Scythe and Grassland courses and events 2020
With the right training in scythe use and sharpening, a good scythe is a surprisingly economical and efficient tool for mowing small to modest areas of grassland. Here are some courses and events which can help equip you with the skills you need.
Practical scything & grassland management course
Wednesday 24th June 2020. Emorsgate Seeds, Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
This is a ‘hands-on' event where participants will learn basic practical mowing and blade sharpening skills needed to use a scythe effectively and safely.
We will also focus on how scythe use promotes flexible and practical grassland management strategies which are essential for maximising the wildlife potential of meadows and grassland.
We hope to demonstrate how effectively this can empower and engage individuals and community groups in getting the best from their own sites.
The relative merits of the scythe, petrol strimmers and tractor mowers will be compared.
This event will take place on the sown wild flower meadows around Emorsgate's seed farm. Scythes will be available to borrow or purchase on the day.
Price: £60
Book online here
Practical scything & grassland management course
Tuesday 16th June 2020.
Emorsgate Seeds, Manor Farm, Langridge, Bath, BA1 8AJ.
This event will take place on Emorsgate's seed farm on the edge of the Cotswolds surrounded by a patchwork of small fields, orchard, woodland and hedgerows. The grasslands are flower rich and diverse. These are managed as traditional meadow and pasture: mown for hay, and grazed by shire horses, sheep and cattle.
This is a ‘hands-on' event with scythes. Participants will be taught basic practical mowing and blade sharpening skills needed to use a scythe effectively and safely.
We will also focus on how scythe use promotes flexible and practical grassland management strategies which are essential for maximising the wildlife potential of meadows and grassland.
Scythes will be available to borrow or purchase on the day.
Price: £60
Book online here
Scything & Woodland Craft Weekend
Saturday 20th June and 21st June, 2020. Wimpole Hall, Cambs. (National Trust)
The Scything Festival will be held on the Wimpole Estate in fields and extensive restored meadows within the Capability Browns landscape.
It is designed to be a fun weekend of scything, green wood working; including competitions on Sunday.
On Saturday there will experienced scythe folk on hand to demonstrate how to use the scythe and mow including how to make hay and meadow management.
If you are new to scything this event provides unlimited opportunity to practice on nice grass and pick up tips on mowing technique as well as all important blade sharpening and maintenance (peening) - do bring your scythe!
Richard Brown from Emorsgate Seeds will be available to answer questions on grassland management using a scythe as well as meadow creation and restoration using wild flower seeds.
If you have never used a scythe before, but see that you may have a use for one, do come along to discover the wonder of scything! A number of Scythe sets will be available for purchase on the day.
If you pre-order a scythe set from us online for collection at this event (Saturday or Sunday morning) Richard will be on hand to give you help to set up your new scythe plus essential instruction needed to get you mowing
13th Eastern Counties Scything Competition
The Wimpole weekend culminates with the main competitions on Sunday afternoon 21st June (open to all abilities bring your own scythe!).
The Green Scythe Fair
13th & 14th June 2020, Muchelney, Near Langport, Somerset
On Saturday 13th June there will be scything and hay making courses and workshops for both beginners and for mowers with some experience. The courses are led by Simon Fairlie with contributions from others including Richard Brown from Emorsgate Seeds. On Sunday, which is the festival proper, there will be a wider range of events including scything competitions.
see https://www.greenfair.org.uk/scythe-information for details
Scything demonstration
Saturday 25th July 2019. Oxburgh Hall (NT), Norfolk
Richard Brown from Emorsgate seeds will be giving talks and demonstrations on scything and meadow management from 11am - 3pm in the walled garden at Oxburgh Hall. He will be available to give advice, so come along if you need help with either wild flower management or scythes. (and bring your scythe along if you have one!)
Advice and talks free but normal NT entry fees apply.
For other scythe training events and courses in your area visit the SABI website
Posted on 08 January 2020,
Category: Events