Reading & Conversation with Robert Ashton

We're excited to welcome Robert Ashton, author of Where Are the Fellows Who Cut the Hay. Robert's new book Down to Earth explores our relationship with the soil through the eyes of the people who work with it - from prehistory to the present.
We rely on the soil and its rich biodiversity for our food, traditions and folklore, but are we guilty of taking it for granted? In Down to Earth, Robert Ashton traces our evolving relationship with the soil from Neolithic flint miners to modern day naturists. By engaging with the people who work the land – gardeners, farmers, gravediggers and archaeologists – he unearths a wealth of practical wisdom, moving from the mysteries of ancient folklore to the urgency of today's environmental crisis. Each chapter explores an aspect of our connection to the earth, seeking to deepen our understanding of its importance.