Riverside Park stepped back in time on Saturday the 7th of April, when the Don’t Mow Let It Grow project volunteers learn how to manage a meadow using an Austrian Scythe.
Scything is a traditional hay meadow cutting technique and is perfect for managing our meadows, as well as for areas that are more tricky to manage with modern machinery. Neil Foulkes, expertly guided the volunteers through a beginners training session on the traditional skill and art of scything. They learn how to set up, sharpen and maintain an Austrian scythe, along with safe use and correct cutting techniques.
Don’t Mow Let It Grow volunteers in action!
Rachel Bain, Biodiversity Officer CCGBC explained, ‘As part of the Don’t Mow Let It Grow project, which is funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, we are managing several areas of grassland as traditional hay meadows, allowing our native wildflowers and pollinators to flourish. It was a real treat to have Neil share his knowledge and experience with our volunteers, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed their day and learned a great deal. And we got half the meadow cut and the grass raked off ready in time for this year’s flowers to grow.
