22nd February 2011 bethtilston

Events

This page is compiled by Chris Riley. To submit information about an event please email: chris@pratensis.net

For events and courses occurring overseas please click on this link: International Events

Scottish Scything Festival – CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

Sat 26 September 2020

Blackhaugh Community Farm, Perthshire

The event will be different from last year as social and physical distancing will be in place but we hope all the planned activities will still be able to happen – talks, presentations, scythe sales, food and drink, and a competition. We are also hoping to have a ‘cut and collect’ green manure session.
The main change to the proceedings is that it will be a daytime event only – 10.00am – 4.00pm Camping is unlikely to be an option.
Tickets will go on sale on Monday 14th September if all goes well.
In the meantime we are still putting the programme together so do get in touch if you would like to offer a talk or activity.

For more information visit https://blackhaughcommunityfarm.weebly.com/scythe-festival.html or contact Rob Brodie at robmaculture@yahoo.co.uk

International Peening Day 2021

Provisional date Sun 4 April 2021 (First Sunday in April)

International Peening Day is an ‘everywhere-event’ – it’s aims are to remind people to prepare their scythes in advance of the mowing season and provide support by encouraging them to get together to peen together. Connect with other scythers via email or facebook to find or create an opportunity to gather and peen where you are.

SABI AGM

Provisional date Sat 12 June 2021

The meeting will occur on the Saturday evening of the Green Scythe Fair weekend (see below), as this is the time when most SABI members are gathered. We have our AGM to conduct formal business of electing officers etc. There will also be a brief open discussion of pertinent issues. Time of meeting 7.00pm (tbc).

Green Scythe Fair 2021

Provisional date Sun 13 June 2021 (Second Sunday in June)

Incorporating the 16th West Country Scythe Festival

Thorney Lakes, Somerset

The biggest and best scythe event in the country. Scythe championship, scythe and haymaking events, crafts, stalls, music, speakers, kids area, local food and drink. For more up-to-date information see www.greenfair.org.uk

In the run up to the festival there are two scythe courses. The Improvers’ Masterclass is on the Friday and Saturday, and the Beginners’ Course is on the Saturday. For further course details go to courses page.

Eastern Counties Scything Festival

Provisional dates Sat/Sun 19/20 or 26/27 June 2021

Wimpole Estate, near Cambridge

This will be the 13th scythe event at the National Trust’s Wimpole Estate. It is designed to be a fun weekend with as many rural competitions as possible and unlimited acres of grass to mow!!

On Saturday there are numerous free learning opportunities to pick up mowing tips or get help with sharpening from experienced scythe users who always happy and willing to share knowledge. On Sunday there are scythe mowing competitions which anyone with a scythe can enter. This is the only event in the UK where you can compete in competitions varying from 5m x 5m right up to a quarter of an acre. There will also be demonstrations of blacksmithing, greenwood working and other rural crafts.

Camping is available and there are spaces for stallholders. There is some information about past events here: https://sadeik.wordpress.com/

Email: Simon.Damant@nationaltrust.org.uk

The Northern Scythe & Meadows Fair

Provisional date Sat/Sun 3/4 July 2021

Forest of Bowland: Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn BB7 3AQ.

Bell Sykes Farm is special in having an wonderful collection of unimproved and restored flower-rich grasslands. These will be open to explore on Saturday as a National Meadows Day event. There will also be associated meadow and conservation themed stalls plus scythe demonstrations.

On Sunday there will be the 5th Northern Scythe competition. Competitors from all over the country are invited to enjoy mowing in this beautiful location and to experience what it’s like to mow a flower rich upland hay meadow sward. It’s a joy!

Tickets for this event available on the gate tickets for this event (no need to book).

See the web site https://www.meadowconnections.co.uk/ for more information

Gairloch Highland Gathering

Provisional date 5 July 2021

Big Sand campsite, just a few miles from Gairloch

The varied events, activities and entertainments include a scything competition.

Information is on the “Gathering” facebook page

Shropshire Hills Scythe Event 2021

Provisional date Sat 10 July 2021 (Second Saturday in July)

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre,
School Road, Craven Arms, Shropshire SY7 9RS

The Shropshire Hills Hay Meadow Festival will incorporate the South Shropshire Scything Competition. For more information see the web site:

https://www.shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk/event/hay-meadow-festival/

Scottish Scything Festival 2021

Provisional date Sat 24 July 2021

Blackhaugh Community Farm, Perthshire

For more information visit https://blackhaughcommunityfarm.weebly.com/scythe-festival.html or contact Rob Brodie at robmaculture@yahoo.co.uk