Matthew Oates celebrates our relationship with the natural world through nature writing new and old, both poetry and prose.

Matthew will read some of his own writings, and pieces by some of his favourite authors (he’s been heavily influenced by Edward Thomas and WH Hudson, and the local writer who kicked it all off, Richard Jefferies).

There will be periods of musing, reflection and open discussion on nature. Cheerfulness will keep breaking through, for the natural world is a source of joy and wonder.

Matthew Oates is a writer, broadcaster and nature poet who worked for the National Trust for nearly thirty years, from offices in Cirencester and Swindon, finishing up with the glorious title of National Specialist on Nature.

He is an acknowledged expert on butterflies. He writes regularly for the Nature Notebook column in The Times and is the author of the acclaimed In Pursuit of Butterflies (2015) and the shortlisted Beyond Spring (2017). He lives near Tetbury and is a member of the Brokenborough Poets group.

Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for students over 14, bookable in advance or pay on the door.

Main image credit: Vali S. from Pexels