24th February 2011 bethtilston

Courses

Scythe Courses 2018

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 Teachers’ course held at the Somerset Scythe Festival. This 2 day course teaches is taught by Simon Fairlie, Christiane Laganda, Phil Batten and Steve Tomlin. It covers the methods and practicalities of teaching the use of the scythe including a strong emphasis on safety. Attendance on the course does not imply recommendation of a teacher by the Scythe Association.

Somerset Scythe Festival 2018

  • Beginners course 9th June with tutors Andi Rickard and Kevin Austin. The course covers: setting up the tool; how to mow grass and weeds; sharpening, peening and repairing blades; optional workshops on the English scythe, grassland management, and haymaking by hand. £65 per person, or £110 for two , including lunch.
    Email Mary Ellis beginnerscythecourse@gmail.com
  • Improvers’ course 8-9 June with Steve Tomln, Phil Batten and Christiane Laganda. Tuition from three of the most experienced mowers and teachers. Includes correct set up of the tool; your mowing stance and style; sharpening, peening and repairing blades; teaching and organizing volunteers. £140 for individuals, £165 for organizations, £90 concession for unwaged, including lunch.
    Email Simon Fairlie scythes@myphone.coop
  • Children’s course 9 June, 2.30- 4.30pm with Christiane Laganda, Fiona Pollock and Jeremy Hastings. For children from 8 years to 14 years old. Scythes will be supplied, using small blades. £15
    Email Mary Ellis beginnerscythecourse@gmail.com


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North England

Steve Tomlin* Manchester stevetomlin8@gmail.com
 SteveTomlinCrafts.wordpress.com/learn-to-scythe
Practical, fun courses covering all the skills to use and maintain your scythe. I am an internationally respected scythe expert, 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.
£80/day, email stevetomlin8@gmail.com  to book

  • Learn to Scythe 1st June or 22nd July at Slaidburn, Lancashire
  • Learn to Scythe 2nd June or 10th August at Sedbergh, Cumbria
  • Learn to Scythe 15th June at Hullard Park, Manchester
  • Peening workshop 12th October at Slaidburn, Lancashire

John Robson Grundy Burnopfield County Durham wildernesstamed@hotmail.co.uk
County Durham, Northumberland the Borders. John has taught around England National Trust, local community groups, Sustrans and Northumberland Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers. Courses are arranged by the individual or group. Discounts available for charities. Full day and half day courses. Details at www.wildernesstamed.com

Jez Hastings* Peak District 
Way of the Scythe Courses www.jeremyhastings.uk
  • Way of the Scythe 7 April Bilbrook Meadows. Codsall Staffs.
  • Way of the  Scythe (scything, Peening and haymaking)2-6 July RSPB Coombes Valley Leek

Jonathan Dent*, York, North Yorkshire jonathan@stnicks.org.uk 01904 411821
Learn to scythe with a focus on improving the wildlife value of meadows, grasslands and woodland edge. I have 8 years’ experience in teaching volunteers groups and individuals throughout Yorkshire including orchards in Leeds, woodland meadows near Scarborough, cycle path greenways for Sustrans and numerous urban meadows across York.

  • One day tailored workshops for groups at your greenspace – £250 + travel
  • One to one training sessions available
  • St Nicks Meadow Keepers project is running training courses across York throughout 2018 for greenspace groups and interested individuals. Get in touch to find out more or check our website for dates when announced.

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Wales

David Kuegler*  Parry’s Meadow, Orcop Hill, Hereford, 
Learn Scythe, Sharpen & Peen, meadow, & mowing around trees. Steve Tomlin’s ‘Learn to Scythe book’, is covered. Home cooked lunch on course (John Letts ‘bread’). Will travel to teach in your Field or Orchard.  1:1 or up to 1:6….as one client said this last year: “I feel empowered”
Scything equipment provided, Scythe Kits to purchase; made to fit peening pony & meadow products.
Learn to Scythe @ Orcop Hill, Hereford, Course Dates: (from £50.00, including lunch)
  • April 7th, May  12th, July 7th, Scything, Sharpening & Peening
  • April – August drop-in evening sessions, Wednesday 5.30-7.30pm
  • June Special Scything Day TBA, Hereford
Philip Batten*, Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, Carmarthenshire
Learn to scythe or improve your skills. Workshops give you a lot of 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.
  • Introductory Scythe Courses – Saturday 26th May, Sunday 1st July, Wednesday 18th July (more dates to be added) – £60 / £50 (low wage concession)
  • Peening and Sharpening Workshops –  Sunday 8th April, Wednesday 20th June, Saturday 28th July – £50 / £40(low wage concession)
  • “Mowing with Ease” Mowing Workshop – Sunday 29th July – £60 (10% discount when booked with peening workshop on 28th July)

Andrea Gilpin*, Wild Meadow, Presteigne, Powys, hello@wildmeadow.co
Learn to scythe, sharpen and peen, or come to improve your skills.
Courses are held at our 3.5 acre meadow with a variety of situations to practice on.
1:1 also available. Equipment provided. Scythe kits available to purchase.

