Follow Along with Our Annual Farm Events!
Be part of the journey. We invite you to experience the magic of the changing seasons. Come along for a year of farm adventures, including animal updates and behind-the-scenes moments—right from the first sprout of spring to the golden harvest. Don’t miss a single chapter of our annual story; join us for the seasonal fun!
Saint Clement’s Day
Grab your apron and toast to “Old Clem!” Saint Clement’s Day is the boisterous, fire-forged holiday where blacksmiths traditionally celebrated with anvil-firing explosions, rowdy processions, and “Clementing” (asking for beer money). It’s a day for sparks, iron, and honoring the patron saint of metalworkers with a Clem Feast.
Key Traditions Include
- Firing the Anvil: The loudest tradition! Blacksmiths place gunpowder into a small hole in an anvil and strike it with a hammer, causing a massive, celebratory “boom”.
- The “Old Clem” Procession: An apprentice or smith disguises themselves as “Old Clem”—complete with a mask and cloak—to lead a parade through the town, stopping at pubs for free beer and donations.
- The “Twanky Dillo” Anthem: Smiths sing traditional songs like “Twanky Dillo,” honoring their trade, shouting “Hello, hello, hello, hello you coal blacksmith!”.
- Hearty Feasts: The day is marked by eating baked apples, spiced “Cattern cakes,” and drinking hot ale, often while wearing leather aprons.
True hearts and sound bottoms, check shirts and leather aprons! — Traditional Blacksmiths’ Toast