What’s On

We have practical courses, taster days for our courses, debates to open up conversations and share ideas and residential experiences to help make sense of the present and plan your future.  Here’s our line up…  Find our Latest News here.

Latest News What's On

Tool Sharpening and Maintenance Workshop

June 10, 2023, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Learn how to maintain and sharpen your hand tools instead of replacing them on our one-day short course!  Bring two or three unsharpened tools along with you to our Troed yr Harn campus and learn how to make them sharp… Read more

Aquaponics Short Course

June 10, 2023, 10am - 5pm, Vowchurch Herefordshire HR2 0RA

Small-scale, domestic aquaculture food growing As the climate and ecological crisis deepens, food security will become a concern. The cost of food has dramatically increased over the past year, and modern production systems can have negative effects on the environment.… Read more

Troed yr Harn and Accommodation Tour

June 10, 2023, 11am - 1pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Join us for a free tour of our farm site, Troed-yr-Harn, as well as some of our accommodation options available for September 2023 on Saturday 10th June! If you are interested in any of our courses but are hoping to… Read more

Treherbert Open Day – 17th June

June 17, 2023, 11am - 2pm, Welcome to Our Woods, Bute St, Treherbert, Treorchy CF42 5NR

Join us for our first Open Day in Treherbert, in partnership with Welcome to Our Woods, where you can discover more about our new courses! Come along for free We will be showcasing our educational offers, including our one-year-long NVQ’s… Read more

Moth and Butterfly ID Course

June 24, 2023, 9am - 2.30pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Learn to identify moths and butterflies, and join us for a walk around our regenerative farm to survey and record the species we have here. Listen to an expert talk by National Trust Ranger, Nick. Comprising of over 2000 species in Great… Read more

Tiny Homes Short Course

June 24, 2023, 11am - 4pm, Vowchurch Herefordshire HR2 0RA

Introduction to designing and building a tiny home Tiny houses are low carbon, low impact, compact timber cabins on wheels. The popularity of the tiny house movement has grown as a response to changes in our climate, ecosystem and society.… Read more

Hurdle Making and Greenwood Crafts – 1st July

July 1, 2023, 10am - 3.30pm, Hay Castle

A half-day workshop at Hay Castle. Learn a traditional skill by having a go at using a draw knife and a shave horse to create traditional sheep hurdles. This workshop is for people who are interested in sustainable woodland management and… Read more

Botanical Dyeing

July 1, 2023, 10am - 4pm, Hay Castle

Join textile artist Siân Lester for an introduction to the magical and alchemic process of botanical dyeing. One day course – at Hay Castle, Clore Space Welsh textile artist Siân Lester will share her knowledge and skills in a one-day… Read more

Bat Ecology

July 1, 2023, 9.30am - 11pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Join us on our Bat Ecology 1-day Short Course to gain a foundation to bat biology, ecology and conservation on Saturday 1st July with Just Mammals! Designed for those new to bats and wanting to develop a broader understanding of the species… Read more

Print Making for Activism

July 2, 2023, 9.30 - 2pm, Hay Castle

Gain an introduction to lino cutting to help you draw, cut and print you own activist designs. One day course – at Hay Castle, Clore Space An introduction to linocut. Printmaking techniques have long been associated with protest and following… Read more

A New Story – Radical Adaptation

July 12, 2023, , Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Unleashing the human potential for ecological transformation This 5-day residential is an opportunity to experience our signature approach to learning, systems change and climate action. Each year it draws together a wide spectrum of people to jointly re-imagine our communities,… Read more

Writing, Climate, and the Living World

July 20, 2023, , Troed yr Harn Farm, Talgarth

This course will ask a central question: what does it mean to be a writer today, in light of the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE)? How can we approach the vastness of the emergency we are in, with effective creative… Read more

Discovery Day – 22nd July

July 22, 2023, 10am - 2pm, Hay Castle

Our next Discovery Day is Saturday 22nd July at Hay Castle from 10am - 2pm! Come along for free We will be showcasing our educational offers, including our one-year-long NVQ’s in partnership with NPTC Group of Colleges*: - Level 2… Read more

Botanical Illustration for Nature Connection

August 5, 2023, 10am - 4pm, Hay Castle

Connect with Nature and experience the joy of producing a beautiful botanical drawing and painting, inspired by the gardens at Hay Castle. One day course – at Hay Castle, Clore Space An introduction to painting beautiful botanical studies. You will… Read more

