The Small Farm Training Group

Willow Workshop
2023-02-04 10:30 - 16:00 (Europe/London)
In this workshops you will learn basic willow weaving skills. You will cut your own willow stems and make a willow obelisk or peony frame and other smaller objects.
Richard Vidal, is going to be our tutor. He has recently retired from the civil service to spend more time with his passion for all things ‘willow’. He has grown his own willow for 18 years and produces beautiful sculptures, living willow structures, ornaments and baskets. This introductory workshop will cover the growing, harvesting, storage and dipping of dry willow into water to regain its innate flexibility.
Before his retirement Richard sold willow at Blackheath Farmers Market and started to teach willow weaving to community groups so understands the different levels of teaching required dependent on previous experience.
Richard will start the day (indoors if weather inclement) with an introduction to the growing of willow and how to create colourful practical artistic objects. You will then harvest a mixture of red, yellow, green and maroon varieties of willow and create your own garden obelisk, frame or smaller structure. Some people may want to make garden structures outside whilst others may prefer being under cover or inside if cold.
For this workshop please dress warmly: waterproof gloves and leggings are useful and walking boots or wellies essential. Please bring secateurs (though spares are available). If you have a large car or roof rack this will be useful for transporting larger creations. If you can't fit an obelisk in your car we will endeavour to find someone nearby who can deliver it in due course.
Bring a packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Please leave your dog at home as it might slow you down in completing your creations, but if you have no dog sitter then you can bring your pet if it is well behaved and quiet.
Richard’s mobile is 07597 939668 and his email is richardhvidal@yahoo.co.uk. He is happy to discuss and explain what to expect at the workshop in more detail and to consider making adjustments for any disabilities or injuries.

Social Thursday & Private Brewery Tour - Limited Tickets
2023-01-26 18:00 - 21:00
Banish the January blues and come along to the first SFTG social event of 2023. Not only is this the first Thursday night social, of 2023, but it is also a great opportunity to have a private tour of one of the most beautiful breweries in the world... come along for a private guided tour of the Brewery at Gun Taproom in Chiddingly.
The Gun Brewery and The Gun Taproom is based the heart of the Sussex Countryside, nestled in a wild flower meadow. This special event is thanks to Tilly of the taproom who is welcoming in SFTG members, where they will be treated to a private tour of their shiny brewing equipment and a fun, fact filled tour led by Chris the enthusiastic brewer. (Not to be confused with THE GUN Pub & Restaurant - This event is at GUN BREWERY which is just up the road!
Your ticket price includes the private SFTG tour, plus two sample drinks of taproom beer or cider, as well as a guaranteed seat and table inside the Taproom. The evening starts from 6pm, for those people who would like to meet beforehand for a social catch up - you are also invited to order from the ever changing, onsite "Food Truck" from 6pm.
For this event French food caterer "Bon Vivant" has been booked to provide the catering.
We understand that not everyone can make the 6pm start time, so to make this work for those who need to work, we won't start the tour until 7pm, (you can eat afterwards if you prefer, although you will need to order your food by 7pm). Please note that food and drink are not included in the cost of your ticket, but your "flight samples" are included. The menu on the night consists of freshly made sweet crepes and savoury galettes to order, as well as Raclette melting cheese dishes with a variety of toppings.
There are very limited spaces (quite literally, due to space), and so this is limited to being booked by SFTG members, (although they can bring a non member so long as they buy the ticket) Please BOOK EARLY to avoid disappointment.
How to find them:
Tip 1: DON’T use the postcode
Tip 2 : Use Google Maps - it has us in the right place
The address: Gun Brewery, Hawthbush Farm, Gun Hill, East Sussex, TN21 0JX

FREE Talk - Protecting Our Rivers and Seas
2023-01-20 19:30 - 21:30
Founded in 2012, Strandliners is an all-volunteer grassroots organisation based in East Sussex. From the River Cuckmere in the west to Dungeness in the east; from Pett Level and Camber Sands on Rye Bay, up the River Rother to Brede and beyond, their cause is to identify the toxic waste they pick and trace it to its source. It’s a cross-community effort with dedicated teams of 6 to 20 volunteers at each event.
Strandliners engages with “polluters” as stakeholders not adversaries. If we work together, we all have a better chance of turning back the plastic tide.
As Executive Director of Strandliners our speaker Andy Dinsdale has been leading riverbank-cleans and beach-cleans since 2004 and regularly represents the organisation at national and international marine conservation conferences.

