A group dedicated to bringing the public closer to science will hold its first event in Harpenden this month.

Cafe Scientifique will host 'Soil and Civilisation: Why our fate lies underfoot' at The Silver Cup, in St Albans Road tomorrow from 7.30pm.

The event will address global issues and will include a presentation from Professor John Crawford, who has recently arrived from Sydney University to become the Director of the Delivering Sustainable Systems research programme at Rothamsted Research Centre.

Entrance to the event is free. For more information visit www.cafescientifique.org.