Scythe Courses 2024
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.
- 25 May, Foxglove Covert LNR, N. Yorkshire
- 1 June, Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn, Lancashire
- 22 June, Brigflatts Meeting House, Sedbergh, Cumbria
- 21 July, Bell Sykes Farm, Slaidburn, Lancashire
- 2 August, Broadrake, Chapel-le-Dale, Yorkshire Dales
- 7 September, Brigflatts Meeting House, Sedbergh, Cumbria
Book your place on Eventbrite: Learn to Scythe
John R Grundy* https://www.wildernesstamed.com covering Northumberland and Durham and the borders.
Training groups and individuals from conservation charities, friends of groups and small holders. More information at https://www.wildernesstamed.com/scything Phone 07827958361 or email contact@wildernesstamed.com to book your course.
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Wales & Borders
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.
- Introductory Scything and meadow management course, Sunday 7th July, 10am -4pm. £60pp
- Introductory Scything and meadow management course, Monday 29th July, 10am -4pm. £60pp. (followed by optional free scything sessions all week).
Philip Batten*, Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, Carmarthenshire
info@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. www.scythecymru.co.uk
Danny Hodgson& Helene Ducrotoy, Llanidloes, hand.powered@yahoo.com
Working throughout Mid-Wales, Marches and across the UK, visit www.handpowered.co.uk for details.
- Scything course: Llanveynoe, Near Hay on Wye £130 per person. 29-30 June & 14-15 September
Andrea Gilpin*, Presteigne, Powys hello@wildmeadow.co https://www.wildmeadow.co/scything-classes
Learn to scythe or improve your skills in 3 acres of meadows with a variety of terrain and vegetation types. Equipment provided and available to purchase. 1:1 also available. 12+ years teaching experience and meadow management advice given.
David Kuegler*, Parrysfield, Orcop Hill, HR28SD HEREFORD
david.kuegler@btinternet.com We cover all aspects of Scything in a fun filled day, either Parrysfield or your meadow. https://www.instagram.com/parrysfieldorcop/
I sell fully prepared Scythe Kits: oiled, peened & sharp!, plus hay rakes & hay forks, & beautiful Peening ponies too!
- 1:1 Courses anytime/anywhere to suit March-December
- Group Courses up to six scythers, every second Saturday of the month March-October
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Midlands
Nicole Clough*, Oxfordshire www.joyofscything.uk
I provide training in the use, maintenance and joy of the Austrian scythe, within Oxfordshire, nearby counties and southern Midlands, and further afield on request. Please visit my website for 2024 venue dates or to enquire about arranging a bespoke session.
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South West England
Jeremy Weiss*, Totnes, South Devon jeremy@properedges.com 07962 432317
Here at Proper Edges we run courses for beginners and improvers near Totnes, South Devon. We can also run courses on your land or for local groups and organisations and offer one to one tuition. We also teach hedge laying, tools sharpening and making biochar. For a list of upcoming courses see our website: https://properedges.com/courses/
Kevin Austin* (Cornwall) kevin@skyegrove.co.uk (07943653825) www.skyegrove.co.uk
For all your scything needs, training and equipment, specialising in the use of the Austrian scythe. Bespoke courses for singles, couples and groups and tailored for beginners and improvers
Adrian Thomas* North Devon
adrianthomas59@gmail.com 01409 282801
I run training courses either at my home in Buckland Filleigh EX21 or at a local site of your choice, for individuals or for groups. I sell scythe kit and offer a blade peening service.
Andi Rickard* Somerset andirickard@me.com 0758 1239453
Former UK scythe champion and current ladies. Beginners and Improvers courses throughout the summer from April through October. Group courses and private bookings. Courses held at Mower Meadow in South Somerset. (Camping available).I can also teach at your venue.Go to www.scytheschool.com for more details and to book.
Chris Riley* North Dorset
chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312
Available for scythe training in the Wessex area, and beyond. For up-to-date information see: www.pratensis.net
- Workshops ‘Meadow Management: Learn To Scythe’ at Kingcombe Visitor Centre, Dorchester DT2 0EQ on Fri 28 June and Sun 28 July 2024. Go to https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/courses-and-workshops for further details, and to book.