  • Learn to scythe – beginners – Sat 12 May, Sun 24th June, Sat 11 Aug – £50
  • Scything for improvers – Sun 22nd July (more dates to follow) – £50
  • Past/present students/local scythers invited to a mid summer get together (see website)
    www.wildmeadow.co

Simon Cooter*, The Stiperstones, Shropshire, simon.cooter@naturalengland.org.uk
I am the reserve manager and run scythe courses held at the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve . Learn the joy of using an Austrian scythe to cut grass, bracken and rushes. Also learn about managing and restoring flower rich hay meadows. All equipment provided, or bring your own.

  • Introductory scythe course, The Stiperstones, 5th July – £50

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South West England

Kevin Austin* Skyegrove Cornwall/SW Devon (07943653825)
kevin@skyegrove.co.uk
Learn to scythe with a relaxed efficient style with an Austrian
scythe, we can come and deliver to groups (6max) on your own
land or attend courses below.

  • Scythers meet up & peening day 14 th April 2018
  • Beginners scything course:19th May and 28 th July 2018 –
    £65(inc lunch)
  • Improvers scything course:1st September – £65(inc lunch)

Please go to www.skyegrove.co.uk for more detail.

 

Chris Riley* (North Dorset) chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312 www.pratensis.net
Available for scythe training in the Wessex area, and beyond. For the following beginners’ courses, see the relevant web sites for info and to book. Scythes available for purchase. Contact me direct if you are intending to buy (no obligation) and with other questions.

 

Andi Rickard*  andirickard@me.com 0758 1239453
Ladies UK Scything Champion since 2010, now in my sixth year of teaching scything and peening throughout the South West. Course dates and venues booked by arrangement, one-to-one sessions or group bookings. Please go to www.somersetscytheschool.com for more details and how to apply.
  • June 9th, Beginners Course at the West Country Scythe Fair
  • July 7th – Knightshayes Court, National Trust, free workshops for National Meadows day
  • August 3rd, Scything for Beginners at RHS Rosemoor, Devon.

 

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South East England

Nicole Clough*, Oxfordshire  good_clean_mud@icloud.com
I provide training in the use, maintenance and joy of the Austrian scythe.  I run one day courses within Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties, and can also offer tailor made sessions.
Upcoming dates for Training in the Use and Maintenance of the Austrian Scythe:

Places on the above courses are £60 per person, with an additional cost of £20 if equipment hire is required. To discuss your requirements or make a booking, please get in touch.

 

Clive Leeke*, Reading: Clive@AustrianScythes.co.uk
Courses in London and across the UK, suitable for all ages. Visit http://www.austrianscythes.co.uk/ for more info.

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East Anglia

Richard Brown*, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. richardjbrown556@gmail.comBotanist, ecologist and seedsman offers scythe courses and tuition by arrangement.  Can tailor courses for individuals or groups to include practical scythe instruction plus wildflower meadow and grassland management. Visit Emorsgate Seeds website for more details or email as above.

Practical scything & grassland management course

  • Wednesday 27th June 2018. Emorsgate Seeds, Kings Lynn, Norfolk.

This event will take place on the sown wild flower meadows around Emorsgate’s seed farm.

Price: £60 book online

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Scotland

Steve Tomlin*
SteveTomlinCrafts.wordpress.com stevetomlin8@gmail.com 
Steve has taught several courses in Scotland, as far north as Caithness. Email to book a group workshop at your own venue and Steve will travel to you which is much more economical. Read about a scythe course near Ellen, Aberdeenshire.

Rob Brodie, Fife, robmaculture@yahoo.co.uk,
Beginners 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 a few more details.

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Ireland

Chris Hayes*, Wexford, Ireland,  chris@badgershillforestry.ie
Learn to use a scythe in the wonderful environment of the Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig, Wexford. See www.irishheritage.ie for details about booking, payment and all our wonderful courses!
  • Learn to Mow with an Austrian Scythe   May 5th and 26th , June 16th  and 30th.  €75 per class
  • Scythes available to buy year round and private tuition available at The Irish National Heritage Park www.irishheritage.ie

 

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Channel Islands

Fiona Pollock * Guernsey and Channel Islands
fionapollockuk@yahoo.co.uk or 07781 435 395
Based in Guernsey but willing to island hop upon discussion. Individual and group lessons available for beginners or improvers. The scythe is a diverse tool and be used in a variety of situations. You will learn the foundational skills necessary to get going confidently. 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* Cumbria stevetomlin8@gmail.com
stevetomlincrafts.wordpress.com/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.

Jez Hastings* Peak District jeremyhastings@me.com
Way of the Scythe Courses www.jeremyhastings.uk

Andrea Gilpin* Powys, hello@wildmeadow.co, www.wildmeadow.co
Courses across England and Wales for beginners and improvers. I have enjoyed teaching since 2010 and clients include Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, RSPB and many community groups.

Fiona Pollock * Guernsey and Channel Islands
fionapollockuk@yahoo.co.uk or 07781 435 395
Based in Guernsey but willing to island hop upon discussion. Individual and group lessons available for beginners or improvers. The scythe is a diverse tool and be used in a variety of situations. You will learn the foundational skills necessary to get going confidently. I stock and sell scythe kits.

Chris Riley* chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312
Experienced scythe trainer based in north Dorset. I mainly deliver beginners’ courses in the Wessex area, but sometimes it can be feasible to go further afield. Austrian scythes available for purchase. See web site for more information www.pratensis.net

Clive Leeke*, Reading: Clive@AustrianScythes.co.uk
Courses in London and across the UK, suitable for all ages. Visit http://www.austrianscythes.co.uk/ for more info.

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