Meadow scythed!

Our aspiration was that one day, maybe next year we'd scythe the meadow to the south of the woods, but so enthused were we after our September workshop that we didn't want to down tools. And so, 81,5 scything hours later, it is done.

It has been a joyful experience - companionable, peaceful and extremely satisfying - and we hope that our efforts will help the establishment of a wildflower meadow. No toads or voles or mice were hurt in the cutting; no fossil fuels required, just sweat and the occasional blister; no loud din from a boneshaking brush cutter.

The other half of the grassland is to be left as scrub, all part of a mosaic of habitats which is central to supporting biodiversity.

So a big thank you to the merry mowers: Val, Alison, Barry, Katie, Robert, Cassie, Craig, Jean, Sandra, Kas - and the Manasse siblings for helping us over the line.