Category Archives: Scytherspace

Can you scythe on a slope?

Posted on October 25, 2022 by stevetomlin

 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 →

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Scythe peening workshop 2022

Posted on September 10, 2022 by stevetomlin

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 →

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Honing your scythe in the field

Posted on August 2, 2022 by stevetomlin

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 →

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Scything at National Trust Gibside

Posted on July 29, 2022 by stevetomlin

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 →

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Meadow Day & Northern Scythe Festival 2022

Posted on June 25, 2022 by stevetomlin

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 →

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Learn to Scythe workshop in North Wales

Posted on May 25, 2022 by stevetomlin

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 →

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International Peening Day 2022

Posted on April 1, 2022 by stevetomlin

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 →

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Learn to Scythe workshops 2022

Posted on March 21, 2022 by stevetomlin

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 →

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Wildflower propagation tutorial video

Posted on August 20, 2021 by stevetomlin

I first taught Rachel and Mike at Broadrake how to scythe in 2013 and over the years it’s been amazing to watch their meadow develop. A big part of that has been due to Rachel’s amazing propagation of wildflower species. … Continue reading →

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Learn to Scythe in Yorkshire feedback

Posted on August 13, 2021 by stevetomlin

Lovely feedback from the Learn to Scythe course at Broadrake in Yorkshire this week. Dear Steve – just a quick note to say many, many thanks for such an excellent scything course yesterday. It was truly wonderful, perfectly organised, and … Continue reading →

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