Arthur Parkinson: Chicken Boy/Planting a Paradise

Tuesday 4 June, 5:30 - 6:30pm, Electric Daisy, Bold Lane

In partnership with Down to Earth Derby

*Food and drink will be served at Electric Daisy - food until 8pm and drinks until 9pm - see note below

Kindly sponsored by East Midlands Business Chamber

Most of us want a dog, or a cat, or a pony when we are young - for Arthur Parkinson, it was always hens. Growing up in an ex-mining town in Nottinghamshire, the other kids in the playground called him 'Chicken Boy'.

But the quiet fulfilment of keeping hens became his sanctuary, a tonic for mental and physical health, a connection with his family and the natural world. From the local allotments and his nan's back garden, to Chatsworth and an unlikely friendship with the late Duchess of Devonshire, a famous hen-keeper, Chicken Boy tells the story of the love and satisfaction to be found in caring for living things.

Arthur is now carving a career as an author, gardener, photographer, illustrator and farm animal rights campaigner, spending much of his time living between Nottinghamshire and Gloucestershire. He has a deep love of the countryside and farm animals, especially chickens and gardening organically to help conserve bees. He has written several books on gardening, most notably The Flower Yard and Planting a Paradise.

*Please note that this is an outdoor venue but the stage and seating areas are covered - it is advisable to check the weather before arriving and dress appropriately. Seating is on picnic style tables and each table seats 6 people but seating is not numbered and tables can be chosen on a first come, first served basis. Electric Daisy will stay open after the event and there will be food available until 8pm and drinks until 9pm. Only food and drink purchased on site can be consumed at the venue (you can, of course, bring your own water bottle).