Hedgelaying competition blooms in the sun
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Beautiful sunny weather attracted hundreds of members of the public out to watch hedge layers in the Friends of the Lake District's 29th annual hedge laying competition on Saturday in the Lyth Valley.
Twenty six competitors from the age of thirteen to sixty plus spread over four classes - Open, Improver, Novice and Junior/Young Farmer - from all over South Cumbria, North Lancashire and Yorkshire completed some excellent sections of hedge laying. 150 metres of newly laid hedge was a fine sight when chain saws, axes and billhooks were finally laid to rest at the close of the day.
The top Open class winner was Peter Gibson from Kendal who also claimed the Best Hedge on the Day prize, beating fellow Kendal man George Redmayne into second place.
Jack Ellerby, Policy Officer with Friends of the Lake District who organised the event said: "The day could not have been better with hundreds of members of the public witnessing some quality hedge laying, including two fascinated Americans! This countryside craft is very much alive with a growing interest every year."
"Our competition brings more people into hedge laying in our local style, helps to raise the standard of work and leads to much more hedge laying taking place. In turn this helps keep our hedgerows healthy and enhances our magnificent landscape."
