Anstey Young Farmers Club members, who were keen to learn traditional hedge laying, took part in a practical workshop run recently by our own 'Mr Hedge', Tom Hynes. Two of the group members had applied for mid tier Countryside Stewardship and have a lot of hedge laying to do over the next couple of years.
The participants learned how to lay a hedge at Westlake Farm in Oakford using traditional hand tools. During the day they were joined by Mr Stevens, the grandfather of the family farm, who recounted tales of hedgelaying in his youth. Mr Stevens was pleased that the same rules applied today such as always laying "steepers" uphill but the introduction of the chainsaw has helped to speed the whole process up.
"It's good to see this kind of enthusiasm to learn traditional rural skills" said Tom. "I was very impressed by the quality and quantity of hedge laying that the group carried out during the workshop. They will now be able to take those skills and put them into practice at their own farms".
Should you know of a group who would be interested in learning hedgelaying, please get in touch with us via the Biosphere mailbox.
The participants learned how to lay a hedge at Westlake Farm in Oakford using traditional hand tools. During the day they were joined by Mr Stevens, the grandfather of the family farm, who recounted tales of hedgelaying in his youth. Mr Stevens was pleased that the same rules applied today such as always laying "steepers" uphill but the introduction of the chainsaw has helped to speed the whole process up.
"It's good to see this kind of enthusiasm to learn traditional rural skills" said Tom. "I was very impressed by the quality and quantity of hedge laying that the group carried out during the workshop. They will now be able to take those skills and put them into practice at their own farms".
Should you know of a group who would be interested in learning hedgelaying, please get in touch with us via the Biosphere mailbox.
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