Scythe Courses 2023
This page is due to be updated early in the year for the upcoming season. Please revisit then or contact your local tutor to see if they have dates.
This page is managed by Steve Tomlin, SABI Training Coordinator. For enquiries please contact Steve: stevetomlin8@gmail.com
Courses by region
Teachers marked * have attended the Scythe Improvers’ Masterclass course held at the Somerset Scythe Festival. Attendance on the course does not imply recommendation of a teacher by the Scythe Association. Workshops also take place at various scythe festivals around the UK, please visit the Events page for details.
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North England
Steve Tomlin* Manchester
stevetomlin8@gmail.com SteveTomlinCrafts.co.uk/learn-to-scythe
Practical, fun courses covering all the skills to use and maintain your scythe. I have been teaching scything since 2010, am author of ‘Learn to Scythe‘ and sell scythe kits. I can travel to teach you or your group at your venue. Subscribe to my newsletter for more dates.
Danny Hodgson*, Llanidloes, Powys & Sheffield South Yorkshire/ East-Midlands
danny_hodgson@hotmail.co.uk
Scythe courses in Mid Wales, South Yorkshire and across the UK. Learn to scythe or improve your technique, I am happy to travel to you and cater for individuals and groups of all abilities and ages. Please visit my website for more details on courses and venues www.handpowered.co.uk
John Grundy* County Durham & Northumberland contact@wildernesstamed.com
Relaxed group or one to one courses at your own venue. For more information please contact me directly using the email above. Visit Courses & Training | Wilderness Tamed for more info. Courses to be announced and published via Eventbrite
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Wales & Borders
Philip Batten*, Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, Carmarthenshire
info@scythecymru.co.uk www.scythecymru.co.uk
Learn to scythe or improve your skills. Workshops give you – hands on experience; a chance to “try before you buy” or get your own scythe set up well; a visit to a smallholding where the scythe is integral to the management and is used year round in a variety of situations.
Andrea Gilpin*, Presteigne, Powys
hello@wildmeadow.co www.wildmeadow.co/scything-classes
Learn to scythe or improve your skills in 3 acres of meadows and orchards with a variety of terrain and vegetation types. Equipment provided and available to purchase. 1:1 also available. Meadow management advice given.
David Kuegler* Hereford
david.kuegler@btinternet.com https://www.instagram.com/parrysfieldorcop/
I’m a very flexible scythe-teacher, buy a scythe I’ll teach you to be very happy & confident with your scythe whether a group or 1:1. Turn-up when suits get a course easy peasy. Or I’ll come to you. I sell fully-prepared Scythe Kits. (Peened & Oiled)
Simon Cooter*, Shropshire
01743 792294 or simon.cooter@naturalengland.org.uk
Site manager for the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve, courses are usually run from the nature reserve base where practice can be carried out on a variety of vegetation and slopes. All proceeds go to the management of the nature reserve.
Philip Lewis* Mold smithyfarm21@gmail.com Instagram: smithy_farm_
Available to teach individuals or groups in North Wales, Anglesey to Mold. Peening and blade repair.
Beth Tilston* Forest of Dean
https://cloudcottageland.co.uk/scythe-courses-in-gloucestershire/
Day long courses and one to ones with a teacher of 10+ years experience. Learn everything you need to get mowing, and buy a scythe while you are there.
Matthew Collinson Mid-South Wales / Carmarthenshire
Introductory day courses for groups in nearby areas/counties, teaching how to safely fit, sharpen and wield a scythe; maintain and care for a blade, achieve a competent mowing technique and some basic hay-making skills.
A course costs a total of £350 for a group of 6-8 people.
Please enquire for availability and further details: Sonofcollin@yahoo.co.uk Swiss Valley Meadows
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Midlands
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South West England
Adrian Thomas*, North Devon
Phone: 01409 282801 E mail: adrianthomas59@gmail.com
Learn to scythe either as an individual or in a group (max 6). Volunteer group (max 12).
Contact me to discuss further.
Location: Buckland Filleigh or your site.
Cost: £65 per person.
Dates: arranged around your availability.
Andi Rickard* Somerset
andirickard@me.com 0758 1239453
Current UK scythe champion. Ladies champion for 10 years. Ten years experience teaching scythe skills.1-to-1 sessions, couples or group bookings – at my venue or yours.Group courses at Mower Meadow, South Somerset every month (starting April 22nd)Camping available.
Go to www.scytheschool.com for more details and to apply.
Jeremy Weiss*, Totnes, Devon
jeremydweiss@yahoo.co.uk Lots of scythe courses and peening workshops for beginners and improvers.
https://properedges.com/courses/ for details.
Kevin Austin* Cornwall
Phone 07943653825 Contact kevin@skyegrove.co.uk
For all your scything requirements. Individual or group bookings. Peening and maintenance workshops. All equipment stocked.
See www.skyegrove.co.uk for arranged course dates.
Simon Fairlie*, Monkton Wyld Court, West Dorset/EastDevon
scythes@myphone.coop, www.thescytheshop.co.uk / https://monktonwyldcourt.co.uk
Two day course “Scythe Use, Haymaking and Grassland Management”, tutored by Simon Fairlie and Camilo Liarte (especially suitable for people with livestock). Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Food and Accommodation provided. Scythes and other equipment for sale on site.
