Category Archives: Scytherspace

Aire Rivers Trust scythe course

I had a great day in Bradford teaching volunteers for the Aire Rivers Trust how to scythe in order to manage a new meadow which they are establishing. Sam Riley-Gunn, the project officer sent this great feedback: I can honestly … Continue reading

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Scything drone footage

Many thanks to Andrew Brown for taking this aerial footage with his drone during the scything improvers’ course in Cumbria

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Learn to scythe student video

Here is Martin on his first day of scything, easily cutting a terrific swath through the meadow. My teaching methods can help you learn to scythe easily and efficiently even if you are a complete beginner, visit my Learn to … Continue reading

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Scything in Highfield Country Park

I’m loving how many projects in Manchester are getting interested in using scythes to manage their land. I was invited this week by Friends of Highfield Country Park to lead a couple of evening demonstrations and have-a-go sessions for local … Continue reading

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Northern scythe festival 2021

Congratultions to Peter Backwell and Sarah Robinson, champions of this year’s Northern Scythe Festival mowing competition. The event took place in the beautiful meadows of Bell Sykes farm which Peter farms and is the donor meadow for many other meadows … Continue reading

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National Meadow Day 2021 scythe training

I spent National Meadow Day 2021 in south Cumbria teaching a group some peening and scything improvers skills during a course organised by Arnside & Silverdale AONB and Plantlife. Several of the group had previously attended my Learn to Scythe … Continue reading

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Scythe training in Cumbria for wildflower plantsman

Martin contacted me wanting to learn to scythe at his site in Cumbria where he has started to grow wildflower meadow plants in a nursery at his home. Meaburn Wildflowers is based up in Dufton where Martin has a beautiful … Continue reading

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Belbroughton scythe factory film

Here’s a fantastic short film about the Belbroughton scythe works which made scythes for the Nash company. I visited the village in 2012 and sadly there is little left of the works but lots of evidence of its importance in … Continue reading

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Scything a community orchard in Manchester

What  better way to spend a sunny bank holiday than going out to cut the grass? I offered to go and mow a community orchard in Levenshulme, Manchester as the regular volunteers were finding it difficult to cope with the … Continue reading

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Scythe peening 2021

This Sunday was International Peening Day 2021 so I spent a little time in the sunshine peening a scythe blade ready for the mowing season. I started with the peening jig to do most of the work and finished off … Continue reading

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