Thrupp Green, Radley Lakes Reserve - Saturday, 10th October 2026

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This Saturday's task was to scythe and rake Thrupp Green, part of the Radley Lakes reserve. 
It was a huge task, but the eighteen Green Gymmers were joined by several Radley Lakes and Naturalists Green Team volunteers.

We set off on the half mile trek along the former railway track, carrying our tools. Once again, it was a beautiful sunny day. 
When we arrived at the site, David outlined the tasks. 
First we needed to cut a path beside the woodland edge to get down to the main area to be scythed. There was also a lot of sprouting willow to be uprooted. This was a massive task, even with a big mattock. Fortunately, we had brought our tree popper.

Meanwhile the scythers got on with scything the main area as well as around the willow trees. This is an area of flat grassland next to a shallow lake. Soon there was plenty to rake up. We piled this in heaps just inside the woodland area.

At last it was time for a welcome tea break with plenty of biscuits and other goodies.

There was still plenty to do, so we worked really hard at raking and transporting the vegetation, while the scythers carried on relentlessly scything. However, when it was time to finish, we were amazed at how much we had managed to do.

We are hoping that this area will be a suitable site for lapwings to breed. Their numbers have declined by 56% over the past thirty years.
The Briefing

Kevin on his way to start

Jim scything and Simon clearing

Joan hard at work

Lesley looking triumphant with the tree popper

Rosie scything as Kevin digs out the willow

Moth

The workers

Barbara scything

The last scramble by everyone to get as much scything and raking done

Thrupp Green, after our collective efforts












 







 

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