Past Events
Here you will find details of some of our past events to give you an idea of the sort of things we do.
Preserving the Harvest
a look at lots of different ways to store what you have grown with an emphasis on keeping it out of the freezer. Those attending are invited to bring samples of what they have done for us all to see and taste. Pasteurising, dehydrating, pickles and preservs will all be in evidence.
Smallholders’ Question Time!
Our Smallholders’ Question Times feature a panel, all of whom have experience in smallholding know how. Tea, coffee and most importantly, cake, is always on hand to see us through what turned into a fun and informative evening.
Sausage making and BBQ
A fun but serious event where we teach sausage making and everyone gets to invent a sausage from the wide selection of ingredients provided. this is followed by a BBQ where we test our creations to see if they are Bangers!!
How to cut up a pig at home.
Come and learn how to save money by doing your own butchery. A hands on event with a free range smallholder pig recently collected from the abattoir taking center stage.
Sheep 101
Crowcombe, Quantocks
A superb Sheep 101 from a members wonderful sheep shed. We got to meet a variety of breeds; all on show seemed to have a name and an individual characteristic. As each sheep was coaxed out, it reminded me of the sheep show that tours the agricultural shows, with the stars of the show coming out except this time we got to be up close and personal, so to speak.
We were shown handling, vaccinations, worming, minerals, suppliers, borrowing a
ram etc. Whilst many of us there already keep sheep, we all go on learning, and
listening to an experienced sheep farmer as well as exchanging ideas, was extremely
useful.
Open Smallholding including Tool Sharpening
A visit to a smallholding with poultry, Zwartbles sheep and polytunnel run with conservation in mind. A great
opportunity to see how others do things and pick up some ideas and tips.
A professional tool sharpener was at the event who, for a small charge, sharpened smallholding tools including all
types of shears, knives, mower blades etc
Produce Show and Follow On Lunch
Our most recent produce show was judged by our former chairman.
it's amazing what
diversity there
is amongst us.
Renting Holiday Accommodations – a Workshop led by an industry professional with years working in the glamping sector. who now works independently supporting land and business owners to effectively develop or diversify into boutique and experiential types of holiday lets. This was a great opportunity to meet and learn from someone with considerable expertise.
Peg Loom Weaving Workshop
Peg loom weaving is probably the simplest form of weaving and can be used to make rugs, wall hangings, placemats and even bowls from a variety of materials and with quite inexpensive/homemade equipment. It is an excellent way of using sheep fleece without the need to spin it first. The thrifty among you will appreciate making useful items out of old tee shirts and other fabric scraps. If you want to come but don’t have a peg loom let us know when you book.
Hedge-Laying For Beginners
This session does not follow any specific code of hedge-laying (and as many of you will know every region has its own unique style) but will focus simply on making an otherwise untidy and unkempt hedge into something which is stock-proof – to all but the most determined escapees! We will use only manual tools to achieve this and attendees will work together to lay a section of hedge having been shown the basic principles being used. Given we will be working in January you should come suitably dressed for potentially cold and/or wet weather. Good thick thorn-resistant leather gloves, safety glasses, a hat, old coat and waterproof footwear are fundamentals as we may well be working in and amongst hawthorn, blackthorn and brambles. If you have your own tools, a pruning saw/bow saw, and/or billhook please bring these with you. Our Host has very kindly agreed to provide us with hot soup for lunch, but please feel free to bring other food and hot drinks for yourself or to share.
SOMERSET SMALLHOLDERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
We like to embed our annual micro AGM into a social event and keep it as short as possible.
Bear and Skittles
Always a fun evening and we try to find somewhere where the food is good.
.
Preparing Poultry For The Table
Christmas is coming and the poultry are getting fat…..
This workshop covers dispatching, dressing and preparing poultry for the table. We demonstrate all stages of the process and there will be opportunity to practice dry plucking.
If you would like to prepare your own bird following the demonstration you are more than welcome to bring one along. This will give you the opportunity to practice the process yourself with someone on hand to guide you through.
Shows we like to attend
The Green Scythe Fair Yesterday's Farming
Mid somerset show Various smaller local shows
Each show is different but whatever the show we look talk to people about smallholding.