English Heritage has brought together a group of volunteer scythers to help maintain meadowland using traditional methods. This initiative aims to preserve an ancient practice and support the habitat of the shrill carder bee, a rare species of bumblebee that has seen a significant decline due to the loss of flower-rich grasslands. The first trained volunteers are now working on the meadows surrounding Muchelney Abbey in Somerset, as part of a three-year project in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Ginny Slade, a volunteer and community engagement manager with English Heritage, described scything as a therapeutic activity. "It requires physical fitness, but it’s also about enthusiasm and a passion for learning heritage skills," she said. She explained that the repetitive motion of scything allows volunteers to find a rhythm and connect deeply with the landscape. Slade, who completed her training with the Exmoor National Park Authority, emphasized the importance of using a high-quality scythe, which, when well-maintained, can last for generations. Volunteers are rewarded with bread and cheese for their efforts, though English Heritage considered offering West Country cider before deciding against it for health and safety reasons. The work at Muchelney Abbey involves tending to a historic meadow that was once part of a wealthy monastery. The site includes unique features such as a thatched two-storey monks’ lavatory, which is rare in Britain. As part of the project, volunteers have also been trained by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to conduct wildlife surveys. These surveys go beyond counting bees; they focus on understanding the interactions between bees and the meadow ecosystem. Volunteers monitor which flowers are in bloom, the plants bees use, how far the bees travel from their nests, and how the habitat changes over time. The meadow at Muchelney Abbey is one of 100 that English Heritage has committed to creating or improving to mark the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. Slade mentioned that Muchelney is the pilot site, but the goal is for volunteers to apply their skills at other English Heritage locations in the future. "We’re really at the beginning of this journey, but we’re very excited about it," she said.