Green

The National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) and the University of Warwick, with support from Arts Council England, are carrying out a research project exploring the wellbeing and economic impacts of rural and community touring across the UK. They want to look at how the work of volunteer promoters strengthens rural economies, supports small businesses, reduces […]

As part of our ongoing commitment to the environment and our local community, the Highlights team spent a rewarding afternoon volunteering at the Eden Rivers Trust (ERT) tree nursery in March. This marked our fourth visit to the nursery over the past two years and true to form, the sunshine made an appearance once again!

One afternoon, in January’s less than lovely weather conditions, half of the Highlights Team headed to Penrith to continue our community project with the Eden Community Tree Nursery. Dawn, Kate and Highlights Trustee Mary potted up tiny hawthorn trees, Joel spent the afternoon digging a hole. He was as happy as we’ve ever seen him,

As part of our celebration, and contribution to, the ‘greenness’ of rural touring, we asked our Autumn 2024 artists if they used recycled/repurposed materials on their tour with Highlights. Here are the responses we have received so far, and a great excuse – as if we needed much of an excuse – for us to

The National Rural Touring Forum have just released a pilot study, analysing a four-date tour by singer songwriter Blair Dunlop across rural venues in Somerset. This data was then compared the carbon emissions to a hypothetical show at an urban location. The results are very encouraging, and demonstrates how a rural tour produces significantly less

On the 17 September – under beautiful blue skies that didn’t happen in August – Kate, Kath, Dawn and Joel visited the Penrith Community Tree Nursery. Managed by the Eden Rivers Trust, this project is a doorway to conservation; a place accessible to all, where local people, volunteers and community groups could learn about trees