Author Archives: stevetomlin

Beginners' course fully booked

My first course of the year, for beginners (and folk wanting a refresher) is now fully booked. There’s an interesting mix of people, from those who already have a scythe but are struggling to get the best from it, to … Continue reading

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Scythe Instruction in Iraq

I wish I was blogging to say I’m just off to some far-flung corner of the world to run a scythe course and escape our current dreary Cumbrian weather. Actually Mr H. J. Hopfen Farm Implements Specialist  of the FAO … Continue reading

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Cumbria Scythe Festival Confusion

Back in January, Paul Kingsnorth and I met up with the Littoral Trust to discuss this year’s Cumbria Scythe Festival. We were all very enthusiastic for it to go ahead and talked over ideas of how we could build on … Continue reading

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Mowing for the first time

Mothersday in Austria – a weekend where I don’t need to do anything because the kids are doing the cooking, washing up and all. So what is better than to have all the time you want for what you enjoy … Continue reading

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Shaving Mule

I was expecting plenty of response to the post “In praise of the homegrown shavehorse” which is a good thing as I want to encourage folk to debate and think about what they’re doing. I thought the first reply warranted … Continue reading

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New old tools

It’s 7am on a sunday and I’m walking around a farmer’s field in the rain – there must be a car boot sale. Following the recent workshop fire I’m planning to try and repair as many of the tools as … Continue reading

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Going Straight!

With reference to Steve’s note (April 9th) on the Pembrokeshire snath in the Museum of English Rural Life, those interested in snath variations can study this page from an old catalogue. I came across this on the internet. It’s a … Continue reading

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In praise of the homegrown shavehorse

For most greenwood workers a shavehorse is at the centre of their workshop. An ingeniously simple yet effective device for holding work it is used along with a drawknife to shave chair parts, blanks for the lathe, rake heads and … Continue reading

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Back from the Bodgers Ball 2011

The Bodger’s Ball was a great weekend; plenty of interesting demos, folk to talk to and time for to relax with a beer. A wonderful setting too at Lower Brockhampton in Herefordshire. Too many things to write now so here’s … Continue reading

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First Grass of the Year

Following the long winter break, mowing the first grass of the year is always special. This year it was for a demonstration at the Greenwood Worker’s ‘Bodger’s Ball’. I always feel a little bit nervous after being away from mowing … Continue reading

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