Friday 20th January at the Goward Hall, Cade Street, Heathfield TN21 9BU. Click here for directions.
Doors open at 7.30 for refreshments and chit-chat; talk starts at 8 pm and finishes at 9 pm or shortly thereafter.
The Half Moon pub opposite the hall is happy to supply ‘take-out’ drinks.
This is event is FREE and NON-MEMBERS ARE WELCOME. Booking is not essential but it is helpful if you book your place so that we can ensure there are enough refreshments, and that we can get in touch should the event be cancelled due to speaker illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

Working with Fibre (from sheep to finished garment) come and see how its done
2023-01-07 10:30 - 12:30
Come and meet Sue on her small holding, Sue has a flock of sheep (Shetland) and is very keen to pass on her numerous ancient craft skills of spinning, dyeing and weaving.
Sue uses her own wool which she can dye using produce from her own garden and then using her own spinning wheels and loom ends up with some fabulous end results.
During the morning Sue will show you around and you will meet the sheep and see the gardening plots as well as seeing how the spinning wheels and looms work.
Hand spinning is a traditional process using fibre and either a spinning wheel or a drop spindle. The ideal fleece for hand spinning has a long staple. The prepared wool will have been washed and carded (combed) so that it is easier to spin. Why do we spin fibre? Spinning creates a twist in the fibre which is consistent. Fibre which has not been twisted in a long length does not have any strength and would break if we tried to use it in any fibre craft.

Tea and Coffee will be provided during the morning, please dress appropriately for a walk around outside.
Sunninglye Farmhouse is a white weatherboard medieval farmhouse at the end of the track (about 200m) with plenty of parking, just keep right on the track and ignore the oust and barn to the left.

Beginners Salami & Chorizo Making Workshop
2023-01-07 10:30 - 12:30
Learn the basics of making a simple salami and chorizo, from the stuffing, to the fermentation process, the curing, and ultimately turn your excess minced meat into a delicious shelf stable product that doesn't need refrigeration. Part of our food security and food independence series of workshops, this introduction to salami making will enable you to preserve excess pork and beef mince into a delicious product at less than 30% of the price.
We will look at the different types of casing for the salami and chorizo, different ways and equipment used to stuff your casings, as well as what flavourings you can use to flavour your meat.
We will then look at how to start the fermentation effectively, and how to cure your product at home without it going mouldy or the skin drying out. Using 500grams of Free Range Yaffingale Pork from Oxford Sandy & Black pigs, you will then make a 250g chorizo, and a 250g salami for you to take home, ferment and cure at home, and you will be eating this product within just 4 weeks. This workshop is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to make much more at home.
During the duration of the workshop, you will have the opportunity to taste home made salami and chorizo*, made from the same mince you will be using from the rare breed Oxford Sandy & Black free range pigs reared here. Price includes 500grams of free range pork mince, as well as casings, flavourings, and everything you need to make and take home your own produce.
* This workshop is set in a family kitchen environment where cats and dogs have been / are present - Some salami's also contain nuts. Please inform the host of any allergies and do not put yourself at risk.

New member's subscription from now to 31 July 2024
2023-01-05 00:00
If you're just joining us for the first time, then welcome - you're in the right place!
New members can skip the login form and just fill in name, email and phone number below and click the PayPal button to pay a subscription by card or from your PayPal account.
The membership secretary will then contact you very shortly with your membership pack. membership@sftg.org.uk
And once again - a warm welcome to SFTG!
Existing members wishing to renew their subscription should log in then head over to our 'Renewals' page, which you can find here .

