Scythe Courses 2017
This page is managed by Steve Tomlin, SABI Training Coordinator. For enquiries please contact Steve: http://stevetomlincrafts.wordpress.com/learn-to-scythe/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.
For details of the Improvers’ Masterclass and Beginners’ workshops at the Somerset Scythe Festival 9-11 June, please click here.
North England
Steve Tomlin*
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, 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. Email stevetomlin8@gmail.com to book
- My 2017 Learn to Scythe courses are now fully booked. You can still book me to teach your group or on a 1-to-1 basis at your own venue.
- Peening workshop 15th October at Slaidburn, Lancashire
- Two-day scythe course at Meadow Connections Festival 7-8 July at Settle, Yorkshire
I was taught to scythe in 1986 and have used this wonderful tool on my croft in the Hebrides to now being based in the Peak District and Midlands region as SABI coordinator.
Courses are fully practical and will have you scything in no time at all! All equipment provided. I am also happy to travel to teach. Individual tutoring also catered for.
-
- ‘Way of the scythe’ April 23, July 23 Cwm Farm Forden
- ‘Way of the scythe’ May 21, Sept 3 Sharpecliffe Hall Ipstones
-
Peening day 22 October Cwm Farm Forden
- Introduction to Scything for Grassland Management Workshops – 26th July, 19th August 2017 – £50
Back to top spacer for name link
Wales
- April 8th, May 6th, July 6th, Scything, Sharpening & Peening
- June 8th ‘an early fathers day present scything session’
- June 24th Gardens in the Wild, Whitfield Estate, Hereford
Philip Batten*, Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, Carmarthenshire
scythecymru@yahoo.co.uk www.scythecymru.co.uk
Learn to scythe or improve your skills. Workshops give you lots 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 27th May, Wednesday 12th July, Sunday 6th August, Tuesday 15th August- £60 / £50 (low wage concession)
- Peening and Sharpening Workshops – Sunday 2nd April, Saturday 22nd July, – £40
- “Mowing with Ease” Mowing Workshop – Sunday 23rd July
Andrea Gilpin*, Wild Meadow, Discoed, Presteigne, Powys
hello@wildmeadow.co www.wildmeadow.co
Learn to scythe with ease and flow. Covering all aspects including peening. Scythes provided and available to purchase. Practice on a variety of terrain and vegetation. At the end of the day we can also look at the various areas on site and chat about how to establish and maintain a flower rich meadow.
- Learn to scythe – Sunday 7th May, Saturday 24th June, Sunday 27th August – £50
Other dates to be confirmed
Back to top spacer for name link
South West England
Chris Riley* (North Dorset) chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312 www.pratensis.net
Available for scythe training in the Wessex area.
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.
- Northleach, North Glos. Wed 31st May 2017. Go to www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk
- Langridge, near Bath. Thu 15th June 2017. Go to www.floralocale.org
- Friary, near Bath. Sat 1st July 2017. www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk
- Kingcombe Centre, Dorset. Sat 22nd July 2017. Go to www.kingcombe.org
- Friary, near Bath. Wed 16th August 2017. www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk
- May 25th, Scything for beginners and Improvers at The Old Kennels on the Blackdown Hills. Go to www.theoldkennels.co.uk for details and to book (Cost £70)
- August 3rd and August 11th, Scything for Beginners at RHS Rosemoor, Devon. Go to www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor for details and to book. (£70 members, £81 non-members)
Kevin Austin* Skyegrove, Herodsfoot, Cornwall. 07943653825
www.skyegrove.co.uk kevin@skyegrove.co.uk
- Beginners scything course: 27th May and 5th Aug 2017 – £65(inc lunch)
- Improvers scything course: 9th September – £65(inc lunch)
- Alternatively, if you prefer, we can come to your land to deliver the course for a group of students (6 max) the cost is £200
- 19-21 May 2017
- 14-16 July 2017
- 15-17 September 2017
South East England
- Sat 12 Aug 2017 – Ragmans Farm, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire http://www.ragmans.co.uk/home/
- Sat 9 Sep 2017 – Cogges Manor Farm, Witney, Oxfordshire http://www.cogges.org.uk/
Mark Allery*, Haslemere mark@woodlandantics.com https://woodlandantics.wordpress.com/scythes/
I use scythes regularly for traditional orchard, meadow, heathland and woodland management and run bespoke courses for conservation groups and volunteer organisations. I teach and sell Austrian Scythes but specialise in the use, remaking and history of the traditional English Scythe including steam bending the snathes.
- Learn to mow with a scythe 1 July, 12 August at Weald & Downland Museum (please book with the museum)
- English Scythe Course 8th July at Weald & Downland Museum (please book with the museum)
- Learn to mow with a scythe Saturday 3rd June & Thursday 7th September at Rosamund Meadow for Transition Guildford
Beth Tilston*, Sussex http://www.learnscything.com/courses/
On our beginners courses you will learn how to set up your scythe to fit your body, basic mowing technique, sharpening, peening (a way of preparing the blade for sharpening) as well as how to approach specific situations such as mowing on a slope or mowing rough stuff.
- Beginners Scything Course – Saturday 20th May 2017Barcombe, East Sussex
- Beginners Scything Course – Saturday 12th August 2017Barcombe, East Sussex
Please visit my website for more details.
Clive Leeke*, London and Home Counties clive@austrianscythes.co.uk http://www.austrianscythes.co.uk/
Offering one- & two-day beginner’s and improver’s courses in scything; meadow management; small-scale haymaking
- 2 hour taster sessions at the Community Haystacks weekend at Walthamstow Marshes, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th June. Please email kathrin@myvillages.org or
call 07941 696515 to book your place.
East Anglia
Richard Brown* Norfolk. richardjbrown556@gmail.com
Botanist, 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. Wednesday 28 June 2017. A ‘flora locale’ course aimed at land managers and other practitioners involved in the design, management and restoration of wild plants and habitats for biodiversity. Fee £100 / £75 concessions – Fee £100 / £75 concessions – to book contact flora locale
Chris Riley* chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312 www.pratensis.net
- Assington Mill, near Sudbury, Suffolk. Sun 14th May 2017
For further information on this beginners’ course, and to book, go to www.assingtonmill.com Scythes available for purchase. Contact me direct if you are intending to buy, or with other questions.
Back to top spacer for name link
Scotland
Steve Tomlin*, Cumbria, England stevetomlin8@gmail.com SteveTomlinCrafts.wordpress.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 my scythe course near Ellen, Aberdeenshire.
Back to top spacer for name link
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.inhp.com for details about booking, payment and all our wonderful courses!
- Learn to Mow with an Austrian Scythe May 20th and June 17th
Back to top spacer for name link
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 that can be used in a variety of situations. You will learn the foundational skills necessary to get going confidently with the scythe. I stock and sell scythe kits.
Back to top spacer for name link
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.
Philip Batten*, Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, Carmarthenshire
scythecymru@yahoo.co.uk www.scythecymru.co.uk
Learn to scythe or improve your skills. Workshops give you lots 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.
Chris Riley* chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312
Experienced scythesman and trainer. 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
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 that can be used in a variety of situations. You will learn the foundational skills necessary to get going confidently with the scythe. I stock and sell scythe kits.
Andrea Gilpin*, Wild Meadow, Discoed, Presteigne, Powys
hello@wildmeadow.co www.wildmeadow.co
Learn to scythe with ease and flow. Covering all aspects including peening. Scythes provided and available to purchase. Practice on a variety of terrain and vegetation. At the end of the day we can also look at the various areas on site and chat about how to establish and maintain a flower rich meadow.