Once I’d come across the word “Wayzgoose” – I felt it ‘necessary’ to write about it … this, if you can believe it, is an annual dinner, picnic or ‘BEANFEAST’ given to those employed in a printing house! That is Brewer’s definition … and continues …
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| in Grimsby, Ontario |
Wayz is an obsolete word for a bundle of hay, straw, stubble; hence a “STUBBLE GOOSE”, a harvest goose or fat goose, which is the crowning dish of the entertainment.
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| Jan Steen: The Bean Feast - 1668 |
I knowz no more!!
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| Scything, making a windrow, before the hay is gathered up |
But it is hay time … and they are out scything – using the old method … hand scything … this is in celebration of Lammastide, which marks the beginning of the grain harvest (it was the end of July) … but I could not pass up Wayzgoose!
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| Traditional Wooden Scythe |
I’ve posted the link at the end to Spitalfields Life “Haymaking on Walthamstow Marshes” … it’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and was originally drained for agriculture in ancient times.
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| Conjectural map of a Medieval Manor c/o Wikipedia |
The post links to William Morris and what we term Common Land … for that extra history lesson!
We are being treated to a fair number of articles on our meadows … and how we must protect them.
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| Coronation Meadows china - by Burleigh |
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| Meadow plants in situ |
Variety is the spice of life for us … for meadows too – insect population increases: nourished by lots of nectar rich flowers, extra seeds produced – which can be garnered and spread around … then these plant varieties offer us salves, oils, vinegars … a meadow is nature’s healing …
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| Scythed hay with windrows |
Meadows thrive on poor soil and now the seeds have set – the pastures need cutting – while we need to ensure that the cut grass is raked off … creating a windrow … which can be seen in the Spitalfields Life post … also, an essential, the cut grass should be removed, so the soil is not enriched.
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| Achillea: Sneezewort |
The variety of names for these ancient plants are like a gateway to how the plants could be used in other ways ... ancient remedies and healing properties … eg: Sneezewort, or how about Granny’s Toenails …
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| 1778 Notice ... re the annual Bean Feast and its cancellation ... in the village of Litcham in Norfolk |
Here’s to Wayzgoose … last weekend was a bank holiday and party time for British families, while this weekend is Labour Day in the States … so enjoy your goose …
Spitalfields Life - Haymaking on Walthamstow Marshes
Coronation Meadows - BBC Nature News
We have been having the most incredible weather recently - particularly here in the south-east ... very much Wayzgoose picnic times!
Have good Labor Day weekends ... the rest of us will get on with life! Our Bank Holiday was last weekend ... I have written about them.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
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