FREE: Social Supper & AGM - Bring A Bottle
2022-11-18 19:30 - 22:00
After last year's gloriously good fun Annual General Meeting, we are super excited to see you again this year! This is a great social event, and for those that book their ticket before the 11th November we will provide a gorgeous 3 course meal with soft drinks. (ALL MEMBERS are welcome to book after this date, but the caterer needs final figures by the 11th - so this is the FREE 3 course DINNER cut of date - we cannot guarantee to supply you a dinner if you book after the 11th). Alternatively, if you do not wish to have a meal, please also select the NON MEAL TICKET - this saves the group £25pp, so if you know you aren't going to require feeding, do let us know by booking a non meal ticket.
Doors will open at 7pm - the AGM will start at 7.30pm.
For those booking BEFORE 11th November:
Starter of mixed table nibbles - to include Pitta Bread, Dips and Olives
Main Course - we have selected "Morrocan Tagines"as our theme - we have something for everyone - Lamb Tagine with ginger, rosemary & apricots, Chicken Tagine with preserved lemon, mild harissa & grapes or Vegetable Tagine with carrots, chickpeas, squash & potatoes. They are served with long grain rice and a lettuce salad with red peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, olives & feta cheese.
Dessert - we have Coffee Tia Maria Trifle, Lemon Tarts with cream, Apple & raspberry crumble with custard or cream or Fresh fruit salad of mangoes, crunchy grapes & melon with or without cream.
For those booking AFTER 11th November or Those who DO NO WANT A MEAL:
We will be providing a warm welcome, a group table, free soft drinks including luxury apple and pear juice and teas and coffees. You are welcome to bring a bottle or your own snack.
Non meal tickets are available to book until 10am on the day of the event.
We also supply glasses for wine etc. but you need to bring a bottle! (and perhaps a bottle opener)..
There will be a table for members to bring and sell their produce, so if you would like to sell your wares, please arrive a little bit earlier to set up, and bring some cash if you want to buy on the night.
You will need to book a FREE ticket (below) so that we know to cater for you, as well as put out enough table and chairs.
All members are welcome to this event at the Punnetts Town Village Hall near Heathfield. The AGM will be short and sweet: the committee will report on what the SFTG has been doing during the past year and members will be asked formally to approve the accounts. There will be time for questions of course. Members of the committee and officers will then be elected.

FREE WEBINAR: Funding Sources for Small Farms in The High Weald
2022-10-26 19:00 - 20:30
A webinar with Christine Meadows of the High Weald AONB Partnership.
Christine willl give an introduction to the 'Farming in Protected Landscapes' fund and indicate ways in which it might be used to finance equipment for small farms. She will also touch on other potential sources of funding.
Given the current uncertainty about the future of farm payments it will be good to have a chance to explore other opportunities.
The presentation will last about half an hour followed by up to an hour for questions.
Please register here via eventbrite. There is no charge for this webinar.
Everyone who registers will be emailed a zoom link before noon on Wednesday 26th October. (Please check your spam or junk if you cannot find the zoom link.)

Free Talk - Hemp: what’s all the fuss about?
2022-10-21 19:30 - 21:30
SFTG member Lukas Hogg and his mother Naomi have been growing hemp in East Sussex for four years.

In this talk they will tell us about this plant's many uses across the world, why growing its a good idea and their personal experience of growing it. They will also address government legislation and growing licences.

Friday 21st October at the Goward Hall, Cade Street, Heathfield TN21 9BU. Click here for directions.
Doors open at 7.30 for refreshments and chit-chat; talk starts at 8 pm and finishes at 9 pm or shortly thereafter.
The Half Moon pub opposite the hall is happy to supply ‘take-out’ drinks.
This is event is FREE and NON-MEMBERS WELCOME. Booking is not essential but it is helpful if you book your place so that we can ensure there are enough refreshments, and that we can get in touch should the event be cancelled due to speaker illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

Dehydrating For Beginners - FULLY BOOKED
2022-09-25 10:30 - 13:00
Any questions about this event, please contact Zoe on 07540 633909 or email chair@sftg.org.uk
If you have ever wondered how to dehydrate, what you can dehydrate, and how to do it, Denise has all the answers. An avid dehydrator, she will talk us through why we do it, and how to do it successfully. You will learn how to make delicious Fruit Leathers, tasty Beef Jerky, and your own chilli powder, as well as vegetables for storage - all from the comfort of the kitchen table. You will also learn how to make Denise's own version of a healthy and flavoursome Pot Noodle!
There will be plenty samples and tasting as well as practical hands on experience, lots of discussion and plenty of advice. Full training notes given.

