AONB Hedgelaying Competition

AONB Hedgelaying Competitors in action

For the second year running the Arnside & Silverdale AONB round of the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedgelaying Association Grand Prix took place in good weather, with a field of twenty competitors enjoying the sunshine at Beetham.

Arnside & Silverdale AONB hosted the first round of the Lancashire & Westmorland Hedgelaying Association Grand Prix for the 2011 winter season on Saturday 5th November.

Hedgerows are a living boundary forming very distinctive features in the landscape. They serve as vital wildlife habitat, providing shelter and cover from both the weather and predators for a host of small birds, animals and insects. Hedgerow conservation is a major priority for the AONB Partnership

The competition hedge was located off Pool Darkin Lane (just behind Beetham Nurseries - grid reference SD502798), with entrants competing in Junior, Novice, Open and Championship classes. With hedges being laid in the traditional Westmorland style the event provides an opportunity for hedgers to demonstate their expertise, beginners to learn new skills and also makes a significant contribution to securing the future of hedgerows within and around the AONB.

A free hedgelaying training session was provided on the day of the competition, with a skilled local trainer. The new trainees successfully completed a section of hedge and enjoyed learning new skills.

The competition which attracted a good number of spectators, promotes traditional rural skills and has been made possible through working with the LWHA, Rural Skills Cumbria and Friends of the Lake District, with funding from the Rural Development Programme for England.

The next round of the Grand Prix takes place in the Yorkshire Dales National Park at Dent on the 3rd December.

For more information visit the National Hedgelaying Society website at www.hedgelaying.org.uk

Andrew Kirkwood working on his hedge section at Beetham

Results for 5th November 2011.