The Sanctuary Series

The Sanctuary Series is our new programme of talks at Brimscombe Mill, opening up big conversations on what matters most. From economic justice and sustainability to community and the arts, we invite visionary thinkers and creatives to share ideas that spark dialogue and inspire action.

The Sanctuary is our space dedicated to awe, creativity, and connection, these events offer an opportunity to engage with globally renowned speakers and local innovators who are reshaping the way we think about the world.

Past speakers include Kate Raworth, Merlin Sheldrake and Emma Pinchbeck and Juliet Davenport.

To book tickets please click on the links below. For each talk we always offer paid and free tickets so everyone can join.

The Sanctuary Series: Edith Bowman & Marc Jobst - Have a ticket on us
£0.00
Sold out
The Sanctuary Series: Edith Bowman & Marc Jobst - £15 Ticket
£15.00
The Sanctuary Series: Jonathon Porritt - Have a ticket on us
£0.00
The Sanctuary Series: Jonathon Porritt - £15 ticket
£15.00

Chris Smaje

25.09.25

Farmer and social thinker, Chris joined us to discuss his book Finding Lights in a Dark Age. He explored how small-scale farming and resilient local food systems can offer hope in turbulent times, sparking a lively conversation about land, community, and the future of how we feed ourselves.”

Past Speakers

Black and white portrait of a woman with short blonde hair, wearing a celestial patterned blouse, standing with arms crossed against a plain background.

Emma Pinchbeck & Juliet Davenport 10.07.25

Two leading voices in the UK’s energy and climate space joined us to discuss the real-world challenges of reaching net zero. From policy to the role of innovation, they revealed what it truly takes to create a just and sustainable transition for both people and planet.

Black and white photo of a smiling woman with short curly hair, wearing a necklace and a dark blazer, outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

Kate Raworth

12.06.25

Visionary economist and author of Doughnut Economics, joined us here at Brimscombe Mill to share bold ideas for building a regenerative, inclusive economy. Kate shared her vision for reimagining how we live, work and care for our planet. You can watch Kate’s talk here.

A man with curly hair sitting on a wicker chair in front of a wall with abstract art. He is wearing a dark shirt and has a bracelet on his right wrist. There is a table with glasses and books beside him.

Merlin Sheldrake

24.04.25

Biologist and author of Entangled Life shared his work in uncovering the hidden networks of fungi that mirror our interconnected world. The evening was in collaboration with The Long Table’s food resilience sourcing team.

Our Partners

The Sanctuary Series is a curated experience. From Jenny Bowers’ painted backdrops and Marcus Walters’ bold visual identity, to support from Lived In who enable us to film and share each event our partners help shape the feel and impact of every conversation.

An indoor gathering with an audience listening to a woman speaking at a presentation or lecture, with a large, colorful abstract mural on the wall behind her.

Illustrator and art director Jenny Bowers has overseen the framing and design of each series through her large scale painted backdrops.

A window with a stone exterior wall, and the words 'LIVED IN' printed across the window.

Livedin Custom Build kindly sponsor our series which has enabled us to document them to share with a wider audience.

Livedin are based near Stroud and their aim is to radically increase access to self-building for people from all walks of life. Their belief is simple yet bold: anyone should have the chance to design and construct a home that reflects their dreams, values, and personal story. Explore their website here

Event poster featuring a semi-circular window graphic, black text with event details, and logos for Brimscombe Mill and The Long Table on a light green background.

Marcus Walters Studio has developed our Sanctuary Series identity. He is a Stroud based designer and image maker and helped us bring all the ideas to life in print.