Peg Loom Weaving - Fully Booked
2022-09-25 10:00 - 14:00
Any questions on this event, please contact Zoe on 07540 633909 or email chair@sftg.org.uk
Have you every wanted to make something with your wool? This is a hands on course making a seat cover, working from ' fleece to finished article' in a morning.
You will learn how to weave on a peg loom, which is a simple loom on which you can create 'chunky' articles. You can use wool or re-purpose your old clothes. One of the beauties of this type of weaving, is that the article grows quickly!
If you wish to bring your own fleece, please do so. You can use either raw fleece or wool that has been washed and dried. You will need about 1kg raw wool or 500g washed wool. You can purchase Shetland fleece in natural colours from Owena. Raw unwashed fleece £5. Washed and carded £30-40. You will also need cotton for the warp (minimum 50 m), which Owena will supply at cost if you don't bring your own.
This is going to be great fun, lots of talk, and busy fingers, Owena will supply tea, coffee and cake but bring a packed lunch with you.
If you have a peg loom please say so in the comment box when you book so that SFTG knows how many looms we need to borrow for this workshop!

Make Your Own Sussex Trug in a Day
2022-09-18 09:00 - 17:00
This is an exciting opportunity to build your own Sussex trug in a one day workshop.
Any questions regarding this event, please contact Cliff at meetings@sftg.org.uk
The true Sussex trug is a very durable design that with only a little care will last a lifetime. It is not to be confused with the cheap imitations sold in many outlets today! You will learn how to cut, shave and bend the wooden components and to finish with traditional copper tacks. All wood is grown and coppiced locally.
The true Sussex trug is a very durable design that with only a little care will last a lifetime. It is not to be confused with the cheap imitations sold in many outlets today!
You will learn how to cut, shave and bend the wooden components and to finish with traditional copper tacks. All wood is grown and coppiced locally. To save time on the day the wood will already have been roughly prepared.
This workshop runs from 9 am to (nominally) 5 pm. In the words of our tutor Richard it runs from 9 am to "when we're finished". He likes to make sure everyone leaves with a completed trug!
Please bring your own food and drink. A kettle and drinking water is provided.
This workshop is not suitable for under 18s.

Harvest Bring & Share Picnic - FREE TICKETED EVENT
2022-09-17 12:00 - 16:00
The committee look forward to welcoming all members and their guests to celebrate the end of the "summer of abundance" with our "Bring Your Own Booze - Harvest Bring & Share Picnic". This is always a lovely afternoon where members are invited to bring a savoury, salad, or sweet dish or two to share at the Harvest table. There is always a huge array of different foods, many of which members have grown, reared, or made themselves - so it really is a celebration of our achievements over the year, whether you want to bring a lovely fresh salad, cheese and biscuits, salami, or a lovely sweet treat, all foods are welcome, and we can't wait to see what delights we can share.
Attendance at this event is completely free, but please do book a ticket to let us know if you are bringing either a sweet or savoury dish, or a salad type dish. (Just so we can make sure we have equal amounts of each). If your choose food option says "Sold Out" please choose a different food ticket type.
We will provide basic soft drinks, cutlery, plates and bowls and glasses / cups for the event, please do feel free to free to "Bring a Bottle" - whether this is something alcoholic, or a special soft drink or cordial. Also a chair or blanket for sitting on if you want to eat in comfort.
This year we are delighted to be hosted by Robin Creffield at The Old Farm at Cross in Hand. For directions go to https://www.sftg.org.uk/Locations/the-old-farm/

FREE EVENT: Film Night
2022-09-16 19:30 - 21:15
Our September meeting will be a film night featuring “Feeding the Nation”, a 2010 film about how farming changed forever during the 20th century.
At the outbreak of World War I, farming was on the brink of ruin. By the 1960s, it was thriving once more. Events in Britain and beyond changed agricultural life. After half a century of debts, economic slump and feeding the nation through two world wars, farming emerged much stronger, but it had been changed forever.
Using rare footage, this charming documentary looks back at the age of the family farm. With stories from farm workers and the Land Army, this film is a window into a world that has vanished.
Our film night last year was received very well with those who attended saying we should have one every year. So here it is!
Friday September 16th at the Goward Hall, Cade Street, Heathfield TN21 9BU. Click here for directions.
Doors open at 7.30 pm with the opportunity to have tea/coffee/juice and biscuits before the film at 8.00pm. The film lasts 60 minutes so finish time will be shortly after 9.00pm.
The Half Moon pub opposite the hall is happy to supply 'take-out' drinks.
This is event is FREE and NON-MEMBERS WELCOME. Booking is not essential but it is helpful if you book your free place so that we can ensure there are enough refreshments, and that we can get in touch should the event be cancelled due to speaker illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

