Category Archives: Scytherspace

Hay Meadow seminars in Brussels

Posted on October 26, 2012 by stevetomlin

Barbara Knowles, who organises the Hay Making festival in Transylvania has just sent me details of these two events taking place in Brussels looking at the issue of supporting Europe’s hay meadow. Europe’s hay meadows in decline – what are … Continue reading →

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Countryfile scythe lesson

Posted on August 19, 2012 by stevetomlin

A look behind the camera during the filming at Brantwood House when I was asked to teach John Craven to scythe for BBC tv’s Countryfile. I would have preferred to give John some instruction in advance but they wanted it ‘live’ … Continue reading →

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Scythe Improvers and Peening weekend

Posted on August 15, 2012 by stevetomlin

After teaching so many beginners to scythe this summer, it was great to see some of them back for my Improver’s course at the weekend. Like any skill, learning to scythe well takes time and practise and it helps to … Continue reading →

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Edale Community Orchard tamed

Posted on August 8, 2012 by stevetomlin

Just back from another weekend running a Learn to Scythe course. This week Christiane and I went to teach the folk of Sustainable Edale who want to mow their community orchard. It’s great that word of my scythe workshops had … Continue reading →

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Scythes on BBC tv – Countryfile

Posted on August 4, 2012 by stevetomlin

This week I got a call asking if I would teach John Craven to scythe for an episode of the BBC’s Countryfile programme. They were filming at Brantwood House and focussing on John Ruskin’s work in training and education. My recent … Continue reading →

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Love in the Meadow

Posted on July 30, 2012 by stevetomlin

During preparations for the Northern Scythe Competition, Christiane and I found ourselves mowing the same swath, perfect opportunity for some love in the meadow.

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Northern Open Scythe Competition

Posted on July 29, 2012 by stevetomlin

Nevermind the Olympics, the results you’ve all been waiting for are the winners of the 1st Northern Open Scythe Competition held as part of the Hay Time Scythe Event this week. Christiane and I went over to the North Pennines … Continue reading →

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Scything in Scotland

Posted on July 14, 2012 by stevetomlin

Last summer Christiane and I did a road-trip up to the Black Isle for a Transition Town group who wanted to learn scything. We had a brilliant time and so I was very glad to be invited up to Forres, … Continue reading →

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Somerset Scythe Festival 2012 video

Posted on July 12, 2012 by stevetomlin

Many thanks to Richard Brown of Emorsgate Seeds and SABI chairman for this wonderful video from the Green Scythe Fair in Somerset. We’ve been looking without success for a traditional scythe song that we can sing while mowing in a … Continue reading →

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Left hand scythe

Posted on July 11, 2012 by stevetomlin

While we were at the Somerset Scythe Festival I had the chance to try a left hand scythe. Mowing is traditionally a right-handed occupation, mostly so that mowers could work together in a team and everyone’s windrow would fall to … Continue reading →

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