Hedge Laying Competition Results 2017 Twenty Four competitors were blessed with clear blue skies and sunshine at Friends of the Lake District’s Annual Hedge Laying Competition on Saturday 21 January. The event, held at New Hall Farm, Staveley was part of the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying Association Grand Prix series, bringing together novices, juniors and professional hedgelayers to show off their skills and lay 163m of hedge between them. After competing in five different classes, the winners were chosen by judges Martin Robinson and Gordon Strickland. The results were as follows: OVERALL WINNER Peter Gibson MOST IMPROVED Danny Hodgson CHAMPIONSHIP Class 1st Peter Gibson 2nd Andrew Kirkwood 3rd Jasper Patchek OPEN Class 1st Craig Procter 2nd Steven Boyes 3rd William Bell NOVICE Class 1st John Handley 2nd Aidan Handley 3rd James Haigh JUNIOR Class 1st Danny Hodgson 2nd James Dodgson 3rd James Yates-Bell STARTER Class 1st Jake Dixon Ruth Kirk, Friends of the Lake District competition organiser said: “A well-laid hedge not only provides a barrier for livestock which is attractive to look at and intrinsic to the appeal of the Lake District landscape; it’s also an important habitat for some of our declining countryside birds. The skill and technique required to lay a hedge well can’t be underestimated and as usual, we were delighted to welcome many spectators to the event. It’s heartening to know so many people are keen to keep this rural skill alive and thriving.” See more photos of the event on our Facebook page. Manage Cookie Preferences