Hurdle Making and Greenwood Crafts – 5th August

August 5, 2023, 10am - 3.30pm, Hay Castle

A half-day workshop at Hay Castle. Learn a traditional skill by having a go at using a draw knife and a shave horse to create traditional sheep hurdles. This workshop is for people who are interested in sustainable woodland management and… Read more

Ecological Futures Camp

August 18, 2023, , Troed yr Harn Farm, Talgarth

On-campus residential camp – full board – across 5 days Experience Black Mountain College and explore your future. How can you use your passions and skills to make a difference? For school leavers and others thinking about the world of work at… Read more

Tiny Homes – 19th August

August 19, 2023, 11am - 4pm, Vowchurch Herefordshire HR2 0RA

Introduction to designing and building a tiny home Tiny houses are low carbon, low impact, compact timber cabins on wheels. The popularity of the tiny house movement has grown as a response to changes in our climate, ecosystem and society.… Read more

Tiny Homes – 27th August

August 27, 2023, 11am - 4pm, Vowchurch Herefordshire HR2 0RA

Introduction to designing and building a tiny home Tiny houses are low carbon, low impact, compact timber cabins on wheels. The popularity of the tiny house movement has grown as a response to changes in our climate, ecosystem and society.… Read more

Music, Climate and the Living World

September 27, 2023, , Penpont, Brecon, Powys LD3 8EU

What is the role of music in a time of climate and ecological collapse? Music and sound has always had the potential to connect us with the more-than-human world. Music gives us hope, helps us grieve, reminds us to laugh,… Read more
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Past Events

Dry Stone Walling

May 13, 2023, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Collect and sort stone from the land, and help us build a retaining wall with a seat for the children’s fire pit area at our Farm campus! This will be a hands-on practical day focusing on the principles of building… Read more

Cob Oven Workshop

April 29, 2023, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

A one-day workshop turning the ground under our feet into a wood fired oven to bake pizza in! The course will introduce the durable building material, ‘cob’ which has been used in traditional cultures across the world since before records… Read more

Dawn Bird Chorus Walk and ID

April 23, 2023, 6am - 7.30am, Troed yr Harn Farm, Talgarth

Join us bright and early to listen to our local birds and learn some identification tips. Have you been meaning to wake up early to listen to the dawn chorus sounds? Now is the time to join BMC and a… Read more

Hurdle Making and Greenwood Crafts

April 22, 2023, 10am - 3.30pm, Hay Castle

A half-day workshop at Hay Castle. Learn a traditional skill by having a go at using a draw knife and a shave horse to create traditional sheep hurdles. This workshop is for people who are interested in sustainable woodland management and… Read more

Monthly Campus Tours

April 19, 2023, 11am - 1pm, Hay Castle and Troed-yr-Harn

Join us for a free tour of our farm site, Troed-yr-Harn, as well as a visit to our Hay Castle teaching venue on the 2nd Wednesday of each month! If you are interested in any of our courses but are… Read more

Water Harvesting, Reuse and Conservation Short Course

April 16, 2023, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Learn about the opportunities to harvest and recycle water for food growing and, in the household, and some basic skills to help you design and build your own systems. Piped water is abundant and low cost in the UK so… Read more

Composting Toilet Short Course

April 15, 2023, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Learn why dry/compost toilets are environmentally significant, how to plan for, design, and build a wooden dry/compost latrine. This practical course sets the scene to make the “case” for compost toilets in some situations, explaining how to meet regulatory requirements… Read more

Tree Planting

March 18, 2023, 10am - 3pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Come join us for tree-planting fun! We’ll be planting a shelter belt for biodiversity and creating a brand-new woodland. This one-day course will provide an introduction to the importance of trees considering planting objectives, species selection and tree care. Who… Read more

Climate Careers Fair

March 18, 2023, 12pm - 2pm, Online via Zoom

How will the impact of ecological and climate crisis affect the context of your working life – what can you ‘be’ in that future and how do you get there? Online seminar. What impact will the new era of climate… Read more

Discovery Day – 11th March

March 11, 2023, 10am - 2pm, Hay Castle

Are you interested in the environment? Looking to learn something new? Maybe you're looking to study on a more practical course where you can learn outdoors and in context... Then come along to our free Discovery Day at Hay Castle… Read more

Introduction to Coppicing Short Course – Part 2

February 25, 2023, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Take part in Part 2 of Introduction to Coppicing course! Learn how to use tools and create products from the material you've coppiced. This is a follow-on course from our Part 1 course from January, but you do not need to… Read more

