E18: Forgotten Forests - Jonathon Mullard And Oaklore - Jules Acton - Richmond Town Hall

Two writers present their recent books on the importance of trees in this double presentation.

Jonathan Mullard is an author, biologist, and was Britains first senior officer for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He is the author of the New Naturalist titles Pembrokeshire, Brecon Beacons and Gower, and he is also a keen photographer. Jonathan will discuss his new book Forgotten Forests: Twelve Thousand Years of British and Irish Woodlands, drawing on the latest scientific understanding of our natural history, as well as a fascinating journey through the forests, landscapes and human history of Britain.

Jules Acton lives and breathes trees. She works for the Woodland Trust and is currently a spokesperson for the Tree of the Year campaign. She encourages walkers to switch off their air pods and concentrate instead on the sounds of nature. Ancient woodlands now only cover 2.5% of the UK and her book, Oaklore, is a clarion call to care for those we have left. She also explores the incredibly diverse history of the oak tree: from a source of food and shelter to its use in literature as a plot device and muse, its role as an essential ingredient in ink, and in mythology from across the British Isles as a sacred plant and precious resource.