EAST Devon District Council is encouraging people to go along and learn to make hay in the traditional way using a scythe in a workshop organised by its Community Development and Countryside teams.

This traditional tool has been used for hundreds of years to manage grasslands across Europe and is great skill to learn.

The workshop is on Tuesday 5 August from 10 am to 3pm at Honiton Bottom Nature Reserve and there is no need to book. 

Champion The workshop will be run by Reigning Ladies’ Scything Champion Andi Rickard, who will provide instruction on scythe mowing and maintenance. Scything is making a comeback as an environmentally friendly way of managing weeds and grass, and using this method will help to encourage wild flowers to grow on the reserve.

On the day there will be the chance to have a go at cutting the hay using this wonderful tool. There will also be mini-beast hunts and other practical management tasks, as well as tea, coffee and cake!

All members of the family are welcome, although children must be over 7 years old and accompanied by an adult if they are going to try using a scythe.