Richard’s Gentle Climate Activism

Since 2014 Richard and his guitar have cycled thousands of miles around the British Isles raising awareness of climate change, the clean power of the bicycle and the magic of live music. 

Once again, Richard is in the saddle for the first concerts of his 2025 summer tour which begins on Thursday 29th May for Arts Alive in Harley, Shropshire. This gig will also mark the launch of Richard’s new solo album Four Strung Bach Technique. 

“In between recording sessions for the album I often cycled up onto the downs for inspiration and training. More recently, because the first gigs involve some rather large hills, I’ve been cycling everywhere with a very large bag of John Innes No.3 in my trailer.”

Says Richard

Another big date on the tour will be Friday 6th June when Richard heads to Tate Modern London to attend the premiere of a film about the remarkable British artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey. 

Ackroyd & Harvey – The Art of Activism has a soundtrack by Richard recorded on his famous bog oak guitar (made from a 5,000 year old English Black Oak by Gary Southwell) and a ukulele by Pete Howlett made from Cedar rescued from the notorious 2002, Biscuit Creek, Oregon forest fire.

The provenance of these instruments and Richard’s work raising awareness of climate change are satisfyingly linked to the subject matter of this film and the work of two of Britain’s most renowned artists and climate change activists.

On Wednesday 18th June Heather and Dan plus film maker Fiona Cunningham-Reid will be joined by Richard for a screening and Q&A at Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham. 

Photo credits
Richard  with his bike: Dawn Jee
Richard with the ukulele and tenor banjo: Maggie Constable
Kent Downs © National Landscape