I spent Sunday 13 June in a large field near Muchelney in the Somerset Levels at the annual Green Scythe Festival, mainly so that I could see scything done properly. The event attracted all ages to an arena of well-grown ley grassland, set amongst an extensive car park and a “street” of small marquees exhibiting not just scythe-related paraphernalia, but also numerous broadly green exhibits and a gipsy caravan, its horse and a tea kettle blackening over a wood fire. Whilst the Scouts, Wildlife Trusts and Soil Association joined the Hampshire woodworkers, green energy firms (or, in one case, “solutions”), a pressure group against nuclear expansion at Hinkley Point, a firm marketing organic dog-waste disposal bags, a demonstration of pit-sawing, numerous food stalls and much else, the actual scything was organised by the wildly enthusiastic black-bearded man who runs the scythe shop from a farm outbuilding elsewhere in Somerset.
All-comers could try the “all you can mow in a minute” competition, but the main events were a team of 4 race, a scythe v strimmer challenge, and an individual competition in rounds that ended with the title of champion scythes man or, indeed, woman. The best competitors could wield a large blade smoothly, without evident hurry, mostly men in the 30-50 age group. There was much sharpening of blades on the sidelines; scythes lying beside the arena; chaps doing running repairs on a scythe anvil, bashing out nicks; and people everywhere carrying scythes. Spectators like myself had to be wary of standing behind off-duty competitors carrying scythes over their shoulder, but there was no sign of health and safety officials, and one competitor scythed bare-foot. The whole lot was conducted in an informal light-hearted, bantering manner, except when actually scything. I left not entirely sure whether it was serious or a long, elaborate, tacit joke (probably the former), but it was certainly an enjoyable day, and some of the scything was every bit as good as I had seen from traditional farmers in Romania recently.
The crowds were also entertained by story-tellers and vigorous dance bands; a rabble-rouser on stilts; a hay-play den for children, lots of mostly vegetarian food; and only a few of the hippie persuasion. Most of the cars parked on the margins were not young.