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Mary-Ann Ochota
Anthropologist, broadcaster, author
Mary-Ann Ochota
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Category Archives: Adventures

Jan12023
AdventuresCorporateNews Mary-Ann wears a blue and orange raincoat and smiles at the camera. behind her there's a path that tracks to the horizon. the weather looks wet

Ambassador for the Ridgeway National Trail!

I’m proud to announce I’m the Ridgeway Trail’s Anniversary Patron!

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Feb202021
AdventuresNewsVideos

Archaeology – the human story

Those Who Came Before Us: An archaeologist’s adventure through Jordan.

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Look at the pattern of policy from government - an Look at the pattern of policy from government - and the rhetoric about the countryside and rural communities - and you'd be forgiven for think they're either irrelevant or part of the problem. Neither is true. Invest in rural Britain and you deliver for people, for nature, for communities and the economy. For now and for the future. It's not rocket science. But it does require *rural* to be part of the plan from the outset, not an after-thought. Stuff like - rural buses - investment in regional colleges - sustainable tourism - nature friendly farming & support for farmers to transition - affordable rural housing - tackling rural homelessness & poverty - a clean energy transition that benefits everyone @cpre #RuralCoalition #ruralcommunities
I'm a guest expert on the new season of #Truthseek I'm a guest expert on the new season of #Truthseekers - which will drop early 2026. Join me on set in Prague. 3 cameras, lots of wood panelling and a fun crew to decode the clues, offer up evidence and debunk the nonsense on some of the coolest and most intriguing historical mysteries around...
Local councils are in a bind. Most would probably Local councils are in a bind. Most would probably love to take down the flags. But this is uncertain territory and there's a conversation over whether to leave the flags and pretend they're not problematic and harmful or to accept that the flags are - at least for now - fascist symbols. So let's make it easier for our councils - post a street hazard report via their website and explain why these flappy distractions are dangerous and are likely to cause an accident. You don't need to mention any other reasons you might want the flags down. Just stick with the facts about their hazardousness
What a hang! @emergentgeneration is bringing the i What a hang! @emergentgeneration is bringing the ideas, the energy and the action for change in farming, land management and the food system. You can't help but hope when you spend time with such motivated, committed and knowledgeable young people. If you're 18-35 and care about land, food and the future these might be your people.
Next summer: build a bean den The kids play in it Next summer: build a bean den The kids play in it a bit but mostly I just crawl in for a 2min bean-brain chill
Actually at Westminster to celebrate the amazing w Actually at Westminster to celebrate the amazing work of the new Nature Towns and Cities programme - £15.4 MILLION of National Lottery Heritage Fund money being spent on making 40 towns and cities nature-rich and full of healthy, lovely green and blue spaces. Good for our lives, good for our future. More people need to know about these places and the work being done. Take Birmingham for example - we know about the bin strikes. But actually the real news is that the canal is safe, friendly and a brilliant place to walk and chat. There are street trees reducing deaths and illness caused by excess heat. There are sustainable drainage systems, rain gardens and parks that have active play areas, community growing and kitchens, space to run, stretch, snooze. It's work with really inspiring leadership that will genuinely - and is already - changing lives. This is what being proud of our nation is - putting in the work so everyone benefits, life gets better for all, and our leaders are sober, responsible and show up for their communities. Huge credit to the teams behind the work @naturalengland @heritagefunduk @nationaltrust and all the local partners and charities. 🙌🏽🌿👩🏾‍🦳🐛🐞🏠🌐 To get there, I had to go through the lovely old bit with the big old roof
Outside medicine. Protective medicine against the Outside medicine. Protective medicine against the shame and horror of the world. Against the indoorsness of mainstream education and busy work and never ending to do lists. I know I'm lucky that I can do this. And I am deeply grateful 🙏🏽
Ooh! New drysuit from #seaskin drysuits. Great ser Ooh! New drysuit from #seaskin drysuits. Great service, decent price, UK manufacture...now just need to get in the water and give it a spin! Pool first, then lake, then the open sea @bsacdivers
Who knew? Massive medieval cathedral gives good ol Who knew? Massive medieval cathedral gives good old stone vibes. #Peterborough
