English Heritage revives scything to protect meadows and rare bees

Why traditional scything matters today

Across the rolling fields of the West Country a quiet revolution is taking place. English Heritage has launched a programme that teaches volunteers to wield a scythe, a tool that has shaped the English landscape for centuries. The aim is simple: to keep an age old skill alive while creating the conditions that rare pollinators, such as the carder bee, need to thrive.

Historical roots of meadow scything

Before the advent of motorised mowers, farmers and estate workers cut grass with a long blade attached to a wooden handle. The rhythm of the scythe dictated the pace of agricultural life, and the resulting hay provided feed for livestock during winter. In many historic sites the practice also helped preserve open habitats that support wildflowers and insects.

From medieval fields to modern conservation

Records from the medieval period show that monks at Muchelney Abbey managed surrounding fields with scythes to protect both crops and the abbey’s own garden. Today the same technique is being repurposed as a conservation tool, offering a low impact alternative to diesel driven equipment.

The volunteer scyther programme

English Heritage recruits men and women from local communities, offering them a few days of training followed by regular meadow work sessions. Participants receive a scythe, protective clothing and a modest stipend of bread and cheese, echoing historic payment methods.

Training and safety

• Introductory workshop covering scythe handling, posture and blade maintenance.
• Guidance on identifying protected plant species and avoiding disturbance to nesting insects.
• First aid and basic field safety briefings.

All sessions are supervised by experienced heritage craftsmen and ecologists, ensuring that the work meets both historic and ecological standards.

Ecological benefits of hand cutting

Hand scything creates a mosaic of cut and uncut patches, a pattern that supports a greater diversity of wildflowers. These flowers in turn provide nectar and pollen for insects, including the scarce carder bee (Bombus sylvarum). The bee prefers low growing, nectar rich plants that flourish in lightly grazed meadow.

Case study: Muchelney Abbey meadow

Since the programme began, the meadow surrounding Muchelney Abbey has seen a noticeable increase in flowering plants such as bird's‑foot trefoil and red clover. Surveys conducted by the Bee Conservation Trust report a rise in carder bee foraging activity, suggesting that the scything regime is creating suitable habitat.

Linking heritage and biodiversity policy

The initiative aligns with national biodiversity strategies that call for increased low intensity land management. Natural England highlights meadow restoration as a priority for supporting pollinators and preserving cultural landscapes.

Research backing the approach

A recent University of Exeter study compared hand cutting with mechanised mowing and found that the former produced higher plant species richness and greater insect abundance. The findings reinforce the value of traditional techniques in modern conservation practice.

Community impact and skill development

Beyond ecological outcomes, the programme offers participants a chance to learn a craft that has largely disappeared from everyday life. Volunteers describe the experience as physically rewarding and mentally soothing, noting the rhythmic motion of the blade and the scent of freshly cut grass.

Building a network of heritage gardeners

1. Local schools host field trips to observe scything in action.
2. Community groups organise seasonal harvest festivals celebrating the cut hay.
3. Former volunteers become mentors, passing on knowledge to new recruits.

The model is being replicated at other English Heritage sites, creating a growing network of heritage gardeners who share best practices through workshops and online forums.

How to get involved

Anyone with a willingness to work outdoors can apply. Applications are accepted through the English Heritage volunteering portal, where prospective scythers can read about upcoming sessions, required fitness levels and safety gear.

What volunteers receive

• Access to historic sites and guided tours.
• Training in traditional scythe use and meadow ecology.
• A modest share of locally produced bread and cheese after each workday.
• Certificate of participation recognising the skill acquired.

Participation not only supports biodiversity but also contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage, linking past and present in a tangible way.

Future directions for the scything programme

English Heritage plans to expand the initiative to include additional habitats such as lowland heath and river floodplains. Partnerships with organisations like the RHS meadow guide will provide further expertise on plant selection and seasonal timing.

Long term goals include establishing a national register of heritage meadow sites, creating a benchmark for best practice in low impact land management, and documenting the oral histories of veteran scythers before they are lost.

By marrying ancient technique with modern science, English Heritage is demonstrating that preserving the past can directly benefit the future of wildlife and the communities that cherish it.