On Friday 25th September, local sustainability group PACT held their Annual General Meeting, which was attended by PACT members and other interested parties. Reports of the year’s events and financial activities were given and approved by members, all of whom were given a chance to have their say. Minutes and more information are available by request.
In traditional PACT fashion, the meeting was followed by entertainment in the form of a fascinating talk from local Tree Amble podcast legend, Pete Leeson; he is also known for his work with the Woodland Trust. The talk, titled “Trees, Cows and the Future: the role of wood pasture in a changing climate”, explored the natural symbiosis between grazing cattle and woodland pasture, opposed to the modern mainstream of keeping cattle in flat, monoculture fields. Native herds were kept alongside nature and trees, rather than separate from it, and Pete argued that we should return to this ancient method of keeping cattle as it is better for animals, humans and the planet.
The evening finished with a performance from Burnt Horse, a four-piece folk band from Penrith and Keswick, which Pete Leeson is part of, alongside his bandmates Angela, Simon, and Abi. The band play folk tunes in their own style, using guitars, cello, fiddle and banjo alongside beautiful harmonies to create a captivating soundscape.