250 metres of #hedge laid 6 years ago, was very thin at the time & had a few hot summers, has just started to fill in properly the last 2 years. #blossom #hedge s #hedge laying #farming #habitat #conservation

Loaded up for Hedgelaying.

I'm currently writing an article on the numerous regional hedgelaying styles. Here in the east we don't have one, so we develop our own. 'Conservation laying' is a broad church term, for hedgerows managed for the benefit of wildlife, as seen here at Hainey farm in the Fens.

Over 100 Hedgelayers across the UK took part in the National Hedgelaying Championships this weekend at Stamford Hall, Leicestershire. Classes were spilt into 'regional styles' with the winner of each battling it out to be Supreme Hedgelayer 2023! Well done to all involved! NHLS

The best part of the hedgelaying season is when you see the green return... heartening because you know you have -
A) Done some practical environmental good
B) Not killed the bugger.

One of the Tb reactors has been taken this morning, she has to be shot on farm as she was within a month of calving.
It an awful thing to happen to any farm, Tb is merciless.

The three of us spent the rest of the morning in hedgelaying therapy, ligging some ancient stocks💚

After laying miles of hedgerows in a previous career, I always stop&admire the time and effort put into this vital traditional skill. There are half a million miles of hedgerows and more than 30 different styles of hedgelaying across the UK. Hampshire #Hedgelaying #naturalcapital

Our latest hedgelaying looking like one of them fancy cranberry-topped pork pies

Still doing binders for Hedgelaying.

Today, I have mostly been laying hedges #hedgelaying

The stakes are high 😅 and I’m really enjoying biking to work while the weather is fine.
Cutting stakes and binders for my favourite customer’s upcoming hedgelaying work.

Hedgelaying gave us the perfect opportunity to look for signs of two stem-mining flies: Phytobia carbonaria (in Hawthorn) and P. cerasiferae (in Blackthorn). P. cerasiferae was thought to be extinct in the UK but turns out to widespread - this is the first vice-county record! 1/2

Whilst half the team were coppicing & rough hedgelaying in Whiteley for Dormice, the rest of the team were rough hedgelaying & clearing encroaching vegetation to improve access on this footpath & bridleway near Chieveley for West Berkshire Council.
Thanks for having us Roaming the Paths..

'Words From The Hedge' is now 99% funded Unbound. If you pledge and help me reach the goal of 100% do DM me your name, then you stand a chance of winning this beautiful one-off bowl made by my wife.
John Mitchinson
Patrick Galbraith

#hedgelaying
#writing
#conservation

1 A thread on #hedgelaying ... At the end of last year, we had an experienced Champion hedgelayer in to tackle a couple of our #hedges which we were due to have laid with CS funding.

Hedgelaying around one of the Estate’s holiday cottages - Tree House Barn. Will improve the structure of the hedge but also enhance biodiversity. Thanks Karl. #Hedgelaying #Shropshire

#HedgeLaying . The sound of iron on wood at the end of a fresh, winter day; gorgeous.

Ballyboughal Hedgerow Society are offering a Hedgelaying course on 23rd and 24th February. See the image below for registration details.

First ever hedgelaying comp yesterday and what a belter day! Only female team and only ones using hand tools, we got 7m down in the 5 hours. Although we didn’t place, I think we won most calories burned! 🥵😆
Ripped to shreds and very sore today but buzzing! Victoria Hudson 💚💚

A hedgelaying day with volunteers at #gattonpark has resulted in this splendid structure. Using an ancient technique of cutting and weaving branches, the result is a living fence which promotes regrowth. As well as being beautiful, it acts as a vital refuge for wildlife.