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Talks & Workshops at GreenFestOne of the highlights of GreenFest is the range and in-depth knowledge of our speakers.
All talks are free, and several are repeated throughout the day. Most talks are 20-30 minutes, with time for discussion afterwards. Please book on Eventbrite to help with our planning. On the day, entrance will be ‘first come, first served’, although we will try to prioritise visitors who booked. |
Finally, we hope you will join us on the day in giving a huge thanks to each of our speakers, who are all attending voluntarily, allowing GreenFest to be a free event for all.
To return to the main GreenFest webpage, please click here.
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Nature Friendly Farming Network (A 40 minute, double-bill presentation).
12noon, repeated at 2pm.
1. Jon Thornes: Farming with Nature’s Lessons for Every Landscape
Join Jon Thornes as he shares how simple changes like hedgerows, water management, and thoughtful grass cutting are transforming farmland for wildlife and productivity. Whether you manage a small garden or a window box, discover how these nature-friendly farming principles can be applied to your own space to create a thriving, biodiverse environment.
Jon Thornes is a farmer and environmental entrepreneur dedicated to integrating biodiversity into working landscapes. As a leader in nature-friendly farming, he applies practical, scalable solutions that restore balance between food production and wildlife. His insights offer inspiration for anyone looking to bring nature into their own patch, large or small. Someone who is bringing calmness to Clarkson’s chaos.
2. Ifan Davies: The Nature Friendly Farming Network: Benefits for Farmers and Society Alike.
Sustainable farming officer and livestock farmer Ifan Davies will provide an introduction to himself and his journey in the agricultural sector. Learn about the work of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, how it helps shape our agricultural landscapes through influencing policy and educating farmers on regenerative practices, and the positive impacts this has on our society as a whole.
Ifan has worked in the agricultural sector in the UK for over 25 years, undertaking various roles. He now resides with his family in mid-Wales and is the custodian of a remote hill farm raising sheep and cattle alongside his role as Sustainable Farming Officer for The Nature Friendly Farming Network. Listen to his recent podcast with the Penny Post Local Eco Show here.
12noon, repeated at 2pm.
1. Jon Thornes: Farming with Nature’s Lessons for Every Landscape
Join Jon Thornes as he shares how simple changes like hedgerows, water management, and thoughtful grass cutting are transforming farmland for wildlife and productivity. Whether you manage a small garden or a window box, discover how these nature-friendly farming principles can be applied to your own space to create a thriving, biodiverse environment.
Jon Thornes is a farmer and environmental entrepreneur dedicated to integrating biodiversity into working landscapes. As a leader in nature-friendly farming, he applies practical, scalable solutions that restore balance between food production and wildlife. His insights offer inspiration for anyone looking to bring nature into their own patch, large or small. Someone who is bringing calmness to Clarkson’s chaos.
2. Ifan Davies: The Nature Friendly Farming Network: Benefits for Farmers and Society Alike.
Sustainable farming officer and livestock farmer Ifan Davies will provide an introduction to himself and his journey in the agricultural sector. Learn about the work of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, how it helps shape our agricultural landscapes through influencing policy and educating farmers on regenerative practices, and the positive impacts this has on our society as a whole.
Ifan has worked in the agricultural sector in the UK for over 25 years, undertaking various roles. He now resides with his family in mid-Wales and is the custodian of a remote hill farm raising sheep and cattle alongside his role as Sustainable Farming Officer for The Nature Friendly Farming Network. Listen to his recent podcast with the Penny Post Local Eco Show here.
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John Downe: Driving Fossil Fuel Free in an Electric Vehicle - Getting Started.
12noon, repeated at 1pm. John has been driving solely EV’s since 2018 and he and his wife have made a number of European holiday trips in several different models. As a member of Hungerford Environmental Action Team, John has organised EV awareness events in Hungerford and advocated for additional local public charging points. This practical talk will pass on what he has learnt about EV ownership. |
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Simon Booker - Stokerpix: Strictly Nature.
11am, repeated at 1pm.
Ever wonder how those amazing wildlife photos are captured?
Simon will take you on a journey into how its done and the essential skills necessary to capture our local wildlife. Illustrated with his best images, videos and demonstrations he shares the stories behind some of his best moments without getting too technical. His talks celebrate the beauty of wildlife & get people inspired to go out and see for themselves.
Simon is an experienced speaker and exhibiting photographer based in Oxfordshire. His wildlife and charity photography has been featured in local and national media, BBC Radio Berkshire and has a growing local social following on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Well known for his speaking skills he has spoken to a wide variety of audiences and from small groups to MC at sales conferences with 1200 people.
11am, repeated at 1pm.
Ever wonder how those amazing wildlife photos are captured?
