and author Charles Dowding. Charles has pioneered modern no dig and organic soil management in the UK since the 1980s and is a passionate advocate of the joy of growing your own healthy and delicious food. He is absolutely committed to sharing his research and knowledge and runs popular no-dig growing courses from his own garden near Castle Cary. His ethos is “Grow more, from fewer resources, in less time.”
Charles’ brand new book COMPOST is on sale from 5th September and we are so lucky to be hearing from him on this subject. Including practical guidance and linking composting techniques to his now famous no-dig methods, this will be a fascinating and enriching talk. -
7th December 2024 - Julian Hight
THE ANCIENT TREES OF SELWOOD FOREST + LONGLEAT
HISTORY, LEGACY & LOREIllustrated talk with Julian Hight
Just what was the mythical Selwood Forest and what exactly remains of it?
Join local author and heritage tree specialist Julian Hight as he tells the story of Selwood Forest through some of its majestic ancient trees – living links to the ancient forest – and discover its legacy and lore. For this special festive talk, Julian will also uncover the stories of some of the ancient trees of the Longleat estate.
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1st February 2025 - Dr Olivia Chapple
Our first speaker of 2025 is the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Dr Olivia Chapple. Olivia is the founder of Horatio’s Garden, an incredible charity which nurtures the wellbeing of people after spinal injury in beautiful, vibrant sanctuaries within the heart of NHS spinal injury centres. Leading designers create the accessible gardens where the charity’s team, alongside volunteers and creatives, care for people and plants alike. At this talk, Olivia will talk about the importance of the link between nature and wellbeing, how it has driven her work with Horatio’s Garden and how it guides her activities as High Sheriff of Wiltshire.