It’s always a treat to go up to Cumbria and spend some time in the Lake District, especially in spring when the countryside is coming to life. This weekend, I’ve been teaching a small group to make wooden hay rakes at Stott Park Bobbin Mill at the bottom of Windermere. The smell of wild garlic was everywhere, mixed with the scent of fresh ash timber as we worked in the sunshine.
We used greenwood for the parts, shaping them with axes and drawknives though some of the group did also use some more modern tools.
Everyone made a very handsome rake, ready for a summer of haymaking. More importantly, we enjoyed a couple of days in good company and the group learned lots of new skills.
