Hand powered: Traditional Land based Skills
Events and Courses
Event and course dates:
To book on a course/event please email hand.powered@yahoo.com
An Introduction to the English Scythe
King's Lynn PE34 4PL – Saturday 26th September 2026, 10 am–4 pm
Learn how to restore old English scythes as we take you through how to transform old rusty blades and wood-wormed snaths into functioning tools.
We will cover:
- blade construction and history
- restoring an old blade (including grinding and tang setting demo)
- discussion on traditional snath designs
Attendees wishing to have a go on an English /Scottish scythe will be given the opportunity to try a variety of models in the afternoon.
NB: this workshop is designed to demonstrate the restoration of old blades and snaths rather than providing a restoration service.
The course will be delivered by English scythe experts: Mark Allery, Richard Brown, Terry Standen and Danny Hodgson
COST: £45
Booking essential , please book and email for further info at: hand.powered@yahoo.com
People on the Land: Conservation through Utilisation: Talk by Danny Hodgson, 25 October 26, 11:45am
Hedgerows in the Hills at Acton Scott, Church Stretton, SY6 6QN
People on the land is a talk aimed at rekindling our interest in the pre-industrial knowledge that landworkers refined over centuries. When attempting to manage farmland and woodland sustainably, we can learn a great deal from history. By tackling the various tasks of maintaining boundaries, providing firewood and timber as well as growing food (all without mechanisation) our forbears have a lot to teach us. Danny has a deep knowledge and understanding of these practicesand knows first-hand the benefits in terms of the physical and mental-health this landwork provides.
Hay-Rake Making course Sunday 18th October or Tuesday 20th October 2026. £100 per person
Woodchurch, Kent TN26
Over the course of the day we will cover:
- How to split the timber to rough out the rake stail
- use of a shave horse
- using an axe to rough out the rake head
- tine making
- assembing the rake
At the end of the day, you should be taking home your own hand-crafted rake.
Please email southeastscything@gmail.com for more info and to reserve a place.
English Scythe workshop Monday 19th October, £68 per person.
Woodchurch, Kent TN26
Learn how to restore old English scythes as we take you through how to transform old rusty blades and wood-wormed snaths into functioning tools.
We will cover:
- blade construction and history
- restoring an old blade (including grinding and tang setting demo)
- discussion on traditional snath designs
Please note that this workshop is designed to demonstrate the restoration of old blades and snaths rather than providing a restoration service.
Please email southeastscything@gmail.com for more info and to reserve a place.
CONTACT US
Tel: 07834240559
Email: hand.powered@yahoo.com
Members of the Scythe Association of Britain & Ireland http://scytheassociation.org/ and the National Hedgelaying Society https://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/
Copyright 2026 Danny Hodgson