Every term brings something wonderful, but this term might be my favourite so far, with a terrific series of events starting next week that will explore the relationship between the sacred and the botanical. We will, in short, be learning about religion and monastic life as they connect to three uses of plants: beer, art, and medicine. 

The series kicks off on Wednesday next week (23 January) at 7.30pm: Roger Protz, the renowned beer writer, will be giving a lecture on the history and future of monastic brewing, in which he will guide us through the techniques used to produce these very special beers, and talking us through a beer tasting as well. You will have the chance to sample not only such delights as a plethora of Belgian Trappist beers, but also the new and intriguing Tynt Meadow English Trappist Ale, produced right here in the UK by monks at Mount St Bernard Abbey. 

“Intertwined: Plants and the Religious Imagination” will continue on 6 February with a talk by the biologist and priest Canon Professor John Rodwell on plants in religious art and iconography, with a chance to sample ancient apple varieties as well as cider. The final talk will be on 20 February, a fascinating lecture on medieval herbals and monastic medicine by the Very Revd Oswald McBride OSB, who trained as a medic before becoming a monk. I think Brother Cadfael would approve. I hope to see you there.