Friends of the Lake District's Hedge Laying Demonstration, Competition and Training Event takes place at New Hall Farm, between Crook and Staveley, on Saturday 4 February 2012.

Friends of the Lake District has been running hedge laying competitions for over 30 years encouraging more hedge laying, improving skills, supporting young farmers and helping to create and safeguard stock-proof and wildlife rich hedgerows.

This event is part of the Cumbria-wide ‘Rural Skills Cumbria' project funded by the Rural Development Programme for England, supporting training for farmers, foresters and contractors over the next two years - see www.ruralskillscumbria.co.uk for more information.

Competition organiser Jack Ellerby, of Friends of the Lake District, said: ‘Managing the land and producing food go hand-in-hand. Hedges and dry stone wall field boundaries form an essential ingredient in Cumbria's landscape, keeping livestock in the right place, so it is important that we help to keep these traditional skills going.'

Entrants are invited for the demonstration 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. If you're interested in learning, subsidised training places are available for only £10, please book in advance with Jack Ellerby at Friends of the Lake District (01539 720788), email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

With thanks to Alec Robinson at New Hall Farm for hosting and supporting the competition.

The competition runs from 9am - 3.30pm, spectators are welcome and entry is free. For more information contact us on 01539 720788.