On a hot, sunny weekend in late July, 8 people learnt how to mow a meadow at Low Way Farm near Middleton in Teesdale. Here’s an account of the weekend with quotes from participants.

Scything – preparation

On the first morning, under the watchful eye of Steve Tomlin, we learnt how to set up the Austrian scythe to achieve the optimum performance, a mowing technique, based on tai-chi to make the mowing effortless and how to sharpen the blade in the field. Then we had lunch:

“The food was amazing, but maybe slightly smaller portions!”

Feeling replete and slightly sleepy we spent the afternoon practising our new skills and getting stuck into meadow. This was followed with a quick look at some of the meadow flowers, yet more food, a trip to the local pub and bed.

“I was pleasantly surprised that the shower was so nice. It’s a beautiful place and Mandy’s look at flowers was a bonus.”

Scything – practice makes perfect

The next morning it was an early start for the scythers, fitting in a couple of hours mowing before breakfast. This was followed by a final session before lunch on sharpening the blade of the scythe in the workshop, or peening, an essential part of scythe maintenance.

“Learning to move my body correctly was great and what I thought I’d be doing, but all the detailed knowledge about maintaining the edge of the blade was fascinating. Plus the detailed set up of the scythe – learning new terms and how to adjust it.”

“This has been a wonderful weekend, my head is buzzing with new knowledge. Steve has a way of teaching that encourages learning in such a positive way. Thank you!”

“ I feel like I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole into another land of sharp implements and sweet mown hay.”

“Fantastic training – I’m ready to go out and mow a meadow now”

“Really useful as it included techniques on how to scythe and how to maintain it too.”

“Thank you for an excellent scything course, educational, fun and I’ve still got all my fingers.”

Being keen to practice their new skills, some of the participants talked about helping each other to scythe their meadows, banks and overgrown areas. If you would be interested in joining a group like this please contact Mandy Oliver, Nectarworks Community Officer, Tel: 01388 528801, email: mandy@northpenninesaonb.org.uk

The North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Nectarworks Project will be running the Learn to Mow scything training one last time in July 2015. Contact Mandy Oliver for more details.