Steve Tomlin Crafts

Scythes in the city

Posted on August 21, 2016 by stevetomlin

I’m really excited to be teaching some Learn to Scythe courses in city settings this summer. This weekend I have been working with a group of Sustrans volunteers teaching them how to scythe to manage the vegetation along the Fallowfield Loop, a cycle path through South Manchester.
There are patches of grass as well as rougher areas of brambles, rosebay willowherb and bindweed so, with two days available, we started out in the nicer areas to learn the principles of cutting grass with the scythe before tackling the tough weeds using some different techniques. There was also time for sharpening, peening and practice of how to pass on their new knowledge to other volunteers.

What a fun group of folk too; I suggested they should look ‘urban’ for the team photo to emphasise the city location and they didn’t let me down.

If you’re interested in getting involved contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Abigail Pound on volunteers-nw@sustrans.org.uk or call 0161 923 6050.

Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged cycle, Manchester, scythe, Sustrans | Leave a comment

Learn to Scythe feedback – "I loved every minute"

Posted on August 19, 2016 by stevetomlin

It is such a pleasure to spend the summer travelling around the UK to wonderful meadows and meeting lovely people who want to learn how to scythe. I get lots of great feedback in the form of comments on the day and photos of people mowing their own land after the course. I thought I would just share this note from a participant on a recent course I taught for Cumbria Wildlife Trust which also shows you’re never to old to learn and that the scythe is suitable for all ages.

“What an enjoyable day this was. The tutor was the best I have had at any other course. He had the knack of giving knowledge in a very pleasant manner and I finished the day feeling I knew all I needed to, in order to complete my wish to scythe – once I had practised of course all the techniques so expertly shown. Because of my age (80 years) my family thought I would suffer with aches and pains but this was not the case at all. I loved every minute.”

Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged Austrian, course, scythe, scythe feedback, Wildlife Trust | Leave a comment

Peening workshop 2016

Posted on August 12, 2016 by stevetomlin

In response to requests from Learn to Scythe students, I am running a Peening Workshop on Sunday 16th October where you can learn how to peen a scythe and sharpen it for the best possible cut.

Peening your scythe is an essential part of keeping it cutting easily and cleanly. Hammering on the blade can seem pretty counter-intuitive though and a scary prospect the first few times you do it.
During the day we’ll mainly cover the use of the scythe peening jig but there will also be an option for students wanting to learn freehand peening on a scythe anvil.
We’ll be based at Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn – the Coronation Meadow for Lancashire and, as well as learning to peen, you’ll be able to meet and network with other scythers from the North-West.
The cost of the workshop is just £50 including refreshments, places are limited to 10 participants. For further details and to book email stevetomlin8@gmail.com

Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged 2016, anvil, Austrian, course, freehand, jig, peen, peening, scythe, workshop | Leave a comment

Scything on Countryfile

Posted on July 18, 2016 by stevetomlin

It was National Meadows Day a couple of weeks ago and in celebration of our wildflower meadows, BBC Countryfile had a special Meadows episode last night featuring Simon Fairlie and Andi Rickard talking to Matt Baker about the scythe.
Catch up with it on iPlayer starting at 30min:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07lnn9v</a
My Learn to Scythe courses focus on relaxed, comfortable scything at your own pace so you can enjoy cutting the grass while you listen to the birds and the swish of your blade or chat with another mower. You’ll still cover a lot of ground surprisingly quickly without having to race! More details at http://stevetomlincrafts.wordpress.com/learn-to-scythe/

Posted in Scytherspace | Tagged BBC, Countryfile, meadow, National Meadows Day, scythe, wildflower | Leave a comment

Sharpening a scythe left handed

Posted on July 16, 2016 by stevetomlin

Although all the Austrian scythes I teach with and sell are right handed, they’re equally suited for use by people who are left handed. The scything action is very symmetrical so people have no problem using the scythe and, when you’re working together in a team, it’s important that everyone mows the same way so the windrows are all falling the same way.
I’ve taught dozens of left-handed mowers over the years on my scything courses including Neil on todays course in Cumbria. Here he is sharpening the scythe left-handed while using a post to support the blade for safety.

And mowing a lovely neat swath with his right-handed scythe.

A gorgeous summer day with a brilliant group. My next course will be at Greenwood Days near Derby on 8th August. There are still a few places left so if you want to learn to scythe to manage your meadow or orchard visit Greenwood Days or contact Peter Wood on 01332 864529 to book.

