Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
1st August 2026
Autumnal August?
I have always thought that August should be an autumnal month, as the first two letters suggest.
But this year, more than ever, it does already feel very autumnal both early in the morning and late in the evening, when I sit outside with Yogi and hope the ferocious heat and ‘sunnymoon’ are over. Especially for the sake of the wildlife.
I’m not even going to hazard a guess at what the weather has in store for us this month, following so many new weather records made last month. But I do know that if these conditions continue, gardening and all it’s associated trades are going to need a really good rethink.
Stihl Strimming
I don’t like change. And instead of trying to change my mind about not liking change, I just accept it and try to change as few things as I can. Especially when it comes to familiar ‘things’.
I have used petrol machinery for gardening for the last 50 years – long before I was supposed to be using any of it (before you do the maths). I was using a Flymo whilst still in Primary school and whilst the other teenagers were smoking behind the bike shed in Secondary school, I was busy strimming various banks for my dad.
I have always loved strimming. It’s very physical and very meditative – two of my favourite things. And as long as you are conscientious, and thoroughly explore and recce the area to be strimmed before starting, it poses no threat to wildlife.
Admittedly, I also love scything. That is also very physical and meditative – and I adore the absolute silence other than the rhythmical ‘swoosh of the blade – but it’s just not practical for all terrain.
What I don’t love about strimming as I get older, is the mechanical side of it – things like making sure the 2 stroke petrol is mixed perfectly (and that you have enough), that you have a spare spark plug – and the fact that a ‘pull start that won’t start’ can put me in a bad mood quicker than you can say ‘It won’t start’. But neither do I like change, remember. So it was with a little reluctance that I decided to explore the battery strimmers as an alternative.
As all my machinery is Stihl, that was the obvious place to start. I looked at the FSA 80 Brushcutter with cow horn handles (because that’s what I’m used to) but the ‘technical team’ at Stihl advised me that the FSA 50 would be a better fit for what I wanted. I only need it to do the areas of lawns and bits of grass that the mowing boys don’t reach – under low trees and alongside patios and steps for example. The team also gently explained that the cow horn handles are actually called Bicycle handles. Although with respect, obviously not liking change, I will ‘Stihl’ be calling them cow horns.
And so a few weeks ago week I tried out my new battery powered Stihl strimmer (or grass trimmer). And it has brought me a lot of joy and satisfaction. I am so impressed with the design – the loop handle folds flat, you can turn the head 90 degrees to use it as a lawn edger, re-stringing/cording it is ridiculously easy and without the need for any tools, it starts on a button, so no back-jarring pull cords, and it is so wonderfully quiet that I can even strim at 5.30 am in the morning – which is when I have been starting work in the heat-wave. I love it. It weighs little more than a good hefty walking stick and, although I don’t think this is the recognised terminology for machinery – it is adorable.
Being very pleased with what it did tidying up the still-green, weedy, un-mown edges in work, I thought I would test it on quite a dense piece of long grass that I had left for the Michalemas daisies to flower at home. The old woody stems are tough – especially in this dry weather – and I fully expected the strimmer to baulk at the task. But it just cheerfully sailed through it. The FSA 50 model is all you would need for most gardens and is suitable for all ages and abilities. On a full charge with the AK 10 battery, the FSA 50 has a working time of up-to 25 minutes, which is more than enough to tame the ‘hairy bits’ in most gardens. I think it’ll be a game changer for those who have ‘outgrown’ the heavy petrol strimmers.
There may not be a lot to strim at the moment so it’s a great time to sort out this ‘gardening game changer’, so you’ll be ready when the grass does resume growth.
You can find out more details by emailing enquiries@stihl.co.uk, or our fabulous local dealer Webbs of Crickhowell, where Jo will be more than happy to help with enquiries – from all over Wales! www.webbscrickhowell.com
Maybe this change malarkey isn’t all bad after all.
Monkey Business
I am very proud to be able to share that I recently became a Patron for the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary in Abercrave.
I have unashamedly promoted their needs and the wonderful work they do for their special residents for a long time and it is an honour to be a Patron for such a deserving and heartening cause.
If you think you could help in any way whatsoever – from food donations to repair/maintenance work and a whole range of things in between – do please let them know. You will be rewarded by the most handsome of smiles and antics from the beguiling residents.
Founders Sue and Graham explain, “Although we specialise in the care and protection of primates, we cannot stand by and see other animals in need of help. So you can also meet African savannah cats, meerkats, wolf dogs, horses, donkeys, pigs and other residents. We are a true sanctuary, not a zoo. There is no breeding programme. We never import from the wild, and we never supply animals to other organisations. Our prime purpose is providing a good life for unwanted animals.”
The website has recently been updated and now you can read the back stories of some of the residents. You can also follow on social media, as they have a strong social media presence on all of the relevant platforms – and post some of the most heart warming photos. Do please follow, visit (taking fruit, vegetables or yogurts), and donate to their ‘treat list’ via the website at www.ape-monkey-rescue.org.uk
I’m looking forward to bringing you more news and updates.
Piggin’ Happy
The recent heat waves have seen me putting Yogi on a sort of loving version of house arrest as I try to keep her cool and relaxed. As she insists on accompanying me on every task I do in the garden, so I have had to find things to do in the shade or cooler climes of the shed. And making a chicken-wire pig was one of them.
A little while ago I bought a metal pig as an ornament for the garden and in loving memory of my own two pet pigs, Frank and Edna. I could only source one metal pig so decided to make the other one. A sort of take on ‘Necessity being the Mother of Invention.’
Years ago, I enjoyed a fabulous weekend course in Usk, with the lovely Lynne Littler, and made some wire birds, including a swallow, a robin and a hen. My wire pig took a little more thought, wire and strength but it was so worth the effort – it’s fair to say, I was as happy as a pig in the proverbial.
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