Readyhedge Sponsors the National Hedge Laying competition

ReadyHedge explore the basics of ‘Hedge Laying’

Here at Readyhedge we are experts in the Hedge industry and are keen to explore everything hedge related, browse through this article and discover more about how hedges have changed over the years.

Hedge laying is a country craft which has been practised for hundreds of years. As Hedge Growing experts we know that the correct management of our hedgerows is essential if we are to conserve our wildlife and landscape for future generations.

The National Hedge laying Society is the only charity dedicated to maintaining the traditional skills of hedge laying and encouraging the sympathetic management of hedgerows for wildlife and landscape. (https://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/). The NHLS operates a nationally accredited craftsman certification scheme and organises the National Championship each year.

There are different styles of hedge laying across parts of the UK. Each style has been developed over many years to cope with the climate of the area, different farming practices and the type of trees and shrubs that grow in the hedge.

There are more than thirty styles recorded in the UK plus others in France, Germany and Holland. Each year the National Championship tests the skills of hedge layers on eight of the main styles in current use.

At this years National Championships Ready Hedge ‘Instant Hedge’ growers were again a title sponsor of the event. We also supported the ‘Midland Open class’ and the overall ‘Supreme Champion’.

We would like to congratulate everyone that took part. In the events we supported our further congratulations go to –

DSC 0535a Ray Gibbon 1024x684 300x2001 1 — *Malcolm Johnson, winner of the Midland Open class. (Photography by kind permission of Ray Gibbon)*

Ray gibbon — The event had unexpected visitors, Dame Judi Dench and her partner, the wildlife conservationist, David Mills. They are seen presenting the Chairman of the Countryside Restoration Trust with a carved plaque to commemorate the event. (Photography by kind permission of Ray Gibbon)

We are very proud to support NHLS and our thanks go to all the volunteers and NHLS members that help to stage the event.

Main picture by kind permission of Richard Hooker