The South Somerset Green Fair and Scythe Festival have now combined to become The Green Scythe Fair which is held annually on the 2nd weekend in June when the grass is ripe for
mowing. After the great success of last years event The Green Scythe Fair 2010 is set to be better than ever before. The Green Scythe Fair will again be held at the beautiful Thorney Lakes (for directions see map) It promises to be a fantastic event and includes a
programme of music, performance and arts along with displays of local
sustainable projects, stalls selling local produce, crafts,
refreshments and food, and the aim is to power the event using
alternative energy. Anyone who would like more information, would like to book a stall, get
involved as a performer, a scyther or as a volunteer with this very popular event
please contact us at info@greenfair.org.uk
Humanity is facing four major challenges: economic
disparities, war and violence, environmental degradation, and religious
intolerance. In the face of such huge challenges what can we as
individuals or as communities do? The Green Scythe Fair is a
small part of a global movement seeking to raise awareness of these
issues and explore positive solutions through appropriate technology,
artistic expression, local distinctiveness, maintaining rural skills, organic food production,
sustainable resources and environmental information exchange.
Everyone has something to offer and something to learn about these
vital issues of our time. Come and join us in an event which
is both uplifting and inspiring, thought provoking and informative and
above all, fun and a good day out!
About the South Somerset Green Fair
The South Somerset Green Fair is now in its eighth year and has as its aims:
1. To raise environmental awareness through creative activities.
2. To promote sustainable communities in South Somerset.
3. To engage the local community in Green Issues.
This will be the 8th Green Fair. The first four fairs (2002-2005) all took place on South
Petherton Recreation Ground and proved very popular and successful events
(read all about them below!). For the last three years (2007-9) we have been at a new venue at
Thorney Lakes near Muchelney combining with the Scything
Festival to create a very special event. See you there!
2009
Our event at Thorney Lakes this year saw the continuing partnership
with the Scythe Festival, now under the simple name, the ‘Green
Scythe Fair’. This was definitely our best year yet and the event
finally feels like it is getting well known & popular in the
local area and beyond.
Together with stall holders, site crew etc. we hosted 2000 people
on site throughout the day. We had a strong committee of dedicated
people working well together to organise, set up and manage the
event, not forgetting the taking down & clearing up afterwards. We
had 62 Stalls, Caterers & Green Craft demonstrations this year
providing a wide range of interesting and environmentally friendly
goods for sale, display, demonstration or consumption. Our Green Info
Café used rocket stoves to boil water for teas, and the bar was
so busy it ran out of beer!
The Scythe Course and Competition was a great
success with 57 competitors entering and fastest 5x5m2 uk record
achieved : 1m10secs
More can be found out about this on the Scythe website.
[www.thescytheshop.co.uk/festival.html] The Kids Area was busy all day
with families watching great shows from Rattle Box Theatre and
Professor Paradox, as well as taking part in felt making, stone
carving, weaving, badgemaking and clay landscapes. We had the welcome
addition of a Willow Sculpture workshop, a large Healing Yurt, a
drumming workshop, Applachian dancers , wandering musicians,
Walkabout Characters & Puppets. Our Speakers Forum was the
best yet with expert speakers and a lively debate on the Future of
Small farming.
Once again the team from Yeovil College organised
and managed the music with a great line up throughout the day and
evening, finishing with the Fallen Apples, blue grass band, who blew
the fuse on our Green Energy Trailer, revealing the need for a
larger Inverter. Our horse drawn area continues to grow with an outdoor
music stage, acoustic musicians, decorative wagons and horse drawn
carriage rides down to the Lakes and back. We now have a set of site
signs to complement our beautiful flags, robust road signs and as ever,
a well managed car parking system. We also had an additional
Scythe marquee, freeing up the original one for speakers and music.
I would like to thank all the people who took part,
whether as a stall holder, speaker, musician or steward. I would
especially like to thank all those who put in such a lot of hard work
to make this event happen- you know who you are! Also Thanks to
Ann & Richard England for providing the beautiful site and being
such friendly land owners. As we grow in success we need to take care
not to grow too big and become unmanageable. We need to remain a small
friendly event, consolidate our resources, improve our infrastructure,
and truly become a gathering that promotes local sustainable resources
and celebrates the wealth they, and we all, represent.
2008
We had our most successful year to date, with the second year
joining forces with the Scythe Festival, a management team of 7 people
working really well together, and an estimated 2000 people coming
through the gate.