Simon will take you on a journey into how its done and the essential skills necessary to capture our local wildlife. Illustrated with his best images, videos and demonstrations he shares the stories behind some of his best moments without getting too technical. His talks celebrate the beauty of wildlife & get people inspired to go out and see for themselves.
Simon is an experienced speaker and exhibiting photographer based in Oxfordshire. His wildlife and charity photography has been featured in local and national media, BBC Radio Berkshire and has a growing local social following on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Well known for his speaking skills he has spoken to a wide variety of audiences and from small groups to MC at sales conferences with 1200 people.
Bean Beanland: Home heating, the fossil fuel transition and the implications for homeowners over the coming twenty five years.
11am, repeated at 2pm
Bean Beanland is the Director for Growth & External Affairs at the Heat Pump Federation. He has been involved in the home (and commercial) heat sector for over seventeen years, first as a renewable technology installer, then as an advocate for decarbonisation, consumer protection, training and education and for driving government policy.
The Heat Pump Federation has a strong consumer engagement programme, providing opportunities to discuss and debate the implications of the transition away from fossil fuels. We recognise that homeowners and landlords deserve a grown-up conversation around what decarbonisation policy means for them, together with reassurance on the technologies, the affordability and on inclusiveness. This short talk will start that conversation, take on some of the myths and disinformation, and will provide a backdrop for homeowners to be able to learn more, without the sales pitch. It’s vital that consumers do not feel pressurised, and that they are full participants, rather than having the transition imposed upon them. There is a great deal of social good that could be captured, if we and government have the shared will to deliver on this.
11am, repeated at 2pm
Bean Beanland is the Director for Growth & External Affairs at the Heat Pump Federation. He has been involved in the home (and commercial) heat sector for over seventeen years, first as a renewable technology installer, then as an advocate for decarbonisation, consumer protection, training and education and for driving government policy.
The Heat Pump Federation has a strong consumer engagement programme, providing opportunities to discuss and debate the implications of the transition away from fossil fuels. We recognise that homeowners and landlords deserve a grown-up conversation around what decarbonisation policy means for them, together with reassurance on the technologies, the affordability and on inclusiveness. This short talk will start that conversation, take on some of the myths and disinformation, and will provide a backdrop for homeowners to be able to learn more, without the sales pitch. It’s vital that consumers do not feel pressurised, and that they are full participants, rather than having the transition imposed upon them. There is a great deal of social good that could be captured, if we and government have the shared will to deliver on this.
James Thorpe: Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. 11am.
Berkshire holds an incredibly diverse natural landscape, including a significant proportion of the world’s chalk streams, important ancient woodland, beautiful chalk grassland and rare lowland heath. We need to think about where Berkshire’s nature needs our help the most and how people can benefit from giving nature a hand. Help us decide.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are spatial strategies to recover nature across England: part of the 2021 Environment Act. Together, they will cover the country in a Nature Recovery Network.
You’re invited to have your say on our Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy in our Public Consultation. Until Monday 24 March 2025 you can leave your comments and add your pins to our local habitat map.
Join the Berkshire Nature Recovery Team at our talk to find out more. See our website to participate.
Berkshire holds an incredibly diverse natural landscape, including a significant proportion of the world’s chalk streams, important ancient woodland, beautiful chalk grassland and rare lowland heath. We need to think about where Berkshire’s nature needs our help the most and how people can benefit from giving nature a hand. Help us decide.
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) are spatial strategies to recover nature across England: part of the 2021 Environment Act. Together, they will cover the country in a Nature Recovery Network.
You’re invited to have your say on our Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy in our Public Consultation. Until Monday 24 March 2025 you can leave your comments and add your pins to our local habitat map.
Join the Berkshire Nature Recovery Team at our talk to find out more. See our website to participate.
Bors Hulesch: The World We Want.
11am (Short version).
Full talk at 12.30pm and repeated at 2.30pm.
This talk is offered as an antidote to the doom and gloom that many of us can feel about the climate and ecological emergency, and the terrifying reality of natural disasters we either experience or watch live in the news.
In this talk, we aim to show you that a world worth living in is possible, and to provide you with tangible actions you can start taking today, to make that world a reality.
Come and participate in this talk…
Bors has trained as a social scientist and as a climate scientist. His dissertation is about climate migration. He gives regular talks to community groups, schools, universities, scouts, religious congregations and fellow climate activists on the climate and ecological emergency. He has been a speaker for Extinction Rebellion since 2020.
11am (Short version).
Full talk at 12.30pm and repeated at 2.30pm.
This talk is offered as an antidote to the doom and gloom that many of us can feel about the climate and ecological emergency, and the terrifying reality of natural disasters we either experience or watch live in the news.
In this talk, we aim to show you that a world worth living in is possible, and to provide you with tangible actions you can start taking today, to make that world a reality.
