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Practicing the art of hedgelaying

Published
Tuesday 23 Nov 2021

It was the annual Wyre & Myerscough Hedgelaying competition at the weekend.

Comp Start2

The competition forms part of the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying Association Grand Prix of hedgelaying competitions and took place at Wyre Estuary Country Park.

The event always provides a great opportunity for people to get involved in high quality sustainable hedgerow management and it was also a superb networking opportunity with farmers, hedgelaying contractors and countryside officers there demonstrating and competing in this ancient craft in the Lancashire and Westmorland style.

Craig Thompson is Head of Agriculture and Countryside at Myerscough College and said: ‘’It was a welcome return to the competitions after a break due to Covid last year. Hedgelaying training was also provided by Andy Kirkwood and Peter Gibson for two new starters.
‘’Congratulations to Craig Proctor who took overall best hedgelayer. Many thanks to Judges Martin Robinson and David Whitaker for judging the competition and to all the competitors for taking part. Special thanks to Duncan Byrne and the volunteers at Wyre Borough Council for organising an excellent event.
‘’It’s a really sustainable way to manage hedges and preserve their life. Hedgelaying is a dying skill but a very important one for our countryside.
‘’A well-maintained hedge will keep better than a fence. They also provide shelter for livestock much better. It’s a lot better for the environment and a very green way of helping wildlife too. In addition, there’s some good money to be made. It’s a great skill to have and contractors make a good living from it.
‘’Hedgelaying is a sustainable hedgerow management practice and ensures the hedgerow remains stockproof whilst offering shelter from wind and rain and maximising biodiversity benefit. It also significantly prolongs the life of the hedge.
‘’Congratulations to all the prize winners, and especially Craig Proctor, who took Overall Best Hedgelayer.’’

The full results were as follows:

Best Hedgelayer

Craig Proctor

 

 

Open Class

 

First Place

Craig Proctor

Second Place

Heather Swift

Third Place

William Bell

 

 

Novice Class

 

First Place

Neil Croskery

Second Place

James Yates Bell

Third Place

Mark Reynolds