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Mary-Ann Ochota
Anthropologist, broadcaster, author
Mary-Ann Ochota
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Daily Archives: January 26, 2021

Jan262021
TVVideos an aerial shot of a snow-clad Helvellyn in the Lake District. with the BBC Four icon

Spot me in Life of a Mountain: Helvellyn on BBC4

‘Life of a Mountain: Helvellyn’ – featuring all those who live, work, care for and play…

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🌄 Exciting news! The @teambmc's Hiking Essentia 🌄 Exciting news! The @teambmc's Hiking Essential talks are BACK!   🗣️ Calling all #HillWalkers! Live skills workshops in @cotswoldoutdoor stores in N Wales and Keswick w expert outdoor instructors @sharonkennedyadventures and @rachcrewe 🙌 Emergency skills 14 June - Betws-y-Coed 🌻 Multi-day hiking 21 June - Keswick Level up your hiking game! 🔝 top tips, kit ideas, all your Qs answered.   More info and tix links at www.thebmc.co.uk/hikingessentials  👣🌿 also, link in bio & stories   #HikingEssentials #OutdoorAdventure 📷 = Neruja Srikantharajah @so_little_a_time
Ahaha! We're you wondering what happened next?! We Ahaha! We're you wondering what happened next?! Well, it's cos I'm rubbish at Instagram. Here's the rest of it. Also a helpful thing about sheep and dogs #beresponzible #keepyourdogonalead #donttakerisks @ridgeway_national_trail
I'll be performing a new live Archaeology Storytel I'll be performing a new live Archaeology Storytelling show with that man @jasonbuckstoryteller THIS FRIDAY at @butserancientfarm . Two shows - one, 4pm-6pm, the other 7pm-9pm. Perfect way to kick off #halfterm and the #bankholidayweekend 🔥 not just for kids, this is old school oral history and storytelling 🔥 live performance and a chance to chat afterwards 🔥 in the Great Roundhouse, a replica Iron Age roundhouse, around an open fire. Good vibes guaranteed. 🔥 support an amazing experimental archaeology site at the same time Link in bio & stories. Not many tickets left (literally 6 for the evening performance when I last checked) so chop chop!
Instagram post 18000450031835942 Instagram post 18000450031835942
Interviews for BBC radio this morning, talking abo Interviews for BBC radio this morning, talking about the new @teambmc report about access to the outdoors. Is it equal? NO! 🌳 only 38% people say they can access the countryside easily 🌳 access and affordability of kit is a massive issue 🌳 having caring responsibilities can limit opportunities 🌳1 in 5 ppl have a physical or mental health condition which holds them back from being active outdoors 🚗 if you don't have a car then things get tricky 🤯 1 in 10 people feel INTIMIDATED to go into the countryside. They're worried about the (lack of) welcome, what the 'rules' are, whether facilities will be appropriate. Lots to do. Access to outdoors needs to be a Govt priority - it's a health and economic issue as well as a moral one. It needs funding. It needs joined up work from orgs like @british.canoeing @ramblersgb @britishcycling @mountaineeringscotland @nationaltrust @cpre @nfulife and the CLA. It needs orgs to reach out to community leaders and work out how best to support - with training, opportunities and networks. It requires us all to be nice, say hi. Embrace diversity in the outdoors.
Getting outdoors is really good for your physical Getting outdoors is really good for your physical and mental health. Its also really good for rural businesses! But only a third of people say they can access the outdoors easily. Whether it's having to depend on public transport, affording the right kit, managing a physical or mental health condition, or not knowing anyone who does outdoor activities. It might mean you can't even get to the start of a walk. It needs systemic change - a high government priority, funding & education. And for organisations like @teambmc working w others in the sector to reach out and better serve all communities, not just the people who are already members. BMC are launching a new Equity and Diversity strategy today & are committing to seeding change throughout the organisation - from board and staff to volunteers & members. Diversity is the way to flourish. Because we all need - and deserve - an #OutdoorsForAll .
Ooh! Been out in the zun having fun on the Ridgewa Ooh! Been out in the zun having fun on the Ridgeway! This bit is near Swindon. #barburycastle #summer
On tomorrow on BBC Radio3 #PrivatePassions - I tal On tomorrow on BBC Radio3 #PrivatePassions - I talk about some of my favourite classical, world, folk and ancient music and the stories behind my choices. Ancient Greeks? Offshore sailing? The Highland Clearances? Mount Fuji? They're all in there.... 12pm BST and then on @bbcsounds
On sky news at 0745 talking about today's newspape On sky news at 0745 talking about today's newspaper stories
