International Peening Day
Easter Day 1st April 2018.
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
Saturday 9th June 2018
At the Green Scythe Fair, Thorney Lakes, Somerset
This is the time when most SABI members are gathered, so 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).
14th West Country Scythe Festival and Green Scythe Fair
Sunday 10th June 2018
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.
In the run up to the festival there are two scythe courses – an Improvers’ Masterclass (Friday-Saturday 9th-10th June), and a Beginners Course (Saturday 9th June).
Camping available.
For more information see www.greenfair.org.uk
Eastern Counties Scything Festival
Saturday 23rd June & Sunday 24th June 2018
n.b: CHANGED DATES TWICE!!- week later than planned then back again to two weeks after Muchelney as usual
Wimpole Estate, near Cambridge
This is the 11th 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 23rd there is a learn to scythe course you can book into which is ideal to get you going if you are new to scything. Throughout the weekend there are also 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 24th 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.
For more information go to http://sadeik.wordpress.com/walks/scything-festival
email: Simon.Damant@nationaltrust.org.uk
Meadow Connections – A Celebration of Upland Hay Meadows in the Yorkshire Dales.
Saturday 14th July & Sunday 15th July 2018
Lower Winskill Farm, Settle, Yorkshire Dales.
Workshop day – Saturday 14th July
Northern Scythe Championships – Sunday 15th July
Camping available.
For more information see www.meadowconnections.co.uk
SABI Scything demonstration
Saturday 21st July 2018
Oxburgh Hall (National Trust), Norfolk
Richard Brown, ably supported by other experienced SABI members, will be giving talks and demonstrations on scything and meadow management from 11am – 3pm in the walled garden at Oxburgh Hall. He will be available to give advice, so come along if you need help with either wild flower management or scythes (and bring your scythe along if you have one!).
Advice and talks free but normal National Trust entry fees apply.