Radical Bakers Summer Gathering 2023

Our wonderful Summer Gathering is July 6-9, 2023, at Crabapple Community near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, one of the UK’s oldest housing co-ops.

Our Summer Gathering is a weekend filled with engaging activities and delicious food, along with fantastic bands on the Green Dragon Solar Stage. The Baker’s Arms café bar offers a fully catered option, with details available here.

Arrive from Thursday midday to enjoy music and pizza at The Baker’s Arms on Thursday night. Dive into informal crafting and baking sessions during Thursday and Friday afternoons. The Gathering Introduction kicks off Friday at 8pm with live music, a bar, and a relaxed atmosphere to get to know your fellow attendees. Unwind ready for the focused workshops

Saturday workshops start at 9am and run until 5:30pm, with a few early morning yoga sessions. In the evening, test your animal knowledge with a quiz at 7:30pm, followed by live music from 9pm, a bar until midnight, and a communal fire with acoustic tunes until 1am.

Sunday workshops also start at 9am, finishing at 5:30pm. Wind down with wood-fired pizza from 6pm, a bar, and music on Sunday evening. You’re welcome to stay until midday on Monday.

Workshops are first-come, first-served, and everything is included in the ticket price. A detailed timetable will be available before the event, with an updated version posted on the chalkboard outside the Café. Take a look at last year’s 2022 Gathering timetable to get a taste of what’s in store.

Confirmed Workshops 2023

Our workshops cover a wide range of topics, including Green Technology, Crafts and Nature, Food, Self-Care, Textiles, and Community. Expect a full program to be announced soon.

Green Technology

• Blake Sanders from Green Dragon – Blake will be offering a variety of courses throughout the weekend, tailored to participants’ interests. Course options include Reclaiming Lithium Cells, Basic Low Voltage Battery Electrics and Safety (beginners), Larger Scale Solar Power Installation (intermediate), and Analogue Noise Machines… See the full course list HERE.
• Dave Hayhurst – Basic Auto Mechanics: Learn how engines work, diagnose common faults, and gain the skills to repair your own vehicle.
• Seggy Segeran – Small Scale Solar Power: A beginner-friendly session introducing the basics of solar power.
• Stu Watson – Gas Digesters: Stu will explain the principles and practicalities of building and maintaining a gas digester, using a large one at Crabapple as an example.
• Janine from Resource CIC – Learn to identify different types of plastics and create useful, long-lasting products from recycled materials.
• Sara from SMPTree – Upcycling Paper: Weave waste paper into functional and striking containers.
• Andy Alder – DIY Hydroponics from Reclaimed Materials: Build your own hydroponic system using easily found, cheap and free items.

Crafts and Nature

• Joey from Merched Y Berllan – Orchard Management: This year, the focus will be on summer pruning techniques.
• Sam from Scruff Stuff – Bird Language, Marvellous Mammals, and a Wild Play session for the Kids.
• Neil from Forgeways – Bushcraft, Mindfulness, and Appreciation of Nature: Neil helps us develop a deeper connection with the natural world.
• Mike Craig from MC Woodcrafts – Green Woodworking, Woods and Trees: Learn the art of woodworking and gain a deeper understanding of trees and woodlands.
• Hamilton Smith – Basket Weaving: Create beautiful baskets from willow grown on-site.
• Edwina Hodkinson – Cordage Making: Craft cords from foraged plants.

Food

• Annie Levy – Creative Krauting, Kimchi, and Fermentation: Discover the art of fermenting foods and perhaps even participate in a mead brewing session.
• Lucy Aphramor – Diet and Nutrition Discussions: Engage in meaningful conversations about healthy eating and possibly join a zine workshop.
• Jane Segeran – Haybox Cooking: Learn how to cook using an energy-efficient haybox.
• Jinny Sanders – Bulk Bread Baking Sessions and the Radical Bake-Off!: Participate in group bread baking sessions and compete in a fun-filled bake-off!
• Helen Shaw – Bulk Pizza Ball Making: Learn how to prepare pizza dough in bulk for delicious homemade pizzas.

