-
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
Author Archives: stevetomlin
Scything course in Penrith
I took a trip up to Penrith yesterday to teach a scything beginner course for Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The group are managing a new site in the area and wanting to Scythe to manage their meadows and orchard. They picked … Continue reading
Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace
Tagged cumbria, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Penrith, Wildlife Trust
Leave a comment
Wooden hay rake making workshop
A wooden hay rake is a brilliant craft that incorporates a lot of skills and techniques in a deceptively simple product. First we start by cleaving an ash log and shaving the heads on the shavehorse getting them as straight … Continue reading
Scything with toads and frogs
A meadow is home to all kinds of life and during the summer I see lots of voles, lizards, mice, toads and frogs. Scything is a much more wildlife friendly management tool. The lack of distraction from machinery noise and … Continue reading
Scything a meadow in Cheshire
Today I’ve been in Cheshire, scything a garden meadow for a client. The site is being managed as a wildflower meadow so I cut and remove the grass to reduce the fertility. I’ve cut this area a few times now … Continue reading
Peening a scythe blade
Learning how to peen a scythe can feel like a daunting task. Reshaping the edge of the blade by hammering it into shape with a peening jig can feel very technical and difficult and there’s often a fear of damaging … Continue reading
Can you scythe in the rain?
I’m often asked this question as the British summer doesn’t always guarantee long sunny days. The short answer is yes, the scythe has no problem with the rain and you can even work with it underwater if managing a pond … Continue reading
Hebden Bridge scything workshop 2025
I’m just back home after two days teaching a group how to scythe at Hebden Bridge for the High Hirst meadow project. During the workshop we looked at setting up the Austrian scythes, honing, peening and mowing technique for cutting … Continue reading
Scythers wanted at Hebden Bridge 2025
‘Hay Time at High Hirst’ Sunday 20th – Sunday 27th July 2025 Experienced and/or enthusiastic scythers are keenly invited to help a small, dedicated team of volunteers mow their c.2 acre meadow near Hebden Bridge this summer. You are very … Continue reading
Beginners scything workshop in Manchester
The Austrian scythe is a perfect tool for working in urban areas and I’m very proud of how many projects in Manchester are now working this way. At the weekend I taught a Learn to Scythe workshop for some beginners … Continue reading
Scythe course in Staffordshire 2025
It’s always a treat to be back at Silverdale Country Park training volunteers how to use an Austrian scythe. This year the weather was hot, hot, hot but the group did a fantastic job and I’m looking forward to working … Continue reading