Out & About May 2017

... contemplates caring for the green, green grass of home Jonathan Hopson

A s the clocks have gone forward and British Summer Time starts, this is a good time to briefly consider the quintessential British pastime of mowing the lawn. The other reason for the choice of this month’s subject matter is that a friend specifically requested it – while visiting the annual art exhibition, ArtEx, at East Woodhay recently, she suggested that lawnmowers might make an interesting article. I’ll leave the reader to judge whether any of what follows is interesting or not. Remembering the sound of a lawnmower evokes many happy memories of summer days at school, swimming in an unheated outdoor pool, hours spent playing cricket and the sound of leather on willow. I also recall some of the famous lawnmower brands from yesteryear – Atco, Hayter, Qualcast, Ransomes and Suffolk – it’s reassuring to know that some of these are still around today. And let’s not forget the sweet smell of freshly cut grass. Eau de Mow Have you ever wished you could bottle the soothing aroma of freshly mown grass?

THE MOWER’S SONG By Andrew Marvell My mind was once the true survey Of all these meadows fresh and gay, And in the greenness of the grass Did see its hopes as in a glass; When Juliana came, and she What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. But these, while I with sorrow pine, Grew more luxuriant still and fine, That not one blade of grass you spy’d But had a flower on either side; When Juliana came, and she What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. Unthankful meadows, could you so A fellowship so true forgo? And in your gaudy May-games meet While I lay trodden under feet? When Juliana came, and she What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. But what you in compassion ought, Shall now by my revenge be wrought; And flow’rs, and grass, and I and all, Will in one common ruin fall. For Juliana comes, and she What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me. And thus, ye meadows, which have been Companions of my thoughts more green,

The simple act of the job can do wonders for your entire body. The most obvious health benefit comes in the form of a solid cardio workout.

Nothing is more pleasant to the eye than green grass kept finely shorn. FRANCIS BACON

Unless you’re using a ride-on mower, cutting your lawn can be a physically taxing exercise (yes, even if you’re using a self-propelled mower; you still have to do all the walking). For someone who might not be very physically active, cutting the grass every weekend is a great way to get moving. In addition to the cardio benefits, Psychology Today also says that the “repetitive movement of mowing helps you slip into a calmer state of mind”. Add in the lush surroundings, the ‘soothing aroma’ of freshly-cut grass, and the pride that comes with a well-manicured lawn, and you’ve got a quick pick-me-up in the form of a weekly chore well done. I’m sure I’m not alone in believing that mowing the lawn can be very therapeutic. A neighbour has a large area of lawn to look after and once a fortnight during the summer months, we do a ‘duo mow’. Mowing solo would take more than a couple of hours and the duo mow cuts this down to around an hour. In addition to a feeling of wellbeing at the end of the duo mow, there’s also the added benefit of composted grass clippings, which can be recycled back to the garden. So dust off the mower from its winter hibernation and bring it back to life ready to welcome the imminent sunshine.

An Australian company has attempted to do just that in a product called Serenascent. Based on the research of Nick Lavidis, a

Shall now the heraldry become With which I shall adorn my tomb; For Juliana comes, and she What I do to the grass, does to my thoughts and me.

neuroscientist at the University of Queensland, the product contains three plant compounds that may act as stress relievers. For a stronger whiff without the bottle, get out the lawn mower. According to Psychology Today , the benefits of

mowing your own lawn don’t extend just to the grass itself.

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