Scythe and haymaking events from around the UK and Europe. This list will continue to grow through the year so bookmark the page and call back once the grass gets growing! Please email me, steve-tomlin[at]hotmail.co.uk if you have an event you’d like included.
2013
7 April International Peening Day
A global day of peening, sharpening and scythe maintenance either in readiness for the coming season or, Down-Under, to bring it to a close.
6-8 June: Advanced Scythe course. Thorney Lakes, Muchelny, Somerset, UK
Including teaching scything techniques and supervising scythe teams,
with Christiane Lechner, Phil Batten, Steve Tomlin and Simon Fairlie.
Contact Simon Fairlie chapter7@tlio.org.uk
9 June: Somerset Scythe Festival. Thorney Lakes, Muchelny, Somerset, UK
Workshops, talks, have-a-go sessions and 1-to-1 tuition in peening and mowing plus the national scythe competition.
29-30 June: Cambridge Scythe Festival. Wimpole Hall, Cambridge.
Competitions, traditional crafts and a lot more going on. Contact Simon Damant
13 June: Learn to Scythe course
Training day for volunteers at St Nicholas Fields, York
15 June: Learn to Scythe course
Training day for Bradwell Community Orchard. Read about their scythe course last year.
21-23 June: Scythe Training
A series of beginners and improver courses for Scotia Seeds, Angus, Scotland
29-30 June: Learn to Mow
A two day course taught by myself and Paul Kingsnorth at Brantwood House, Coniston. Contact Brantwood for booking.
6-7 & 16 July: Learn to Scythe course
Three one-day courses organised by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust
17-21: Mowing, Peening and Haymaking at Brantwood
I am teaching courses for peening and improving your mowing as well as a weekend of haymaking skills all based at Brantwood House in the Lake District. Contact Brantwood for booking, as above.
26-27 July Hay Time Scythe Festival. Holwick, Teesdale.
A 2-day learn to mow course with regional scythe competition. Read about the 2012 Hay Time Scythe festival
10-11 August Learn to Mow at Keasden Head Farm, near Settle - £75
A 2-day course organised by the Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust based on an upland farm with a mix of landscapes and habitats including hay meadow and grazing pasture, taught by Steve Tomlin. Cost includes refreshments but bring a packed lunch. Pre-booking is essential – contact Don Gamble, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, on 01524 251002, email don.gamble@ydmt.org
11-17 August: International Haymaking Festival. Gyimes, Transylvania.
See my posts on the 2011 event. Contact Barbara Knowles
17-18 August: Learn to Mow course
Training weekend in Aberdeen.
