Green Scythe Fair 2024

Friday 7th June 2024

A one day course for:

- novice mowers with little or no experience

- people looking for a refresher in the fundamentals of scything

- all equipment provided

Throughout the day, you will get focused attention from one of the following experienced tutors:

• Colin Close, Devon based mower and winner of the Veterans cup 2023!

• Beth Tilston, based in the forest of Dean and previous women’s champion.

• Danny Hodgson, of mid-Wales, current English cup holder.

• Joseph Haywood, Yorkshire based mower and scythe advocate.

The course covers:

• Scythe set up and selection

• Efficient and ergonomic mowing stance

• Safe and effective sharpening technique

• An introduction to peening

• Methods of tackling different grass swards

Learn to scythe and go away with the confidence to further your skill.

The course fee includes lunch. There are additional workshops available on the Saturday for SABI members with opportunities to join on the Friday. Camping on site is available at extra cost for those wishing to attend these. Does not include entry to the Sunday Fair.

The cost is £85 for individuals. Concession (unwaged) £50. Organisations £100 per person

Please book direct for concession or organisations.

Places must be booked in advance.

To book For general enquires, camping enquiries or any booking issues

please email: beginnerscythecourse@gmail.com

An introduction to driving horses with experienced horseman Jonathan Waterer.  Horse care basics, harnessing and hands on driving with a pair of shire horses

Duration: Morning session 9.30am - 12.30pm

horses@simplerevolution.org

An introduction to driving horses with experienced horseman Jonathan Waterer.  Horse care basics, harnessing and hands on driving with a pair of shire horses.

Duration: Afternoon session 1.30pm - 4.30pm

horses@simplerevolution.org

An Introduction to the Working Horse. Preparing the horse, how to fit harness, preparing the load, communication, moving and manoeuvring. Care of the horse and tack. A chance to drive a single cob horse in shafts with either carriage, sled or trailer..

Workshop Leader: Samantha Jane Flounders

Duration: 1.5 hours

Contact for workshop specific questions: samantha-jane-@hotmail.co.uk

Make a mask out of leather for your axe.

Workshop Leader: Roger Harrington

Duration: 11am

Contact for workshop specific questions: info@bisonbushcraft.co.uk

Two half-day poetry workshops: each offers a different approach to writing a poem, Sessions involve sensory and written exercises, and immersion in the natural world. Themes include ecology, landscape, and the heritage of haymaking and scything. 

1. Zen and the Art of Writing a Poem.
 Drawing on some of the writing methods used by the Beat Poets.
 
*A selection of poems prompted by these workshops will be displayed on the Green Scythe Fair website, later in the year (with each writer’s permission). Please bring your own notebook or paper, and pen.
Beginners or experienced writers are welcome. 
 

Workshop Leader: Lucy Lepchani

Duration: 10am - 1pm

Contact for workshop specific questions:lucylepchani@mail.com

Two half-day poetry workshops: each offers a different approach to writing a poem, Sessions involve sensory and written exercises, and immersion in the natural world. Themes include ecology, landscape, and the heritage of haymaking and scything. 

2. A Sense of Place. 
Writing poems that draw on all things sensory as the inherent voice of landscape.

*A selection of poems prompted by these workshops will be displayed on the Green Scythe Fair website, later in the year (with each writer’s permission). Please bring your own notebook or paper, and pen. Beginners or experienced writers are welcome. 
 

For anyone who wants to learn how to  sharpen or to improve their sharpening. From gardening tools to kitchen knives and woodworking tools I can teach you to sharpen any tool. Bring your own tools and any sharpening stones etc. I can advise on your equipment. I will provide a large selection of most equipment on the market for you to try and use. Participants will be able to purchase Sharp, the definitive book on sharpening at 20 % off retail price on the day.

Workshop Leader: Sean Hellman

Duration: 10:30am - 3:30pm

Contact for workshop specific questions:info@seanhellman.com

https://seanhellman.com/

Scythe Improver's Masterclass at the Green Scythe Fair
Friday 7th and Saturday 8th June 2024

A two day course for:
- mowers with some experience who want to develop their skills
- team leaders managing volunteers or staff
- people who want to teach scythe use to others.

Over two days, you will get personal attention from three of the most experienced teachers in the UK,
namely:

• Kevin Austin, scythe teacher from Cornwall, former UK champion mower.
• Phil Batten, master peener and scythe competition winner from Scythe Cymru;
• Andi Rickard, of the Somerset Scythe School, current UK champion mower.

