On Wednesday 14th August, Tavistock Town Council’s Works Department joined forces once again with the Friends of the Green Burial Meadow volunteer group to undertake the annual scythe of our wild flower natural burial ground.

As in previous years, Master Scythesman Kevin Austin of Sky Grove joined the team to provide his expertise and passion for traditional land management methods as well as to teach those who have not used a scythe before how to effectively manage a meadow using a scythe.

The drizzly start to the day did nothing to dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers and Works Department who worked tirelessly to scythe the meadow and collect the cut grass, remaining mindful of the habitats that are established there including our resident prickle of hedgehogs.

The Town Council have been providing a green burial service at Plymouth Road Cemetery since 1999. The concept of the Green Burial Meadow is to provide a peaceful resting place in a manner which is friendly towards nature and the environment. Hilli Mole, who started Friends of the Green Burial Meadow, a group of volunteers, some of whom have loved ones buried there, has been the driving force in developing the natural burial ground into the wild flower meadow it is today.

Kevin Austin of Sky Grove said “Whilst scything Tavistock’s Natural Burial Ground the buzz of energy from volunteers, staff and biodiversity was amazing. The green burial and associated land management process promotes so much life, whilst additionally reducing our impact on the planet by the carbon capture, we had a satisfying day”.

The group of volunteers who come together each year for the annual scythe have become a deep rooted community who are passionate about the Green Burial Wild Flower Meadow and it’s future. The Works Manager said “the achievements in the natural burial ground to date are a testament to the devotion and hard work of the Green Burial Wild Flower Meadow community. Even those who do not have a personal connection to those who have been laid to rest in the burial ground continue to give up their time and strive for its continuous enhancement. It is wonderful to see so many people care about biodiversity. It has been a privilege to see how the meadow has developed over the last eight years and I am excited for its future. I would like to thank my team - the works department, the Friends of the Green Burial Meadow who include Tavistock Community Gardeners as well as Kevin Austin for their continued hard work and support. I would also like to express a personal thanks to Hilli Mole as without her drive and determination, the meadow would not be the success story it is today”.

If you would like more information on the Green Burial Wild Flower Meadow, or would like to join the volunteer group, please contact the Town Council on cemeteryoffice@tavistock.gov.uk