Come and participate in this talk…
- If you are tired of feeling sad or hopeless about the future of our planet and our species
- If you are motivated to take action, but unsure where to start
- If you don’t feel ready to be a climate activist, but want to engage with the issue in other ways
- If you want to reclaim your agency from forces outside of yourself that are seemingly controlling your destiny
- If you have questions for a climate scientist who is also a climate activist
Bors has trained as a social scientist and as a climate scientist. His dissertation is about climate migration. He gives regular talks to community groups, schools, universities, scouts, religious congregations and fellow climate activists on the climate and ecological emergency. He has been a speaker for Extinction Rebellion since 2020.
Tom Beckett: Why and how to become a 1.5 degree, nature positive citizen.
11.30am, repeated at 1.30pm
Navigating the emotions, reasons, actions, and calculations to become a 1.5-degree, nature positive citizen is hard. Join this talk to understand how you can make a life plan to align with global goals on nature and climate, starting with the why bother, through to what needs to be done and onto the individual actions and tools you can use. This talk (20 mins) and table discussion (30 mins), will help you answer the question ‘how can I be the change I want to see in the world?’.
Tom Beckett is the Founder and CEO of Better Century; an organisation that helps people and organisations be net positive for nature and climate. He is the architect of the NetPositiveLifeApp, which allows anyone to align their lifestyle with global goals on nature and climate, and an expert in climate solutions. He currently advises NGOs, and businesses on their net zero and nature positive strategies. He taken senior management roles at a renewable energy trade association, leading sustainability consultancy, a political party and the Wildlife Trusts. He also holds a BSc in Zoology and MSc in Environmental Management; Legislation and Management.
11.30am, repeated at 1.30pm
Navigating the emotions, reasons, actions, and calculations to become a 1.5-degree, nature positive citizen is hard. Join this talk to understand how you can make a life plan to align with global goals on nature and climate, starting with the why bother, through to what needs to be done and onto the individual actions and tools you can use. This talk (20 mins) and table discussion (30 mins), will help you answer the question ‘how can I be the change I want to see in the world?’.
Tom Beckett is the Founder and CEO of Better Century; an organisation that helps people and organisations be net positive for nature and climate. He is the architect of the NetPositiveLifeApp, which allows anyone to align their lifestyle with global goals on nature and climate, and an expert in climate solutions. He currently advises NGOs, and businesses on their net zero and nature positive strategies. He taken senior management roles at a renewable energy trade association, leading sustainability consultancy, a political party and the Wildlife Trusts. He also holds a BSc in Zoology and MSc in Environmental Management; Legislation and Management.
Katie Goodman: How Climate Change is affecting Farming in West Berkshire
11.45am
Katie Goodman is the County Chair of Berkshire Young Farmers. She took up this role in November last year, but has been a member of Berkshire Young Farmers since she was 12. Katie studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University, which has set her in great stead for her graduate role as a Land Agent.
“In my talk at GreenFest I will be discussing the pertinent topic of climate change, how it is affecting the local environment, and looking more closely at one of the most vital sectors – farming. I will be covering changing weather patterns, pests and diseases, food security and I will touch on how local farmers are adapting their farming practices to contribute to the cause of creating a cleaner, more biodiverse environment. Young Farmers also have several ways that they support and promote sustainability within the agricultural sector, and you can become involved too!”
11.45am
Katie Goodman is the County Chair of Berkshire Young Farmers. She took up this role in November last year, but has been a member of Berkshire Young Farmers since she was 12. Katie studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University, which has set her in great stead for her graduate role as a Land Agent.
“In my talk at GreenFest I will be discussing the pertinent topic of climate change, how it is affecting the local environment, and looking more closely at one of the most vital sectors – farming. I will be covering changing weather patterns, pests and diseases, food security and I will touch on how local farmers are adapting their farming practices to contribute to the cause of creating a cleaner, more biodiverse environment. Young Farmers also have several ways that they support and promote sustainability within the agricultural sector, and you can become involved too!”
Carolyne Culver: How can residents influence politicians?
12.30pm
There is a lot of confusion about which organisations are responsible for which services, what decision-making powers they have, and where their funding comes from. If you are concerned about the environment, climate change, wildlife and so on please join Councillor Carolyne Culver to find out more about how you can ensure your voice is heard by the people in power.
Carolyne has served Ridgeway ward on West Berkshire Council for six years. She has also been a parish councillor, a district councillor, and stood for parliament twice. She worked in parliament for an MP and has worked for charities and universities. Carolyne will give you an insight into how you can influence your local councillors and your MP.
12.30pm
There is a lot of confusion about which organisations are responsible for which services, what decision-making powers they have, and where their funding comes from. If you are concerned about the environment, climate change, wildlife and so on please join Councillor Carolyne Culver to find out more about how you can ensure your voice is heard by the people in power.