Self-Care

• Vaughan Dagnell – Morning Yoga Sessions: Start your day with invigorating yoga sessions suitable for all levels.
• Christine Conroy – How to Look After Your Back and Body: Learn strategies and techniques for maintaining good posture and overall body health.
• Eleri from Healing Earth Rituals – A Foraging Walk around Crabapple: Discover local edible and medicinal plants on a guided foraging tour.
• Edwina Hodkinson – Herbalism and Herbal Medicines: Learn about the benefits and uses of various herbal remedies and how to make your own.

Textiles

• Sandra Padbury – Organic Soap Felt Exfoliators: Create unique, eco-friendly exfoliators using organic soap and felt.
• Lisa Moomin – Crochet and Embroidery: Master the art of crochet and embroidery with guided instruction.
• Sophie DePas – Needlepoint: Learn the basics of needlepoint and create your own intricate designs.

Community

• Stu Watson – Community Energy Projects: Explore the potential of community-based renewable energy initiatives and how to get involved.
• Pete Linnel – The One Planet Development Scheme in Wales: Gain insight into the One Planet Development Scheme, its purpose, and the application process.
• Andy Alder – Sustainable Businesses: Learn strategies for transitioning towards a more sustainable, lower-cost, and lower-impact lifestyle.

More to come, along with a full programme.

Alongside scheduled workshops, enjoy the Baking Area, Camp Market, Bands, a Quiz and tours of Crabapple. We also offer two daily sessions of organised children’s activities, a Kid’s Baking Session, and the Camp Games, including the Lemon Jousting Tournament. Don’t miss the popular Radical Bake-Off competition for the best sweet treats!

Our workshops involve practical skills and provide useful information to enhance your life and the lives of those around you. The Radical Bakers Workshops Archive offers a glimpse into past workshops with photos and links.

Music at Radical Bakers Summer Gathering 2023

On the Green Dragon Stage, we are delighted to host talented musicians and entertainers who bring their professional skills and warm, engaging performances to our event. Friday night features Tarantism Acoustic, while Saturday evening brings a more relaxed vibe with acoustic music from Owen Shiers and the Birds and Beasts Animal Quiz.

Friday Night is Tarantism Acoustic on the Green Dragon Stage!

We are pleased to announce our Headlining Act for our Friday Night Dance 2023 Tarantism Acoustic playing banging folk tunes. This is a chance to get to know everyone and to relax, unwind and clear your mind ready for the focused workshops.

On Saturday Evening we present Owen Shiers with Cynefin.

On Saturday evening we have a more relaxed session with acoustic music from Owen Shiers and the Birds and Beasts Animal Quiz!

The Green Dragon Solar Stage uses top-quality modern PA equipment and is powered from the sun. The amplified music ends at midnight. Our music archive has links to lots of the past bands at RB.

With your ticket, you will have access to camping facilities in our beautiful meadow surrounded by trees. There is a designated quiet camping area for those who prefer a more peaceful environment, as well as an accessible camping area. Clean, working composting toilets, and a shower, will be available on-site.

Please consider your travel options and car-share if possible. You can find our lift-sharing facebook group HERE.

Buy tickets for Radical Bakers Summer Gathering 2023.

Radical Bakers Summer Gathering, 6-9th July 2023, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Securely purchase your tickets using credit or debit cards via PayPal. Ticket prices cover booking fees, car parking, camping, and access to all workshops and entertainment. If you have any questions not addressed on our Info page, please feel free to email us at hello@radicalbakers.org. For details about our fully catered option, click Here. Prior to purchasing tickets, kindly review our Terms and Conditions & Safer Spaces policies to ensure you can adhere to them. Please note that we do not offer day tickets or tickets on the gate. If the ticket you seek is not listed below, it is either sold out or not yet available for sale.

There are only 100 adult places in 2023. Click ‘add to basket’ once for each ticket required and then click ‘view basket‘ to checkout.