Whatever the weather outside your window, summer is officially here as Simon Fairlie has just sent me the programme for this year’s Somerset Green Scythe Fair. This is the UK gathering for mowers and scythe enthusiasts. Nowhere else will hear the word ‘snath’ quite so many times in a single day or witness the unique ‘music’ of dozens of people hammering together on tiny anvils. The somerset festival is also the home of the National Scythe Championship where the best mowers meet each year to compete head to head.
In addition, this year the Scythe Association is hosting a special
SABI Mowers’ Day
on Saturday 16 June
which is the day before the
Green Scythe Fair
on Sunday 17 June
at Thorney Lakes, Muchelney, Langport, Somerset.
Programme for Saturday
Saturday Morning: Scythe Course for beginners and improvers with Christiane Lechner from Austria, Phil Batten and Simon Fairlie.
Also: Informal preparation, sharpening, peening and mowing. Test your blade on the famous Sharpometer.
Saturday Afternoon: Workshops on peening, haymaking, grassland management, mowing wheat, English scythes etc. Also “Gas about Grass” an informal get-together about all aspects of scythe use, led by Chris Riley.
Individual scythe tuition from Christiane Lechner and Steve Tomlin available.
Saturday evening: Scythe Association AGM followed by live music (jammers welcome, please bring your instrument).
Café/Restaurant and Bar on site.
Programme for Sunday
Mowing Championship Heats 11am – 2.15 pm
Team Mowing, Scythe v Strimmer, Kid’s Mowing, Haymaking Competition 12-2.30
Mowing Championship 3.30pm
Prizegiving 6pm
Also: music, ceilidh, speakers, theatre, craft area, kids area, healing area, over 70 stalls, local organic food, beer and cider.
Tickets
• Two day ticket: £15, plus £10 membership fee if you aren’t already a member. This includes everything except the course on Saturday morning.
• Two day ticket including beginner’s or improver’s course on Saturday morning: £50.
• Entry for Sunday only: £5.
Accompanied children free.
Free parking on site.
Camping: £10 per pitch.
Tickets available on the day, but please book beforehand for the course.
To book or for more information: ring 01297 561359, or email chapter7@tlio.org.uk
