Between April and November 2018 the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission Bike Tour team will wend its way through dozens of villages and towns throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, listening to people who have been much talked about but little heard in debates on food, farming and the countryside, and recording what they tell us about their hopes, needs, challenges and success stories.
On Thursday 6 September Francesca Monticone will be arriving on her bicycle at Hawkwood to network and exchange information on sustainability in food, farming and the countryside with the RSA Food, Farming and Countryside Commission Bike Tour 2018.
Later that day, in the evening of Thursday 6 September Hawkwood will host an RSA WATCH event, hosted by Tom MacMillan who works at Soil Association as director of innovation and is policy advisor to the RSA Commission. This is one of their popular, occasional events where they address pressing issues of our times, and food is certainly one of these!
The plan is to introduce Francesca to managers of Hawkwood walled garden, Stroud Community Agriculture, Oakbrook Farm Stroud Micro-Dairy and Starter Farm, a consultant and entrepreneur in food distribution, Edible Stroud, local permaculture and food-growing groups, and Transition Stroud.
Schedule for the evening event.
7.00pm – Drinks and networking for RSA members, VIPs and local audience
7.30pm – Welcome and introductions by Alicia Carey, CEO, Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking
Outline of evening:
Overview of RSA Food, Farming and Countryside Commission aims - Tom MacMillan, director of innovation at the Soil Association and a policy advisor to the RSA Commission.
Report on Bike Tour findings in Stroud area - Francesca Monticone, RSA Food and Farming intern
Discussion groups and outcomes, hosted by Tom MacMillan.
9.00pm – Departure
Entry is by donation and drinks may be purchased at the bar.
