Videos by the Trust

The Trust now has a YouTube Channel and it here that the videos produced by the Trust are released.

The YouTube Channel are be found at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkYY9eJhV8SLIY8iVwnKG1Q

There are a wide range of videos on the channel which will include :

the Trust Gardens; Conservation; Climate Change; the Founders Philosophy; How To Guides;  Wildlife;  and much more.

It is anticipated that several videos will be published every year and also possibly tutorials and webinars etc. Check into our YouTube Channel for the latest productions and subscribe for free to our Channel to ensure you don't miss anything.

The Trust has created a projects for students from UK Universities and from educational establishments in Europe to become involved in our conservation work by volunteering to be editors for our videos. We would like to thank the following:

Sky Ruddick: Bath Spa University (UK)

Sara Serpetri: Bath Spa Uniivesity (UK)

Keiran Charlton: University West of England (UK)

Jonas Kerstan: Moers NRW (Germany)

Aleyna Akkaya: Bath University (UK)

Vito Spikerman: Berlin (Germany) 2 videos

Hamza Amir : Bath University (UK)

Adam Backhouse: Bristol University (UK)

Tingxuan Menga

Natalia Espinoza Noriega  Southampton University

Freya Malone Bath Spa University

Celeste Dadd Bath Spa University

Adam Mirreh University of the West of England  (3  videos)

Naomi (Hsiang-Chin) Cheng, University of Bath

Emilie Benedikt (University West of England)   

We welcome enquiries from students from all over Europe who have an interest in editing and making videos and/or in supporting in general conservation and wildlife and heritage to contact us to become involved in this project. Full support/guidance is given.

The first 22 videos have now been published and these are:

22. You and the Garden Gym

Your garden is probably the best gymnasium you have and it's good for your well-being and peace of mind. And all the major muscle groups are worked. Gardening can help keep you supple and fit.

Gardening tasks as ‘gym’ exercises’ include: digging, lifting bags of mulch, bending and kneeling to weed, pushing wheelbarrows, sawing, pruning, putting in posts/fences

Advantages

Such gardening activity provide strength training for healthier bones and joints. And of course improve heart and lungs, additional to improving brain function and flow of endorphins.

Gym Workout Exercises

But you can add actual intensive training to that such as squats, sit-ups, press-ups, the plank, backlifts, burpees, jumping jacks, leg raises,  high knees, pull-ups, heel taps, wood chops, side plank, side crunches. There are many stationary intensive exercises and in another video I will go through all of these.

Procedure

Start with some breathing, a little walk, and stretches. Always protect yourself and maintain safety:

•Good shoes.  • Sun screen.  Sun glasses.   •Water bottle. • Phone.

Self Care

Here are some tips for self-care during exercising no matter as gardening or actual gym workout:
● Loosen up/warm up before gardening.
● Have lots of little breaks.
● Don't over extend yourself.
● Protect the back and lumbar region (lift from the knees).
● Don't over stretch especially when pruning shrubs bushes and trees.
● Vary tasks  regularly.
● Keep well hydrated.
● Use sunscreen and a broad brim hat if it's sunny.
● Don't stay in direct sunlight for more than 30 minutes at any one time.        ● Eye protection ●Keep check of your blood pressure/pukse rate

Remember: “train don’t strain”! Don’t rush. Take due cognisance of your age, any aches/pains, any past injuries, and also how you feel. And your Garden should be a place of calm, restoration,and inspiration not stress, so take your time with your garden exercies.

So connect with nature, enjoy your garden and enjoy your Gym!

21. You and Life with  the Seasons

Introduction

We have become dissociated from nature, our roots, and traditions.  We have become like ghosts in a machine. The seasons and the great perspective of existence, of the landscape, and nature passes us by. And our natural rhythms ultradian, circadian, infradian and circannual are disrupted. Thereby increasing psychological and physiological probems..

Here are some ideas to initiate self healing:

2.Seasonal Food

Not long ago we knew the time of year by what was on the plate and there was excitement as the year unfolded and various foods came into season. Now everything is available all the time. Psychologically it is damaging.. Try changing your diet to reflect foods in season.

