The Harvest Festival is one of the oldest known festivals in the UK. It is traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the Harvest Moon – the full moon closest to the Autumn equinox.
Emergence invites you to a walk, a talk and a feast to celebrate Harvest time on Gower.
An invitation to a harvest supper with local produce…A time to mark the turning of the year…Meet with old friends and make new ones…Time and space to reflect, talk and share silence whilst walking…Make a pilgrimage to Arthur’s Stone, ancient heart of Gower… Share news about your community project…Be part of the Great Gower Veg Swap!
Plus….Listen to a fascinating talk about the deep mythology of Gower and Arthur’s stone from scholar, psychotherapist and teacher, Ian Rees of the Annwn Foundation.
Plus… A chance to visit the recently renovated Grade II listed,Stouthall Country Mansion one of the most beautiful buildings on Gower.
The Walk – Stouthall to Arthur’s Stone, Cefn Bryn
We walk together to Arthur’s Stone. There we celebrate the harvest by offering thanksgiving to the land. The walk is 4 miles, lasts roughly 45 minutes each way and covers uneven terrain. We stop for a picnic lunch on top. Wear suitable shoes and dress for the weather (sunscreen, waterproofs and a spare jumper!). Please bring packed lunch and water.
The Talk – The Ugly, Lovely Town, The Black Apple of Eden & Arthur the King, Ian Rees, BSc(Tech) DipSW CQSW UKCP REG.
This talk explores the importance of the embodied imagination, mythic consciousness and the power of place. A particular focus will be Arthur’s stone on Cefn Bryn; we will explore the imaginal significance of this ancient chamber tomb and the mythical Ffynnon Fair or Lady’s Well that ebbs and flows with the tide. Drawing on these ancient images of loss and connection we will consider the connection to depth, flow and ancestry in our own lives and in the collective life of community. The talk begins with a short experiential exercise centred on the body and the imagination.
The Feast – Harvest Supper
We come together to share a tasty and simple harvest supper of fresh bread, Welsh cheese and vegetable cawl.
Food Bank & Veg Swap!
As a harvest gift for others, we are collecting food for local food banks. Food banks rely on food donations to feed local people in crisis. From pasta to puddings, if you can, please bring a gift of in-date non-perishable food. Also – do bring your home-grown produce for the Great Gower Veg Swap!! Bring your courgettes and go home with a cumcumber!
Booking Tickets
There are just 50 tickets available for this event priced at £10 waged, £5 no/ low wage. This helps cover the cost of supper for each guest. The event is not aimed at children, however we welcome young people at the discretion of, and if accompanied by an adult.
The Venue, Directions and Parking
Carreg Adventure, Stouthall, Reynoldston, Swansea, SA3 1AN. Phone (01792) 391386. Parking is very limited at Stouthall. We encourage lift sharing and biking to the venue. This map shows you how to get there.
Outline of the Day
11 Â Â Â Arrivals, Welcome, Introductions
12    Walk to Arthur’s Stone, Harvest Thanksgiving, Picnic
3 Â Â Â Â Refreshments back at Stouthall
3.30 Â Â Ian Rees Talk
5.30 Â Â Harvest Supper
6.30 Â Â Share news of Gower projects and Great Gower Veg Swap
7 Â Â Â Â Departures
Our Gratitude
This event is made possible with support from Gower Landscape Partnership, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Natural Resources Wales, and the Welsh Government Sustainable Development Fund. It is part of a series of Emergence events entitled Marking the Past, Making the Future – creating spaces for a closer connection to the land and community.