The art of pottering, Sexual assault allegation against the Minister of Tolerance, Black women and poetry - a podcast by BBC Radio 4

Pottering - what exactly is it? And why should you make time for it? To discuss this most British of pastimes, Jane is joined by self-confessed potterer – life coach Sarah Longfield and Anna McGovern, author of Pottering: A Cure for Modern Life, who defines pottering as keeping herself busy but without a plan or a purpose.

Caitlin McNamara, a former Hay Festival curator, claims she was attacked in February of this year whilst working on the inaugural Middle East festival, by Sheikh Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance in the United Arab Emirates cabinet and a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family. Now taking legal action in the UK, she joins Jane to explain why she has decided to make public the alleged assault. Baroness Helena Kennedy discusses the importance of this case.

October is Black History Month. Reporter Olivia Cope spoke to two black female performance artists about their work and the influence this past year has had on their craft. Sophia Thakur has been holding free workshops over Zoom during lockdown, where hundreds of people from around the world have been in touch to work out how to express their feelings towards current events. Vilma Jackson's work explores the challenges she faces as a deaf, black woman in a hearing world. Ali Gordon is Vilma’s interpreter.


Presenter: Jane Garvey
Producer: Dianne McGregor

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