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 2023
Sun 2 April 2023 (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. You can share experiences online via the SABI Facebook or email groups.
Green Scythe Fair ‘GSF23’
Sun 11 June 2023 (Second Sunday in June) 11.00 am – 11.00 pm
Incorporating the 17th West Country Scythe Festival
Thorney Lakes, Somerset TA10 0DW
The premier scything event in the UK. Scythe championship, scythe and haymaking events, crafts, stalls, music, speakers, kids area, local food and drink. ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY.
For more information about all aspects of GSF23 go to this web site:
www.greenfair.org.uk
Scottish Scything Festival
Weekend of Sat 24 June 2023
Blackhaugh Community Farm, Perthshire
The event will follow roughly the same format as before with camping options available, talks, scythe sales, practice areas and of course the competition. It is hoped that we can encourage some musicians to come along to provide entertainment on the Saturday evening and we are looking into the possibility of running an improvers workshop on the Friday.
Contact Rob Brodie at robmaculture@yahoo.co.uk
Othona Scything Week
Monday 26th June – Sunday 2nd July 2023
The Othona Community, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex CM0 7PN
This week of scything offers a great opportunity to develop and practice your scything skills in the beautiful grounds and wild flower meadows of the Othona community on the Essex coast.
Through the week Claire White (an experienced scythe instructor & garden designer), and Jonny Aldridge (the resident Othona gardener and scythesman), will be on hand to give advice and tuition when required. On Tuesday Richard Brown wildscythe.co.uk will offer a formal one day workshop: “Getting the best results from your scythe through better technique and sharpening”
Mowing in Othona’s wild flower meadows alongside these practitioners will also give you insight and understanding into the creation and management of meadows and grassland.
For more details visit the Othona website
Northern Scythe Festival
Sat-Sun 1-2 July 2023
Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn
With the kind permission of Peter and Lin Blackwell
Saturday: Scything practice; Have a go sessions; Scythe clinic; Peening demonstration
Sunday: Team mow; Further practice; Northern scything championship
Basic camping is available from Friday night (£10 per person per night). To book contact Jim McVittie (jim@mcvittie.me.uk)
Peter’s meadows are some of the nicest to mow so this event is one not to miss. .
Shropshire Scythe Festival
Sat 15 July 2023
Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms
For more information contact Simon Cooter (simon.cooter@naturalengland.org)
Cambridge Scything Festival
Sunday 23 July 2023 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Wandlebury Country Park CB22 3AE
After a break of a few years we have found this new site, by kind permission of Cambridge Past, Present & Future.
This year will be a fairly low-key event without competitions but with scything demonstrations, have-a-go sessions and Team Mowing.
There is also a scything course on Saturday 22 July. To book on the course go to www.cambridgeppf.org/event/learn-to-scythe.
Scythers can just turn up on the day and park in the pay and display visitor car park but anyone travelling some distance should contact Jim McVittie (jim@mcvittie.me.uk) for more information.
Scythes for sale on both Saturday and Sunday.
3rd Orcop Hill Scythe Festival, Hereford
Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 July 2023
Four days of scythe related activities in David’s wildflower meadow. In 2022 Champion Scyther Peter Blackwell said this was “the best scything he had ever enjoyed”.
Basic camping available with camp fires and shared food. Everyone participating gets a free commemorative mug.
To book contact David Kuegler (david.kuegler@btinternet.com)