I’ve just got home from Scything Festival at Wimpole and am in awe of the skill and speed of the folk I’ve seen scything. There is something majestic about the way they use their bodies. Like a well-honed Tai Chi teacher but with something to show for their exercise.

‘Swish, swish’ sound the blades as they sweep swathes of stalks in a neat arch. It is a sensory pleasure to witness; a choreographed rural skill that is making a strong come-back. This will come as no great surprise as scything has deep green credentials. As well as being a great form of green gym exercise the scythe is non-polluting, gentle on the ear and easy to maintain. There’s no need for ear defenders and goggles here. There’s no engine to go wrong, just a blade to peen and sharpen.

This tool and its user are sometimes portrayed as the ‘grim reaper’. It’s a powerful image that speaks to me of the taking of life in order to sustain, and that is what is happening here. Grass is cut and dried in order to feed to livestock which in turn sustains us humans. Scything helps reconnect me to the Wheel of the Year, and the great cycle of life.

I watch from the shelter of an airy marquee. Its’ 30 degrees out there - perfect for hay making. Not so perfect for me. The teams of mowers pace themselves and keep mowing. I am deeply impressed.

There are timed mowing events, there’s even a race between strimmer and scythe. The scythe wins hands down! The grass dries quickly in this heat, and soon will be raked into a mini haystack to be transported on poles. This too is turned into a fun group activity, not dis-similar to a three-legged race. Hay is piled onto two ash poles which are trundled to the main hay stack by two people endeavouring to keep in time with each other and not lose the race by losing their hay. For a simple task there is a lot of co-ordination and collaboration needed, and satisfaction too in carrying out this time-honoured activity.