The completion of our £10,000 Awards For All grant meant
we were able to showcase our new ‘Green Energy Trailer, built
using hydro-electric power by Keith Shoemark at Parrett Works, near
Martock. The renewable energy trailer powered music through out the day
and lighting in the evening. It was a talking point for
householders enquiring about installing their own domestic renewable
energy systems. The trailer is fully roadworthy it made further
outings to the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival and to The Chiselborough and
Norton Flower Show. Also Funded by A4All is our new ‘Green Info
Café’. A red & white canvas marquee, made by
local tent makers in Cornwall, it provided a lovely space for the
café, the info, and this year, the addition of a small speakers
stage and storytelling venue. We also now have our own tables, benches
and an array of wood burning rocket stoves to keep the kettle boiling!
We tried again this year to run the event with no
generators, and although we all used bottled gas, only renewable
electricity was used on site. The Scything ran on muscle power, the
grass was good and a successful 4th championships was held.
Due to good site management and an effective site plan, we had
over 6o stalls, a really good bar, lots of delicious foodstands and an
excellent atmosphere. The Greenkidz area ran hands on craft activities
for children of all ages and had wonderful performances from Rattle Box
Theatre and Professor Paradox. The Green Crafts was as good as ever and
we had the addition of a horse drawn stage and gypsy caravans. This
outdoor stage complemented the music programme running in the
Scythers Marquee, and this year will be run by Yeovil College Music
Department.
We would like to thank everyone who put in a real
lot of hard work to build up the event and manage it so smoothly
throughout the day, and look forward to working together for a
fantastic Fair & Festival in 2009.
2007
GREEN KIDZ AREA
Our new site at Thorney Lakes allowed us for the first time to have a
kid’s area all in one place, which was christened
‘Greenkidz’. Colourful flags that had been designed by
young people at the local Kingsbury Episcopi Youth Club defined the
area. A community grant from the South Somerset District Council
enabled Andy Hawthorne from SHH! Décor to lead a design workshop
at the youth club in the weeks preceding the fair. Photos were
taken of the designs, which were sent off to Bali by e-mail. Batik
craftsmen then used the designs to create the beautiful colourful flags
we used at the Fair. The Flags are a resource that is available for
other local community events. However we hired the flagpoles for the
event so we still need to buy some to be able to use them independently
of SHH! Décor. The GREENKIDZ area was full of activities,
children and families all day long and proved a great success.
Professor Paradox made us all laugh, the Mini- Mummers troupe wowed us
all with their pirate show of stealth and daring, and Austen Keenan the
Storyteller enthralled us all with his tales of mystery and magic.
The Yeocals Juggling Troupe (from Yeovil!) led a continuous hands on
juggling workshop, while Sophie Courtious led a willow sculpture
workshop with young people helping to create a huge ‘ Girt dog of
Langport’ willow figure.
Other activities included Songs of Peace & Joy,
(Joy Leingaard), Hand powered roundabout (Wells Carnival Club) Leaf
badge making (Hannah Aitken) Soft Stone Carving (Richard Langford),
Clay Modelling (Alison Hayward) Face Painting (Jennie Pank) Leafy Crown
Making (Forest School Cluster Group) and Flower Mandala Creation (Jan
Pemberton). This was all taking place in and around our new Geodesic
Domes, funded by Awards for All and expertly made by Nick Durnan from
local hazel and willow.
MUSIC TENT
Joining up with the Scythe Festival meant we had the use of their large
40x 40 metre tent. Once the Scythers had finished talking blades and
grass, we were able to run a line- up of Musicians and Speakers,
throughout the day and into the evening with a wonderful final from
Kangaroo Moon. This all went really smoothly thanks to Yeovil College
Music Department, namely Rosie Russell, Simon Squire and their trusty
helpers Luke, Chris And Lee. Together they provided a P.A. system and
professionally managed the stage through out the day.
2005
Definitely the best year ever with wonderful hot weather, a full music
line up and the creation of the magnificent willow green woman. The oak
tree once again the focus of the event with its huge branches giving
ample shade to at least six activities. An Awards for All grant
provided funding for an environmental arts programme which included
wild stories, willow workshops, flower sculpture, giant puppets and
music technology. The constant need to hire in equipment led to the
decision to have a year’s rest and plan for buying our own
equipment for future fairs and to take other events.
2004
This year saw the continuing success and development of the Community
Green Fair, held in its third year in South Petherton, South Somerset.
