English Heritage has launched an initiative to train volunteers in the traditional skill of scything to help maintain meadow habitats and support pollinator populations in Somerset. The project, which began with training sessions conducted by professionals from the Exmoor National Park Authority, aims to combine heritage preservation with contemporary conservation efforts by restoring flower-rich grasslands.

The inaugural group of volunteer scythers will apply their skills at Muchelney Abbey, a historic site featuring a unique two-storey monks’ lavatory. This meadow forms part of a three-year collaboration between English Heritage and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust focused on improving the environment for the shrill carder bee, a bumblebee species that has experienced significant declines due to habitat loss.

Volunteers, many of whom have described the experience as both physically engaging and therapeutic, are also being trained to conduct detailed wildlife surveys. These surveys extend beyond simple species counts to examine the interactions between the bees and the meadow ecosystem, including flowering plant species, pollination behaviours, bee foraging ranges, and habitat changes over time. This approach aims to generate a nuanced understanding of how traditional land management practices can foster biodiversity.

Ginny Slade, a volunteer and community engagement manager with English Heritage who completed the scythe training, noted the sensory and rhythmic qualities of the activity. She emphasized the importance of enthusiasm and physical fitness in mastering the tool, which, if properly maintained, can be used for generations. Slade highlighted how reviving the art of scything offers a tangible connection to the landscape while contributing to modern ecological challenges.

This restoration and training effort aligns with English Heritage’s broader environmental goals, which include creating or enhancing 100 meadows throughout the country in celebration of King Charles’s coronation in 2023. Muchelney Abbey serves as the pilot site, with plans to expand the volunteer program to other heritage locations in the future.

The initiative also evokes cultural links to the English countryside, drawing inspiration from literary references such as Thomas Hardy’s works, which depict scything as an integral part of rural life. By promoting both environmental stewardship and cultural heritage, English Heritage hopes to sustain traditional skills while supporting pollinator conservation and meadow biodiversity in the 21st century.