3. Eating Al Fresco

Eating regularly out of doors helps us sensel the climate, seasons, and nature. And then in winter you will miss it and be wrapped up cosy in your home and look forward to returning to eating in your garden again. 

(And this should include food, how it is grown, and when it eat available and when it is consumed.)

(Resonance with the seasons, with the moon and the cycle and rhythm of land and nature is I believe an important element in balancing ourselves and retaining effective harmony and well-being.And this should include food, how it is grown, and when it eat available and when it is consumed.)

4. Seasonal Daylight

Modern living has erased seasonal daylight and night. This damages our natural rhythm. Try changing lights to mimic the setting sun and to calm you down as the end gradually ends.

5. Seasonal Clothing

In our homes we have lost the seasons. Instead of putting on extra clothing in winter we simply pump up the heating,  insulating ourselves further. We evolved in nature and now we are exiled.  Reduce heating and  put on extra clothing!

6. Watching Nature

Sense the seasons and the climate and the  seasonal rhythm of animals in your garden or local park. 

And look at the night sky, and sunset and sunrise, the moon and stars. Try to become part of it.

7. Seasonal Festivals

To reduce mental health problems reconnect to the 8 ancient festival points. It is time to bring back the sacraments to our lives.

Yule: (winter solstice). Prehistoric megalithic sites were aligned with the solstice.,

Imbolc: The first of February and  marks the first stirrings of spring. 

Ostara (Spring Equinox). March 21st. & origin of the word Easter: new beginnings and life emerging further from the grips of winter.

Beltane (1st.May) start of summer. Known for maypole dancing and the crowning of the Queen of the May.

Litha: (Summer Solstice). 21st. June. Longest day. the culmination of the growing time..

Lughnasadh August. Start of autunm. Sanctity and importance of the harvest.

Mabon (mid Autum 21 September). Thanks giving for the fruits of the earth and recognising need to change.

Samhain (Halloween). The gate of winter. 31 October. Paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders, friends, pets, and other loved ones who have died.

8. Conclusion

Resonance with the seasons, with the moon and sun, the weather and climate, the cycle and rhythm of land, with  nature and with other creatures is  an important element in retaining effective harmony and well-being.

If we follow the pattern of the seasons (and reintegrate our traditions and festivals) in our daily lives both physically and mentally then we will tend to be more productive, masterful, aware, healthier, happier, more balanced. 

this video is an except from the book:

'You and the Happy Gardener' by Stephen Ben Cox
             

20. You and Non-Human Rights

Human abuse of Earth has initiated the Sixth Great Mass Extinction Event. Amongst much else we have caused desertification, destruction of habitat, deforestation, soil degradation, pollution, ecological breakdown, extinction of many species, suffering and slaughter: we became blind to that which would not wish to happen to ourselves.  To reverse this cataclysm, we must enact in society and our individual lives non-human rights and live by it.

Humans as the dominant species must accept the duty we have to all life on Earth. In my garden they are all treated as non-human persons. They are given the same respect, protection, love and dignity we would all wish to be given ourselves.

This must include at the barest minimum the following:
1. Freedom from detention/ imprisonment/confinement.
2. Right to life and liberty.
3. Right to a family life.
4. Freedom from persecution /torture/mistreatment/servitude.
5. Freedom from hunting and trapping.
6. Right to eat and find sustenance in peace without human disturbance.
7. Right to a safe and natural habitat.
8. The right not to be removed from their natural environment.
9. Freedom from control, exploitation and enforced training.
10. Freedom from experimentation.
11. To be treated with care, respect, and dignity and afforded protection and help by all of us.

If we regard ourselves as the most intelligent and evolved species (and not behave as we have so far like plague and vermin) then each one of us must change our ways and reharmonize with the planet. We must become guardians, stewards and champions, carers of all Nature and its creatures- and thus also give ourselves a chance for our own survival.

I urge everyone to live by this code.

