Category Archives: Scytherspace

No Mow May 2023 Countryfile article

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 … Continue reading

Posted in Scytherspace | Tagged | Leave a comment

Scythe peening in the Guardian

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 … Continue reading

Posted in peening & sharpening, Scytherspace | Leave a comment

Can you scythe on a slope?

 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 … Continue reading

Posted in Scytherspace | Tagged | Leave a comment

Scythe peening workshop 2022

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 … Continue reading

Posted in peening & sharpening, Scytherspace | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Honing your scythe in the field

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 … Continue reading

Posted in peening & sharpening, Scytherspace | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Scything at National Trust Gibside

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 … Continue reading

Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged | Leave a comment

Meadow Day & Northern Scythe Festival 2022

The Northern Scythe Festival and Meadows Day take place on Sat-Sun 2-3 July 2022 at The Gathering Fields, Swainshead Hall Farm, Over Wyresdale, LA2 9DN Read my post about the 2021 Northern Scythe Festival I’ll be there on Sun 3rd … Continue reading

Posted in scythe festivals & events, Scytherspace | Leave a comment

Learn to Scythe workshop in North Wales

The first Learn to Scythe course for 2022 was at Greenfield Valley Heritage Park at Holywell, North Wales. I was teaching a group of volunteers who will be using the scythes to manage areas of wildflower meadow around the site. … Continue reading

Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged | Leave a comment

International Peening Day 2022

Can you believe it’s the 10th anniversary of International Peening Day already? Although I’m still waiting for someone to make an official range of merch, it’s been brilliant to watch the idea take off since I started it in 2012. … Continue reading

Posted in peening & sharpening, Scytherspace | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Learn to Scythe workshops 2022

Spring is here! Sunday was the Vernal Equinox and it’s great to feel the weather improving and the season turning. Leaves are appearing on the trees, the council have been out cutting the grass so scything season must be nearly … Continue reading

Posted in scythe courses, Scytherspace | Tagged , | Leave a comment