28 January 2008
Laying hedges in the Lyth Valley
The Friends of the Lake District's Annual Hedge Laying competition takes place on Saturday 9 February in the Lyth Valley. Professionals and amateurs, young and old will be busy cutting, laying pleats and staking alongside the A5074 north of the Gilphin Bridge Inn, to the west of Levens.
The event is part of a regional 'grand prix' of five competitions in the Lancashire and Westmorland style of hedge laying. The competition has been run by Friends of the Lake District for over two decades which has helped to rekindled this ancient craft.
Jack Ellerby, Policy Officer with Friends of the Lake District said:
"Our landscape and wildlife would be the poorer without well managed hedgerows. The hedge laying competition is a real show piece for this traditional countryside skill. It raises the profile and standard of hedge laying in Cumbria and gives members of the public an opportunity to watch the whole process at first hand.
More widely by working together with local farmers and landowners we help to promote this wonderful craft, which also creates rural jobs and contributes to the local economy."
Entrants are invited for the competition and should have some hedge laying experience. There are classes for juniors/young farmers, novices, improvers, professionals and veterans.
Visitors are very welcome to come and watch. The event is free. Car parking is available in a field opposite the hedge laying site (follow the signs). Please take care crossing the road.
EDITORS NOTES:
Contacts:
Jack Ellerby, Policy Officer or Martin Varley, Communications Officer, Friends of the Lake District 01539 720788.
Press photographers and journalists are welcome to attend the event. organisers from Friends of the Lake District will be available for comment.
Friends of the Lake District is a registered charity committed to enhancing and protecting the landscape and natural beauty of Cumbria and cooperating with other bodies with similar objectives or interests. We have nearly 7000 members nationwide. We are also regional representatives for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, a national charity that helps people keep their local countryside beautiful, productive and enjoyable for everyone.
Friends of the Lake District theme for 2008 is 'Connecting People and Place'. Throughout the year we are focusing our work on encouraging people to gain a greater sense of belonging to places in Cumbria where they live, work and visit.
