FRIENDS of the Lake District's annual hedge laying competition takes place on Saturday, February 6 from 9am to 3.30pm.
The competition site is alongside the A6 near Heversham (just north of Milnthorpe) next to the Blue Bell Hotel.
The event is part of a regional 'grand prix' of five competitions in the Lancashire and Westmorland style of hedge laying. The competit
ion has been run by Friends of the Lake District for over three decades, helping to expand the skills base to manage our hedgerows into the future.
Jack Ellerby, Friends of the Lake District's competition organiser says:
"We should be proud of the amount and quality of hedge laying in the Westmorland and North Lancashire area. Our local hedgers' and landowners are doing a magnificent job of conserving and maintaining thick, healthy hedgerows which are an important feature in the fabric of our landscape as well as vital havens for wildlife."
Entrants are invited for the competition and should have some hedge laying experience. There are four classes for juniors/young farmers, novices, an open class for experienced hedgers and champion professionals.
The judges are local farmers and skilled hedgers themselves George Redmayne and Jeff Sedgwick.
With thanks to the Blue Bell Hotel and farmer George Handley of Heversham Hall Farm for generously sponsoring the competition.
Over 200m of hedge are set to be laid during the competition. Spectators' are welcome to attend and entry is free.