Ross Adams*, Totnes
Learn to scythe courses run amongst the beautiful rolling hills of Devon
near Totnes. I can also come to your site and run courses or one to
ones. Scythe kits avaliabe to buy on courses. For more information
www.abundantgardens.uk
Chris Riley* North Dorset
chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312
Available for scythe training in the Wessex area, and beyond.
Courses yet to be scheduled. For up-to-date information see:
www.pratensis.net
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South East England
Nicole Clough*, Oxfordshire
www.joyofscything.uk
I provide training in the use, maintenance and joy of the Austrian scythe, within Oxfordshire, the nearby counties and the southern Midlands. Please visit my website for 2022 venue dates or to enquire about arranging a bespoke session.
Claire White* Essex, London, East Anglia
clairewhitegardens@gmail.
Scythe instructor & enthusiast. Offering one to one & groups in scythe practice.
Clive Leeke*, Berkshire; Oxfordshire; Buckinghamshire; West London
hedgecraft@theoldfarmyard.co.uk www.theoldfarmyard.co.uk
Ten years’ teaching experience since qualifying. Courses in scything and wildflower meadow management on own meadow in South Oxon, or on your land by arrangement.
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East Anglia
Richard Brown*, Norfolk
richard@wildscythe.co.uk
I am an experienced botanist, ecologist, scythesman and seedsman and have been promoting wildflowers and meadows for 40 years. I offer scythe and grassland management courses and tuition for groups and individuals. Visit my website www.wildscythe.co.uk to find out more about what I can offer you.
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Scotland
Rob Brodie, Fife, Scotland
robmaculture@yahoo.co.uk
Beginners and Improvers scything workshops suitable for anyone interested in using a scythe to manage green spaces. Please email to arrange a workshop and for more information. Also visit http://quietertimes.org for more details and to see current workshop dates.
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Ireland
Neil Foulkes, Co. Leitrim, Ireland
neilfoulkes62@gmail.com
Formal and informal workshops on mowing and maintenance, including through local authorities. Mainly covering NI and the border counties. I also sell Austrian scythes and equipment
Susanne Raven, East Cork/Ireland, rowanlily@yahoo.de
While I don’t teach courses, I do offer scythe mowing and peening services and can provide information regarding scything in Ireland. You’re welcome to join the facebook group An Faobhar – Scythe group Ireland: https://www.facebook.com/groups/215248119929200
For more information visit http://www.susanneraven.ie/
Chris Hayes, Wexford, Ireland temujinhayes@gmail.com
I have been scything for over ten years and teaching for eight years. Regular courses at Irish Seed Savers and arranged classes throughout the year in Wexford and surrounding counties.Courses cover introduction to scything and peening.
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Channel Islands
Fiona Pollock * Guernsey, Channel Islands
fionpollockuk@yahoo.co.uk
Based in Guernsey but willing to island hop upon discussion. Individual and group lessons available upon request. I stock and sell scythe kits
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National
If you have a group of friends and your own grass, the following teachers can be booked to come and teach at your own location.
Steve Tomlin* Manchester
stevetomlin8@gmail.com
stevetomlincrafts.co.uk/learn-to-scythe
Courses across the UK for beginners and improvers , run by an internationally respected mower and tutor. I have been teaching since 2010 and am the author of the Learn to Scythe book, the first practical instruction manual for the Austrian scythe.
Andi Rickard* Somerset
andirickard@me.com 0758 1239453
Current UK scythe champion. Ladies champion for 10 years. Ten years experience teaching scythe skills.1-to-1 sessions, couples or group bookings – at my venue or yours.Group courses at Mower Meadow, South Somerset every month (starting April 22nd)Camping available.
Go to www.scytheschool.com for more details and to apply.
Andrea Gilpin* Powys, hello@wildmeadow.co
https://www.wildmeadow.co/scything-classes
Courses across England and Wales for beginners and improvers.
I have enjoyed teaching since 2010 and I frequently travel to tutor groups in their own patch. Can include advise on meadow management. Clients include Wildlife Trusts, The National Trust, RSPB and many community groups.
Danny Hodgson*, Llanidloes, Powys & Sheffield South Yorkshire/ East-Midlands
danny_hodgson@hotmail.co.uk www.handpowered.co.uk
Scythe courses in Mid Wales, South Yorkshire and across the UK. Learn to scythe or improve your technique, I am happy to travel to you and cater for individuals and groups of all abilities and ages. Please visit my website for more details on courses and venues.
David Kuegler* Hereford
david.kuegler@btinternet.com https://www.instagram.com/parrysfieldorcop/
Courses in England & Wales, including Snowdonia. I teach North-South Wales & England, for all sorts of community groups & Trusts. & Individuals too.
Chris Riley* North Dorset
chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312
Experienced scythe trainer based in north Dorset. I mainly deliver beginners’ courses in the Wessex area, but it can often also be feasible to go further afield. Scythes available for purchase. See web site for more information: www.pratensis.net
Online
Beth Tilston* Forest of Dean https://cloudcottageland.vhx.tv A new 30 minute course available online. Covering everything I go into on my day course. Pay what you want – you decide what you want to pay for it.