Over 5 days in November at Knotts Farm, Quernmore 11 members of the local community and local contractors gathered to learn and develop the traditional skill of hedgelaying the Lancashire & Westmorland Style with expert tuition provided by Joe Craig and Geoff Whitley.

Skills in hedgelaying started to get lost after WW2 and by the 1970's the loss in hedgerows was happening at an alarming rate. Skills in hedgelaying and hedgerow maintenance were in danger of been lost for ever. Out of these concerns was born the National Hedgelaying Society, plus the development of grant schemes to encourage the restoration and positive management of hedgerows.

Maintenance of hedgerows is now part of good farming practice and the skills of the hedge layer are in great demand.

Why are hedges laid?

Hedgerows have either evolved or been planted usually to create and maintain stock proof boundaries. They are also excellent wildlife habitats and corridors and form part of the fabric of the landscape.

A well-managed hedgerow is thick and bushy, an impenetrable barrier to sheep and cattle and a haven for wildlife. Cattle will lean against a hedge and make gaps whilst Sheep push through the base, hedge laying prevents this. The cut stems, which are bent over at an angle, prevent the sheep pushing through the stakes driven into the hedge and the binding along the top makes the fence strong to resist the weight of cattle. Laying the hedge also tidies it up and encourages the shrubs to regenerate keeping the hedge bushy and healthy. Once a hedge has been laid regular trimming will keep it in good order for up to 50 years when it may be appropriate to lay the hedge again, or even coppice it.
Laying hedges is just one of the techniques in managing hedgerows. Other techniques include "Trimming" and "Coppicing" (Cutting off at ground level to encourage the hedge to regenerate). Left unmanaged a hedgerow will continue to grow upwards and outwards and eventually become a line of trees.

To find more about hedgerows and the different styles of management go the National Hedgelaying Society website http://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/styles.htm

The Forest of Bowland AONB runs a Traditional Boundaries programme that includes grant aid towards positive management of drystone walls and hedgerows. Also as part of this programme training courses and support towards competitions in the skills of drystone walling and hedgelaying are run.

For more information on opportunities to attend a training course contact the Forest of Bowland AONB on 01200 448000

Opportunities coming up:

January 2012 - 2 consecutive days in Quernmore, contact Tarja Wilson 01200 448000 tarja [dot] wilson [at] lancashire [dot] gov [dot] uk 

January/February 2012 - Ribble Valley, contact Dave Padley 07860578558 dave [dot] padley [at] lancashire [dot] gov [dot] uk

How about dropping in to one of the hedge laying competitions been run as part of the Lancashire & Westmorland Grand Prix?

• Wyre & Myerscough 21 January 2012
• Friends of the Lake District 4 February 2012
• Hi-Fly Pressall 18 February 2012
• Forest of Bowland AONB 3 March 2012 

For more information contact David Whitaker on 01524 751276 or visit the National Hedgelaying Society website at www.hedgelaying.org.uk