The text this video is an excerpt from the book: The Happy Gardener by Stephen Ben Cox being published in Germany by SKMaketing

19.You and Animal Friends

Because of our cities, consumerism, technology, commuting, insulated lives, etc we have become dangerously cut off from nature, the rhythms of the seasons, traditions, the weather- and also from other creatures- as well as from our fellow humans.

One of the greatest joys of becoming ‘The Happy Gardener’ is that of reconnecting with other creatures: 

•How they live, what they do, what they need. •Making a place for them. •Attracting wildlife to your garden. •Taking delight in setting aside just a few moments every day to observe the comings and goings of other creatures.

Making animal friends improves our consciousness, intuition,  well-being. And kindness and empathy indicate advanced  self-evolution.

Ways to make friends include:

▪Bird houses. ▪Bug hotels. ▪Bat boxes. ▪Pond. ▪Wetland. ▪A wild area. ▪Bird feeders. ▪Bird baths. ▪Bee recovery stations.  ▪Pollinating plants. • Piles of leaves, and stones.

Another way of this is to modify your own behaviour:  going quietly and slowly into the garden and if you see a creature feeding stop and wait until it's finished. Other animals may not necessarily have an aversion to us humans if we show respect, kindness and quietness. A rabbit continues eating grass even when I am a few feet away, and a robin will eat from my hand when he sees me.

Even if you only have a small balcony or window box, garden creatures can bring you joy, comfort, serenity, awareness, intuition, insight and a greater understanding of yourself and the world.

Become a part of the Oneness! Become a Happy Gardener &  Make Animal Friends!

From the book 'The Happy Gardener,'

(©2025. Stephen Ben Cox)

18. You and the Healthy Gardener

We are all looking for health and happiness, but it’s not easy. But help might be nearby: look to your garden or the great outdoors!

Happiness and health aspects of gardening are many fold and incredibly rewarding and enjoyable.

•Lower your blood pressure.

•Maintain healthy limbs and joints.

•Contribute to muscle mass retention.

•Retain suppleness and flexibility.

•Give you a sense of purpose.

•Provide an interest in things around you

•Reduce anxiety and stress

•Provides a sense of oneness and connection to Nature.

•Having flowing water releases negatively charged ions which increases serotonin.

•Enhances mental awareness and flexibility , and retention of information and response.

•Improves mental well-being and brain function.

•A daily cold shower in the garden  considerably boosts the immune system.

Growing fruit  & vegetables further improves health and provides sense of achievement. And by sitting under trees we breathe in terpenes which fight cancer and bring harmony.

Editor: Adam Mirreh

Written & Narrated: Stephen Ben Cox

Music: Adobe Stock/Creative Cloud- Piano Dreamer

This video text is an excerpt from the book 'The Healthy Gardener' by Stephen Ben Cox to be published in Germany by SK Marketing.

 17. You and Wildflowers 

16. You and Animal Homes

Amidst the immensity of the Sixth Great Mass Extinction Event, global destruction of habitat and loss of wildlife it may feel like there is a tsunami of problems against which we are helpless. BUT there is much we can all do in our little ways which together can reverse and overcome these problems.

And one of them is undertaking a programme of wildlife and habitat Stewardship and love in one's own garden. Domestic gardens cover more space than all the National Parks in the UK together.

This video will give you a guide as to some of the many little steps you can take to make a difference,  and enhance and enrich your own life simultaneously!

Many animals need our help given the dramatic habitat loss all around us and your garden can become a haven to help restore species numbers.

Text & narration: Stephen Ben Cox

Editing: Naomi (Hsiang-Chin) Cheng, University of Bath

Music: Sleeping Sheep by The Green Orbs (YouTube Free Music Library)

Website: stephencoxgarden.webador.co.uk

Email: stephencox.gardentrust@gmail.com

15. You and the Wild Side

You and the Wild Side is part of a series of short videos from Stephen Cox Garden Trust (registered charity 1174239) comprising excerpts from a series of books.

This one deals with the potential of bringing the Wild Side into your garden whch can help aiding the recovery of the planet as well as enrichment of your life.

