Great news today in the GuardianGuardian that the Coronation meadow scheme has been successful in increasing the wildflower meadow habitat across the UK.
I’ve been teaching Learn to Scythe courses at Bell Sykes Farm, the Coronation meadow for Lancashire for almost a decade and know that seed from the site has been used to create dozens of new meadows in the area. The next course is on 23rd July 2023 with just a few spaces still left. Email stevetomlin8[at]gmail.com book.
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.
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
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
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
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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.
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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.
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. BrilliantThanks again, Steve. Yesterday was a first-class occasion.
Best wishes
Richard
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.
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.