Carolyne has served Ridgeway ward on West Berkshire Council for six years. She has also been a parish councillor, a district councillor, and stood for parliament twice. She worked in parliament for an MP and has worked for charities and universities. Carolyne will give you an insight into how you can influence your local councillors and your MP.
Anna Barrett and Dr David Fitter
St Bart's Sustainability Journey: Hope, Hedgehogs, and a Sustainable Future
1.30pm
Schools do more than educate—they shape future citizens, support communities, and consume resources. But what does it truly mean for a school to be sustainable?
At St Bart’s, we’re working to embed sustainability into every part of school life, from how we teach and lead to how we use energy and engage with our wider community. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we know there’s still a long way to go. This talk is an open and honest look at what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what comes next.
Join us for a lively and thought-provoking session packed with real stories, unexpected challenges, and practical takeaways. Whether you’re part of a school, a workplace, or a local group, you’ll leave with at least one actionable idea to make your own community more sustainable. Come for the insights, stay for the stories about our very own Socks the Fox and Philip the Hedgehog!
St Bart's Sustainability Journey: Hope, Hedgehogs, and a Sustainable Future
1.30pm
Schools do more than educate—they shape future citizens, support communities, and consume resources. But what does it truly mean for a school to be sustainable?
At St Bart’s, we’re working to embed sustainability into every part of school life, from how we teach and lead to how we use energy and engage with our wider community. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we know there’s still a long way to go. This talk is an open and honest look at what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what comes next.
Join us for a lively and thought-provoking session packed with real stories, unexpected challenges, and practical takeaways. Whether you’re part of a school, a workplace, or a local group, you’ll leave with at least one actionable idea to make your own community more sustainable. Come for the insights, stay for the stories about our very own Socks the Fox and Philip the Hedgehog!
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Steve Masters: Cold War Warrior to Eco-Warrior: Airman to Activist
2.30pm Steve Masters will recall his journey from being a 16 year old Airman in the RAF during the Cold War through to his life on the frontline of environmental campaigning against Fracking and HS2. A rollercoaster of a ride that began during Thatcher’s de-industrialisation of his community in West Yorkshire and delivers him to West Berkshire here in 2025 by way of military life, cycle sport, television, protest, elections and being on the receiving end of state violence. |
Drumming Workshop: Come and try samba-fusion with XR Oxford Drummers.
12.30pm
We are Oxford’s branch of XR Rhythms UK, the national network of activist percussion bands that support environmental and social justice protest in the UK. We rehearse once a week and learn the tunes and breaks that all UK XR bands learn, so that we can all play together when we meet at actions, both local and national.
Everyone is welcome – come along and join a beginners workshop with our friendly group of drummers. Instruments and ear protection provided. Get in touch to find out more at [email protected].
12.30pm
We are Oxford’s branch of XR Rhythms UK, the national network of activist percussion bands that support environmental and social justice protest in the UK. We rehearse once a week and learn the tunes and breaks that all UK XR bands learn, so that we can all play together when we meet at actions, both local and national.
Everyone is welcome – come along and join a beginners workshop with our friendly group of drummers. Instruments and ear protection provided. Get in touch to find out more at [email protected].
Bug-Hunt with Dr Chris Foster and Newbury Friends of the Earth.
12noon, repeated at 2pm. Limited to 20 people per hunt.
Join Dr Chris Foster, Lecturer in Animal Ecology at the University of Reading, for an introduction to the wonderful world of invertebrates - the spineless wonders that form the backbone of our planet's ecosystems.
Students from Reading's Entomology MSc course will be on hand to answer any questions that are bugging you while we search some of the wilder corners of the school grounds. We'll also consider how you can get the most out of app-based resources for identifying and recording invertebrates - you might want to download 'iNaturalist' or 'iRecord' onto your phones in advance.
The bug hunt is suitable for all ages, but children will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Adults need not be accompanied by a child: you don't have to be small to appreciate the little things that run the world! Dress appropriately, some kneeling may be involved. This event is weather dependant.
12noon, repeated at 2pm. Limited to 20 people per hunt.
Join Dr Chris Foster, Lecturer in Animal Ecology at the University of Reading, for an introduction to the wonderful world of invertebrates - the spineless wonders that form the backbone of our planet's ecosystems.
Students from Reading's Entomology MSc course will be on hand to answer any questions that are bugging you while we search some of the wilder corners of the school grounds. We'll also consider how you can get the most out of app-based resources for identifying and recording invertebrates - you might want to download 'iNaturalist' or 'iRecord' onto your phones in advance.
The bug hunt is suitable for all ages, but children will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Adults need not be accompanied by a child: you don't have to be small to appreciate the little things that run the world! Dress appropriately, some kneeling may be involved. This event is weather dependant.