Introduction to Coppicing Short Course – Part 1

January 21, 2023, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Take part in our Introduction to Coppicing course! Learn how to use tools and create products from the material you've coppiced. A great way to see what BMC have to offer, come along to have a go if you're interested in… Read more

Online Open Evening – Higher Education

January 19, 2023, 7pm - 8.30pm , Online

Join us for a virtual Open Evening on Thursday 19th January to learn more about our brand-new, multidisciplinary degree programme: BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change! If you're interested in our course but haven't had a chance… Read more

Discovery Day

December 3, 2022, 10am - 2pm, Hay Castle

Are you interested in the environment? Looking to learn something new? Maybe you're looking to study on a more practical course where you can learn outdoors and in context... Then come along to our free Discovery Day at Hay Castle… Read more

Community Tree Planting

November 12, 2022, 9.30am , Meet at Talgarth Car Park at 9.30am

Join Black Mountains College for a free community tree-planting event. Free local cider in return! In partnership with Coed Hen Ffordd   Key Information Date: Saturday 12th November Time: 9.30am Location: Our campus is a car-free site, and we encourage participants… Read more

Dry Stone Walling Course – 22nd October

October 22, 2022, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

One day course – at Troed yr Harn Farm This will be a hands on practical day focusing on the principles of building a dry stone wall. In the morning session participants will work individually, preparing and building the first… Read more

Writing, Climate and the Living World

September 22, 2022, 4pm, Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF

3-day residential course exploring how writing can confront and reflect the climate and ecological emergency. Read more

Composting Toilets Re-Run – September

September 18, 2022, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

Learn why dry/compost toilets are environmentally significant, how to plan for, design, and build a wooden dry/compost latrine. Key Information Date - Sunday 18th September 2022 from 9am – 5pm Location - at our Troed yr Harn Campus. Our campus is a car… Read more

Ecological Futures Camp

August 30, 2022, , Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF

Experience Black Mountain College and explore your future. How can you use your passions and skills to make a difference? For school leavers and others thinking about the world of work at a time of uncertainty and ecological crisis. Read more

Botanical Drawing and Painting Course

August 27, 2022, 10am - 3.30pm, Hay Castle, Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5DG

One-day course – at Hay Castle, Clore Space An introduction to painting beautiful botanical studies. You will receive both fresh and dried subjects - seed heads and pods - to work from, or you can take inspiration from plants growing… Read more

Dry Stone Walling Course – 20th August

August 20, 2022, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

One day course – at Troed yr Harn Farm with Stuart Iles This is a repeat of the Dry Stone Walling course on 13th August! You are welcome to book tickets for both sessions to continue your work.. This will… Read more

Tool Sharpening Workshop

August 13, 2022, 10am - 3pm, Tools for Self Reliance Cymru Workshop, Upper house farm, Standard St, Crickhowell, NP8 1BZ

A repeat of our Tool Sharpening course from April... Bring two or three unsharpened tools to the TFSR workshop and learn how to make them sharp again rather than replace them. Types of tools you can bring include sickles, axes,… Read more

Dry Stone Walling Course – 13th August

August 13, 2022, 9am - 5pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

One day course – at Troed yr Harn Farm with Stuart Iles This will be a hands-on, practical day course, focusing on the principles of building a dry stone wall. In the morning session, participants will work individually, preparing and… Read more

Home Cooking for Students 

July 23, 2022, 10am - 2pm, Gwernyfed High School LD3 0SG

One-Day Short Course Going to uni or college this September? Can’t cook or won’t cook? This course is for can’t cook new students who would like to be equipped with recipe knowledge to create their favourite foods. From pizza to… Read more

Pole Lathe Making Course

July 23, 2022, 9am - 4pm, Meet at Talgarth Car Park

This is a one-day Pole Lathe Making course at our Troed-yr-Harn campus in Talgarth... This workshop is for people who are interested in sustainable woodland management and would like to know how to make useful products from coppiced and other… Read more

Print Making for Activism Workshop

July 16, 2022, 10am - 3.30pm, Hay Castle, Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5DG

Gain an introduction to lino cutting to help you draw, cut and print you own activist designs. Printmaking techniques have long been associated with protest and following in this tradition we will be using lino cutting tools to carve a… Read more

Riven Ash Hurdle Making Course

July 16, 2022, Various 1-hour Sessions Available between 10am - 3.30pm, Hay Castle, Oxford Road, Hay-on-Wye, Wales, HR3 5DG

Learn a traditional skill by having a go at using a draw knife and a shave horse to create traditional riven ash sheep hurdles. One-hour sessions – at Hay Castle, outdoors on the lawn This workshop is for people who… Read more

