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CPRE Herefordshire's Hedgerow project
In late 2008 CPRE Herefordshire won a bid from CPRE National Office to
fund a
Herefordshire Hedgerow Project (HHP).
The project will last for up to three years, led by three CPRE Herefordshire
volunteers (two of whom are on the Branch Executive
Committee) and we hope to involve as many groups of interested participants
as possible.
The aim is to identify and survey interesting hedges: the interest could
lie in their historical or archaeological value, the variety of species,
the rarity of the type of hedge and the need for conservation
where the hedgerow is at risk through development.
An experienced ex-Forestry Officer has kindly offered to help the groups
with survey methodology and species identification skills, and, nearing
the end of the Project, a skilled Landscape Consultant will 
collate
the result electronically.
Permission from landowners is essential before any hedgerows are selected for survey. Maps will be studied, historical and bio-diversity data examined and experienced local experts consulted.
It is hoped that Parish Councils will support this initiative and that local communities will be interested in any surveys conducted in their areas.
Volunteers welcome! If you or your friends are interested to know more or to join in the Hedgerow survey please contact Virginia Morgan:
Annual Hedgelaying Championships
Turnastone Court Farm, Vowchurch, Herefordshire on 24.10.09
On a very wet Saturday day in October 120 experienced hedge layers travelled
from all over the country and from further afield, (one team travelled
from Holland) to compete in the 31 st National Hedge Laying Championship
held at Turnastone Court Farm, Vowchurch. 
The
Farm was bought by the Countryside Restoration Trust
(CRT) in 2003. The CRT aims to farm sensitively to encourage wildlife
as well as provide quality food.
CPRE were among the supporters of the Championship and this year offered specific financial help in promoting the re-launched National Hedge Laying Societies Accreditation Scheme (PDF 3.4MB). In the words of the Scheme's leaflet... 'Awareness of the values of hedgerows in our countryside has increased in recent years. Though their original use as a livestock barrier may not always be needed today, we can see that they have other roles to play as a haven for wildlife, as shelter for farm animals, as a barrier to reducing soil erosion and as a defining feature of our unique landscape' .
Herefordshire
CPRE had a stand in the main marquee, displaying some of Penny Farquhar-Oliver's
historical material which attracted a lot of interest. Natural
England and FWAG had stands alongside.
The competitors were judged in 13 classes, each representing a different
region of England and Wales.
The different styles were: Midland Bullock (Classes 1, 2 & 3), Welsh
Border (Classes 4 & 5), Derbyshire (Class 6), South of England (Classes
7, 8 & 9), Lancashire & Westmoreland (Class 10), Yorkshire (Class
11), Devon (Class 12) and North Somerset (Class 13).
The different styles represented the region's traditional usage; for instance,
the Yorkshire hedge is cut close to the ground with plenty of thickness
in the bottom as a sheep deterrent and, unusually, sawn stakes and rails
used to finish the hedge.
The Welsh Border method is to build a double brush hedge with stakes driven
in at a 35 degree slant, 30” apart; dead wood is used in the hedge to
protect the re-growth from being browsed by stock. The dead wood and live
layers are then bound down the centre line, with the top and side of the
hedge trimmed.
Robin Page, the Chairman of the Countryside Restoration Trust, thanked the tenants of Turnastone Court Farm, Robert and Christine Fraser, for their hospitality, and all the supporters, visitors and competitors for their efforts. The day ended with many of the weary hedge layers receiving prizes and cans of beer were handed out to all the teams.
Learn more about CPRE Herefordshire and CPRE's work in Herefordshire
CPRE Herefordshire is a registered Charity: No: 213951. The Campaign to Protect Rural England exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country.