Across the world (and also in the UK) natural habitats have been depleted, destroyed  and degraded. This is especially so with regards to Wildflower Meadows which have decreased by the best part of 100% in recent years leading to a dramatic decline of all species of bees butterflies and invertebrates. It is an ecological crisis.

This short video will help you understand the problem better and suggest ways in which you can help.

text & narration: Stephen Ben Cox

editing: Adam Mirreh (University West of England)

music: (Adobe stock crearive cloud) Stuart Hunger

Website: stephencoxgarden.webador.co.uk

Email: stephencox.gardentrust@gmail.com

14. Greening the City

This video examines the origins and development of the city and the danger it has now reached with ever expanding encroachment on nature. The city was never planned it happened, anarchically growing from the initial compounds of early Neolithic clans. 

The city is now noisy, toxic, polluting, destructive, crowded. In its present form it is unable to be sustained or to expand without evermore destruction of Nature and wildlife, increased climate change, and greater crises resulting-- including for city dwellers.  

Here it is suggested that all problems can be overcome by the city expanding upwards. It proposes a total greening of the city whereby it becomes its own source of food, dramatic expansion of wildlife, improved health and lifestyle, and actually becomes a garden itself. 

Various issues are tackled including such thngs as: 

• Water- streams, fountains, lagoons, ponds. 

• Totally submerged transport. 

• Roads transformed to public open spaces and woodlands. 

• Phasing out motor cars with extensive public transport and hoverpods. 

• Food production. 

• Vegetation covered buildings. 

• Extensive solar panels green roofs. 

• Bringing Nature and wildlife to the city. 

• Sustainable city created energy. 

The city can become green and self sustaining, enhancing human well being and community and planetary healing. 

Editor: Adam Mirreh (University of the West of England) 

Author/Narrator: Stephen Ben Cox 

Music by: Adobe Stock Creative Cloud 

Musician: Miguel Angel Albentosa Bó 

Stephen Cox Garden Trust: https://stephencoxgard... stephencox.gardentrust@gmail.com

13.Et in Arcadia Ego

Arcadia to the ancient Greeks intimated harmony and peace:  a landscape of pastoralism wherein the residents lived as if in the Golden Age and not corrupted by modern tendencies. This concept of decline and fall is seen throughout human history and art from the image of the expulsion from the Garden of Eden and through to modern wars, the destruction of landscapes, art works, architecture and even entire cities. We seem to be constantly in the midst of loss and transience. Civilisations rise and fall, potential never fully realised. We defeat ourselves by our ignored shortcomings and hubris.

The work of the French artist NICOLAS POUSSIN (1594 – 1665) spans religion, mythology, and landscape and it is said that in his work there is a consonance of both the pagan and the Christian. Certainly his paintings have a clarity, a harmony and  balance as well as acute storytelling. 

In his painting 'Et in Arcadia Ego' (1637-1638) the transient, ancient, and the arcadian converge. A group of people in a landscape have discovered an ancient tomb, even though the also appear to be in the past. They are all intently looking at  inscription which reads: " I too am in Arcadia". 

The implication? death also is in Arcadia? Arcadia is part of life and death? Or life is transient and we need to make full use of life not waste it and not damage the beauty that is around us…. for Arcadia perhaps is also our own Eden?

This painting serves as a warning:  our anthropocentrism has blinded us to our transience, vulnerability, prodigality, greed, wastefulness and shortcomings. And one day our lives and civilisation will be dust....and what will the epitaph be?

Perhaps it is not too late for the vision of Arcadia to be born in our time for the sake not only of our own survival but of this planet and all creatures thereon.

Editor: Celeste Dadd (Bath Spa University)

Celeste Dadd TV: https://celestedadd.com/

Author/Narrator: Stephen Ben Cox

Music: Adobe Creative Cloud

Web: stephencoxgarden.webador.co.uk

Email: stephencox.gardentrust@gmail.com

12. Extinction

11. Introduced Species: The American Mink

10. Mars Re-Purposed

This video about the Roman deity Mars, is a re-evaluation of the symbol, archetype, character, heritage and values of Mars for our own age.  It examines the image of Mars historically and philosophically as having been wrongly designated as only a god of war and then informs us of his Roman origins (compared to Ares the Greek counterpart) and designation of his many other characteristics including that of preserver of peace and guardian of harmonious society. It then proposes the deity’s repurposing in the context of our need for healing the planet and restructuring the way in which humanity operates. 

