Annual Community Haystacks Event

Join us over a summer weekend to celebrate the fourth annual Community Haystacks event in one of London’s last remaining ancient pieces of semi-natural marshland, Walthamstow Marshes.

Last year we saw over 100 people, including local residents, historians, activists, artists, families and scything enthusiasts learning the tips and tricks of the ancient skill of scything for all levels!

Now in its fourth year the community hay harvest takes place over two days with a series of scything workshops, talks and communal picnics culminating in a scything competition. Plenty of hay for play means children can participate too making haystacks and mazes of their own with possible plans this year to provide child sized scythes for them to learn with!

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Scything Workshops
Sat 30th July

Learn how to scythe with scything expert Clive Leeke. Refreshments and equipment are provided. £15 per session (£8 concession).
To book a place e-mail kathrin@myvillages.org

Commons and Commoning Discussion
Sat 30th July

Join us for an informal public talk with invited guests about the history of the land and related cultures of commoning. Guests include writer and sociologist Avery Gordon and New Lammas Land Defence committee member Joe Ward.

Scything Competition
Sun 31st July

For the second time we are running a scything competition on the marshes, with local food prizes for ‘Best windrow’, ‘Best quality sward’, ‘Best overall performance and style’ and ‘Best beginner/newcomer’.

Haystack Building
Sun 31st July

Come along to help us build a large community haystack on the marshes. Bring your own picnic and join a guided tour around the marshes with the park rangers at 1pm.

Throughout the event we will have a dedicated area to scything and open for all those who already know how to scythe