Open Day

July 9, 2022, 10am - 3pm, Gwernyfed RFC, The Malthouse, Trefecca Road, Talgarth, LD3 OPL

Find out what Black Mountains College is all about! Join us at Gwernyfed Rugby Club from 10am – 3pm on Saturday 9th July, 2022 for a range of all-day and planned activities...   All Day Activities: Food and drink from The… Read more

Cooking with Foraged and Seasonal Produce

June 25, 2022, 10am - 2pm, Gwernyfed High School LD3 0SG

One-Day Short Course Want to learn how to use local and seasonal ingredients? You’ll learn some simple, healthy and delicious recipes to cook at home on this one-day course. For individuals or pairs with an interest in cooking in a… Read more

A New Story – Imagine, Transform, Adapt

June 23, 2022, 16:00 BST, Troed yr Harn Farm, Troed yr Harn, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF

Explore what the era of climate breakdown means for you, brainstorm practical strategies for meaningful action in every sphere of your life. Read more

Apples for All

June 11, 2022, 10am - 2pm, Gwernyfed Walled Garden

One-Day Short Course  This course is for gardeners, people interested in community orchards, local food production and for everyone who loves apples! Have a go at planning your own orchard, or your community orchard, and learn how to propagate new… Read more

Composting Toilets Short Course – Repeat

May 15, 2022, 9am - 5pm, Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF

Composting Toilet Discover why dry/compost toilets are environmentally significant. Learn how to plan for, design, and build a wooden dry/compost latrine. This practical course sets the scene to make the “case” for compost toilets in some situations, explaining how to… Read more

Community Orchards Short Course

May 14, 2022, 10am - 2pm, Talgarth Car Park, LD3 0PG

Join us on our one-day Community Orchards course in Talgarth... Learn about community orchards and why local food production is so important for our future food supply. This course is for people with an interest in creating a community orchard,… Read more

Coppicing Crafts: Making a Hurdle Short Course

May 7, 2022, 9am - 4pm, Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF

Make a Hurdle This course is for people who are interested in the ancient craft of sustainable woodland management, coppicing, and would like to know how to make useful products from coppiced material. You will make a garden hurdle to… Read more

Climate Careers Fair – Online Course

April 30, 2022, 10am - 12.30pm, Online Microsoft Teams Webinar

How will the impact of ecological and climate crisis affect the context of your working life – what can you ‘be’ in that future and how do you get there? Read more

Composting Toilets Short Course

April 30, 2022, 9am - 5pm, Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF

Composting Toilet Discover why dry/compost toilets are environmentally significant. Learn how to plan for, design, and build a wooden dry/compost latrine. This practical course sets the scene to make the “case” for compost toilets in some situations, explaining how to… Read more

Tree Planting

April 23, 2022, 10am - 3pm, Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF

Come and join us for a tree planting session to create a shelterbelt at our Farm campus! In partnership with Stump up for Trees and the Talgarth Community Woodland Group. Key Information Date: Saturday 23rd April 2022 Time: 10am - 3pm Location: Our… Read more

Tool Sharpening Short Course

April 9, 2022, , Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0EF

Tool Sharpening Bring two or three unsharpened tools along with you to our Troed yr Harn campus and learn how to make them sharp again rather than replace them! Types of tools you can bring include sickles, axes, slashers, billhooks,… Read more

Understanding and Changing the Financial System Short Course

April 6, 2022, , Online Microsoft Teams Webinar

An online course delivered with ShareAction over two evenings in April for anyone wanting to understand how the financial system impacts our world socially, economically, and ecologically. What will be covered? The functioning of the dominant financial systems. The leverage… Read more

Community Tree Planting

March 20, 2022, , Troed yr Harn Farm

Join us for a Community Tree Planting session! Take part in planting for the future at our Troed yr Harn farm campus.  This is a free drop-in session! When? Date: Sunday 20th March 2022 Time: 1pm - 5pm Where? Meet… Read more

Family Learning: Community Growing Short Course

March 19, 2022, 10am - 12pm OR 1pm - 3pm, Gwernyfed Walled Gardens, Three Cocks, Brecon, LD3 0SG

Learn how to grow food plants sustainably for yourself, your family and your community. A morning or afternoon session at Gwernyfed Walled Garden. Read more

Community Seed Swap

March 19, 2022, , Talgarth Town Hall and Royston Memorial Hall

Join us for a Community Seed Swap!  This event is free! Remember to label your seeds clearly.  Have a look around and take what you need...  No seeds? No problem! When? Date: Saturday 19th March 2022 Time: 10am - 12pm… Read more

