The great scything renaissance

One shirtless man went to mow, went to mow a meadow …and prompted a social-media meltdown as overwrought females fell over themselves to excitedly express their admiration for Aidan Turner as the sexy scyther, Poldark.

But the now famous scene in the hit television series didn’t just prompt an upsurge of interest in Turner - it has also sparked renewed interest in scything which is undergoing something of a quiet renaissance.

For several years now it has been promoted as the perfect work-out. Not only is the scythe the ideal low-tech tool for people who want to ditch the noisy, temperamental lawnmower or strimmer but there is a growing social scene too as crowds are drawn to the competitions held every summer to find the fastest scythe in the country.

“I’m nearly 47 and I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been, thanks to scything,” says Andi Rickard, a scything tutor and the UK Ladies Champion for the fifth year running. “It builds the shoulder muscles and trims the waist.

The Telegraph: The great scything renaissance

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