Bringing back wild meadows: The power of community scything

By Jem Langworthy, Scything Expert

Hello, SEEN readers – I’m Jem Langworthy, a passionate advocate for scything and its many benefits for our local environment and community. Here’s an update on our recent work in the Yeovil and Barwick area, and why scything matters for Somerset’s meadows and wildlife.

A small, enthusiastic group of scythers in Yeovil and nearby Barwick have been busy at several local sites where we let grass and wildflowers grow through the summer before cutting. At Court House, we’ve been scything an acre of meadow for several years, and the results get better each season. Barwick churchyard was cut a little earlier than usual this year, so our annual social scything picnic was missed, but we’ll be back to our usual traditions next year.

We’re also looking after a roadside verge owned by Barwick and Stoford Parish Council. It was scythed a few weeks ago, but thanks to a warm, wet autumn, it’s nearly ready for another cut. 4 of us from Yeovil and Barwick – 3 of us pensioners – recently scythed a paddock in Merriott. The owners have done a great job keeping it wild and have invited us back for the third year running.

Some of our group have also helped manage the wildflower meadow with South Petherton Trees and Wildlife Group (TWiG), the Chilthorne Domer community orchard, and are regulars at Chiselborough Common. At all these sites, letting nature take its course before scything in late summer has boosted plant and insect diversity, which in turn supports birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.

Scything is an environmentally friendly way to manage grassland – no fumes, no noise, just fresh air and exercise. It’s also a brilliant way to make new friends and stay connected with like-minded people. I got into scything thanks to East Chinnock professional Larry Leventhal, and I’ve since introduced several others to the craft. It really is quite contagious!

The more volunteers we have, the bigger the projects we can take on. If you’re interested in learning to scythe or joining our friendly group, please get in touch via jeremylangworthy@hotmail.com. Let’s keep Somerset’s meadows thriving together!