22nd May 2019

Green Scythe Fair New Changes for 2019

​

The Green Scythe Fair returns this year with some new and exciting changes from pre tickets to a new site layout to, here are some of the details:

 

The introduction of pre-purchased tickets available on-line & from local outlets to help reduce the pressure on the entrance at peak times. To get your tickets now before they sell out, go to www.greenfair.org.uk £6 per person plus £12 per fossil-fuelled vehicle. 

​

To help reduce car use, on the ticketing website you can also book a bus ticket for only £2.50 return to get to the fair from Taunton calling at Wrantage, Curry Rivel and Langport and from Yeovil Pen Mill calling at Yeovil Junction, Montacute, Stoke sub Hamdon and Martock. And of course we hope you continue to come by bicycle or walking if you are local. Bicycle MOTs are available for those who come by pedal power to give advice on how to service and maintain your trusty bicycle.

​

Also this year the stalls will be in a new layout around the willows and the world famous scything championship area and are even more focussed on green and environmental persuasion, to educate and inspire us to get to zero carbon before 2030 to prevent run away climate change.The 2pm debate this year is "Surviving extinction - 11 years to stop runaway climate change?"and there will be workshops run by the local Extinction Rebellion group and environmental organisations. 

There will of course be the popular stalls of hand tools and green crafts, and food and refreshments will be provided by ethical, local producers and traders. This year we are excited to present some fantastic new stalls, as well as our favourite stalls that you know and love. Somerton charity ACEarts have teamed up with Bristol Pedal Revolution to create a hands-on stall for children and adults alike to create art on the day, and promote creative projects focusing on community health and wellbeing.

​

On Saturday 8th some of the rural craft stalls are offering short workshops. For details see  www.greenfair.org.uk/saturday-courses.

 

In the food department, we are hosting 'Fire Truck'. Lead by former River Cottage head chef Sam Rom, Fire Truck serve up sustainable, plant heavy dishes with veg from their own kitchen garden and conscientiously sourced meats from Devon's best suppliers. And the Pitney Farm café are taking over running our yummy canteen serving local, fresh, sustainable plates.

​

As the Green Scythe Fair continues to aim for minimal environmental impact, we are askingvisitors to bring their own reusable plates, cups & cutlery to help achieve zero waste created at the event.

​

There will of course be plenty of eco entertainment and activities in the Green Kidz area, from facepainting to stonecarving. We are delighted that High Ham Eco warriors are coming to the Green Kidz area this year. This group of highly motivated children from High Ham primary school will be displaying information about the recycling projects they are running in school, from batteries and toothpaste tubes to crisp packets and tetrapak. They will also be running an ‘Ecobrick' workshop helping to take non recyclable plastic out of the environment that risks ending up in the soils and oceans. These plucky a children will show you how to do it at their stall and at 2.30pm Tom White will be giving a talk all about it. More info about Ecobricks check out: www.ecobricks.org.

​

We have replaced our Raffle with a new Environmental  Solutions  Quiz! with fantastic prizes to be won including an Austrian Scythe!   Only £1 to enter! Find the hidden answers by searching around the Green Scythe Site and come up with your own Ideas on how to help save the planet from destruction we are causing.

​

All this plus two music stages powered by the sun and wind, green workshops, demonstrations and more- all to entertain, sustain and inform. We're looking forward to seeing you there.

​

It’s volunteers who make the Fair and there is always need for more.  Would you like to join the team?  Please sign up as a volunteer and help put on this fabulous event – just email volunteer@greenfair.org.uk  Volunteers havefree entry and a free drink for 2 hours volunteering, plus a free meal for 4 hours volunteering. 

​

Sunday 9h June- worth putting the date in your diary now and start planning how you will get there: foot, cycle, canoe, electric vehicle or last resort by fossil fuel – it’s “probably the most enjoyable and authentic country fair in all England!” 

​

Notes

​

The Green Scythe Fair is held at Thorney Lakes, Muchelney, TA10 0DW on Sunday 9thJune, open from 11am. For more information, see www.greenfair.org.uk (for camping, see thorneylakes.co.uk)  Or please contact for additional press info:

Francis Blake, chair, on 07973 955429.

​

The Green Scythe Fair debate this year is aptly about the IPCC report www.ipcc.ch/sr15/which states there's less than 11 years to stop run away climate change with speakers from Somerset County Council, Population Matters and Extinction Rebellion.

​

The Green Scythe Fair experience should start with your journey to get there: It is a ‘Green’ Fair and visitors are asked to minimise their carbon footprint. Most of the day's carbon emissions come from visitors’ cars. The message is, if you can, please come by foot, bicycle, bus or boat on the nearby River Parrett or make sure you car-share. For ramblers and cyclists information routes are already on www.greenfair.org.uk/getting-there

​

Entry charges are: £6 per person plus£12 per fossil-fuelled vehicle. (In advance www.greenfair.org.uk/tickets:)