Awareness Day Detail

Climatic Awareness

Hard Rain Exhibition & Presentation (Separate entrance charity fee for presentation)

Barcroft Hall is delighted to accommodate a version of the Hard Rain Exhibition shown at the Eden Project (Cornwall, UK), Kirstenbosch Gardens (Cape Town, South Africa), Royal Botanic Garden (Edinburgh), Real Jardin Botanico (Madrid),Tällberg Forum (Sweden) and this spring in the UN Headquarters, New York.

Mark Edwards, one of the most widely publicised editorial photographers in the world, will be giving presentations of images from his personal archive, including photographic contributions by Sebastião Salgado, Chris Steele-Perkins and others. These images combine with the words and music of the legendary Bob Dylan to explore the pressing issues of climate change, habitat loss, pollution, poverty and human rights in a startlingly original way. Mark will also be book signing on the day.

Hard Rain has inspired visitors around the world to participate in the complex debate about our future.

Environmental Awareness

Garden and Wildlife Area Open Day (Adult entry - £3.50, children and the disabled - Free)

Barcroft Hall gardens and wildlife areas, also used as a release site for the RSPCA, were created by the present owners of the ninety acre farm estate seven years ago. Wonderful wildlife habitats, with hundreds of trees planted, coupled with formal areas have resulted in a stunning environment.

It is specifically designed for reasonable disabled access (Class 3 Scooters & Powered Wheelschairs). Car parking and disabled toilets will be provided. Drinks and snacks will be available. Proceeds will go to NGS central fund, local disabled and mobility challenged charities.

Mobility Awareness

A Day for the Mobility Challenged

We warmly welcome Annie Maw our High Sheriff of Somerset for 2008, who will be opening the event. She will be joined by Alan Gloak, Chairman of Somerset County Council who will be at Barcroft Hall in support on the day and promoting ‘Accessible Somerset’ with Richard Pittman and his team, CEO of Compass Disability Services.

On a suggestion by Robin Hanbury Tenison, the environmental explorer, Annie’s well publicised ‘Sola Rola Adventure’ tour starts with a ‘bon voyage’ from Elizabeth, Lady Vallance, High Sheriff of Greater London at the Houses of Parliament and finishes at the Bath & West Showground travelling solely in solar powered mobility vehicles. This project has already raised thousands for mobility challenged charities. Annie who is disabled herself, will participate with others who are mobility challenged, who wish, like everybody else, to have as full an access as possible to the countryside.

The aim of this day and the simultaneous launch of ‘Discrimination Trails’ is to make other landowners, regular walkers and the authorities aware of how challenging it is for mobility constrained users. We are hoping to have as large a gathering of mobility challenged visitors and participants as possible. Annie will also announce four projected awards for 2008/9 on the day.

Organic Awareness

A Good Day to learn about Good Organic Food

Barcroft Hall farm estate has now been restored after a period of agricultural neglect. For the first four years of the project the farm estate was put into traditional crop rotation to balance the land and for the past four years it has been in a period of natural pasture growth and stability with no pesticides, herbicides or fertiliser placed on the land. Natural production is therefore planned to commence when appropriate together with flower meadow areas prepared in soil, quality balanced, for successful seed germination.

In the spirit of this organic future Barcroft supports the West Country’s organic producers a few of whose products will be available on the day to order and buy. In addition signed copies of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s publications will be available.

AWARENESS DAY Detail