Scythers Trained To Save Rare Bee

English Heritage is training a new generation of scythers to maintain meadows and preserve traditional skills, with the first group of volunteers working on a three-year project to improve habitat for the shrill carder bee at Muchelney Abbey in Somerset.

The project aims to protect a rare type of bumblebee, the shrill carder bee, which has declined significantly due to the loss of flower-rich grasslands. The first group of scythers will work with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to achieve this goal.

The scythers were trained by professionals at the Exmoor National Park Authority, who taught them the art of using and maintaining a scythe. English Heritage volunteers have also been trained by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to carry out wildlife surveys, ensuring that the project is well-monitored and effective.

Muchelney Abbey in Somerset, where the project is taking place, was once a wealthy and important monastery with a unique thatched two-storey monks’ lavatory. The abbey's meadows will now be maintained in the old-fashioned way, with scythers using traditional skills to cut the grass and preserve the habitat for the shrill carder bee.

English Heritage rewards its volunteers with bread and cheese, a traditional incentive that reflects the charity's commitment to preserving heritage skills. The scythers have found the experience to be therapeutic and enjoyable, with the sound of the blade cutting and the scent of the meadow creating a sensual treat.

## Why it matters The project is not only important for the conservation of the shrill carder bee, but also for the preservation of traditional skills and knowledge. By training a new generation of scythers, English Heritage is ensuring that these skills are not lost, and that the meadows and landscapes of the past can continue to thrive. The project also highlights the importance of protecting flower-rich grasslands and the role that traditional skills can play in addressing modern environmental challenges.