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Author Archives: stevetomlin
The magic of sparks and small toolboxes
While I was at Elvaston Castle at the weekend I got to talking with Mark Constable of the Al Fresco forge. Mark was demonstrating lighting a fire using a flint and steel, making it look easier than lighting a match … Continue reading
Posted in SteveTomlinCrafts, Uncategorized
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Rakes at Elvaston Castle
It’s a rake making month as I’m just back from a great weekend demonstrating at Elvaston Woodland Festival. I get to camp in some brilliant places during these events and Saturday was a beautiful morning so I got up early … Continue reading
Posted in SteveTomlinCrafts, wooden rakes
Tagged Elvaston, hay rakes, hayrake, rake, wooden
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Rake making at Beamish
I’m back in the modern world after a weekend spent at Beamish museum making wooden rakes as part of their 1913 Show of Agriculture. My rakes are traditionally made using cleft timber and hand tools as working implements so I … Continue reading
Posted in greenwood events, SteveTomlinCrafts, wooden rakes
Tagged Beamish, corn dolly, hay rakes, hayrake, rake, rake making, stail engine, tine cutter, wooden
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Old tools
This weekend I’ll be demonstrating making wooden rakes at Beamish museum’s Show of Agriculture which recreates an agricultural show from 1913. I’ve been measured for a period costume and working through my tools, sorting out which will be suitable for … Continue reading
Spooncarving Workshop
Spoonfest was a really exciting and inspiring weekend so I’ve been carving a few more spoons since coming home and trying out new ideas. One of the most interesting talks was by Terence McSweeney, a professional osteopath who gave a … Continue reading
Posted in greenwood courses, spoon carving, SteveTomlinCrafts
Tagged course, cumbria, greenwood, spoonfest, UK
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Countryfile scythe lesson
A look behind the camera during the filming at Brantwood House when I was asked to teach John Craven to scythe for BBC tv’s Countryfile. I would have preferred to give John some instruction in advance but they wanted it ‘live’ … Continue reading
Posted in scythe festivals & events, Scytherspace
Tagged BBC, brantwood, Countryfile, John Craven, learn scything, learn to scythe, scythe, UK
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Scythe Improvers and Peening weekend
After teaching so many beginners to scythe this summer, it was great to see some of them back for my Improver’s course at the weekend. Like any skill, learning to scythe well takes time and practise and it helps to … Continue reading
Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace
Tagged cumbria, improve, learn scything, learn to mow, learn to scythe, peen, scythe, sharpen, UK
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Edale Community Orchard tamed
Just back from another weekend running a Learn to Scythe course. This week Christiane and I went to teach the folk of Sustainable Edale who want to mow their community orchard. It’s great that word of my scythe workshops had … Continue reading
Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace
Tagged learn to mow, learn to scythe, Robin Wood, scythe
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Scythes on BBC tv – Countryfile
This week I got a call asking if I would teach John Craven to scythe for an episode of the BBC’s Countryfile programme. They were filming at Brantwood House and focussing on John Ruskin’s work in training and education. My recent … Continue reading
Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace
Tagged BBC, brantwood, Countryfile, cumbria, John Craven, learn scything, learn to mow, learn to scythe, meadow, scythe, tv, UK
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