Saturday 12 July 2025
The workshop runs from 10am – 4pm at Stanmer Park, Brighton
Improve your scything and sharpening skills
This is an outdoor workshop. The theory sessions will be taught in the shade of apple trees, or under a gazebo if the weather is poor.
What will the Improvers Scything workshop cover?
At least half the workshop will be dedicated to sharpening and caring for your blade. You will refresh your honing skills (sharpening with stones). Peening (cold forge to profile the blade), both jig and freehand, will be demonstrated and you will be able to practice with guidance from the tutor. We will also cover how to deal with nicks and dents in your blade.
The workshop will also cover improving your scything techniques and strategies, including tackling different vegetation types. There will be plenty of hands on practice.
Who is the Improvers workshop for?
This workshop is for people wishing to improve their skills, and it is primarily intended for people who have already attended our Scything workshop or a similar course
Learning methods and outcomes
Most of the workshop is dedicated to hands on practice with guidance and demonstrations by the tutor. Sharpening practice and short theory sessions will either be under the shade of an apple tree or the protection of gazebos.
Do I need to buy a scythe?
We recommend you bring your own scythe, if you have one, including any blunt or damaged blades.
Course tutors
Tuition will be provided by
Stephan Gehrels, an experienced scythesman who has been scything and teaching for many years. He is also passionate about permaculture and working with young people and has successfully taught many children to scythe; most of whom have lived to tell the tale! Stephan runs school environmental projects in Brighton and has experience of managing orchards and growing plots using a scythe.
Venue
Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex)
Brighton
Sussex
South East England
Get directions to Stanmer Park.
If you intend to book accommodation, please check availability before booking a place, as accommodation in Brighton can be hard to find, especially over the summer months.
Get details on local accommodation and Brighton Permaculture Trust supporters who can provide accommodation in their homes.
Fees
Fees include tuition, refreshments, handouts and information sheets.
- £175 – Sponsored/organisation rate
- £175 – Individual income more than 25k/yr
- £140 – Individual income 18-25k/yr
- £105 – Individual income less than 18k/yr
- £56 – Individual, concessionary rate (check eligibility)
We endeavour to make our courses and events affordable to all. Unfortunately, we do not receive any external funding for most of these and rely on large amounts of voluntary input.
See the cancellations and refunds policy.
Booking the Scything workshop
Booking is essential, as most of our courses/events are fully booked weeks in advance. However, if places are still available, then bookings can be made until midday the day before the course/event. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment.
If you have completed the booking process but you haven’t received a confirmation email from us please contact us to check your booking has gone through.
If you are booking within two weeks of the event, or the event is nearly full, you will not have the option to pay by BACS. Instead, you will need to pay immediately using a credit/debit card or PayPal.