PEAR FEST ‘23

After a decade of working as a multi-awarding winning wildlife camerawoman, Rebecca Hosking decided to hang up her camera bags and don a pair of wellie boots to become one of Britain’s first regenerative farmers. Together with a handful of others, Rebecca pioneered holistic farming practices in this country. Spearheading a movement that has grown exponentially in the past ten years. In that time Rebecca’s own journey has taken some turns and today her focus is concentrated on the wild foods on her farm. Join Rebecca as she takes you on a whistle-stop tour to the benefits of foraged wild foods not just to our own health but to the health of ecology and wildlife around us.

John Letts is a farmer who has spent over 25 years developing more sustainable methods of growing cereals, and recreating the ‘heritage’ cereal crops of our ancestors. He believes we must draw “lessons from the past” in order to improve the resilience, flavour and nutritional quality of our grain. John will explain how he developed the “evolutionary” plant breeding methods he has used to create the heritage grain ‘populations’ that are now being grown on farms throughout the Oxford region for baking, brewing, distilling and thatching.

Russ Carrington was the driving force behind the Knepp Estate's regenerative agriculture project in West Sussex. A former civil engineer and regenerative farmer, Russ has devoted himself to helping food production and rural societies become fit for the future. Knepp pioneered the use of free-roaming grazing animals which transformed Knepp into a wildlife haven. Knepp was once an intensively farmed estate that has become a leading example of how low-cost rewilding methods can restore ecological health and create a thriving rural economy. Russ was brought in to set up a regenerative farm alongside the rewilding area at Knepp to produce beef, eggs and vegetables. He will tell how this can kick-start ecological restoration and benefit the environment and local communities everywhere. Russ was also a founder and later general manager of the Pasture Fed Livestock Association, working with farmers around the UK and Ireland to produce 100% grass-fed beef, lamb and milk.

Fiona Provan path to setting the Gold Top Standard for dairy farming started when she witnessed the cruelty of factory farms as a child. She would accompany her father, a farm vet, on visits and the memories stayed with her. After leaving school at 15 and becoming a chef, she decided to build on her childhood passion and start her own micro-dairy. She will tell how she broke away from conventional farming and focussed on ethical dairy farming methods to support ecological health.

Inspired by the beauty and diversity of nature, Hen Anderson created a 1acre no-dig, bio-intensive vegetable garden, on her 17acre farm in a lush South Devon valley. She grows at hand scale, without heavy machinery or harmful chemicals. These growing methods enable Hen to build healthy and resilient soil, maximise space, and grow nutrient dense food within a richly diverse ecosystem. Over the years, Hen has honed her skills and knowledge, experimenting with different crops, composting techniques, and soil management strategies. She has faced many challenges along the way, but her love for the land and her dedication to sustainable horticulture has kept her going. Today, Hen is proud to share fresh, nutritious produce with her local community, and during her talk she will share her garden and growing techniques with you.

Dr Jenny Goodman is a renowned advocate for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. She believes you can dramatically improve patients’ health through changes to their diet, toxin exposure and lifestyle. For over 20 years she has been calling for better nutrition and simple detoxification to be the first ports of call when it comes to treating chronic conditions. An experienced speaker, Jenny will explain how (she thinks) ecological medicine can help patients lead healthier, happier lives.

Giancarlo and Kate Caldesi had a string of successful Italian restaurants and cookery schools across London but their life was changed when Giancarlo was diagnosed with diabetes. Suddenly the energetic Italian chef was overweight and depressed with excruciating pain. But when a nutritionist friend suggested he do the unthinkable and drop the pizza, pasta and bread in favour of a low carb diet his condition was transformed. Now the couple have co-authored a low carb cookbook to combat diabetes and created gluten free pasta recipes as well as finding alternatives to pastry, bread and pizza. You can read about their healthy recipes at https://www.thegoodkitchentable.com/. They will be doing a demonstration of how to prepare some of these as well as helping to provide the food at Pear Fest so you can sample first-hand how healthy food can also be delicious

Our CEO will be talking about the journey he is on to use agroecological methods on the land at our HQ in Worcestershire to improve the soil and biodiversity and how this ties in with improving the health of our citizens and cutting the burden of chronic disease. He will show how the technology that Black Pear pioneers can aid in social prescribing of lifestyle interventions to make this available to patients at scale alongside work he is doing as a trustee of the PHC.

Dr David Unwin is a renowned general practitioner who has pioneered the low-carb diet to treat diabetes in the UK. His NHS clinic has helped an astonishing 127 people achieve drug-free T2 diabetes remission. David chairs the scientific advisory committee for the Public Health Collaboration (PHC) a charity dedicated to reversing diabetes. He is also a Royal College of General Practice clinical expert in diabetes.

He has enjoyed huge success reversing the illness through his method which helped see him named the ninth most influential GP in the country. He has been featured in numerous publications, including the BBC, New Scientist, Daily Mail, and The British Medical Journal. David will talk about the parallels between using lifestyle interventions in medicine instead of drugs and working with nature in the five wildlife reserves that he runs in the North West of England.

Can we make more use of biology instead of chemistry to solve the problems in both farming and medicine?

Hattie was busking at Paddington station when her voice stopped Les Mis star Alfie Boe in his tracks. Six months later she was opening for the world-renowned tenor on all 21 gigs of his UK tour - and received a standing ovation at the Royal Albert Hall finale. Influenced by Jeff Buckley, Jonie Mitchell and Goldfrapp, Hattie brings together pop, folk and electronic influences. She has been played on BBC Radio 1, 2, and 6Music.

Remi is one of the best guitarists on the planet who happens to live down the road. He counts Jamie Cullum and Cerys Matthews among fans who have described him as "extraordinary" and "astonishing" respectively. Remi draws his unique style from artists including Django Reinhardt, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and Led Zeppelin. He has played Buckingham Palace, Montreal Jazz Festival and the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Remi has jammed live on BBC Radio 2 & 3.

Made from 100% real cider apples - never concentrate - matured for at least a year and blended to perfection. Luke's quest took him from the heartlands of British cider in Hereford and Somerset, to the French cideries of Normandy, and to the New World ciders of New Zealand and Australia. He has worked for big producers and small, and watched, listened, and learned. Now he has two words for anyone who thinks they know cider - think again.

A delicious golden ale with a pleasant, bitter finish that is the staple of any Black Pear event. MHB started up in an old quarryman's gunpowder store in 1998 and has been delivering explosive beers ever since from 600 feet above sea level in the blissful Malvern Hills.

The Retros are one of the hottest 70s cover bands in the business. Experience the funky sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire, Chic, and The Bee Gees like never before, as these guys have electrified audiences of thousands in legendary venues like the Liverpool Arena. Formed in the 80s, the Retros’ infectious energy shines through in every performance and recording. With each member a lead vocalist, you can bet on a dynamic and diverse set list that will keep you shakin' all night long.