 |
weekend
course
scything |
We’re
on a mission to get you to swap your lawnmower or strimmer for a
scythe – just as effective, but quieter, cheaper, no pollution,
and excellent exercise.
The course
is run by Simon Fairlie of Chapter
7.
Beginners often imagine that a two-day scything 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 them 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 Simon prepares in advance for the one-day course); you get more time to practice different peening methods; and Simon also demonstrates how to make and stack a hay rack, which enables you to make hay even in changeable weather.
The course covers:
- history and sociology of the scythe, in the UK and abroad
- 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
- hay-making by hand
- making and loading a hayrack.
more
on scything
| how
to book: |
|
if you can't open
the booking form, you need Acrobat
Reader - it's free
|
| arrive: |
|
Friday between 4 and 6pm |
| depart: |
|
Sunday 4pm |
directions: |
|
click here for
directions to Monkton Wyld Court |
| what
to bring: |
|
work
/ waterproof clothes; pen and notebook; scythe if you have one
(meals and bedding are provided)
NO DOGS PLEASE |
| let
us know: |
|
if
you have any special dietary or other needs |
accommodation: |
|
2-6
people sharing single-sex rooms (with a single room supplement, space permitting) |
price: |
|
£215 residential, £145 non-residential
Refundable up to two weeks prior to course (minus £30
admin fee)
No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of course |
| car
sharing: |
|
|
|
|
a group of
happy course participants about to go home and put their lawnmowers
on eBay
Simon is peening
a scythe blade freehand - flattening the blade to a very fine edge
by cold-forging
once you
have learnt how to sharpen and use an Austrian scythe properly,
mowing a meadow by hand becomes a joy, rather than a struggle |
