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Mary-Ann Ochota

Anthropologist, broadcaster, author

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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
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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
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BOOK BUNDLE: Secret Britain & Hidden Histories — Signed BOOK BUNDLE: Secret Britain & Hidden Histories
£37.00
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Signed BOOK BUNDLE: Secret Britain & Hidden Histories
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Hidden-Histories — Signed copy of Hidden Histories
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The partnership between England’s National Parks,

The partnership between England’s National Parks, National Landscapes, National Trails and Natural England is hugely important - together they represent 25% of England’s land surface! So if we can get these landscapes delivering for wildlife, climate and communities then we’re on to a winner. Some people think of them as sleepy bits of unchanging countryside, or preserved in aspic. It’s far from the case - they’re hotbeds of conservation innovation, financing creativity, thriving businesses and diverse and welcoming communities. There’s more to be done, and I can’t wait to get started! Don’t worry, i’m still doing the broadcasting, books and my other nature/people/archaeology work. Just this as well :D

Ever see those tuffety mounds in a grass field? Th

Ever see those tuffety mounds in a grass field? They're anthills formed over hundreds of years. Means you are defo walking through an ancient landscape where this land hasn't been ploughed or cultivated for many generations, but used as rough pasture grazing land. Look closely at the grass and you'll likely find hundreds of different plants under your feet, not just grass. Which is great for nature and livestock.
And also for history hunters. If you're on a path through this kind of landscape, look for other features - a bridge or Ford across a stream, an old mill or Manor House, traces of an old village or farmstead. Places are always linked....and so are we 💚

Bringing some @toughgirlchallenges energy today. S

Bringing some @toughgirlchallenges energy today. Scary wobble legs but *EFF THIS* life is too short for the sidelines. Anyway, learning new things staves off brain deterioration.

Huge shout out to @evolution2lesarcs for excellent teaching from Louise, the kindest and funnest teacher. And to @inghams.ski for sending me skiing. Article on sustainable skiing in the @guardian in the new year.

Proud as punch to be at the Parliamentary event to

Proud as punch to be at the Parliamentary event today supporting @campaign4parks . Their declaration, to put young people at the heart of decision making for our National Parks, is 100% what we need. It's how we secure the future of our Parks for the Nation, forever.

Shout out to @thelittlebusinessfairy foe the idea

Shout out to @thelittlebusinessfairy foe the idea - little Christmas gifts for mums who escape domestic violence this Christmas.
1 in 4 women will experience a violent or abusive relationship
No-one should be scared in their own home
Stress and alcohol can make domestic violence and abuse get worse.
There s help if you need it - no judgement, just support. Call 999 if you're in immediate danger
The rest of us? If you can, please organise your friends and give something to the parents at your local refuge doing a tough job in an impossible situation.

A few weeks ago I went scuba diving in the Red Sea

A few weeks ago I went scuba diving in the Red Sea with my @bsacdivers dive club. I don’t often fly, and most of my diving has been in the UK before now. So warm water and good vis? it was LUSHHHH. This was a once-in-a-decade-kind of trip exploring the Northern Red Sea’s wrecks and Reefs. A great - and safe - week with @Oceantribefleet on their liveaboard Ghazala Explorer, booked through @scuba_travel (not an ad! I paid full whack as a regular punter! 😅).

I love diving cos it’s an adventure, you see and feel the world from a new perspective. And i’ve met some great folk - there’s a special bond when you know your life is in the hands of the person by your side, and likewise for them. No nitwittery allowed.

Here are a small selection of my piccies. Yes, those are toilets - this ship sunk with a cargo of bathroom fittings. and yes, that is a steam locomotive - it was blasted out of the hold of the WW2 ship Thistlegorm when it was hit by a bomb. The locomotive landed outside the ship, just by chance right-way-up.

And the rest? The beauties of the wild ocean, the quiet corners, and how nature claims everything and makes old wrecks into new reefs.

#oceans #adventure #scubadive

Hey! It's that time of year when people buy gifts

Hey! It's that time of year when people buy gifts for each other. If you want to get someone a really good book about archaeology, history, the Countryside and landscape then BUY A SIGNED BOOK from meeeee.
Links on my website www.maryannochota.com for

📚 Hidden Histories: A Spotter's Guide to the British Landscape
📚 Secret Britain: Unearthing Our Mysterious Past

🎄 A book bundle of both of the above!

📚 The English Path (by Kim Taplin but I wrote the new introduction)

Let me know if you want a dedication, or just a signature and I'll get them in the post to you pronto 👍👍🏾👍🎄

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

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Signed Books

The English Path £14.00
Signed copy of Secret Britain £19.99
Signed copy of Hidden Histories £19.99
Signed BOOK BUNDLE: Secret Britain & Hidden Histories £37.00

© Mary-Ann Ochota 2023-2026

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