Mars was also the god of vegetation, of Spring, of and protector of crops. His feminine nurture is considered via Ovid’s interpretation that Mars was conceived by Juno without male assistance.  Various paintings (incl. Venus and Mars by the Florentine Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli)  indicates another side of him: as a lover, and the father of Cupid (the god of love) and Concordia (goddess of stable, harmonious and peaceful society).  In the ancient Roman cult 'Mars Quirinus' he was the protector of civilians and guarantor of treaties. And in his book on farming the Roman writer Cato invokes 'Mars Silvanus': a ritual to be carried out in wooded and uncultivated places. The Romans regarded him as the father of Romulus and Remus. Various early Roman writers suggest his job was also to prevent the ruination of crops by the wild forces of Nature. Animals sacred to him were the woodpecker, the wolf, and the bear. The Florentine Renaissance philosopher Marsilio Ficino notes: " Only Venus dominates Mars- and he never dominates her".

The images are by Stephen Ben Cox as is the text and audio clip.

Editor: Tingxuan Menga

Creator/Narrator: Stephen Ben Cox

Music: ‘Jeux d’eu’ by: Enokido

9. A Journey of Statues

In the unusual gardens of the Stephen Garden Trust (a registered charity for horticulture and conservation in England) there are many statues. Throughout history civilisations have erected statues for example to commemorate to founders, healers, creators to help inform and inspire their communities for better living . In the Trust gardens, designed as a suite of rooms with different plant collections and compositions, the statues serve some of these purposes but also others: (1) They act as markers to improve the overall perception of the garden and its rooms & plant collections. (2) They punctuate the landscape and lead the eye through a series of variable visual compositions. (3) They also invite the visitor to journey through the garden to discover its unique qualities and treasures and embrace all that it offers. The statuary collection includes life size stone statues of Graeco-Roman deities, and mythological creatures, and also legendary & literary animals; as well as cats, hares, rabbits, lions and puma. The Trust's founder (Stephen Ben Cox) made the audio clip and created the philosophy and manifesto. And added some of his personal photographs. Sky Ruddick (a student at Bath University UK) joined our UK universities team and edited and put together the video. The wonderful music is by Kevin Macleod.

Editor: Sky Ruddick

Creator/Narrator: Stephen Ben Cox

Music: Kevin Macleod

Video link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffFkmZuPaD4&t=10s

8. Arcadia

Arcadia refers to an ancient Greek vision of pastoral harmony. This remote area of Greece was regarded to have been retaining its perfection from the time of The Golden Age. Across the ages many writers, philosophers, and artists have referred to the Arcadian concept as a vision of aspiration and yearning intimating a better world and living. These included: Friedrich August von Kaulbach, Thomas Eakins, Thomas Coles, Jan van Huysum, Joshua Cristall, Markó Károly, George Lambert, Nicolas Didier Bouget, John Consable, Jan Willem Pieneman, Daniel Dupre, Claude Lorrain , Poussin and others. They dealt with Arcadian-like subjects and painted scenes intimating visions of such harmony and peace. Arcadia is my vision of the concept of man in harmony with nature and the landscape which is a pressing need for humanity in today's world with the imminence of the Sixth Great Mass Extinction, and also climate change both of which are looming catastrophes threatening both the planet and the survival of homo sapiens. I regard this vision of Arcadia not so much as wistfully looking back but as an extraction and example of something to which we can seek to achieve and apply to our own time for our own needs to enhance our civilization and reinvigorate and restore the planet . This video explains the implications of today's need for balance and harmony and the dangers we face and takes us on a journey exploring the various visions and concepts of Arcadia in previous centuries.

