Friday 4th – Sunday 6th July 2025
Helena Norberg Hodge
Local Futures: Recovering our Sacred Connections
Helena Norberg Hodge
Helena Norberg Hodge, linguist, author, filmmaker and pioneer of the new economy movement, is the founder and director of Local Futures. With 50 years’ experience in both indigenous, traditional cultures, and in numerous cultures in the industrialised world, she has been promoting a big picture understanding of the foundations of human, as well as ecological wellbeing. Her work has gained her the Alternative Nobel prize, the Arthur Morgan Award and the Goi Peace Prize.
Helena is author of the inspirational classic Ancient Futures, and Local is Our Future and producer of the award-winning documentary The Economics of Happiness, of Planet Local and Closer to Home.
EarthSonic – Music, Nature & the Sound of Climate Change
Ruth Daniel – In Place of War, Earthsonic
EarthSonic, a project by In Place of War, uses music and sound to tell the story of climate change, uniting musicians, scientists, activists, and indigenous communities to inspire global action. This talk explores how artists can collaborate with nature, using sound to measure biodiversity, create music from plant roots, and amplify awareness of environmental issues.
In Place of War, led by CEO Ruth Daniel, empowers artists and activists to drive change in conflict zones and communities affected by climate change. Ruth, a TEDx speaker and award-winning social entrepreneur, has developed over 100 cultural programs and secured a £1M research grant on grassroots arts movements.
Mac Macartney
In the Eye of the Storm
Mac Macartney – Talk
Mac Macartney is a writer, mentor, eco-peace advocate, and international speaker, known for his work in leadership, nature connection, and regenerative futures. As the founder of Embercombe, he has inspired thousands to live in deeper relationship with the Earth and co-create a flourishing world. Mentored for over twenty years by indigenous elders, Mac weaves ancient wisdom with modern challenges, guiding individuals and organisations towards meaningful change.
A TEDx speaker and author of The Children’s Fire, Mac has designed and led retreats for festival teams, social enterprises, and businesses worldwide. In this compelling talk, he invites us to pause, breathe, and embrace the fire within, finding clarity and courage in an uncertain world.
Beth Calverley – Fire in Your Soul Poet in Residence
The Poetry Machine
Poems created in conversation with you!
Poet Beth Calverley will be joining us with her magical Poetry Machine. Beth will ask you some illuminating questions and weave your words into a typewritten poem to take away with you. Just follow the clatter of her vintage typewriter and look out for the machine’s bright yellow umbrella, flagpole and bubble engine…
As well as the Poetry Machine, Beth invites you to take time to pause, create and connect with nature, exploring the beautiful surroundings of Chew Valley Lake.
Bristol Fungarium
Discover the Healing Power of uk-native Mushrooms
Bristol Fungarium, Tom Baxter
Join Tom Baxter, founder of Bristol Fungarium, for an immersive journey into the world of UK-native medicinal mushrooms. A former organic farmer and forest school leader, Tom’s passion for fungi led him to establish Bristol Fungarium, the UK’s first producer of organic-certified, UK-grown mushroom tinctures.
In this talk, Tom will explore the science and benefits of functional mushrooms, from lion’s mane and reishi to turkey tail and chaga, and how these powerful fungi can support health and well-being. He will also lead a foraging walk, sharing expert knowledge on identifying and working with wild mushrooms.
Visit the Bristol Fungarium stall to discover their triple-extracted, 100% organic mushroom tinctures, grown and produced with sustainability, quality, and efficacy in mind.
Johnny Palmer
Activism, Renewable Power & the Fight for Clean Waterways
Johnny Palmer
Johnny Palmer is an activist who campaigns for swimming access to clean waterways. His style is media-savvy, punchy, playful and sometimes antagonistic – and it works. In his journey he purchased the river island at Warleigh Weir, led a national campaign to stop sewage pollution and founded the campaign which has successfully got swimming in Bristol Harbour. Public speaking, film making, community building and media appearances are his main tools. He is now also a chapter lead for the Ice Breakers mens wild swimming community. In his talk he will share his journey, his love of natural waterways, the value of antagonistic activism and his unique methods for change-making