SFTG Social Cuppa at The Dolphin Sheep Fair
2022-09-15 09:00 - 14:00
For those selling, buying, or just looking around, the SFTG team will be there with a tea urn, some cakes and a warm welcome. Bring a picnic chair, or a rug, and join us for a mingle with other members, general chat, or just pop by to say hello.
For those that are selling sheep on the day, you may find that there's the odd celebration going on too....

Honey Extraction - Practical Hand on Evening Workshop
2022-09-06 19:00 - 21:00
With thanks to fellow members Ben & Maggi Pratt, this informative workshop will c over all aspects of getting the honey from the hive to the jar. Marketing various products from the hive will also be covered.
This is a good introductory evening for anyone thinking of starting bee keeping and wanting to know more. It is suitable for all levels of knowledge and anyone interested in keeping bees or who enjoys honey will benefit from the experience. After a demonstration there is time for some hands on, you will be using Ben and Maggie's honey room. You will be getting sticky so please bring an apron and wear suitable clothes appropriate for handling food.
A previous participant said: "Excellent evening, I knew nothing about honey production when I arrived and left with a greater understanding and appreciation of the taste, quality and work involved."

Small Small Farmers with The Topping Family
2022-08-31 14:00 - 16:00
Join Rowena & Amos Topping and the rest of the children for their Small Farmers event, where you will meet all of the animals that help then to live as self sufficiently as possible.
You will get the chance to meet all of the animals, feed them, pet them and learn a little bit about how to care for them too. you can meet the Milking Goats, the baby goats, geese, turkeys, chickens, and if you are super lucky, have a ride in the farm trailer.
You are welcome to bring a blanket and a picnic snack to round the event off with a sit down. This event is aimed at 5-15 year olds, adults are required to stay on site, but can sit and have a relax. Under 5's welcome with an accompanying adult at all times
Please note that this is working smallholding, please be aware of hazards at all times.

Thursdays on the Farm - Small Small Farmers
2022-08-25 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-08-18 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-08-11 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-08-04 17:30 - 19:00
All small farmers aged 5-15 welcome at this Small, Small Farmers Summer Holiday event. Have a walk around Debbie's farm, a glorious 20 acre working smallholding at Pick Hill.
Meet the sheep, pigs, turkeys, and chickens, see how to care for them, and give them their evening dinner. See the polytunnel and vegetable garden where you can pick something that is ripe that week.
Each week there will be an additional activity to enjoy, including a scavenger hunt, natural sculpture making, and Cyanotype printing. This event is aimed at ages 5-15 who will all need a ticket. Under 5's are welcome to attend with adult supervision, and the
Parents are welcome to stay on site, just bring a picnic rug and set yourself up in the field and relax - have a chat and a catch up with other members, or join the small farmers and have fun on the farm. You are welcome to bring a picnic supper to enjoy on the farm.
Please be aware that this is a working farm, so please use common sense around hazards and animals. Debbie is fully DBS checked.

"Learn How To Milk Goats" Workshop
2022-08-17 18:00 - 20:00, 2022-08-06 18:00 - 20:00
Join Rowena & Amos Topping as they teach their goat milking skills, the 9 strong Topping family have been enjoying keeping dairy goats for over a year on their one acre smallholding in Hailsham. They have two adult dairy goats of different breeds – one is a British Saanen (Willow), and the other is a British Toggenburg (Chestnut). Chestnut had two kids back in March – one male and one female.
They milk twice daily, Dan and the oldest 4 children taking turns on milking duty. The milk is a popular family choice!
Once the kids are weaned the family hope to soon develop a cheese recipe and also become self sufficient in yoghurt.
On this beginners milking goat workshop, you will start with a tour of the goat barn and pasture, followed by a talk on the basics of keeping dairy goats. This includes information about housing, nutrition, health and the actual milking. There will be a demonstration of hand-milking with top tips on the correct set up to ensure calm goat on the milking stand, and ingenious DIY design of a milking stand. You will then have the chance to try milking one of the goats yourself, it's harder than it looks to get it right! The workshop also covers how to correctly sterilise dairy equipment, filter the milk to ensure optimum taste and cool the milk efficiently.
The session will start at 6:00pm and finish around 8:00pm - this is to tie in with the evening milking time of the goats.
Tea, coffee and cake are included.
This workshop is running on two dates, Thursday 30th June and Saturday 6th August, if when you try to book both dates are full, please "buy" an interest ticket (FREE) and we will try and put this course on again in July or August.