Throughout the day an estimated 1000 people visited the event,
the weather stayed dry and the stalls holders and public alike gave
positive feedback, with lots of interest in the displays on recycling,
renewable energy, sustainable building, local food production and
sustainable communities. Interesting features from this year included
Pedal Power interactive workshops, wandering Mermaids, an environmental
mandala, and the Blackdown Hills Samba band workshop and procession. A
welcome new event was the youth bands line up and mixed media &
music events held in the David Hall, down in the village. This saw the
involvement of over 100 young musicians and their supporters. It is
hoped that in 2005 we will obtain a License to enable us to run youth
music activities on site. The Green Craft area continues to expand with
a wide variety of rural crafts demonstrations all situated around the
central Peace Yurt, a quiet oasis in the middle of the festive
atmosphere. Kids activities included the SSDC Playbus, mask making, and
clay modelling. Feedback from the South Petherton Parish Council was
good and they are happy for us to hold the event again on the
recreation ground in 2005. We continue to receive support from the
South Petherton Scouts, who kindly give us the use of their hut and
facilities, and the Pavilion Sports Club who liase with the Cricket
club, help with storage and open their licensed bar to the public for
the day. More local groups were involved this year, taking up the
opportunity to have a stall and raise their own funds, while
contributing to the sustainable communities theme.
The Green Fair started with funds from a lottery grant, which covered
the first 2 years. 2004 was the first year the event was run without
grant aid. Sponsorship money was obtained by 4 local businesses and
money was collected on the day, through stall fees, donations, raffle,
the bouncy castle, adverts in the programme and the Green Info
Café. The surplus amount raised will enable us to provide the
basic infrastructure (tents, toilets, insurance etc.) in 2005.
Fundraising is already underway for further activities and further
grant applications are being made, to run workshops in the wider
community (across south Somerset) on environmental arts themes, and a
windmill project in the South Petherton Primary School. The
Community Green Fair is building a good reputation as a creative, fun
day out which brings together people from all walks of life together to
find out about and support local sustainable initiatives of all kinds.
Our thanks go out to all the people who give their time and energy to
making the event the success it is. We continue to rely on the goodwill
of volunteers and welcome any offers of help. If you think you could
help in any way, from fundraising to running a craft activity or
performing a show, or if you would like to run a display on recycling,
renewable energy, or sustainable communities, please contact us in the
first instance by e-mail.
2003
The second South Petherton Green Fair, held on July 13th 2003, was
attended by well over a thousand people of all ages. While adults
browsed stalls and displays covering topics ranging from recycling
& renewable energy sources to low impact living & local green
crafts, the Wild Man of the Woods enthralled children with his
educational stories told under the cool shade of a giant oak tree.
Children also learned to weave and spin wool, and explored the
environment through stories and drama with Natureplay. Various local
youth groups contributed shows & music they had prepared for the
day. This included youth bands, dance workshops, circus, drama , a
youth debate on environmental issues and DJ sessions. There were short
talks on straw bale house building and on Tinkers Bubble, the low
impact sustainable development on Ham Hill, alongside the Green Info
café, where you could browse through a variety of
‘green’ publications, while sampling organic and Fair Trade
teas and coffee. The Green Fair is part of Going Green, a project
organised by South Somerset Play Association, funded by SEED New
Opportunities Fund, and supported by SSDC. The project aims to
raise environmental awareness through play .
2002
Over 300 people attended the Green Fair at South Petherton Recreation
ground on August 18th. The Fair, organised by South Somerset District
Council in partnership with South Somerset Play Association, was part
of their ‘Going Green’ project, which aims to raise
environmental awareness through play and youth activities. Workshops
were run throughout July and August in holiday playschemes across the
district, at the Green Fair, and further workshops are planned for
youth clubs in November. All the workshops were free and open to
all. Adults and children had fun pedalling to make music with the Rinky
Dink pedal powered disco, constructing a bender –a shelter made
from bent hazel sticks and canvas- with The Tinkers Bubble Community,
or joining the Wild Man of the Woods with his collections of songs and
stories about our changing relationship with the natural environment.
