Learn to scythe and be a cut above the strimming brigade

A CARMARTHENSHIRE business wants to teach people how to use scythes to control vegetation the traditional way.

Scythe Cymru is offering people the chance to learn how to manage the green tide without picking up a strimmer.

Widely championed by people such as Prince Charles, Monty Don and Bunny Guinness, scything has been undergoing a renaissance in the UK. Scythes are being used to manage everything from gardens and allotments to National Trust properties and nature reserves.

Michelle Laine and her business partner run scythe courses on the wildflower meadows of Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust, near Drefach Felindre. The meadows offer a magnificent display of wildflowers from the end of May onwards, many of which have become increasingly rare in the Welsh countryside.

“The scythe has been invaluable to us in the management of the land at Dyfed Permaculture Farm Trust. We use it to make hay on the wildflower meadows, which maintains their biodiversity and beauty while also providing feed for our livestock,” Ms Laine said.

“We also use it across the farm and gardens, controlling bracken and brambles, maintaining paths and tracks, even mowing the lawn.

“We love using the scythe because it is versatile, quiet, effective and fun to use. Through our courses we are hoping to show more people the benefits of this ancient yet modern tool. Perhaps this summer we can encourage even more people to leave the strimmer in the shed.”

A summer of courses starts on May 25. More details can be found at www.scythecymru.co.uk.