Community Haystacks

This three-day event of hay harvesting on Walthamstow Marshes celebrates Lammas Day, the festival of the wheat harvest. Lammas Day's name comes from the Anglo-Saxon for 'loaf-mass', which we're assuming means it's just like Christmas, except with bread instead of Jesus. Sign up for scything workshops (Fri-Sat 1.30pm and 4.30pm) to learn some grass-slicing skills, or just turn up and join in if you are already well acquainted with the scythe and its work. The sessions will be followed by a picnic and free talks from local historians and community groups (Fri-Sat 7pm-8pm). On Sunday (Aug 3, noon-4pm) families are invited to bring a picnic along and help to make haystacks out of the hay that's been gathered over the previous two days. Park rangers will be on hand to give guided tours of the meadows and introduce the wildlife they sustain. Scything workshops cost £5 and should be booked in advance on the Lee Valley website. All other events are free and do not require booking.