Friends of the Lake District's thirty-seventh annual hedge laying competition took place at Sunny Bank Farm, Grayrigg on Saturday 24th January. Nineteen competitors laid 129 metres of hedge in the local Lancashire and Westmorland style.

Ruth Kirk from Friends of the Lake District said: "We were lucky to have a beautiful, sunny day for the competition. What was so inspiring was seeing youngsters in the junior class working hard and learning from the championship experts, to become the next generation of skilled hedge layers. The continuation of this rural skill is vital as a healthy, well-managed hedgerow helps manage livestock on the farm, provides valuable habitat for lots of wildlife and is an essential feature in our Cumbrian landscape.'

Results from the four classes were as follows:

Junior
1st - Danny Hodgson (Paton) & Aidan Handley (Whinfell)
2nd - John Handley (Whinfell)
3rd - Andrew Bateman (Low Gill)

Novice
1st - Karl Bell (Lancaster)
2nd - James Haigh (Lancaster)
3rd - Sally Capewell (Ambleside)

Open
1st - Thomas Kendal (Grayrigg)
2nd - Craig Proctor (Selside)
3rd - Jack Carradice (Selside)

Championship
1st - Peter Gibson (Kendal) – Best Overall Hedge
2nd - William Hodgson (Grayrigg)
3rd - Andrew Kirkwood (Kirkmoor)

Many thanks to farmer David Galbraith for hosting and supporting the competition. David and local farmer David Knowles were the judges.