The course covers:
• improving the set up of the scythe
• improving mowing stance and style
• sharpening, peening and repairing blades
• teaching
• organizing volunteers and novices

Learn to get your blade sharper and to scythe expertly!
The course fee includes lunch on both days and entry to the fair on Sunday. Camping on site is available
at extra cost.

The cost is £175 for individuals. Concession (unwaged) £100. Organisations £200 per person.

Please book direct via email for concession and organisations.

Places must be booked in advance. For general enquires, camping enquiries or any booking issues please
email scythemasterclass@gmail.com

How to carve a blank from a log, with an axe. How to carve a spoon from a blank, with a straight and curved .

Workshop Leader: Jane Gray-Wallis

Duration: Half day course 10am  - 1pm

Contact: jane@spoonsouthwest.co.uk

https://spoonsouthwest.co.uk/

How to carve a blank from a log, with an axe. How to carve a spoon from a blank, with a straight and curved .

Workshop Leader: Jane Gray-Wallis

Duration: 2pm - 5pm

Contact: jane@spoonsouthwest.co.uk

https://spoonsouthwest.co.uk/

A half-day session in which learners will experience the processes involved in making a rake from green Ash which they can take away at the end of the session.

Workshop Leader: Maurice Clother

Duration: 10am - 1pm

Contact: mauriceonline@hotmail.com

A half-day session in which learners will experience the processes involved in making a rake from green Ash which they can take away at the end of the session.

Workshop Leader: Maurice Clother

Duration: 2pm - 5pm

Contact: mauriceonline@hotmail.com

We will spend the day making a beautiful bamboo native American flute to take home with you tuned to minor pentatonic scale.

Workshop Leader: Greg Pow

Duration: 9am - 4pm

Contact: gregpow73@googlemail.com

Learn the slow and satisfying process of making your own watercolour paints. From foraging for rocks and earth, to grinding and binding, with plenty of time for experimenting with your paints on paper. Bring your creative play and practice into deep connection with the landscape around you, and come ready to get smashing. You will leave with your paints and the skills to
carry on at home. You do not have to call yourself an artist to join!
All materials provided. Bring along your own gathered earth pigment to work with if you would like to. 

Workshop Leader: Kathryn John

Duration: 10am to 12pm

Contact: hello@kathrynjohn.co.uk

https://www.kathrynjohn.co.uk/

Learn the slow and satisfying process of making your own watercolour paints. From foraging for rocks and earth, to grinding and binding, with plenty of time for experimenting with your paints on paper. Bring your creative play and practice into deep connection with the landscape around you, and come ready to get smashing. You will leave with your paints and the skills to
carry on at home. You do not have to call yourself an artist to join!
All materials provided. Bring along your own gathered earth pigment to work with if you would like to. 

Workshop Leader: Kathryn John

Duration: 1pm to 3 pm

Contact: hello@kathrynjohn.co.uk

https://www.kathrynjohn.co.uk/

Learn the slow and satisfying process of making your own watercolour paints. From foraging for rocks and earth, to grinding and binding, with plenty of time for experimenting with your paints on paper. Bring your creative play and practice into deep connection with the landscape around you, and come ready to get smashing. You will leave with your paints and the skills to
carry on at home. You do not have to call yourself an artist to join!
All materials provided. Bring along your own gathered earth pigment to work with if you would like to. 

Workshop Leader: Kathryn John

Duration: 4pm to 6 pm

Contact: hello@kathrynjohn.co.uk

https://www.kathrynjohn.co.uk/

Drop in workshop no booking required. Make your own laid and twisted rope from natural yarn. Learn about braided rope.

Workshop Leader: Ben Wood

Duration: 10am - 4pm

Contact: bentomwood@gmail.com

Make a garden trug with Somerset willow - ideal for foraging and picking salad leaves.
An easy, achievable design suitable for beginners. Suitable for adults and young people over 14 years.

Workshop leader/legend: Hannah Aitken

Duration: 10am-2pm

Merry welcome to a seasonal singing walk with the Hedgesong Collective. Join us for a gentle walk around the trees onsite, immersing ourselves in song, folklore and knowledge.

The Hedgesong Collective gather and share traditional folk and contemporary songs about trees. Maz McNamara is a musician and songwriter, Emily Unsworth White is a community arts facilitator and gardener. Over this 2 hour workshop they will guide you on a leisurely walk around the Scythe Fair site, meeting a number of tree species.

Alongside learning simple harmony songs, there will be plenty of time to rest, discuss and learn together. These workshops are both led and collaborative sharing spaces - if you know a song about a tree, or some interesting facts and folklore, please bring it along! 

