Most of Britain’s mature oak trees carry heart-rot, a slow hollowing of the trunk caused by fungi. Far from being a disease to fear, heart-rot is one of the reasons the trees survive as long as they do, and provide one of the richest of woodland habitats.

Rich Wright has over 20 years of mycological experience, having held posts at Kew, Cardiff University and Plantlife. His research has taken him deep into the hollows of Britain's oldest oak trees, characterising the community of fungi that live there, and understanding how we can better protect them in the future.

In this talk, Rich rethinks decay, not as an ending, but as part of how ancient oaks, and the woodland around them, keep going.

Tickets £12 from Hay Castle website