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
International Peening Day 2021
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.
As in 2020, IPD this year will still mainly involve solo peening activities in individual gardens, meadows and workshops. You can share experiences online via the SABI Facebook or email groups. After 29th March up to six people are allowed to meet (socially distanced) at an outside location in the UK also the “stay at home” rule will be relaxed. Some meetups will therefore be possible, at least here in the UK
Scythers’ Question Time ‘SQT’
Thursday 15th April 6.30pm
If after IPD you still have unanswered questions of scythes or mowing generally why not join us to hear an experienced panel of SABI experts answer questions on all matters scythe-related.
Do you have a question you would like answered? If so, please send it to sabimatters@gmail.com by midnight on Wednesday 7th April.
Questions will be preselected to ensure a wide range of subjects can be covered.
- what, how and when to mow
- scythe set up and technique
- maintenance and repair: sharpening, honing and peening
- meadow management, lawn mowing and topping weeds
- haymaking and other uses of cut grass
- any question the scythe community can come up with!
This event is open to all. To join register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sqt-scythers-question-time-tickets-147678509397
We will send you the Zoom link 2 hours before to join Scythers’ Question Time. Please dial in from 6:15pm for a prompt 6:30 start.
SABI AGM
Provisional date Sat 12 June 2021
As the Green Scythe Fair has been cancelled, there may be a Zoom meeting around that time to hold our AGM.
Green Scythe Fair 2021
CANCELLED DUE TO COVID
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
See you in 2022?
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 Hay Meadow Festival 2021
Sat 24 July 2021
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