Volunteers scythe into meadow management
CHEHSIRE Wildlife Trust, together with Stockport council, has launched a volunteer group to look after the species-rich grassland in the borough.
Stockport has a variety of grasslands from Gatley Carrs to Etherow Country Park, but in recent years some of these grasslands have been lost, so the trust is calling on people to help bring these areas back into management.
By cutting these meadows on an annual basis, wildflowers and associated wildlife such as meadow brown butterflies, bumblebees and field voles can be conserved.
This work supplements Stockport council’s meadow management programme and is aimed at bringing back meadows that cannot be managed using modern methods due to access issues.
To help the trust in its mission, a volunteer group called the Stockport Scythers has been set up and members will be going old school and using scythes, hay rakes and pitchforks to cut and clear the grasslands.
Adam Machin, from Cheshire Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s a lovely thing for people to do. It gets them outdoors, amongst nature and encourages them to do their bit for the community and wildlife - and it’s actually not as hard work as the Poldark TV series makes it look,
“It makes a great social activity. With no machinery running, people can chat to each other as they work.”
Coun Sheila Bailey, Stockport council’s executive member for communities and housing, added: “The council actively explores alternative management regimes that both relieve pressure on our maintenance teams and improves the biological diversity of our green spaces.
“In view of this, the contribution made by volunteers is invaluable. Well done to everyone who is working on this project.”
If you would be interested in helping the group as they move from site to site, please contact amachin@cheshirewt. org.uk for more details.