Annual North Cumberland Hedgelaying Competition
Hedgelaying combines craftsmanship and artistry and when you see an expert at work it provides admiration and awe.
You can find out for yourselves at our Annual North Cumberland Style Hedgelaying Competition in February.
Traditional Field Boundaries
Cumbria has about 14,000 miles of hedgerow and this provides one of the most important habitats for a wide diversity of wildlife in our countryside. The reason for laying hedges is practical and simple. Hedges make excellent barriers for livestock, but not if they are gappy and sparse. A laid hedge is nearly impenetrable and will outlive any fence with minimum maintenance.
An estimated 250,000 miles of hedgerow have been grubbed out since the 1970s, along with the wildlife that depends on them. Organisations such as the National Hedgelaying Society and enthusiastic individuals have helped to keep the art of hedgelaying alive.
Hedgelaying styles are unique to different areas of Britain, and even within a county, providing characteristic field boundaries with the North Cumberland Style being a feature of the Solway Plain landscape. It is ideally carried out from late winter to early spring before the buds burst, and a billhook is the ideal tool.
The classes range from Junior, Veteran, Open class and Novice Class. All welcome.
The competition begins at 9.00am. for competitors and prize giving, about 3.00 pm.
Details of the location can be obtained from the Solway Coast AONB Unit each year.
Fees
Catering is provided and there is no admission fee.
This year the Event is funded by 'Work the View' Project within Rural Skills Cumbria, through Friends of the Lake District. This project is part financed by the European Agriculture Fund of Rural Development: Europe Investing in rural areas.