The Hedgesong Collective are members of the Natural Voice Network and are driven to make singing accessible and enjoyable for all. 

You may like to bring a camping chair on the walk, as there will be long periods of standing whilst learning songs and discussing trees. Please dress appropriately for the walk and weather. Alternative arrangements may be made to host the workshop indoors if the weather is too adverse. Children are welcome!

Workshop Leader: The Hedgesong Collective

Duration: 2.5 hours Saturday 8th June

Children between 7 - 18 years of age £10 

Please contact hedgesongcollective@gmail.com for tickets.

Learn to make copper jewellery by hand using your fingers, pliers, hammers and anvil, working with the alchemy of metal to create a durable piece. Bring a cushion or rug to sit on.

Workshop leader: Anya - Pixy Smith

Duration: 1 hr 10.30 - 11.30am

Contact: the.mental.elf@gmail.com

Learn to make copper jewellery by hand using your fingers, pliers, hammers and anvil, working with the alchemy of metal to create a durable piece. Bring a cushion or rug to sit on.

Workshop leader: Anya - Pixy Smith

Duration: 1 hr 12.00 - 1.00pm

Contact: the.mental.elf@gmail.com

Learn to make copper jewellery by hand using your fingers, pliers, hammers and anvil, working with the alchemy of metal to create a durable piece. Bring a cushion or rug to sit on.

Workshop leader: Anya - Pixy Smith

Duration: 1 hr 3.30 - 4.30pm

Contact: the.mental.elf@gmail.com

A half day session to learn how humans first started using metal. 
After handling different ores and artefacts, there will be a practical session where you will be guided to smelt a small amount of malachite ore to produce some copper metal prills. Suitable for all, including children over 14 if accompanied by a parent also doing the workshop.
Please wear old clothing you don’t mind getting dirty (preferably natural fabrics like cotton, denim or leather and enclosed footwear due to being near to a fire).
The simple bag bellows for the furnace are worked whilst sitting on the ground.

Workshop leader: Fergus Milton

Duration: 3 hours 10am to 1pm

Contact: gooster9@gmail.com

A half day session to learn how humans first started using metal. 
After handling different ores and artefacts, there will be a practical session where you will be guided to smelt a small amount of malachite ore to produce some copper metal prills. Suitable for all, including children over 14 if accompanied by a parent also doing the workshop.
Please wear old clothing you don’t mind getting dirty (preferably natural fabrics like cotton, denim or leather and enclosed footwear due to being near to a fire).
The simple bag bellows for the furnace are worked whilst sitting on the ground.

Workshop leader: Fergus Milton

Duration: 3 hours 2pm to 5pm

Contact: gooster9@gmail.com

10 - 11.30am. Liana Ni Ceilleachair - The Fungi Cailleach Saturday 8th June

Liana will take you on a journey into the magical world of fungi, a guided meditation through a blend of Myth and Mycology.

Liana takes her inspiration from her time walking and channeling in some of the most fantastical places, including the worlds oldest continuously surviving rainforest, woodlands of New Zealand, jungles of India, gorges of France and the woodlands, moorlands and coastlines of Britain and Ireland. 

Workshop Leader: Liana Ni Ceilleachair

Duration: 10 - 11.30am

Contact: NA

12 - 1.30pm Saturday 8th June

Kirst will cover “What’s the difference between them” & help with jargon busting.

Discussion on their cultural importance & their value to wildlife. 

How to get involved & record these trees so we can protect them.

With the rise of all types of Assembly occurring right across the country and around the globe, Chris will explain and expand on the roots and uses of the processes and lay out the plan for their use by protest groups and the like going forward.

From on the Street decision making to a Second House in Parliament, the future of politics is going to be Deliberative and need your participation. Come to workshop to learn how and why from someone with several years of experience.

12.300 - 1.15. Mike Buchan - 12v DiY Solar energy for beginners

Mike is experienced with small scale solar systems, powering most of his families energy needs for their housing association rented property, and will share his knowledge and answer your questions on how to “Do it Yourself”. 

Bridge Farm, Drayton, a talk on Somerset's 1st Cohousing Scheme from concept to full Planning Permission.

Julian will take you through the ups and downs of getting a Community Housing Project off the ground, and the ins and outs of steering it from conception to reality.

Theo has been working with Communities, Councils and authorities in Dorset to build frameworks for community resilience, in line with governments recognised need for civil contingency plans at the community level..

A group discussion on  understanding and developing the social ecological democratic process and practices necessary to build resilience into our communities to face the challenges the future may bring