I love how a new project can give you an excuse to explore a new topic…. I find myself hesitating over that word excuse… I think what I mean is a purpose, a reason, an opportunity and a focus.

From solar panels to moths, mosses to peatlands and water (with all sorts of other detours along the way), I’ve found that working as part of a collective really helps as you prioritise and explore differently, encountering juicy snippets to share, collaboratively bimbling through a new landscape, informally mapping it together. At Art and Energy we love to invite others on that journey too, sharing our passion, interest, new opportunities (and cake!). When we explore a new topic together it becomes so much richer… 3D+ with with multiple perspectives and nuances.

As you may have read in part one of this little series I’ve so enjoyed exploring the fresh water landscape by literally getting into it but there is also a need for what I’ve heard termed ‘book learning’. Now I love to read, but I’ve always struggle to focus on non-fiction books - in today’s busy world I find it hard to find time to dedicate to pure focused reading, I’m more of a fiction at bedtime reader… so I’ve found that listening works better for me. Equally, listening to a full book requires real commitment due to the length, whereas I find that programs on the BBC fit much better for me… and with the ability to listen digitally I can listen when it suits me (often whilst washing up, gardening or driving), pausing when life interjects. So I’d like to share just a handful of watery programs I’ve enjoyed recently. I find it interesting how relevant recordings made 10+ years ago are in today’s world (I have been known to shout at the radio “so if we know the solution stop talking and just get on with it!”.

I’d love to know your recommendations for further exploration - radio shows, TV programs, films… and even non-fiction books! (I promise to give it a go!). My next blog may well be a list of some of the dystopian fiction I’ve read which centre around water.

Recommended listening (in no particular order!)

Rinsed (May 2026) - Part of BBC Radio 4 ‘Understand’ - this 10 part series starts with two neighbours who notice a change in their local river a tributary of the Thames. Presenter Kate Lamble delves into water politics past and present, the environmental repercussions, and action currently being taken. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002w9fs/episodes/player

The Secret Life of Reservoirs (July 2007) - Reservoirs are a crucial part of our freshwater supply network. Hermione Cockburn looks at reservoirs across Britain. I particularly enjoyed the episode on Rutland Water. Recorded 19 years ago I would love to understand how things have changed (or not!) since this first aired. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b007t972?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Drowned - The Flooding of a Village (February 2023) - Based on true events, this drama follows the residents of a Welsh valley as the Llyn Celyn reservoir is built to supply water to an English city. On a recent trip to the Midlands, whilst taking a shower I remembered this and found myself wondering whether the water had come all the way from Wales. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0f245q6/episodes/downloads

Troubled Water (March 2023) - Join presenter James Gallagher as he follows the UK water cycle. Over three episodes he explores river pollution, floods leading to loss of freshwater supply and innovations to reduce water use in the home. I enjoyed the interviews hearing how these issues have effected residents. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m001k0dt?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Woman’s Hour : Women and Water (31st August 2026) I enjoyed the variety that they squeezed in to one hour, but it felt like this could have been a longer series in it’s own right. I don’t think you need to be a woman for this to feel relevant to you. Having worked afloat I found the interviews with the Thames Pilot fascinating. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030x89?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Jenny’s Watery thoughts (part two)

Sunlight Gathering at the Energy Capital Partnership Conference 2026