Renowned authors to give talks this summer at Salisbury Cathedral
This summer, four leading experts will present three thought-provoking talks exploring key themes from their recent publications, all inspired by or centered around water. These events are part of Salisbury Cathedral’s 2025 creative programming on the theme of water, which also includes the new summer art exhibition Living Water.
The first talk on Wednesday 18 June will be from acclaimed marine biologist Dr Helen Scales: What the Wild Sea Can Be. The talk explores the deep history as well as the future of our oceans, exploring the different challenges and increasing issues which are arising, and that all might not be lost when wondering if we can restore some of the beauty back to the sea. What the Wild Sea can Be was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction this year, as well as longlisted for The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in 2024.
On Friday 27 June environmental journalist Tim Smedley will give a talk based around the question, ‘Can We Save the World’s Water Crisis?’. In his most recent book, Tim delves into the alarming consequences of human mismanagement and climate crisis on the water cycle, and the possible solutions that are just waiting to be adopted.
Tim Smedley is an award-winning environment writer (BBC Future, The Guardian, The Sunday Times) and author of two groundbreaking books, Clearing The Air: The Beginning and the End of Air Pollution (2019 – shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book of the Year)
The third talk is inspired by part from Salisbury Cathedral’s upcoming art exhibition Living Water. Lubaina Himid, Turner Prize-winning artist and UK representative at the next Venice Biennale is exhibiting an installation work in the Cloisters and a sculpture in the Nave, based around the colonial histories that are woven into our cultural institutions.
Sunday Times bestselling writer Sathnam Sanghera and specialist in British colonial history Professor Alan Lester will explore this thought-provoking topic on Thursday 31 July, looking at how British Imperialism has shaped the modern world.
Living Water, an exhibition of contemporary art, runs from 7 June to 28 September and is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Tickets for these talks are £10 for adults and £8 for under 18s and students, available from the Cathedral website salisburycathedral.org.uk.
Click here to book Dr Helen Scales: What The Wild Sea Can Be
Click here to book Tim Smedley: Can We Save The World’s Water Crisis?
Click here to book In Conversation: Sathnam Sanghera and Professor Alan Lester