The Arnside & Silverdale AONB hosted the annual Lancashire & Westmorland Hedgelaying Association Competition at Dobshall Wood on the 9^th January 2022.

The competition was named in honour of Damon Peacock, whose skills and tutelage in the art of hedge laying are sorely missed by all. The competition saw a good turnout on Sunday, with a total of 18 competitors, competing across Junior (Under 18s), Starter, Novice, and Open categories. The event was hosted and organised by Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with the kind permission of the landowner, The Woodland Trust.

Hedges are laid in the traditional Westmorland style and are judged for being stock-proof, good cutting-angles and tidy trim, being well staked and, most importantly, for their hedge re-growth qualities.

The results were:
Junior Class: 1^st Clark Ellwood, 2^nd George Harrison, 3^rd Angus Ellwood

Starter Class: 1^st Andy Roger, 2^nd Mark Reynolds

Novice Class: 1^st James Yates Bell, 2^nd Neil Croskery, 3^rd Sally Capewell

Open Class:  1^st Craig Procter, 2^nd William Bell, 3^rd David Whittaker

James Yates-Bell won the title of ‘Best Hedge on the Day’

Dougie Watson, Arnside & Silverdale AONB Countryside Officer said:

“It was great to have so much interest from the public this year: the site was brilliantly placed for people to come and see the traditional skill in action. The weather was great, and we were delighted to see so many young people taking part.”

Colin Riley, Woodland Trust Site Manager (North) said:

“We were keen to do something meaningful to remember Damon, and this was a great opportunity to celebrate his connections with The Woodland Trust.  Competitors skilfully laid approximately 170 metres of hedge, a success which will indeed live long in the landscape.”

Further information about the National Hedgelaying Association is available at: https://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/

Images: Brad Cheek