Free on saturday? Take part in the Schumacher Conference at the Council House, College Green in Bristol. This year the conference is called Zero Carbon Britain – from aspiration into action and features CAT’s Peter Harper, Paul Allen and Tobi Kellner. Tickets cost £35 and are available from www.schumacher.org.uk. There will also be a stall with CAT Publications, including some of my own.
Two time finalist at Garden Media Awards – close but no cigar
I’ve just found out I was a finalist in two categories of The Garden Media Guild Awards. The two awards were for Inspirational Book of the Year – for The Organic Garden (which I wrote with Chloe Ward) – and Gardening Column of The Year – for my organic columns in Garden News magazine – all of which you can still read deep in the depths of the blog somewhere. The Organic Garden is of course a fantastic Christmas present and you can get a discounted copy from CAT. My fellow organic garden writer John Walker was a finalist in the environmental award for ‘We Shop, Planet Drops’ in Organic Garden & Home Magazine. For a full list of award winners and finalists view – http://www.gardenmediaguild.co.uk/awards/press.htmll.
Babs2Hay and Cardiff
Barbara Haddrill is taking her talk about her book Babs2Brisbane to the Hay Festival and Cardiff Borders next week. Hay on Thursday and Cardiff on Saturday. Babs travelled overland to Australia to be a bridesmaid at her best friends wedding because she wanted to avoid flying for environmental reasons. Her talk is inspirational – suggesting how much we can all do to make a difference. For more details visit www.babs2brisbane.com.
Come along to Babs 2 Brisbane book launch in Machynlleth
If you’re in the Machynlleth area on Wednesday March 18th come along to the book launch for Babs 2 Brisbane at the Tabernacle and listen to Babs talk about her amazing overland journey from Wales to Australia. Includes unseen footage of her journey, music and a chance to ask Barbara questions about her trip.
Babs 2 Brisbane book launch
March 18th
The Tabernacle, Machynlleth
Daytime drop-in session
Meet the author and watch film, hear music and listen to book readings through the afternoon.
2–2.45pm Travelling music duo on the accordion and fiddle.
Barbara Haddrill reads
‘tasters’ from her book.
2.45–3.30pm
Film footage from the journey.
3.30–4pm Travelling music duo on the accordion and fiddle.
Barbara Haddrill reads
‘tasters’ from her book.
Evening 7.00 – 10.00 pm
Music on arrival by Finikity Charos,
aka the Gypsy Band.
Introduction by author Barbara Haddrill.
Music from Slater’s Arms Folk
Session musicians.
Short film – Landscapes of the journey.
Aussie inspired music by Moonshine Claud.
Short film – People and Transport.
Music about travelling from
The Blithering Idiots
Barbara Haddrill reads an extract
from her book.
Questions and Answers
Music from Ember.
Book signing
Low carbon drinks and local snacks available.
Babs 2 Brisbane launched with Express coverage
Barbara Haddrill’s Babs 2 Brisbane – the story of her overland journey from Wales to Australia to be a bridesmaid – has been published and is receiving widespread coverage. Last friday John Ingham featured it in his environmental column in The Daily Express. Babs 2 Brisbane is an amazing book. Even if you are not that interested in overland travel you’ll find it an interesting account of the type of decision making you have to make as a committed environmentalist. What is the right thing to do? Fly or not to fly? If you are interested in travel you’ll enjoy the story and be interested in reading up on how to make the same or similar journeys yourself. You can get copies at www.cat.org.uk/shopping and find out more about Babs at www.babs2brisbane.com.
Allan Shepherd 