Meet The Member - Rosie
2022-08-10 14:30 - 16:30
Come have a cuppa and a slice of cake in Rosie's wild flower garden, whilst meeting her gaggle of lovely geese. An SFTG member and local country girl, Rosie bought the house and garden after seeing it advertised on our private members forum, and moved to her new home in June 2021 - (who needs estate agents), and has enjoyed spending the last year getting her animals settled in their new home.
Come and meet the animals, including Donkeys, Sheep, Geese and Turkeys, all lovingly cared for in a largely free range huge garden with nature inspired pond, and relax whilst enjoying the view over the Sussex countryside and catching up with fellow members.

Beginners Guide - Learn How To Keep Hens & Avoid Red Mite
2022-08-07 10:30 - 12:30
Have you ever thought about having chickens?
Edwina and Richard Moore have been keeping hens for 30 years and give their hens the deluxe treatment. In this mini workshop you will learn what has worked for them and how they to keep their birds in tip top condition.

The workshop will cover: housing - the ideal parameters for poultry and how to keep predators out. Learn what food they need and general routines. How to handle a hen and hen behaviour. How to keep them healthy. Richard is an expert at red mite prevention and will tell you how to keep these pests away and how to reduce infestations to an insignificant number of mites. You will learn how many eggs to expect and how to increase production.

You will have a chance to view their hen set-up and to ask as many questions as you want over a cuppa and a slice of cake.
Wear outdoor clothes and clean boots. No dogs please.

Beginners Pressure & Water Bath Canning Workshop
2022-07-31 10:00 - 12:00
Join fellow member and knowledgeable pressure Canner Karen, in a kitchen setting and learn the basics of both water bath canning, and the process of "Pressure Canning" - (which is not to be confused with pressure cooking that we have here in the UK).
This is an ideal workshop for those who want to learn how to preserve their produce without the need to refrigerate, or freeze. The techniques you learn will give you shelf stable foods for a minimum of one year, without the need to use expensive electricity. Pressure canning is little used in the UK, but this process does enable you to preserve and store your precious produce for a minimum of one year in a pantry or cupboard environment. We will be using the "All American" pressure canner, although this course will also cover the Presto Pressure Canner.
During the workshop you will learn when to use the water bath canner, when to use a pressure canner, the basics of water bath, and pressure canning, how to raw pack, and how to hot pack. You will look at the types of jars and lids to use when water bath, and pressure canning, as well as the best foods to pressure can. You will learn how to can a variety of foods including fresh vegetable and raw meat, as well as meals in jars. (cans) This workshop focuses on safely canning, as well as top tips for the Do's and Don'ts of Canning.
This workshop forms part of our Food Security & Food Independence series, designed to help you become more self sufficient with your food options.
You will be given the chance to sample pressure canned, shelf stable foods during the workshop if you wish to.
* This workshop is set in a family kitchen environment where cats and dogs have been / are present - please inform the host of any allergies.
Can't make this date? Event sold out? Please email our training organiser so that you will be on the list when we run the workshop again.

