Twist, Cut, Weave: Why Hedgelaying Still Matters
Over the last two weeks, we’ve been given the fantastic opportunity of holding a hedgelaying course thanks to funding from the East Hampshire District Council Grow Up! Fund. But what exactly is hedgelaying, and why is this traditional craft still relevant today?
What is Hedgelaying?
Hedgelaying is a traditional countryside craft in which the stems of shrubs or small trees are partially cut and carefully bent over to lie at an angle. These stems are laid along the line of the hedge to create a dense, living barrier. Over time, this process encourages fresh growth from the base of the plant, resulting in a thicker, healthier hedgerow. Unlike simple trimming, hedgelaying keeps the hedge alive and thriving. It has been practiced in the UK for hundreds of years, and different regions have even developed their own style variations.
The Importance of Hedgelaying
Hedgelaying plays an important part in wildlife-friendly agriculture. It acts as a natural barrier for livestock and crops, effectively providing an alternative to modern fencing. Environmentally, hedgerows help prevent soil erosion, reduce flooding and wind damage, as well as providing shelter, food and nesting sites for birds, insects and small mammals. Passing on hands-on knowledge and skills is also becoming more important in an increasingly digital world, and teaching hedgelaying helps preserve and pass on our cultural heritage for future generations.
About the Course
Our hedgelaying courses are led by Darren Hammerton, an expert treewright and hedgelayer. Thanks to Darren, the attendees were able to learn all about hedgelaying in our idyllic landscape, surrounded by nature and listening to the sounds of rustling leaves, birdsong and the crackling of the fire.
Our placement student Natasha observed the course this week and talked with one of the attendees, who said:
‘The course is really enjoyable. I learned a lot from Darren, the learning environment is great, and I loved working with traditional tools and products.’
Thank you again to the East Hampshire District Council Grow Up Fund that made these courses possible. Opportunities like this not only help people develop practical skills, but also strengthen community connections and revive knowledge of ancient crafts.
The East Hampshire District Council Grow Up! Fund
The Grow Up Legacy Programme is an East Hampshire-wide programme that funds community groups in order to run events that promote employment, education, volunteering opportunities and that strengthen engagement in East Hampshire. We recently received funding from the Grow Up Legacy Programme, set up by the East Hampshire District Council, that enabled us to host two four-day long hedgelaying courses. We are very grateful for the funding we have received since we were able to welcome 24 people across both weeks free of charge. This allowed people from all backgrounds, regardless of their prior experience, to come together and gain valuable knowledge.
If you would like to learn more about hedgelaying, you can watch Darren at work on a previous hedgelaying course through our YouTube channel below: