Hedge laying winners

Nineteen hedge layers took part in Friends of the Lake District’s Annual Hedge Laying Competition on Saturday 21 February at Gowbarrow Hall Farm, Watermillock.

Bringing together beginner, novice, intermediate and open skilled hedge layers from the local area and across the north west, to show off this traditional craft and attracting interested onlookers throughout the day.

This year’s competition followed a training day at the farm (Saturday 7th February) with local professional hedge layer trainers Peter Gibson, John Gibson and Andrew Kirkwood. Seventeen people enjoyed their training, learning so much from all three highly experienced hedge layers, some gaining the confidence to enter the competition to advance their skills.

After competing in four different classes, the winners were chosen by South Dakota farmer (previously of Cumbria) and hedge layer judge, Mossop Jopson. The results were as follows:

Winners

Best Hedge of the Day 

John Handley from Kendal

Open Class         

1st          John Handley, Whinfell (Kendal)

2nd        Peter Gibson, Kendal

3rd         Craig Procter, Selside (Kendal)

Intermediate Class          

1st          John Gibson (Best veteran)

2^nd          James Ormrod (Poulton-le-Fylde) Lancs

3^rd           Dave Shepherd, Barnard Castle

Beginners Class 

1^st             David Sykes, Kendal

2^nd            Robert Scutt, Kendal

3^rd             George Hinchcliffe, Bury

Best Female Hedgelayer

Heather Swift, Leyland

Best Re-Growth (from the 2025 Competition)

Robert Scutt, Kendal

Best Junior

Connor Simpson, Potter Fell, Burneside

The competition and training events are run in partnership with the Lancashire & Westmorland Hedge Laying Association and the National Hedge Laying Society, teaching new entrants and increasing the skill levels of hedge laying contractors.

Naomi Walker, nature recovery officer for Friends of the Lake District, said: “Our hedge laying training and competition are part of a ‘Hedges and Edges’ Project, aiming to put healthy hedgerows at the heart of nature friendly farming across Cumbria. 

“Hedgerows are amazing, providing vital wildlife habitat corridors, capturing carbon and protecting soils, slowing the flow of water during storms, as well providing stock proof field barriers for grazing animals and providing shade and shelter in during extreme weather.

“Hedge laying skills play an essential role in managing the landscape and provide additional income streams for farmers and the wider rural workforce.”

Thanks to all the competitors who took part, and to those who came to watch and support the event. Special thanks to Sam and Claire Beaumont, farmers at Gowbarrow Hall Farm for helping and hosting this year’s competition, to Mossop Jopson for judging, and Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland & Furness, who gave out the prizes.

For the next training and competition details in the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying area please see: Events – National Hedgelaying Society

Photos: George Carr Media.