Seven young ‘starter’ hedge-layers made up a total of seventeen competitive hedge-layers who contested places in five different classes at Friends of the Lake District’s Annual Hedge Laying Competition on Saturday 18th January laying 103m of hedge between them.
The event, held at Lowick Bridge Farm near Ulverston, was part of the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying Association Grand Prix series bringing together starters, novices, juniors and professionals to show off their skills.
After competing in five different classes, the winners were chosen by the judge, local farmer Gordon Strickland. The results were as follows:
OVERALL WINNER Peter Gibson, Kendal
MOST IMPROVED James Yates-Bell
SAMURAI SAW PRIZE James Yates-Bell
CHAMPIONSHIP Class
- 1st Peter Gibson
- 2nd Craig Proctor
- 3rd Heather Swift
OPEN Class
- 1st John Handley
NOVICE Class
- 1st James Yates-Bell
- 2nd Sally Capewell
- 3rd Jon Oliver
STARTER Class
- 1st Angus Ellwood
- 2nd George Harrison
- 3rd Clarke Ellwood
Ruth Kirk, Friends of the Lake District competition organiser said, “It was wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm of the youngsters who took part. It’s so important to get young people engaged in keeping this vital rural skill alive and thriving. There was a lot of fun and banter during the day and I’m sure it wasn’t just the hot pie lunch which tempted them to take part!”