I just discovered the BPT website and these songs. I adore the work you're doing! Hope to join you one day from Canada.

The oldest song written in Britain with words and music both on the same page. From St Godric of 1150-ish. He heard it in a dream, woke and remembered it, and so the lineage began. And so today it continues.

We sang this in a tiny church just outside Oxford where we slept for a couple of nights while taking part in a conference in New College. Outside the church is the ancient Holy Well, from which we filtered and drank, and sang to, and which legend says first sprang when St Frideswide (pronounced Frithuswither) had her head cut off by a frustrated suitor. Typical Anglo-Saxon princess-saint stuff. It was really good to carry this water back to the shrine in Oxford's Christchurch cathedral, where her shrine is. Frideswide is, after all, the patron saint of Oxford and the entire county. 

We struggled in this little church to decide if this was too masculine a song - being dedicated to St Nicholas, when the church is to Margaret of Antioch and Frideswide - but we figured Nicholas' symbol is three golden balls, to symbolise the gifts he threw anonymously through the window of three maidens without a dowry and therefore unable to marry, and who would have been forced to become prostitutes go survive without husbands. So Nicholas was an active proto-feminist, we figure. 

Sung by William Parsons and Guy Hayward

Saint Nicholas (live in Binsey Church)

Patrick joins Sir Peter Kendall (AHDB), Angela Francis (Green Alliance) and Angela Karp (Rothamsted Research) in a debate chaired by Tom Heap to explore the meaning of 'public money for public goods' and what the future holds post-Brexit

Costing the Earth

The Future of the British countryside

In this episode, we talk to Patrick Holden about the hopes and fears of British farming after Brexit.

For Food's Sake

For Food's Sake: Farmers Facing Brexit

CEO of the Sustainable Food Trust shows his support for Chair of the Board, Anthony Rodale, who is running the Trans Atlas Marathon in July 2019 in support of the Trust's Harmony Project.

To donate to Anthony's run follow this link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/harmony-run

Harmony Run: Patrick Holden's message of support

In this two part podcast, Professor Michael Lee, Head of Sustainable Agricultural Science at Rothamsted and Chair of Sustainable Livestock Systems at the Bristol Veterinary School discusses the benefits and opportunities of red meat in our diet and the part they can plan in sustainable agriculture, as well as the importance of the dairy industry and milk in our diets.  

Link to Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/sustainable-food-trust/andrew-green-interviews-michael-lee-part-2

Andrew Green interviews Michael Lee: Part 1

In this two part podcast, Professor Michael Lee, Head of Sustainable Agricultural Science at Rothamsted and Chair of Sustainable Livestock Systems at the Bristol Veterinary School discusses the benefits and opportunities of red meat in our diet and the part they can plan in sustainable agriculture, as well as the importance of the dairy industry and milk in our diets.

Link to Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/sustainable-food-trust/andrew-green-interviews-michael-lee-part-1

Andrew Green interviews Michael Lee: Part 2

In this podcast Andrew Green, a solicitor from the law firm Everys which has offices in South-West England, talks to Andrew Parr, chairman of J & FJ Baker and Co Ltd - the only remaining oak bark tannery remaining in Britain. The Baker family bought the tanner over 150 years ago and Andrew is the fifth generation to carry on the business. They use traditional methods unique to the tannery which take a lifetime to learn. Modern machinery now compliments the traditional methods which has enabled the business to expand. But why is this the only remaining oak bark tannery in the country?

Andrew Green And Andrew Parr.

BBC Radio 4 Front Row Podcast extract featuring inspirational American writer and environmental activist Wendell Berry. 

The full podcast can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006lb8

Photo: Festival of Faiths

Wendell Berry

At the Oxford Real Farming Conference this year(2020), Patrick Holden (CEO, Sustainable Food Trust) spoke to George Monbiot (Journalist and Author) following a lively session discussing sustainable and healthy diets. In this conversation, Patrick and George discuss the land sharing versus land sparing debate in light of George's recent documentary Apocalypse Cow.

To watch this interview click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB2F5GsOUCU&list=PLQr4IV1ECPisnJqxZf1G44YCfmIQaCA-j&index=2&t=6s 

And to see the full debate at ORFC 2020 featuring George Monbiot click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVIoyz6nYdY&list=PLQr4IV1ECPisnJqxZf1G44YCfmIQaCA-j&index=3

Patrick Holden in conversation with George Monbiot

In this episode, Patrick speaks to Green Party politician Caroline Lucas. Caroline has twice led the party and has been the Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion since the 2010 general election. 

The coronavirus has exposed the "intense fragility of our current food system". Reflecting on the impact that the coronavirus is having across the UK, Patrick and Caroline discuss the UK Government's response to the pandemic, and consider how to help ensure that people can get access to healthy and sustainable food during times of crisis. 

Caroline and Patrick also discuss the Agriculture Bill and food security, the importance of local food systems and a green framework for the future.

Patrick Holden in conversation with Caroline Lucas

In this episode Patrick speaks to American farmer and pioneer in regenerative agriculture, Joel Salatin, about local and resilient food systems. 

Joel raises livestock at Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Meat from the farm is normally sold by direct marketing to consumers and restaurants, however the farm's direct sales method has had to adapt to the challenges caused by the coronavirus crisis. Joel's new online order and 'drive through' pick-up approach offers hope and inspiration for other farmers having to adapt.

Joel and Patrick discuss the ingenuity of farmers faced with a challenge and the emergence of a new consciousness around resilient, food secure systems.

"During this time of anxiety and worry, sometimes it's good to know that the apple blossoms are still on the trees and the honey bees are coming out - it offers a sense of normality in an otherwise abnormal time" says Joel.

Patrick Holden in conversation with Joel Salatin

Songs of Wayfaring, Wandering Minstrelsy and Pilgrimge.  

Song and journey, tune and land, in sweet hope each goes hand in hand...

See you on the path. Bring a song. It is not getting dark. 

Walk well!

Saint Nicholas (live in Binsey Church)

Will Walking

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