Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition

Sat 22 Feb 10-4 Parkdown Barns, Calbourne Road, Newport PO30 4HP

By kind permission of Mr and Mrs Mike Morris.

The Isle of Wight Hedgerow Group exists to encourage the planting of new hedges and the good management of existing ones, and to promote the art of hedgelaying. The group organises the annual Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition and is made up of individuals and organisations on the Isle of Wight who are interested in hedgerows.

Hedgelaying is the traditional way of managing hedges throughout much of England and Wales. It creates a thick barrier from untidy, gappy and straggling hedges.  Stems are cut most of the way through so that they can be bent over without damaging them. This traditional country skill declined for much of the 20th century, and at one time looked as though it would die out. However a revival in the late 20th century came from an influx of amateur hedgelayers who now keep the craft alive as a hobby, as well as a small but growing number of professionals who find their services in demand when landowners realise the aesthetic and historic value of a real laid hedge.

• A well laid hedge forms a stock-proof barrier;
• Laying a hedge rejuvenates it by encouraging it to put on new growth;
• Laid hedges are thick and not gappy, giving greater protection to crops and particularly to wildlife;
• A laid hedge looks pleasing and forms a living part of the heritage of our landscape.