English Heritage Trains New Generation of Volunteer Scythers 2026

English Heritage is training a new generation of volunteer scythers to maintain meadows and craft in the traditional way. The conservation charity has recruited a team of volunteers to cut meadows by hand at an abbey in Somerset, aiming to preserve age-old skills and protect rare wildlife.

It sounds like something out of a Thomas Hardy novel: a merry band of men and women roaming the West Country cutting meadows by hand in exchange for hunks of bread and cheese. But this is 21st-century conservation in action, as English Heritage revives the ancient art of scything to manage meadowland sustainably.

Reviving Traditional Scything for Modern Conservation

The first scythers have completed their training and will use their new skills in the meadows around a Somerset abbey. The initiative hopes to keep the age-old practice alive while creating diverse, flower-rich habitats that pollinators need. In particular, the work aims to protect a rare type of bumblebee that thrives in these meadows.

Ginny Slade, a volunteer and community engagement manager with English Heritage, said: “Scything is a wonderful example of how traditional skills can still have a role in addressing modern challenges. We hope to help create the diverse, flower-rich habitats that pollinators need while also preserving knowledge and skills that have shaped our landscapes.”

The Therapeutic Benefits of Scything

Volunteers have found the practice unexpectedly rewarding. Slade, who has completed the training, noted: “You need a level of physical fitness but it’s also about enthusiasm and the passion to learn heritage skills. It’s a repetitive movement. You find your rhythm and zone into it. You can really connect with the meadow, the landscape.”

Beyond the physical workout, scything offers a sensory experience. Volunteers describe the sound of the blade cutting through grass and the scent of the meadow as a sensual treat. This connection to nature is part of what makes the craft so appealing to a new generation.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Scythers

• Physical fitness is helpful but enthusiasm and a passion for heritage skills matter more.
• Rhythm and focus are essential—scything is a repetitive movement that lets you zone into the landscape.
• Conservation impact: Hand-cutting meadows supports biodiversity and protects rare pollinators like bumblebees.
• Community: Volunteers work in groups, sharing skills and stories, often with simple rewards like bread and cheese.

Scything vs. Modern Mowing: A Comparison

How does traditional scything stack up against modern mechanical mowing? The table below highlights key differences.

How to Get Involved in Heritage Scything

English Heritage is actively recruiting volunteers to join its scything teams. No prior experience is necessary—training is provided. Volunteers learn how to maintain and sharpen scythes, the correct posture and technique, and how to cut meadows in a way that benefits wildlife.

If you’re interested, visit the English Heritage website for current opportunities. The charity hopes to expand the program to more sites, ensuring that this traditional skill continues to shape and protect our landscapes for generations to come.

FAQ

Best Products We’ve Tested and Rated

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of brand mini split, car battery charger, baby detergent, pool cleaner, and wrist brace carpal tunnel. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of reclining sofa, essential oil brands, teacher bags, trolling rods salt water, and portable basketball hoop. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.