Hedgelaying group

Information about the Hedgelaying group

*29/11/09 - BBC Footage of Hedgelaying Competition at Hailey

Hedgerows are a distinctive feature of many rural landscapes and they perform a variety of important environmental functions such as screens against bad weather, cover for game, containment and shelter for stock and crops, and windbreaks that help control soil erosion.

Hedgerows are also important wildlife habitats.They are particularly important for butterflies, moths, many species of birds, bats and dormice, many of which are included within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as well as being specifically protected in UK and EU law.

 Where hedgerows are themselves ancient or are remnants of ancient woodland, they act as a refuge for woodland plants and even ancient trees, which themselves play host to an important assemblage of species. In autumn and early winter hedges offer abundant sources of food for wildlife.

The Wychwood Project hedgelaying group undertakes regular hedgelaying and hedge restoration activities in the Wychwood Forest Area. If you would like to become a member of this group and can offer some of your time on a regular basis please contact the project office.

Current hedgelaying group activities - December 2011

The group is working at Southdown Farm on a hedge that hasn’t been laid for many years. The hedge has grown out quite a lot so has presented a few tricky large trees but otherwise it is laying quite nicely. We have been very lucky with the weather on what is potentially a very exposed site and made good progress. Hopefully, the job will be finished early in the New Year. The work has been done primarily by the hedgelaying group but Clive Leeke ran a two day training course which made some good progress. Also the group ran a taster day for young people from Wychwood v who as usual picked up the ideas really quickly and are keen to try it again; exams and other work permitting.  
 

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