COMMUNITY GREEN FAIR
Chairpersons Report 2011
Green Scythe Fair 2011 was wet and windy and although we suffered a financial loss and many of the activities were stopped because of the weather, it was still a success of sorts.
The Scythers continued in the rain and many people commented on the great feeling of solidarity the adverse conditions generated.
This report from our Stalls Co-ordinator captures that feeling:
Each year the interest in booking a stall seems to grow. Our aim is to get a good variety and balance between crafts, charities, rural skills and so on. All stall holders sign our eithical trading policy and we try and ensure most stall holders are as local as they can be. Seventy six stalls and caterers were booked for the 2011 Green Fair. All had their tickets and pitches sorted. Then the rain and the wind came down. Sadly, but understandably, the majority of stall holders didn't have the necessary wet weather gazebo's and it was just too risky to their stock to set up. Thirty odd stall holders came on site but with the terrible conditions about ten lasted the day. I think the endurance medal has to go to Rob Ellis who was selling pottery. He had no cover and just stood as the rain poured down getting drenched. In the spirit of the Fair other stall holders offered him shelter and hot drinks. He said he made some sales and had a good day. Hats off to you Rob and all those that stayed with us. The Fair received lots of sympathetic emails and messages from stall holders for which we were very grateful. Thanks to the volunteers who helped with the stalls and everyone who braved the elements. We had a lot of muddy gazebo's and some that took off in the wind. Thanks to Fergus Dowding for his support and understanding over the gazebo's, and to John Christmas for looking after them.
The stall holders seal the circle around the fair and create a fantastic and inspiring atmosphere. They add a special something. I hope we can create that again in 2012
Louise Finnis
In the Green Kidz area we spent a lot of time holding down gazebos and driving in ever bigger stakes to keep up flimsy gazebos style tents. We kept most activities going, although some entertainers rang in the morning and cancelled. This was a blessing as we were able to reduced our financial outlay.
A big thank you to the volunteers who stuck with us through out the day making badges, keeping tents up and safe, and keeping cheerful!
Eventually we had to evacuate the popular pedalpowered Scalelectrix from one tent which was buckling under the strain of the wind. Our canvas 2 pole and guy rope tent, our tipi, yurts & domes all stood up fine.
The Green Man of the Woods was wonderful, walking around the site dispensing good cheer, and wrecking at least 3 umbrellas in the wind!
Chris Holland the Story Teller turned up and told stories for free, thanks Chris!
John Lee braved life & limb to stay up on his stilts and kept the announcements going. And the team from Castle Cary with their pedal powered scale electrix were fantastic and we hope they will come again next year.
Another big thank you goes to Steve Apelt who was booked to do street theatre and carried on in the rain and then compered in the music tent!
Numbers through the gate were down to the small dedicated following who braved the storm to support us. 380 paid tickets plus kidz.
We held an emergency meeting at 2pm and decided to cancel evening bands to cut our losses.
This worked OK with the event ending after the celidh,at 8.30pm however by this time the rain had stopped and it felt a bit flat ending the event so early.
A big thank you to Simon Squire and his team of students from Yeovil College, who now completely run the music: from contacting artists, providing the PA, welcoming the bands and managing the music on stage.
A great selection of bands once again played in the main tent and also on the horse drawn stage which was looking lovely decorated with LED lights. We receive many comments each year saying how good the music is.
Our Green Info Café once again used rocket stoves to boil water for teas, providing a range of delicious cakes & Information on green issues.
Herbie Blake organised the Speakers Forum, and led an interesting and well attended debate on Growing your own Food. Thank you Herbie
The Bar was well run by Geoff Watson and a team of Volunteers, managed for the first time by the GSF Committee. However also for the first time it made a financial loss as numbers were so low.
The Community Cider we made with Transition Langport was delicious, sold well and kept the site crew watered and refreshed, not only during the Event but in the 5 days of hard work building up and the 2 full days of clearing up afterwards.
A big thank you to Stuart and his team.
The Scythe Course and Competition continued through out the rain and remains the unique selling point for the whole event. Enthusiasts come from near & far to watch or take part in the Scything
More can be found out about this on the Scythe website. [www.thescytheshop.co.uk/festival.html]
Green Info Café Report– As rain and wind whipped across the site the problem of too much beer was probably the least of our worries, but then with beer in mind Stuart and I did agree 'well whatever happens we will make sure that we'll have a great time' I was actually feeling very positive because I was having cosy visions of a quiet time with delicious coffee and cake, chatting to a couple of customers! Hmmm not so as the brave 300 or so had the same idea. So as the wind blew and the rain lashed we were busy. The great rocket stoves were busy too for the extra hot water - and hot milk was in demand for cocoa. Is that music I hear? Yes out there in the driving rain I see not only a man with a wheelbarrow and sound system but also giant plastic flowers growing so well in the rain, and children were dancing! Well I have seen it all now I am thinking but no, there is more, the scythers are scything and what is more incredible many people are watching. Well, then suddenly, the side of the the kitchen gazebo whooshed in taking the trestle table with it - for seconds three of us watched the boiling urn tip sideways before springing into action to save the day. Hanging from the roof it was a battle of wills so leaving the loyal helpers I dashed next door to our rocket stove rescue team who came with trusty hammer, strong rope and sturdy peg. Then another dash to Richard and he kindly moved his van to catch the wind. And meanwhile business as usual. Lovely warm cosy tent, wonderful people and some of the best memories yet.
Annie Yuill
Our committee of dedicated people worked well together, organising, setting up and managing the event, not forgetting the taking down & clearing up afterwards.
Our rota of volunteer stewards continues to grow: monitoring the site, checking bins, toilets and general welfare.
We our making progress to look at our responsibility to manage the event safely, and our risk assessments and stewards briefing and rota are getting slightly more organised. Thank you Caroline Dunn. We had a good link with the scythers this year. A big Thank you to Ed & Gill.
This year it was not numbers of public on site we had to think about but bad weather and low numbers.
This highlights the need to think carefully about our wet weather contingency planning, regarding health & safety and financial outlay.
This year we managed once again to negoitiate a 3 xTEN license agreement with SSDC Licensing Dept, and will endeveour to do the same next year.
We tried to organise Big Red Bus double decker. public transport from surrounding villages and local train stations to cut down on car use by those attending the event. However this did not happen this year and its just as well we did not commit financially. The idea of smaller local minibuses will be explored next year.
I would like to thank all the people who took part, and stuck out the bad weather, 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 and keep it going into the next year!
Big thanks to the hardy car park attendants who kept going & survived the rain.
Thanks to Johti for all her lovely food and keeping us fed well despite the tent trying to escape and lack of punters.
Thanks to Jo Leech Lime Base for the sand for the sand pit
Thanks to Deborah for photos and website. Thanks to Jonathan Rouse for his donation.
Also thanks to Ann & Richard England for providing the beautiful site and being such friendly land owners & thanks to Mike Curtis for bringing the scalpings for the muddy entrance.
We remain a small friendly event, a gathering that promotes the use of local sustainable resources and celebrates the wealth they, and we all together, represent.
Hannah Aitken