Director/Editor: KEIRAN CHARLTON

Creator/Narrator: STEPHEN BEN COX

Music: KEVIN MACLEOD

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4qxdqdhvmI

7. Neighbourhood Plans

The Localism Act of 2011 requires every district in Great Britain to prepare, every 10years, a Neighbourhood Plan. Once the plan is finalised it is submitted for public referendum and when voted on becomes local law. It lays out the community aspirations for such things as: Housing, Education, Transport, Shopping, the Environment etc. The Stephen Cox Garden Trust herein sets out proposals for the use of communities on how to improve the environment, enhance conservation, support wildlife, fight climate change, enrich human well-being. Its Founder drew up the initial environmental policies for the neighbourhood plan in his own area.

Editor: Sara Serpetri.

Text and Audio: Stephen Ben Cox

Music by: "In Dreamland" by Chilpeach 

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVp2o5lKIHY

6. Water in the Trust Gardens

We live on a 'water planet': water covers 71% of the Earth. It is the driving force for all existence. So doesn't it follow that water should be a natural part of our gardens? Having water in a garden has many benefits for physical and mental health. Additionally it aids in wildlife/species survival and the rebalancing of our environment.  A  major element is the stunning array of water features set amidst life statues, arches and meandering paths. These include: large fish Pond, Waterfalls, Wetland, formal Fountains, pools, statue fountains, cascade, and so on. It is a haven for wildlife and a sanctuary of peace, calm, creativity and learning and receives students from all over Europe. The result? A place which delights eye, enriches the mind, gladdens the heart and uplifts the soul. The video was filmed and edited by one of our past students: Vito Spikerman (Berlin, Germany). 

Editor: Vito Spikerman

Text and audio: Stephen Ben Cox 

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE3BcZd5Us4

5. Embracing Eden

A Trust video urging us to change our ways and save the planet: outlines a bold philosophy of renewal and hope and lists a manifesto for humans to re-attune ourselves both for our own survival and to keep our planet viable and beautiful. The Trust's founder (Stephen Ben Cox) made the audio clip and created the philosophy and manifesto. And added some of his personal photographs. Aleyna Akkaya (a student at Bath University UK) edited and put together the video. The wonderful music is by Philp Ravenel.

Editor/designer: Aleyna Akkaya.

Creator/writer/narrator: Stephen Ben Cox

Music by: Philip Ravenel

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuXja6sWUDI&t=56s

4. Renewable Energy

Is an inspiring video by Hamza Aamir an aeronautics student at Bath University in the UK. In this wonderful video Hamza explains his work with the Stephen Cox Garden Trust (a conservation education charity in England) as a student conservation manager, his passion for environmentally friendly future aeronautics, and the urgent need for planetary renewable energy revolution.

Creator: Hamza Aamir

Sponsor: Stephen Cox Garden Trust 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-20fmt6Q3g

3. Garden Wildlife Crusade

Is a clarion call to all householders to re-evaluate the use of their gardens to help stop the dangerous decline of species across Europe. Wildlife is in crisis and species numbers are dramatically falling and habits are being erased and ecology impoverished It outlines the problems which have caused the catastrophic losses and dangers to wildlife across Europe and the steps that can be taken to help stabilise wildlife populations by householders better arranging their gardens. It lists the easy steps you can take to help protect wildlife and reverse the dangerous decline.

Creator/writer/narrator: Stephen Ben Cox

Editor: Adam Backhouse (Bristol University).

Music: by Kevin MacLeod 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-olUrWhq2Q&t=4s 

2. The Secret Garden

An introduction to the Stephen Cox education charity and its work for the advancement of education in horticulture and conservation. In particular it describes the unusual garden created by the Founder single-handed from a field; the imaginative philosophy,, its various conservation projects and the many opportunities for students and others. The film was edited and produced by Jonas Kerstan a student at high school in Germany and brother of one the charity's Trustees.

Editor/Director: Jonas Kerstan

Writer/photographer/narrator: Stephen Ben Cox

Music: Kevin MacLeod

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqz3ZBKllAc