Hedgerow Heroes Herefordshire

Hedgerow Heroes Herefordshire returns for a third season this autumn, running from October 2026 to April 2027. CPRE Herefordshire is working with landowners, farmers, schools and volunteers across the county to plant new hedgerow and restore existing hedges, building on the 13.08km already planted and restored over our first two seasons.

Sign up here to get involved

What’s happening this autumn

Over the summer, project leaders Andrew and Paul will be visiting potential sites across Herefordshire. Most of the hedges due for laying this season need chainsaw work, so we’re focusing on hedgelaying courses this year, rather than introducing volunteer hedgelaying sessions.

Volunteering will be for new hedge planting and gapping up existing hedges, vital work, and we need everyone who can lend a hand.

Volunteering sessions run 10am to 2pm, with all equipment plus hot drinks and biscuits provided. Dates and site details will be confirmed within the next month or two, sign up to our newsletter below to hear first.

Hedgelaying courses starting in October

Alongside the planting and gapping up, we’ll be running hedgelaying training courses starting in October 2026, led, as in previous seasons, by Richard Clarke of Really Rural. These courses teach traditional hedgelaying skills and are open to anyone keen to learn the technique properly. Beginners welcome. Full dates will be announced soon, sign up to our newsletter below to find out more.

Hedgerow Heroes Talks

If you’re interested in hosting a talk about hedgerows and our Hedgerow Heroes project, please contact us at info@cpreherefordshire.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you!

Two seasons of progress so far

Since Hedgerow Heroes launched in Herefordshire in autumn 2024, volunteers, farmers, schools and community groups have planted and restored 13.08km of hedgerow over two seasons: 3.7km in 2024-2025 and 9.38km in 2025-2026, alongside hedgelaying courses, talks and school partnerships including Holme Lacy Agricultural College and QE Bromyard Secondary School. Read the full story of our first two seasons here.

Why hedgerows matter

Hedgerows are one of the UK’s most valuable wildlife habitats. England has lost more than half its hedgerows since 1945, and these living boundaries support around one in ten of the UK’s vulnerable species, including the hazel dormouse and the hedgehog. CPRE is campaigning for a 40% increase in hedgerow cover by 2050, in line with recommendations from the Climate Change Committee. Every hedge planted or gapped up through Hedgerow Heroes contributes directly to that target, and our planting so far is estimated to lock away over 100 tonnes of CO2e over 20 years.

How can I get involved with Hedgerow Heroes in Herefordshire?

Anyone interested in volunteering, or any local business wanting to take part, can register interest by emailing us directly, or by signing up to our newsletter below for updates on volunteering dates and hedgelaying course dates.

Email CPRE Herefordshire

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Hedgerow Heroes. Volunteer time and funding both make a direct difference to the Herefordshire countryside and the wildlife that depends on it.

Sign up to our newsletter below to find out more, including hedgelaying course dates and volunteering days as soon as they’re confirmed.