Author Archives: stevetomlin

Edale Community Orchard tamed

Posted on August 8, 2012 by stevetomlin

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 →

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Scythes on BBC tv – Countryfile

Posted on August 4, 2012 by stevetomlin

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 →

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Love in the Meadow

Posted on July 30, 2012 by stevetomlin

During preparations for the Northern Scythe Competition, Christiane and I found ourselves mowing the same swath, perfect opportunity for some love in the meadow.

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Northern Open Scythe Competition

Posted on July 29, 2012 by stevetomlin

Nevermind the Olympics, the results you’ve all been waiting for are the winners of the 1st Northern Open Scythe Competition held as part of the Hay Time Scythe Event this week. Christiane and I went over to the North Pennines … Continue reading →

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Scything in Scotland

Posted on July 14, 2012 by stevetomlin

Last summer Christiane and I did a road-trip up to the Black Isle for a Transition Town group who wanted to learn scything. We had a brilliant time and so I was very glad to be invited up to Forres, … Continue reading →

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Somerset Scythe Festival 2012 video

Posted on July 12, 2012 by stevetomlin

Many thanks to Richard Brown of Emorsgate Seeds and SABI chairman for this wonderful video from the Green Scythe Fair in Somerset. We’ve been looking without success for a traditional scythe song that we can sing while mowing in a … Continue reading →

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Left hand scythe

Posted on July 11, 2012 by stevetomlin

While we were at the Somerset Scythe Festival I had the chance to try a left hand scythe. Mowing is traditionally a right-handed occupation, mostly so that mowers could work together in a team and everyone’s windrow would fall to … Continue reading →

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Dawn Mowing at Brantwood House

Posted on July 8, 2012 by stevetomlin

Time, once again, for the ‘dawn mowing’ at Brantwood, former home of John Ruskin.  Last year, Sally Beamish invited early-rising north west scythers to join her in the beautiful lakeside hay meadow, to mow and prepare for the first outdoor theatre … Continue reading →

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Keeping busy through the summer

Posted on July 3, 2012 by stevetomlin

June went by in a flash and I realised I hadn’t written anything here all month. It’s mowing season so a lot of my time at the moment is taken up with scythes – find out about it on Scytherspace, … Continue reading →

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Scythe Teachers' course 2012

Posted on July 1, 2012 by stevetomlin

This year I was invited to teach part of the course for people wanting to teach how to mow. These have been running since 2010 and I’ve been involved throughout, consulting on the content and working behind the scenes, especially … Continue reading →

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