Join @bmc_londonse for chilled group walks in beau Join @bmc_londonse for chilled group walks in beautiful landscapes near to London. All walks will be circular & linked to public transport. Details of distance, pace & access etc are being confirmed. Follow the @bmc_londonse or find them on Facebook to get info as soon as it's released. Ps - you don't have to be a member of @teambmc, you just need to want to go for a walk!!
@nationaltrailsuk Nature to blast you back to bett @nationaltrailsuk Nature to blast you back to better. #Ridgeway @ridgeway_national_trail @nationaltrailsuk #windywalk
Morning! On Sky News at 07.45! Morning! On Sky News at 07.45!
I've just been working with the @campandcaravan Ca I've just been working with the @campandcaravan Camping and Caravanning Club to celebrate the launch of their new Outjoyment Report! They pledge to get the nation camping - because it's really good for you! 🏕 48% of campers report feeling happy every day (compared to 35% of non-campers) 🏕 91% of campers go because it makes them feel relaxed 🏕93% of campers go to enjoy nature, 97% go because it makes them happy 🚐Campers have highers levels of psychological wellbeing and nature connection than non-campers AND AND AND! 🏕 camping is sustainable tourism 🏕 camping is affordable tourism 🏕 Camping boosts local rural economies It really is win win win. So what needs to happen? These are MY thoughts: 🌱everyone from all backgrounds, with all sorts of requirements and preferences, should have the chance to try camping on their terms. You don't have to love it, but you won't know unless you have a chance to try. 🌱 organisations need to work together to dismantle barriers to people camping - access to places, equipment, community and knowledge. 🌱 public & policy bodies need to give all children access to camping through the national curriculum, accelerate supported social prescribing, invest in rights of way, national parks, AONBs and rangers. What do you think? Should we be a nation of campers?
I've just been working with the @campandcaravan Ca I've just been working with the @campandcaravan Camping and Caravanning Club to celebrate the launch of their new Outjoyment Report! They pledge to get the nation camping - because it's really good for you! 🏕 48% of campers report feeling happy every day (compared to 35% of non-campers) 🏕 91% of campers go because it makes them feel relaxed 🏕93% of campers go to enjoy nature, 97% go because it makes them happy 🚐Campers have highers levels of psychological wellbeing and nature connection than non-campers AND AND AND! 🏕 camping is sustainable tourism 🏕 camping is affordable tourism 🏕 Camping boosts local rural economies It really is win win win. So what needs to happen? These are MY thoughts: 🌱everyone from all backgrounds, with all sorts of requirements and preferences, should have the chance to try camping on their terms. You don't have to love it, but you won't know unless you have a chance to try. 🌱 organisations need to work together to dismantle barriers to people camping - access to places, equipment, community and knowledge. 🌱 public & policy bodies need to give all children access to camping through the national curriculum, accelerate supported social prescribing, invest in rights of way, national parks, AONBs and rangers. What do you think? Should we be a nation of campers?
This is Bridget. She’s pissed off that she has t This is Bridget. She’s pissed off that she has to miss school to collect water. Understandably. So here’s the thing – it’s  #worldwaterday2023 today. 2 billion people worldwide don’t have safe drinking water at home – so it's usually down to women and girls to collect it from standpipes, wells or streams and ponds (yes, gross. Yes, it often makes them sick) Women and girls spend a staggering 200 million hours EVERY DAY collecting water. 🤔 Imagine what they could do with those hours if they weren’t trudging about carrying water? Get educated, start businesses, farm their land, play with their kids, look after elders, heck, just chill out for 5 minutes before  the next job list lands.  So if you can, please think about swinging over to @Toilet_Twinning to twin your tap. It costs £60. You’ll get a certificate to put in the bathroom, kitchen, shed (just count how many taps you take for granted in your home!). And girls like Bridget will be less burdened by water. Literally.  (in fact, Bridget has already benefitted from brilliant people twinning their taps! She and her community now have a tap in the school playground so they don’t need to collect from the polluted stream and no-one misses the start of lessons.) Thanks y’all. Clean water and sanitation are bare minimum requirements for a humane life, and the foundation for a better future. If you can’t spare £60 atm, a one-off donation goes a long way too. Thank you.
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Signed Books
  • Secret Britain: Unearthing Our Mysterious Past £20.00
  • Hidden-Histories Signed copy of Hidden Histories £19.99
  • Britains-Secret-Treasures Signed copy of Britain's Secret Treasures £20.00
  • BOOK BUNDLE: Secret Britain & Hidden Histories BOOK BUNDLE: Secret Britain & Hidden Histories £37.00
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