Bradwell Community Orchard Scythe Course

In May, my first course of the year will be a Learn to Scythe weekend at Bradwell  in Derbyshire for Bradwell Community Orchard Group
The group’s organiser, Eleanor Dunn writes:
The village of Bradwell in the Peak District is perhaps best known for it’s icecream. The Orchard Group, formed in 2009, hope that in the future there will be no end of fruit to go with the icecream! We have planted around 40 different varieties of fruit tree – many types of apple, and some pear, plum, gage and cherry. But scythers will not be surpised to learn what a handful our crop of grass is proving to be.
Last year members of the group brought scythes to some of our monthly work parties, cutting paths through the grass in June, and continuing in July and August. At the end of the year a local contractor was paid for some strimming so this year we are hoping to swell the ranks of scythers and improve our skills by hosting a mowing course. Recently we have been raking the orchard grass in preparation for the scythe course.
The course takes place on May 19-20. The first day will introduce you to the scythe and the ‘tai-chi’ style of mowing. On the second day you will have the opportunity for some early morning mowing, learning to mow around trees and practical peening tuition. An ideal course for beginners and anyone looking for a refresher.
Contact Eleanor Dunn eleanor.dunn[at]hotmail.co.uk  or phone 01433 621672.