Yellow rattle in urban meadow

Posted on June 7, 2024 by stevetomlin

I’ve been working with some local volunteers at Highfield Country Park in Levenshulme, Manchester to manage a few areas to try and create small meadows to enhance the biodiversity.

Last autumn, we sowed yellow rattle seed which I’d collected from a site just 2miles away and I’m very pleased to see that it’s germinated.

18 months ago this area was dominated by thistles. It’s been cut 3 times and now is starting to look more like a meadow; it’ll be interesting to see what other plants come up from the seedbank.

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Scything workshop in Lancashire sunshine

Posted on June 3, 2024 by stevetomlin

A sunny day and another lovely group on my Learn to Scythe workshop this weekend at Bell Skyes in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire.

Especially gratifying for me to have Adam in the group who introduced himself as ‘the reluctant husband’ and committed strimmer user who, by the end of the day was firmly converted to scything!

Visit my Learn to Scythe page for details of upcoming courses in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria

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Learn to Scythe book

Posted on June 3, 2024 by stevetomlin

Learn to Scythe book cover
If youve taken part in No Mow May 2024 or are interested in creating a wildflower meadow, you may be thinking about buying an Austrian scythe.

I always recommend that people attend a scythe workshop to learn the best way to sharpen and use a scythe. However, sometimes that isn’t possible so my Learn to Scythe book is a good option. It covers all the techniques from my scything courses and makes a great reference.

Contents

  • Introducing the scythe
  • Mowing words
  • Choice of blade
  • Setting up your scythe
  • Ergonomic mowing
  • Honing the edge
  • Peening Continental scythe blades
  • Organising your mowing
  • Scythe safety
  • Looking after your scythe


Buy your copy from Etsy

Steve Tomlin Crafts Etsy shop

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Scythe workshop in North Yorkshire

Posted on May 28, 2024 by stevetomlin

My first public Learn to Scythe workshop for the 2024 season took place this weekend at Foxglove Covert LNR in North Yorkshire.

Seven beginners spent the morning learning to set up the Austrian scythes and how to hone to maintain a keen edge.

Then in the afternoon, we headed out to cut an area of meadow which is being managed for wax cap fungi. We were fortunate to have Carl, the site warden, to explain all the work that’s being done on site and how scything has become an invaluable tool for managing the reserve.

There are still a few places available for this year’s courses but they’re filling fast so please book soon so as not to miss out. Visit my Learn to Scythe page for more details.

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Local councils join No Mow May 2024

Posted on May 3, 2024 by stevetomlin

It’s great to read that 40 local councils have signed up to No Mow May 2024 to leave some of their verges and parks to grow and increase biodiversity. Is your local council one of them?

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May whistle instructions

Posted on May 1, 2024 by stevetomlin

May Day is a traditional time of year to make a simple wooden whistle from the hedgerow. While the sap is rising, you can slip the bark off a stick as a tube then carve the airway and cavity. It’s a fun project to do with kids and all you need is a knife.

Here’s some excellent instructions on how to make a May Whistle from my friend Anna Casserley

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No Mow May 2024

Posted on April 30, 2024 by stevetomlin

Wildflower meadow in Lancashire

Whatever size your meadow or garden is, No Mow May is a worthwhile project to try and see what plants grow. Obviously, the timing will depend on where you are in the world and the species you already have but the basic principle of letting the vegetation grow for a month can bring delightful results. An increase in species and flowers attract pollinators and other insects which then can bring birds to your site.

Of course, once you have a meadow, you’ll need more than a lawnmower. A scythe is the perfect tool for cutting the long wildflowers and grasses when it’s time. Lightweight, quiet and efficient, scything is an easy method to mow a meadow. My Learn to Scythe courses run throughout the summer and will teach you everything you need to use and maintain an Austrian scythe. Places book quickly so secure your spot now via Eventbrite: Learn to Scythe

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Fellsman mandatory spoon

Posted on April 25, 2024 by stevetomlin

This weekend I’ll be attempting to complete The Fellsman, a 61mile navigational event with 11000ft of climbing across the Yorkshire Dales. It’ll be the furthest I’ve ever run and I’m hoping to complete in 24hrs, meaning I’ll be spending a full night outdoors trying to find my way using map and compass.

There’s a substantial mandatory kit list to carry, mostly for safety. It also includes a spoon, for eating at the various checkpoints en route so, naturally, I thought I’d make my own. This is some lovely silver birch from the same tree as we used during the workshop the other week. The hole means I can tie it to my pack so it doesn’t get lost.

I’m excited and nervous, wish me luck!

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Carving an eating spoon

Posted on April 22, 2024 by stevetomlin

While I was in Derbyshire the other week, I had some spare time to carve, using some beautiful, fresh cherry wood. After splitting the log and marking out a pattern, I carve using an axe to create the shape. As with when I teach spoon carving, the axe is used to get as close to the final shape as possible.

Then I use a straight knife to refine and smooth the shape along with a hook knife to hollow the bowl. This is the stage where I am assessing the shape, balancing the elements and adding facets for decoration. The colours in the wood are so gorgeous that it doesn’t need anything more.

The spoon looks great already but, after a few days of drying, I apply a light coat of pure, cold-pressed linseed oil which protects the wood and makes the grain pop.

There are more photos of the cherry eating spoon in my etsy shop where it’s available to buy.

If you’d like to learn to carve your own spoons, join me on one of my workshops, dates and more details on Eventbrite: Craft Workshops

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How to make a wooden hay rake video – Austria

Posted on April 22, 2024 by stevetomlin

Wooden hay rake
I’ve been making my own wooden hay rakes for a few years now but I’m still learning about the craft and intrested in examples from other regions. My friend Christiane brought me one from Austria and sent me the link to a video of Josef Frauenschuh making them in his workshop in Flachgrau. It’s an uncommon design, the tines (teeth) are not only angled back significantly but also arranged in a very slight ^ shape. He uses a few more machines than I do and a mix of lime for the stail (rake handle), beech for the head and ash tines to make a lovely product.

Austrian rake making on YouTube

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