Meadow Care, Scything, Hedge Trimming
Volunteering Day at Kate’s Place, 15th September 2024
By Mabvuto Hardy
Seasons change, the tree sheds its autumn leaves, sprinkling gold on the
ground. It shines on this sunny Sunday, so bright and refreshing, yet
reminding us that this is the time to ready Kate’s Place for Winter.
The tasks for the session were to give the hedges a short back and sides,
scythe the meadow grasses, and clear up leaves along the path.
Alongside our faithful friends and associates we had some new faces.
George for example was full of energy and beans. He was keen to help
collect clippings, with clearing and moving bundles to create habitat piles.
He was a jolly task master, he kept everyone on their toes. He motivated us
all by sharing all round, his biscuits and humous on the lunch break. There
was plenty of ‘bring & share’, and it brought out the best in everyone, young
& old.
Dina, Georges’ mum used her own gardening experience to rake off the tree
leaves, into heaps for decomposition for compost, clearing the leaves from
the pathway while keeping an eye on George. She also taught us how to
make the most of the composting.
All the volunteers worked together, the cutters cut the branches, the
collectors collected bundles and wheeled them to heaps away from the
walkways. Lindsey (aged 91) was brightly dressed and added colour to the
autumn as well as energy to the day.
neighbouring court which, when we ‘returned the serve’ were happily
received.
This time we even welcomed feline visitor, who was not shy and interacted
with humans in the bid to get some leftover food.
We learnt about the much–preferred Austrian Scythe vs the English version:
its advantages, the different components of the scythe, safety & care and
accessories. It is also lighter and an egalitarian tool suitable for men and
women, left or right–handed.
We also learnt that scything is a great alternative to mowing. Mowers are
less nature friendly, disturbing ground dwelling creatures and with little
physical benefits to humans. Scything on the other hand is a relationship
between the human and the land, a connection and dance with nature’s
rhythms.
Nicole put us through our paces of how to physically prepare our bodis,
limbering up the muscles with the correct stance, and upper body swing.
The preparations include awareness of the environment listening, seeing
and feeling the grass. All meadows are different with grass standing in
different directions. Ours was a jumble rather than a untrampled meadow,
so it required ‘a dance’ with the scythe rather than a forward linear direction
of flow. With all methods our aim was to create a ‘rainbow’ like arc using
the scythe back and forth moves, cutting into the leaning of the grass rather
than away from its tilt.
Nicole demonstrated the scything, and we all had a turn, with Nicole on
hand advising us how to correct our techniques and answer any questions,
We enjoyed and benefitted from the ‘Tai Chi like exercise’. George was
swaying along with his new ‘best friend’ Rosie and George’s dad also gave
it a go.
After a few tries, we felt as good as ‘Poldark’, until the heavens opened, and
we had to head home. We have all learnt a new life skill – a proud moment
linking us back to traditional land management and the current new wave
of Scything.
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community day at Kate’s Place