Recycled materials were used to create colourful dragons and
butterflies in the Creeping Toad workshop and along with the Summer
creatures made in the SSDC Community Playbus a colourful parade was
formed, led by the colourful Rinky Dink. The Rubbish Police clowns kept
everyone on their toes and made sure everyone enjoyed clearing up
litter! Along side the fun activities people could also find out about
renewable energy from the Devon Renewables. Their compact trailer had
working displays of solar panels and windmills, examples of sustainable
building materials and lots of information and friendly advice. The
electricity they were generating on site was used to power the PA
system & amplifier of local band Los Dos, showing how wind &
sun energy can easily be converted to normal 240v. systems. Stalls and
exhibits came from a cross section of the community, encouraging local
exchange, fund raising for small groups, and promoting local
sustainable initiatives. The Farmers Market caterers supplied
delicious roast meat rolls, vegetarian salads, homemade ice cream, cold
drinks and strawberries. Young people from the Eco-Envoy carried out
their final consultation before taking the views of young people to the
World Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Stalls and Activities
If you would like to have a stall, display or performance at the Green
Fair please contact one of the Coordinators below who will send
you a copy of the appropriate Booking Form. Please note we have a
Ethical Policy regarding stallholders.
Stalls: Louise Finnis
E-mail: stalls@greenfair.org.uk
Scything: Simon Fairlie
E-mail: scything@greenfair.org.uk
Performance and Kids Activities: Hannah Aitken
E-mail: greenkidz@greenfair.org.uk
Live Music and Bands:Simon Squire E-mail: livemusic@greenfair.org.uk
Green Crafts: Nick Durnan
E-mail: greencrafts@greenfair.org.uk
Catering: Louise Finnis
E-mail: catering@greenfair.org.uk
General Information:
E-mail: info@greenfair.org.uk
Ethical Policy for Stallholders
If you need clarification of any of the following, please contact us before sending your application form:
• Your stock must have been obtained from an
ethical source, e.g. fairly traded or hand produced by yourself or your
friends and family.
Goods produced by forced, exploitative or child labour are not permitted.
• Mass produced goods which are not environmentally friendly are not permitted.
• No goods produced by unethical multinationals may be sold.
• No items associated with war or aggression, including toy weapons, may be sold or displayed.
• Recycled paper is preferred for carrier bags, serviettes etc.
• Stalls must respect other faiths, cultures and beliefs. No forms of discrimination will be tolerated.
• Products sold must not have been tested on animals.
• Stalls selling second hand goods are welcome, but must comply with the other guidelines.
• No balloons to be sold or given to the public, due to the litter problems they can cause.
• Only green forms of transport may be promoted.
• No mains electricity is available on site.
• Please do not leave behind any litter at the end of the day.
• Dogs are allowed on site but are the
responsibility of their owners at all times and must be on leads. Dog
mess must be cleaned up.
Gallery
2008
Green Info Cafe
Green Info Cafe
Green Energy Trailer powering the Music Tent
Rocket Stove Wizard Paul Stubbs
Professor Paradox
Bangles juggling at the Greenkidz Area
Cycle Powered Organic Smoothies Green Fair and Scythe Festival Committee Celebrations!
2003
Crowds at the Fair
John Lee
Peace Yurt
Seize the Day
Sunset
Weaving workshop
2004
Dance workshop
Drumming workshop
Flower mandala
Green Info Cafe
Pedal Power
Sustainable
transport
2005
Willow workshop
Dacre Giants
Green Woman
Powered by wind and
sun
Story Telling
The Oak Tree
Links
The Land is Ours
-TLIO campaigns peacefully for access to the land, its resources, and
the decision-making processes affecting them, for everyone,
irrespective of race, gender or age. Transition Towns
It all starts off when a small collection of motivated
individuals within a community come together with a shared concern: how
can our community respond to the challenges, and opportunities, of Peak
Oil and Climate Change? LETS - Local
Exchange Trading Systems or Schemes are local community-based mutual
aid networks in which people exchange all kinds of goods and services
with one another, without the need for money. There are 7 schemes in
Somerset including South Somerset LETS. Somerset Organic Link
(SOL) is a co-operative of organic farmers in Somerset supplying a wide
range of fresh organic vegetables and fruit all year round. Ecos Trust Aims to make sustainable design and building practices normal
rather than exceptional throughout Somerset. Includes mission,
activities, projects, .. Ecovillage Network UK Assists
individuals, projects, and organisations in developing environmentally,
socially and economically sustainable settlements.
Carymoor Environmental Centre
We are a registered charity and environmental body which has taken over
the management of a former landfill site three miles from Castle Cary,
Somerset. We provide an engaging and fun resource for the demonstration
of environmental issues for everyone. GreenNet - UK based computer network for environment, peace, human rights and development.
