A DISTINGUISHED group of speakers with East Hampshire connections will be discussing the issues facing our countryside and the farming community at Bedales’ Olivier Theatre next week.

‘The Future of our Landscape - Brexit and after...’ will focus on the challenges facing the area at a time of significant change to see if there is an emerging consensus and how they might be addressed.

Promoted by the Friends of Steep Church, the panellists at the March 9 talk will be Clare Moriarty (permanent secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), Margaret Paren (chairman of South Downs National Park and of National Parks England), Dr William Wolmer (managing director of the Blackmoor Estate), and farmer Jamie Butler, Meon Springs, East Meon.

The panel will be moderated by Matthew Rice, chairman of the Bedales board of governors.

The talk starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets, priced £12.50 (£10 for members of Friends of Steep Church), are available from Peter Cruttenden on 01730 233241 or Tony Struthers on 01730 269533, or by e-mail to [email protected].