No Mow May 2023 Countryfile article

Posted on April 25, 2023 by stevetomlin

It’s fantastic to see how the No Mow May campaign has taken off over the last few years and is getting more and more attention. This lovely article on the Countryfile website gives lots of detail about the benefits of No Mow May and how to get involved.

Of course, once your lawn has developed over May, many people decide to leave the flowers growing through June as well, creating a mini wildflower meadow in their garden. Then in July, a scythe is the perfect tool for cutting the long grasses. My courses are booking up quickly but there are still places available for you to learn this peaceful, efficient and satisfying skill. Visit the Learn to Scythe page for dates and details.

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Scythe peening in the Guardian

Posted on April 14, 2023 by stevetomlin

A fantastic article in the Guardian this week about peening scythe blades. We’ve been promoting the use of the scythe in the UK for 18 years now and I love how it has gone from a very niche activity to being a common tool for meadow management.

If you’re thinking of creating a wildflower meadow or managing some land, the scythe is a wonderful tool and ideal for volunteer groups too. Find out about my courses, including a detailed peening workshop on the Learn to Scythe page

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/13/country-diary-preening-in-the-hedges-peening-in-the-meadow

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Dab Hands spoon carving workshop at Manchester Museum

Posted on February 6, 2023 by stevetomlin

I’m very pleased to have been asked to deliver a spoon carving workshop as part of the Dab Hands exhibition at Manchester Museum. This is a two-year project exploring our relationship with our hands through creative approaches, especially for those whose dexterity has been deeply affected by disease, trauma and medical intervention. It features the work and wooden spoon collection of Barry Bate who I knew and who sadly passed away from cancer in 2021. It will be a real honour to pass on some of the skills he loved during the workshop.

The workshop takes place on Wed 3rd May 2023, book your place via eventbrite: Dab Hands Spoon Carving 

You can find out more about the exhibition at https://www.lucysart.co.uk/dab-hands-blog/2021/2/12/manchester-museum-welcomes-barry-bate

 

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Learn spoon carving in Manchester 2023

Posted on January 17, 2023 by stevetomlin

My spoon carving workshops for 2023 are booking up. Come and join me in Chorlton, south Manchester if you fancy learning some new skills this year or just having a day away from screens to do something practical and fun.

Starting from a fresh log, you’ll use an axe and knives to create your own unique cooking spoon safely and effectively. No experience necessary but improvers are also always welcome.

Book your place via Eventbrite

Sign up to my newsletter for updates on other courses and news from my workshop

 

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Manchester spoon carving workshop reviews & feedback

Posted on October 25, 2022 by stevetomlin

Lovely feedback from my recent spoon carving workshop at Chorlton in Manchester. The course has been selected by Eventbrite as part of a national campaign to promote workshops and activities around the UK – hopefully I’ll have more news on that in future.
Follow me on Eventbrite or sign up to my newsletter to hear about future workshops.

 

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Can you scythe on a slope?

Posted on October 25, 2022 by stevetomlin

 Scything on a slope is one of the most common questions I’m asked about during my Learn to Scythe courses. This summer, the ranger at Hassall Green Nature Reserve in Staffordshire asked if it was possible for me and a couple of their trained volunteers to scythe a steep bank of rough vegetation on the site. I think the photos, including the before and after shots, speak for themselves.
Visit my Learn to Scythe page for details of this year’s training courses.

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Scythe peening workshop 2022

Posted on September 10, 2022 by stevetomlin

If you’ve had your scythe for a few months (or longer) now, it’s probably time to peen the blade. This can be a daunting prospect the first few times you do it but is an important part of scythe maintenance and will improve how well it cuts dramatically.

This year I will be delivering a peening and sharpening workshop on 7th Oct at Broadrake, Chapel-le-Dale in Yorkshire. You’ll spend the day learning to use the peening jig confidently and develop your sharpening and honing skills to achieve the sharpest blade and the sweetest cut.

To book your place or for more details, email stevetomlin8[at]gmail.com

Here’s some feedback from a previous participant:

Greetings Steve!
Just a quick note to say many thanks, this time, for a fantastic peening course. I learned masses. Before the course, I was very suspicious that it would be impossible to spend a full day sharpening a piece of metal and remain interested. I was wrong. The course was great fun, the company excellent, and I continue to realise that I have masses still to learn. Thanks for what you did. Brilliant

Thanks again, Steve. Yesterday was a first-class occasion.
Best wishes
Richard

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Honing your scythe in the field

Posted on August 2, 2022 by stevetomlin

I’ve been teaching people how to hone their scythe blade while kneeling for many years. This method is much safer than standing and allows you to work more accurately and effectively.

This week, I was demonstrating and came up with this small modification to make it easier for beginners. Rather than holding the blade by the handle, the left hand works down the blade with the right hand, providing additional support for the blade and also marking where the last honing happened to ensure better coverage of the edge. Obviously, care needs to be taken to only hold the blade by the rib. Try it and let me know if it helps.

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Scything at National Trust Gibside

Posted on July 29, 2022 by stevetomlin

At the peak of last week’s heatwave, on the hottest day of the year (so far), I was at Gibside in Co Durham teaching a Learn to Scythe course for the National Trust ranger team.

Apart from trying not to melt in the heat, we had a brilliant day scything the wildflower meadow as well as looking at how to use the scythes to manage steep banks and rougher vegetation. The scenery and company were worth the long journey and high temperatures.

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Learn to Scythe course in Staffordshire

Posted on July 27, 2022 by stevetomlin

I’ve just spent two days teaching a beginners scythe course for the Groundworks volunteers at Silverdale Country Park in Staffordshire. The site has several mini wildflower meadows which are managed by scything and make a perfect venue for the training.

During the days, the participants really had chance to perfect their mowing technique as well as learning how to peen the scythe blade for optimum sharpness. If your volunteer group would like to start using scythes, email me stevetomlin8[at]gmailcom for details.

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