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TRAINING COURSES FOR BEGINNERS
AND IMPROVERS

E-Mail List

I send out an occasional newsletter about scything events, courses and developments in the UK. It comes out about three times per year. To get on the list, please e-mail chapter7@tlio.org.uk, entitling your e-mail "Scythe Mailing List".

 

Simon Fairlie's Courses are Moving to Dorset

I will be running my scythe courses at Monkton Wyld, on the Dorset/Devon border, four miles from Axminster, half a mile from the A35. The dates arranged so far are

Saturday 8 May — one day beginner's course;

Saturday 22 May — one day beginner's course;

Friday 2 July to Sunday 4 July — weekend course.

DORSET: Beginner's One Day Courses

The cost is £50, including lunch.
To book a place, please e-mail chapter7@tlio.org.uk or phone 01460 249204.

These are day-long training courses for beginners. They are run by Simon Fairlie with help from Mike Zair.

The courses cover:

• brief history and sociology of the scythe
• selecting the right blade and snath for the job (or making best use of what you've got):
• setting up a scythe and snath;
• peening with a jig, and and introduction to freehand peening with hammer and anvil;
• sharpening;
• mowing technique;
• how to avoid damaging the blade, and how to repair chips and cracks;
• managing grass with scything in mind.

We take 10 people on each course which will take place from 10.00 till 6.00, or later if anybody wants. Lunch and snacks are provided. You do not need to bring your own scythe, but if you have one, please do bring it if it is not too inconvenient. For information about B and B or camp sites, please get in touch.

If you live some way away, and can get eight or so people together Simon can come and run a day long course, or even a two day one, price by arrangement.

Ring 01460 249 204 or e-mail chapter7@tlio.org.uk for more details.

TWO DAY COURSE: Scythe Use and Haymaking

Beginners often imagine that a two day course is a bit excessive, just to learn how to use a garden tool; and that is true if all you want to do is knock down weeds. But anyone who wants to mow grass on any scale will benefit from a two day course, and people who do the course come away saying "I don't know how you could cram all that into one day".

Two days gives you enough time to prepare your own blade (rather than use the Blue Peter blades that I prepare in advance for the one-day course); you get more time to practice different peening methods; I also spend more time on grass management, and demonstrate how to make and stack a hay rack, which enables you to make hay even in changeable weather.

Ring 01460 249 204 or e-mail chapter7@tlio.org.uk for more details; or see Monkton Wyld's site http://www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk/

SCYTHE FESTIVAL

There is a course for beginners and improvers on Saturday 12 June, the day before the Scythe Festival at Mucheleney, Langport, Somerset. This includes a snath-making workshop.

On 10 and 11 June there is a course on "How to Teach People to Mow" (THIS COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED).

For information about these courses, please go to the scythe festival page on this website. http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/festival.html

BRIGHTON

There will be a two day course for beginners with Simon Fairlie at Brighton Permaculture Group's place at Stanmer on 7-8 August 2010 See http://www.brightonpermaculture.co.uk/courses_events/scything09.html

PEMBROKESHIRE
Phil Batten and Michelle Laine will be holding courses and workshops this year, but haven’t fully worked out their programme yet. They take place at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, Penboyr, Drefach Felindre, SA44 5HG. For more information contact michelle_laine@care2.com 07813 464990
.
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Ray Lister will be giving his courses in Nottinghamshire, as he has done for five years, but he too is moving house. He has courses lined up for 28 May, 4 June, 18 June 25 June, 3 Sept, 10 Sept. 24 Sept and 1 October
Raymond and Samantha Lister, New phone number: 01777 248610 Old address and phone: 22 Hind Street, Retford, Notts DN22 7EN;01777 710091.

LINCOLNSHIRE
Deano Martin is giving scythe courses on his 4 acre smallholding, which has been managed with a scythe and sheep for the last four years. Deano has taught peening (sharpening) at the last three West Country scythe festivals. Scythes will be provided, but students can bring their own if they have them. Sceduled dates are 29th May, 26th June, 17th July, and 7th August. More details athttp://grinningreaper.wordpress.com/ Or ring 01507 588543.

IRELAND
Simon Fairlie will be tutoring a two day scythe and hand haymaking course at a farm near Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland on 18-20 of June. The event takes place at Porterstown Lodge Farm, Killucan, on the banks of the Royal Canal in Co Westmeath. Food is provided and camping, or else you can lodge at a B and B nearby. For more details contact Jo Dalton on +353 (0) 44 9358916 or jodaltonuk@yahoo.com
If anybody has an opportunity to e-mail this information out to other people in Ireland, or even better to an appropriate e-mail list in Ireland, we’d be very grateful.

 

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