Hay Making Festival - Sunday - Making Hay While the Sun Shines
2022-07-31 07:00 - 16:00
The SFTG is organising a hay making weekend (30/31st July) using traditional techniques. A scything workshop for beginners will be taught on the Saturday and then on the Sunday beginners and anyone else who would like to come and make hay will start scything (the more the merrier!). Austrian scythes are great for cutting grass but they are also incredibly good for tidying up areas of nettles, thistles, docks etc so even if you don’t have a hay meadow it’s a great technique for all smallholders to learn. There has also recently been a resurgence in the use of the English scythe. Marie-Angel Chevrier has kindly offered to host the event on her farm at Horsham. We would like to make this quite a large event – we plan to invite Frank Wright to teach how to scythe and you will be able to purchase a scythe on the day if you do not already own one, but if there is enough demand, we could also ask more teachers to come and assist. On the Sunday Marie-Angel will talk about sustainability and diversity, and we will learn how to use a small hand baler and how to build a hay rick. Marie-Angel has said we can camp overnight, if you would like to do so please talk to her ( 07875 628554). We will be offering a discounts of £5 to couples but as our website struggles with this - it will be a cash refund on the day.
There is a separate website booking page for Saturday.
Day 2 Sunday 31st July
Learning to make hay while the sun shines!
7 am Hay mowing and demonstration of the English scythe to make hay by Terry Standen (if you can't make it this early, come as early as you can as hay making is best when the grass is still dewy)
10 am Tea break (cold drinks will be provided)
10 15 am Raking the hay
11 am Lunch (SFTG will provide cold drinks and a ploughman's lunch)
12 pm Talk and demonstration on hay making by hand by Marie-Angel Chevrier
3 to 4pm Demonstration and practice of raking, protecting from rain, A frame usage for drying, Rick building principles and of our hand hay baler by Frank Wright who built it.
If you are a member and want to borrow or buy a scythe please book the appropriate ticket and you will be contacted. Marie-Angel can advise on what you need. Scythes seem expensive (approximately £140-£180) but are incredibly useful for tidying up areas such as nettles, dock, thistles and other weeds. We will be buying them from Simon Fairlie. He has promised to give us a discount and we will pass some of this on to you. Look at his website http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/index.html We need to put our order in by the beginning of July so you need to book your place early if you want to borrow or buy a scythe.

Hay Making Festival - Saturday - Learn How to Scythe
2022-07-30 09:00 - 17:00
The SFTG is organising a hay making weekend (30/31st July) using traditional techniques. A scything workshop for beginners will be taught on the Saturday and then on the Sunday beginners and anyone else who would like to come and make hay will start scything (the more the merrier!). Austrian scythes are great for cutting grass but they are also incredibly good for tidying up areas of nettles, thistles, docks etc so even if you don’t have a hay meadow it’s a great technique for all smallholders to learn. There has also recently been a resurgence in the use of the English scythe. Marie-Angel Chevrier has kindly offered to host the event on her farm at Horsham. We would like to make this quite a large event – we plan to invite Frank Wright to teach how to scythe and you will be able to purchase a scythe on the day if you do not already own one, but if there is enough demand, we could also ask more teachers to come and assist. On the Sunday Marie-Angel will talk about sustainability and diversity, and we will learn how to use a small hand baler and how to build a hay rick. Marie-Angel has said we can camp overnight, if you would like to do so please talk to her ( 07875 628554). We will be offering £5 discounts and to couples but as our website struggles with this - it will be a cash refund on the day.
There is a separate website booking page for Sunday.
This is the programme for Saturday 30th July. Learning to Scythe & pasture management principles with the Scythe
9 am Introduction to the scythe and it’s handling, Austrian vs English, Assembly, Honing, Handling technique, Peening, Maintenance.
1 pm Lunch (SFTG will provide a ploughman's lunch and cold drinks)
2 pm Pasture management with the scythe talk by Marie-Angel Chevrier
3 to 5 pm Practice
If you are a member and want to borrow or buy a scythe please book the appropriate ticket and you will be contacted. Marie-Angel can advise on what you need. Scythes seem expensive (approximately £140-£180) but are incredibly useful for tidying up areas such as nettles, dock, thistles and other weeds. We will be buying them from Simon Fairlie. He has promised to give us a discount and we will pass some of this on to you. Look at his website http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/index.html We need to put our order in by the beginning of July so you need to book your place early if you want to borrow or buy a scythe.

Hay Making Festival -draft - dates either 23/24th July or 30/31 July 2022
2022-07-30 00:00 - 2022-07-31 23:59
The plan is : Saturday - beginners teaching day for setting up and using scythes - so scythes and blades must be available for purchase
Sunday: Hay making. we need to start early (before the dew evaporates) so there is a possibility of camping overnight.
Costs and tutors being sorted by Marie. She has promised to come back mid-Feb
