Green Scythe Fair Sunday 13 June 2010 Somerset Levels
Scything Debate and Saving the planet on the Somerset Levels
The Green Scythe Fair – 12/13th June 2010
Listen, can you hear the swish, the sound of steel upon swathe; reapers rhythmically moving through the landscape in the shimmering summer heat; mowers, men, women working together, synchronized – scything wheat, barley, corn and grass; a common sight in the 18th century and the novels of Thomas Hardy. An image you would think is lost to our generation, or maybe not ….
On Sunday June 13th 2010 the Green Scythe Fair is being held at Thorney Lakes, Muchelney near Langport in Somerset. This event incorporates the 6th West Country Scythe Competition which serves as the national championship and the organiser Simon Fairlie is looking for competitors. This is the most ecological way of cutting grassland and promoting biodiversity.
And this is not just an event for the men. Before mechanisation women played an equal part in gathering in the harvest, using sickles as English scythes were heavy and cumbersome. Today’s lighter and more ergonomic Austrian scythes allow women to participate.
On Saturday 12th June there will lessons for beginners and improvers, in all aspects of scything from a variety of experts including Christiane Lechner visiting from Austria. The competition heats begin in earnest on Sunday morning at 11 am and will continue until the 2010 champions are found. Last year’s men’s winner, for the third year in a row, was Simon Damant from Cambridgeshire who set a new UK record mowing 5m x 5m in 70 seconds. Last year’s women’s champion was Mary Durling with a time of 3 minutes 28 seconds.
Prospective entrants should contact Simon Fairlie on 01297 561359 or email: chapter7@tlio.org.uk. Weekend camping is available for competitors and visitors at Thorney Lakes.
As 2010 has been designated Biodiversity Year by the UN, this year’s topic is Land Use: Fuel, Food or Flood. There will be lively debate commencing at midday between leading experts and an opportunity at the end for questions from the floor. This year’s speakers will be Peter Harper: lifelong environmentalist, leading expert on biofuels and founding member of the Centre for Alternative Technology: Dr Mark Fisher, advocate of forest gardens, biodiversity, wild land and renowned consultant permaculturalist and last but not least, Tara Garnett, research fellow at the University of Surrey’s Centre for Environmental Strategy and chair of the Food Climate Research Network.
The Green Scythe Fair is a fabulous event for the whole family whether you are there just for the day or decide to camp for the whole weekend. As well as circus skills and puppet shows, the Greenkidz area has a range of craft workshops for children using natural materials: chalk stone carving, knitting, weaving, clay Zen landscapes, willow sculpture and a pedal powered smoothie maker! There will be stalls selling everything from eco-clothing and vintage bric-a-brac to organic food, plants, seeds and local crafts. Some of the best craftsmen in Somerset will demonstrate their green woodwork, thatching, blacksmithing and lime-plastering skills. Experts will be on hand to discuss sustainable energy and building. The solar and wind powered Green Energy Trailer will supply a 1000 watts of green electricity for the music tent, featuring amongst others, The Dolmen, Ship of Fools, Bag of Rats and Diz Watson.
So come and sit in the Green Info Café, sip a Fairtrade cappuccino and browse through the environmental literature on display. Or discuss how to save the planet whilst enjoying a pint or two of cider or local real ale! Whatever your choice prepare yourself for a fantastic day out on the Somerset Levels. Entrance: £5 for adults – accompanied children go free – dogs on leads 11am – 11pm No entry after 7pm.
If you fancy becoming a scyther go to www.thescytheshop.co.uk/festival.html or you just want come along see www.greenfair.org.uk. Weekend camping is available for competitors and visitors at Thorney Lakes go to www.thorneylakes.co.uk or call 01458 250811 For more pictures from previous years go to www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2005/04/28/scythe_feature.shtml and scroll down to click through our photo gallery.
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