Big hill, lush evening, good vibes in Winchester. Big hill, lush evening, good vibes in Winchester. I'm speaking tomorrow at the National Landscapes conference, then staying on for a meeting with Natural England. #landscapesforthefuture ❓️but does anyone actually know what we mean when we're banging on about landscapes?
In hot and sweaty London with @cpre today to talk In hot and sweaty London with @cpre today to talk to a bunch of people about how we become the Clean Energy Superpower @ed_miliband wants us to be. Crucially - how do we get businesses, warehouses and farms to stick solar panels on their roofs? How do we change the landscape so everyone benefits from the sun shining on their roof? How do we minimise the amount of land being taken out of food production to become a solar farm instead? How do we get the job done for the nation, at the same time as listening properly to local communities getting clobbered with lots of infrastructure? The govt published their solar roadmap yesterday so there’s a lot to percolate through. Can we disperse solar panels so a village has a field’s worth that powers a couple of thousand houses, rather than being surrounded by panels and security fences that power the region? Yes, we need to make efficient use of the grid infrastructure (pylons, substations etc) but mega solar farms are so jarring that they risk not just breaking a few eggs but killing all the chickens. For many (most?) people, the biggest factor they’ll feel in the near future is - have my bills gone down? Put panels on the GP Surgery roof and you can afford a new practice nurse, panels on a factory and everyone gets a raise, panels on a school and a new Teaching Assistant can be hired. and - incidentally - we don’t need to rely on Russian oil and gas, we’re tackling climate change and we can restore nature at the same time. Save the world while you sleep? Install solar panels and a battery. I love listening to clever people who care about the future. It might be the raging heatwave, or its the warm and fuzzies. Either way, energy transition is HOT rn 🔥 *and yes, modern slavery in the supply chain is an issue we need to fix pronto ☠️
The countryside can and should be as diverse and p The countryside can and should be as diverse and progressive as anywhere else in our country. Countryside places have always been places of many faiths, many backgrounds and many stories. There’s space for temples, mosques, chapels, synagogues in every landscape, in every national park, in every community. I know it to be true. As President of @CPRE the Countryside Charity that’s 100 years old next year; As an anthropologist & researcher into the historic landscape. And as a *human* I know it to be true. I’m thrilled that @south.lakes.islamic.centre is being built in Furness in the Lake District - a space for faith and community. It doesnt exist yet but it's already needed and loved. This is a future countryside I’m proud to be part of.
This bunch of farmers are innovative, future-focus This bunch of farmers are innovative, future-focused and optimistic. They're regenerative farmers - ie they farm in a way that builds healthy soil, promotes water and nutrients to cycle through a healthy ecosystem, and they produce delicious and nutritious food. They aim to leave the land in a better state than when they began. And if you do it right you can make a decent living too. No pity party, no waiting for government bailouts. Just getting on with future-focused land-and-nature-and-community-and-people regeneration.huge thanks to @carboncalling2025 for the privilege of joining you, hosting sessions and learning LOADS. 💚🌾🐂 Co-Founders & awesome persons @renisons_farm @lizgenever
Planning to get outside and enjoy the longest day? Planning to get outside and enjoy the longest day? See the sunrise? Or sunset? Great. 💚 Spread the pressure - you don't need to go to a famous site to have a special time - find local alternatives @megalithic_portal 🌷 Leave No trace 🐕 keep the floof pooch on a lead - birds and hares are nesting in the grass. 🚜 Park responsibly- never in passing places or in field gateways 🌄 make sure the only fireball is the one in the sky. Leave the stoves, candles and BBQ trays at home. Otherwise you could easily cause a fire. Like, really easily. And no, your 1lt bottle of drinking water won't put it out. 🌞 enjoy @right.2roam @cpre @nfulife @archaeologyuk @the.stone.club
It's honestly very interesting Signed copies at w It's honestly very interesting Signed copies at www.maryannochota.com Or your local bookshop @quartobooksuk
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Signed Books
  • cover of the book The English Path. it is illustrated with a painting of a curving track through fields. It shows the author's name Kim Taplin and says Introduced by Mary-Ann Ochota The English Path £14.00
  • front cover artwork of book showing the title, Secret Britain on a green landscape with archaeological features like standing stones Signed copy of Secret Britain £19.99
  • Hidden-Histories Signed copy of Hidden Histories £19.99
  • BOOK BUNDLE: Secret Britain & Hidden Histories Signed BOOK BUNDLE: Secret Britain & Hidden Histories £37.00

© Mary-Ann Ochota 2023-2025

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