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Category Archives: Scytherspace
NW Group Meeting Jan 2011
In the depths of winter, when there’s not much around to mow the next best thing is to meet up with friends and spend the evening talking about scythes and mowing. Following on from the National Scythe Association meeting the … Continue reading
Posted in scythe festivals & events, Scytherspace, Uncategorized
Tagged course, event, group, north west, scythe
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The Scythe Association is born
At the weekend 11 of us gathered in Oxford to discuss setting up an association to represent and further the use of the scythe in Britain & Ireland. The idea has been around since last summer when Simon Fairlie, who … Continue reading
Willow bow for harvesting cereals
To follow up from Chris’ post here’s a couple of photos I took last autumn which really show the benefits of using a bow when cutting cereals. These were taken during our demonstration at Old Hall Farm in Cumbria. My bow, … Continue reading
Perfecting reed-cutting techniques in Norfolk
In mid-December a few of us met to continue trials cutting reed with an Austrian scythe, and to help with the management of a local nature reserve. This was generously hosted by Richard Brown, who has a house just yards … Continue reading
Peening bench/ station
At the peening workshop, I discussed the importance of having a good peening station for your work. For consistent, accurate peening everything needs to be stable and solid with the force of the hammer blows being transmitted down to the … Continue reading
End of season peening & sharpening workshop
On Sunday I ran a peening and sharpening workshop for members of the NW mowing group at Haybridge Nature Reserve in response to a request from one of the members and my own observations at our recents meetings. It’s also … Continue reading
Apple Day 2010
Inspired by our meeting in the orchard at Sprint Mill, I organised a stand at this year’s Apple Day at Acorn Bank near Penrith. One of the organisers, Sara Braithwaite, told me that over the years the event has grown … Continue reading
Posted in scythe festivals & events, Scytherspace, Uncategorized
Tagged acorn bank, apple day, event, National Trust, rake
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Film of reaping demonstration
Memories are perhaps fading of the wonderful weekend at Bouth in Cumbria (see Ian’s entry below of 21st September). So here’s a short video of part of it – the Sunday afternoon at Old Hall Farm open day. It features … Continue reading
Mowing the Orchard at Sprint Mill
Yesterday a small group of the North-West mowers met up at Sprint Mill, just north of Kendal. Edward and Romola, our hosts, have been working their unique smallholding together almost entirely by hand for nearly 20 years. Deeply connected to … Continue reading
Posted in Scytherspace, Uncategorized
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Sheaf Fork
I would deny being a tool geek but I do like old tools, know a bit about them and am constantly amazed by the ingenuity of folk who worked by hand in designing efficient tools for specific jobs. This is … Continue reading