Introduction to Coppicing: One-Day Course

February 26, 2022, 10am - 3pm, Troed yr Harn Farm, Hospital Road, Talgarth, LD3 0DT

TICKETS FOR THIS COURSE HAVE NOW SOLD OUT!   Take part in our Introduction to Coppicing short course! Learn how to use tools, and create products from the material you've coppiced This course is for woodland group members, people with… Read more

Spring Discovery Day – 12th February

February 12, 2022, 9.30am - 12.30am, Gwernyfed Walled Gardens, Three Cocks, Brecon, LD3 0SG

Are you interested in the environment? Looking to learn something new? Maybe you're looking to study on a more practical course where you can learn outdoors and in context... Then come along to our free Spring Discovery Day at Gwernyfed… Read more

Winter Discovery Day – 27th November

November 27, 2021, 9.30am - 11.30am, Gwernyfed Walled Gardens, Three Cocks, Brecon, LD3 0SG

Join us at our Winter Discovery Day on Saturday 27th November, from 9.30am – 11.30am at Gwernyfed Walled Garden (Three Cocks, Brecon LD3 0SG) which is the beautiful location of our Regenerative Horticulture course. This event is open to all… Read more

Volunteer Working Party – 14th August

August 14, 2021, 10am - 4pm, Troed yr Harn Farm

Join us for our next Volunteer Day on Saturday 14th August, for a day of fun and hard work up at our farm campus.  This working party will involve continuing the upgrading of the footpath from the farm to Talgarth, as… Read more

Further Education Taster Day

August 12, 2021, 4-6pm, Various Locations

We will no longer be holding our Taster Day as we have filled all of our available positions on both of our NVQ courses for this year! If you were hoping to attend, and are interested in one of our… Read more

Volunteer Working Party – Footpath upgrading

July 28, 2021, 10am, Troed-yr-Harn

Join us on the 28th July, for a day of fun and hard work up at our farm campus.  This working party will be focussing on clearing and upgrading the path from the farm to Talgarth. We'll make sure we have… Read more

Apples for All

July 17, 2021, 10-2pm, Gwernyfed Walled Garden

Join Regenerative Horticulture Tutor, Rashid Benoy, for a day's workshop learning about growing, pruning and grafting top fruit (tree-growing fruit) such as plums, pears, cherries, as well as apples.  apples, and how it grows a community. Understanding the needs of… Read more

Discovery Day

July 3, 2021, 10am - 3pm, Gwernyfed Rugby Club

Find out what Black Mountains College is all about. Join us at Gwernyfed Rugby Club 10am - 3pm on 3rd July, 2021. Activities will include: All Day Activities Food and drink from The Malthouse Share visions of the Black Mountains College… Read more

Stories of Talgarth, with Owen Sheers

June 22, 2021, from 7pm. , The Bridge End Inn, Talgarth.

Come and join us at the Bridge End Inn to share stories of Talgarth. All are welcome to listen and tell stories along with Owen Sheers, Rob Stephens, Elwyn Jones, Havard Prosser and other keepers of histories of Talgarth. We'll… Read more

Webinar: Zero Carbon Britain – Rising to the Climate Emergency

June 16, 2021, 5.30pm, Online

Paul Allen, from the Centre for Alternative Technology joins us to explore the problems we face with our changing climate, give an overview of the solution presented in our Zero Carbon Britain report and end-point vision and explore practical steps, available… Read more

Community Q&A

January 3, 2021, , Online

We have exciting news to share.  We have secured a 50 year lease on a farm just outside Talgarth.  Troyd yr Harn will be our college campus.  On this Zoom webinar, we'll be joined by Talgarth residents County Councillor William… Read more

Hope Imagined: Creative Writing Course (4 weeks)

November 2, 2020, 6-7.30pm, Online

Hope Imagined is a series of four one and a half-hour interactive workshops to be held weekly, on Monday evenings.  The course will be facilitated by Lynn Clausen. Register on Eventbrite Week 1 - 2/11/20 6pm - 7.30pm Week 2… Read more

Teacher Training

June 3, 2023, ,

For whole-school INSET training. Practical and stimulating strategies (for learners KS2 – KS5) to explore responses to the current planetary crisis. Read more

Climate Careers Fair Speakers

June 3, 2023, ,

Learn more about the speakers who will be at our Climate Careers Fair, and the sectors they represent!   KEYNOTES  Scarlett Westbrook  Scarlett is a British climate justice activist and journalist. She is a spokesperson and coordinator with the UK… Read more
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