Posted in peening & sharpening, scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged Austrian scythe, course, left handed, sharpening | Leave a comment

Community Scything in the North-West

Posted on July 5, 2016 by stevetomlin

One of the nicest things about scything is that the lack of noise makes it a lovely community activity. Chatting while you work and seeing a huge amount of work done is a great feeling and how communities made hay in the past.
This month there are a couple of opportunities to get together to scythe with other people here in the North West. It’s a chance to mow some beautiful meadow grass while meeting like-minded folk and improving your skills.
15-16 July: Hay Time Party at Bell Sykes Farm – the Coronation Meadow for Lancashire (see poster for details) Contact Peter Blackwell 01200 446609
21 July: 6am Dawn Scything & Rustic breakfast at Brantwood House, Cumbria La218AD. Contact Sally Beamish 015394 41396. Mowing the shore meadow in preparation for the Outdoor Theatre events.

Posted in scythe festivals & events, Scytherspace | Tagged Brantwood House, community, Coronation Meadow, cumbria, lancashire, scythe | Leave a comment

Scything course on National Meadows Day

Posted on July 2, 2016 by stevetomlin

Today, events across the country have been celebrating our wildflower meadows and I had the pleasure of teaching a group of staff and public how to scythe at Marbury Country Park in Cheshire, funded by the Saltscape landscape partnership scheme and Heritage Lottery Fund.
After setting up the scythes and learning to sharpen, we went out into a fabulous meadow to mow a section that was inaccessible to machinery. Although the weather was threatening to turn we stayed dry cut a large area between us. While mowing, Dave spotted a bee orchid in the meadow and safely scythed around it. Cutting the grass with a scythe makes you so much more aware of the plants in your meadow so individual special plants are noticed and can be safely left intact. This was especially nice for me today as I’d never seen one of these flowers before.

The rangers plan to continue using scythes to manage this meadow so it continues to develop. It’s a lovely place that seems to be a hidden gem so if you’re in the area, go pay it a visit.

Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged Austrian, Cheshire, course, meadow, orchid, scythe, wildflower | Leave a comment

Scything in Northumberland

Posted on July 1, 2016 by stevetomlin

A few years ago I was teaching scything courses in the North Pennines AONB as part of their wildflower meadow project. Last week I was invited back to the north-east to teach a bespoke group course for Lizzie who was one of the students during that project. She is still regularly using her Austrian scythe and decided it was time to get the rest of her family and some local friends trained up as well.
We were based near Hexham at Peter and Fransje’s field with wonderful views and lush, thick grass which they make into hay for a flock of about 40 sheep. Peter was also already an experienced mower and, like Lizzie, was keen to have Fransje trained properly as well as get some tips to improve his own mowing.
We had a terrific day of learning and mowing, cutting a huge area of grass just ahead of the weather breaking. Though not ideal, the rain won’t spoil the grass while it’s in the windrows and I’m sure a good bit of Northumbrian wind will soon dry it nicely for hay.

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Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged Austrian, course, hay, meadow, Northumberland, Northumbria, scythe, scything | Leave a comment

Learn to scythe in Scotland

Posted on June 28, 2016 by stevetomlin

Every year I enjoy travelling across the border to Scotland to teach my Learn to Scythe courses. It’s a country I love and a real treat to travel through on my way to great hospitality and gorgeous meadows.
I will be teaching courses on mowing with an Austrian scythe for beginners at two venues in July and August this summer:

Dumfriesshire: 17 July at Hillend Farm, Auldgirth. Contact Steffi Shaffler steffi.schaffler[at]gmail.com 01387 740945
Fife: 13 or 14 August at Sheardrum near Stirling. Contact Ali Hibbert info[at]sheardrum.com 01383 852991

I can also travel to teach you or a group at your own venue on a date to suit you. Please email me stevetomlin8[at]gmail.com for more details.

Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged Austrian, course, learn, Scotland, scythe, workshop | Leave a comment

The Russian peasant's workout

Posted on June 26, 2016 by stevetomlin

Take 5mins today to read this lovely article written by my friend Jez Hastings for the New York Times which captures the beauty of scything.

Working slowly and deliberately, with little noise, allows me to be part of nature, rather than striving against it. It’s a dance of sorts. The dance of the mower and the grass.

Posted in Scytherspace | Tagged hay making, Islay, Scotland, scythe | Leave a comment