UK.............. National Hedgelaying Championships 2019

[Dorset]

This weekend just gone saw the 41st National Hedgelaying Championship held at Pewsey Wiltshire UK .
I managed a 1st in my class, for the 3rd yr (my class has only been included for 6 yrs I think it is). Still hoping to get over next season with a view of the training spoken about earlier in the yr over near Vancover Island



 

 

 

[thecfarm]

Good for you. I have never see that,accept for your past posts.

[samandothers]

Congratulations!  That looks like a long row to lay Hedge!  What are some of the things judged/looked for by judges?

[Old Greenhorn]

Congratulations! Can you tell us what the judging consists of?

[Nebraska]

Yes explain the process, I remember your previous posts as well.  Is that a fence when you are done??

[Pine Ridge]

Congratulations !!!! I am not familiar with hedgelaying, i had to google it. I watched some videos from recent years , its interesting, and we have a national champion here on the forestry forum, good job !!!!!!

[Dorset]

Cheers all for comments and Interest.
In a nut shell , theres about 30 different styles of Hedgelaying Over a period of time, many different styles have evolved depending on location, the stock and the land.
At the national there's 10 different styles, (you only cut one style)
you are scored on 3 separate parts totalling out of 100
up to 
30 for Quality of Cuts 
30 Overall hedge strength & build quality  
40 Appearance & Effectiveness.

I try to cover most things on either website dorset-hedgelayer.co.uk 
 my FB page russellthehedgelayer 
or on Instagram dorset_hedgelayer 

little rushed to answer this evening any question please do ask  
cheers

[petefrom bearswamp]

So do you cut the hedge to a specified height so that it sprouts and maintains a field separation?

[Dorset]

The hedges heights are varying dependent on the different styles.
My "local" style has a finished height of about 2.6-3 foot due to the hedges normally being on banks, other styles have a finished height of 3.6-4 foot and these are mainly on "flatter ground" this one below is of a different style classed a South of England (bullock hedge) Loads of pictures in my gallery on my website


They are meant to be stock proof , this was being done long before wire, fencing etc was about

[Nebraska]

Thank you for the explanation,  I  will take a look at your website, since I am an old curmudgeon and don't Facebook or instagram.

[moosehunter]

Next week there is a talk on hedge laying in town. http://www.wellspringforestfarm.com/
I am going to try to go, sounds interesting.

mh

[Dorset]

If you can get there it will be a good talk and a good weekend and shed a lot of light onto hedgelaying for you. I know both the speakers who will be there. In theory your seem then before I next do so please pass my regards and I hope you enjoy it.
regards

[Corley5]

What specie/species of trees/bushes are used for hedge laying?

[Dorset]

Basically what ever you have in the hedge, somethings of course you want to either remove altogether or leave as standards. The main UK hedges are Hazel, Black & White thorn, beech, holy, dog rose, Hornbeam, sycamore, ash. Our nursery's have a selection of "native hedging plants" depending on where abouts you live. The current one I'm working on is Hazel with just the odd bit of thorn in it.