Steve Tomlin Crafts

Learn to scythe at Chester Zoo review

Posted on June 28, 2026 by stevetomlin

A lovely review from Ruby Merriman, the Estate Biodiversity Manager at Chester Zoo:

Steve delivered a 2-day scything course for 8 of us on our estate. He is a brilliant tutor and so passionate about what he teaches. The pace of the course was great, he made sure we’d absorbed what he’d taught us and spent 1:1 time with each of us helping to perfect our techniques and gain confidence. A very personable, knowledgeable and lovely teacher!

Here’s Ruby in action, confidently scything the long meadow grass.

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Scything workshop at Chester Zoo

Posted on June 25, 2026 by stevetomlin

At Chester Zoo, the area open to visitors is only a small fraction of the whole site. This week, I have been delivering a Learn to Scythe workshop for the Estate Team who manage the rest of the site for Biodiversity and wildlife.

The team were all beginners so we started out by setting the scythes us correctly to work most efficienly and then they were soon out scything the meadow in the hot sun.

It was terrific working with these very capable, practical women, you can see how well they learned the skills to Scythe efficiently through the long grass.

I can deliver scythe training for you and your group at your site, please email stevetomlin8@gmail.com for details. My public Learn to Scythe courses are aslo available, booking via Eventbrite.

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Free shavehorse workshops

Posted on April 8, 2026 by stevetomlin

I’m leading a series of free Greenwood working sessions this spring and summer with The Land Trust at their Hassall Green Nature Reserve in Staffordshire.

Learn to split, shave and joint fresh timber to make a set of shavehorses for the reserve. Suitable for beginners, contact Rebecca Mooney for details greenangels@thelandtrust.org.uk

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Peening Day in Staffordshire

Posted on April 1, 2026 by stevetomlin

I’ll be leading a free scythe peening workshop at Hassal Green Nature Reserve in Staffordshire on 15th April 2026, in conjuction with The Land Trust.

Scythes have been used on the Reserve for several years to manage their wildflower meadow. Come along on 15th April to learn about peening, help maintain the group scythes and learn more about the site.

To book, contact Rebecca Mooney greenangels@thelandtrust.org.uk 07920 139209

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Learn to scythe workshop dates 2026

Posted on March 25, 2026 by stevetomlin

Learn to scythe on one of my fun, practical courses ideal for beginners or those looking to improve their skills. During the day we’ll cover every ascept of using an Austrian scythe: setting up the scythe, sharpening, mowing technique and maintenance including peening. With 15years experience of teaching, I will help you safely and effectively learn the skills to Scythe your land.

30 May, Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn, Lancashire
13 June, Brigflatts Meeting House, Sedbergh, Cumbria
19 July, Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn, Lancashire
14 August, Broadrake, Chapel-le-Dale, Yorkshire Dales
5 September, Brigflatts Meeting House, Sedbergh, Cumbria
Peening workshop, tbc – please join the newsletter for updates
These courses fill up quickly so book to avoid disappointment. Please sign up to my newsletter to receive updates on further dates

Book your place on Eventbrite: Learn to Scythe

I can also travel to your venue to teach an individual session or group workshop for you and some friends. For details or other enquiries, please email stevetomlin8@gmail.com

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Making hay rake teeth with tine cutter

Posted on December 19, 2025 by stevetomlin

The teeth on a factory made wooden hayrake are often the first part to break because they’re made from cheap dowel. I made the teeth for my rakes from ash with the fibers of the timber running perfectly along each tooth making them a strong as possible for a lifetime of work. I start by splitting a small log into square Billets each one just slightly larger than the finished tooth.

These billets are then knocked through a tine cutter, a simple tool consisting of a steel tube sharpened at one end. There’s a bit of a knack to get the teeth to go straight through the cutter but once you’re in the zone it’s quite addictive and quick to build up a good stock of teeth. My Devon state basket is perfect for storing the finished teeth in.

I’ll have a small number of wooden hay rakes available for sale at my Learn to Scythe courses and also hope to be running another workshop so that people can learn to make their own rake for themselves. Here’s Anthony looking rightly proud with a rake made with me last year.

Posted in SteveTomlinCrafts, wooden rakes | Tagged hay rake, rake, wooden rake | Leave a comment

Learn to Scythe courses 2026

Posted on December 12, 2025 by stevetomlin

Learn to Scythe workshops for beginners and improvers at venues in Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire. I can also deliver private training for you or your group at your venue across the UK.

Learn to Scythe Courses 2026

- 30 May, Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn, Lancashire
- 13 June, Brigflatts Meeting House, Sedbergh, Cumbria
- 19 July, Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn, Lancashire
- 14 August, Broadrake, Chapel-le-Dale, Yorkshire Dales
- 5 September, Brigflatts Meeting House, Sedbergh, Cumbria
- These courses fill up quickly so book to avoid disappointment. Please sign up to my newsletter to receive updates on further dates

Book your place on Eventbrite: Learn to Scythe

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Spoon carving course

Posted on October 7, 2025 by stevetomlin

My next spoon carving course for beginners and improvers is on 18th Oct 2025 at Chorlton in Manchester. During the day you’ll learn to use an axe and knives safely and efficiently to create your own unique cooking spoon from locally sourced silver birch. The full day of workshop costs £100, booking is at Eventbrite

Pictured are Becky & Leigh, two total beginners with the spoons they made over a recent weekend carving course.

Posted in greenwood courses, SteveTomlinCrafts | Tagged Manchester | Leave a comment

Scything course in Penrith

Posted on August 8, 2025 by stevetomlin

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 up the skills really quickly and mowed some terrific swathes through thick grass.