Ross Adams* Totnes, South Devon ross@abundantgardens.uk 07811608359 I run fun and informative courses covering everything needed to get you mowing efficiently and effectively. I have courses for beginners and improvers, I also offer 1-1’s, 1-2’s and I can run a course on your land. For more information have a look at my website https://www.abundantgardens.uk/courses/
Simon Fairlie * Near Lyme Regis, Dorset scythes@myphone.coop 01297 561359 www.thescytheshop.co.uk/courses.html
Two day courses on scything, haymaking and grassland management. Day one: basic scythe skills and peening demo; day two: meadow scything, peening practice, haymaking and grassland management. 18-19 May and 20-21 July. Single day attendance possible. Complete range of scythes available to buy at a discount. One-to-one tuition available by appointment.
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South East England
Rachel Remnant*, Hampshire
Land Lore Consulting rachel@landloreconsulting.com Tel 07745 977403 www.landloreconsulting.com Learn to scythe near Winchester and Liss. Expert habitat advice, with a specialism in floodplain meadows.
- 2024 courses: An Introduction to the Austrian Scythe. Includes set up, technique, honing and peening. £85 10am – 4:30pm Sun 14th April, Fri 26th April, Mon 20th May, Fri 21st June.
Nicole Clough*, Oxfordshire www.joyofscything.uk
I provide training in the use, maintenance and joy of the Austrian scythe, within Oxfordshire, nearby counties and southern Midlands, and further afield on request. Please visit my website for 2024 venue dates or to enquire about arranging a bespoke session.
Mary Ellis* Kent, Sussex and Surrey southeastscything@gmail.com
Learn to scythe in a day with others, or tailored 1 to 1 tuition in scything, sharpening and peening, in Kent, Sussex and Surrey. Learn the joy of an ancient skill. Please email southeastscything@gmail.com for more info. “I have never seen anyone pick up a scythe and not smile.”
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East Anglia & East Midlands
Richard Brown*, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. richard@wildscythe.co.uk
I offer courses and individual tuition in East Anglia and East Midlands.As an experienced Botanist, Ecologist and seedsman I can tailor courses to include both practical scythe instruction as well as meadow management theory. I sell scythes and offer fitting and peening services from my scythe workshop and meadow
- Learn to scythe and grassland management courses in June July and August
- Peening and Scythe maintenance course 6th April
- see https://wildscythe.co.uk/calendar/
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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. Blade repair and peening service available too. Please email to arrange a workshop, a blade repair enquiry and for more information. Also visit http://quietertimes.org for more details and to see current workshop dates.
Heather Beaton, Lochalsh, heather.beaton@lochash.uk
Scythe courses run on the community land of the Plock. One-day courses cover the basics in scythe set up, peening and sharpening and mowing. One to one courses can be arranged, as can courses at a location of your choice. All proceeds go to community projects within Lochalsh.
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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*, Co Cork, Ireland, rowanlily@yahoo.de
I run scythe clinics for individuals or small groups of people. I also 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 / 087 1226266
I have been scything for over ten years and run courses all over Ireland. Regular courses at Irish Seed Savers – https://irishseedsavers.ie/workshops/ Online sales and course enquiries for Wexford and beyond https://www.scythe.ie/ Courses cover introduction to scything and peening. Contact for other dates
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Channel Islands
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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.
Chris Riley* North Dorset chris@pratensis.net 07719 691312Experienced 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
Andi Rickard* Somerset andirickard@me.com 0758 1239453
Former UK scythe champion and current ladies.Beginners and Improvers courses throughout the summer from April through October.Group courses and private bookings.Courses held at Mower Meadow in South Somerset. (Camping available).I can also teach at your venue.Go to www.scytheschool.com for more details and to book.
Danny Hodgson& Helene Ducrotoy, Llanidloes, hand.powered@yahoo.com
Join us for scything courses tailored to all abilities, providing group sessions, one-to-one tuition and contract mowing. Working throughout Mid-Wales and across the UK, visit www.handpowered.co.uk for details.
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.
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.