Wight Nature Fund Secures Isle Of Wight Celebration Of Hedgelaying

A traditional hedgelaying competition is set to return to the Isle of Wight this year, thanks to the assistance of local rural charity, Wight Nature Fund.

The Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition will now take place in 2025, despite recent uncertainty hovering over this year’s edition of the popular event.

The Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition will take place on 22nd February between 10am and 3pm at Park Down Farm Barns, near Betty Haunt Lane at Newport.

Hedgelaying, a practice common in England prior to WWII - has seen a resurgence in popularity in the last few years. 

This is not just among those who like to preserve countryside skills, but also from those who recognise the environmental and ecological benefits to the practice.

The craft sees hedgerows preserved to create enhanced, safer habitats for birds, animals and insects.

The habitat provides shelter and opportunities for pollinators, improved resilience to livestock and gives a more pleasing visual aspect than tractor-flailed hedge rows which have gradually degraded hedges over the decades.

Trustees of local charity Wight Nature Fund recognise the importance of the competition as an annual opportunity for education, one of the key aims of the charity, and as a fantastic celebration of this rural craft.

Naomi Cowley, a trustee of Wight Nature Fund, said:

"The last hedgelaying competition took place in 2023. We know that there is a strong passion for hedgelaying on the Isle of Wight and it would be great to bring this event back in 2025.

"Hedge laying events bring people together to celebrate a rural skill that dates back hundreds of years and provide a great forum for people to come along, see what it's all about, and learn about the environmental benefits of laying hedges."

The competition will see individuals and teams working together to lay a predetermined length of hedge.  Judges will score based on quality of cutting, straightness, quality of binding, stock-proofness and the general appearance of the finished work.

There will be prizes for Novice, Open and team categories, as well as awards for best work from an Isle of Wight competitor, best stakes and binding and best result using only hand tools.

Sponsors Stubbing Brothers, gardening and agricultural machinery suppliers at Chale Green, have offered a prize of a petrol chainsaw valued at £380.

Spectators are welcome to attend the event, where refreshments will be for sale as well as an opportunity to talk with some of the teams taking part.

Organisers are grateful to local farmer Michael Morris for access to the site, which can be found using the What3Words code: ‘Tasks Paddocks Ranking’

For more information and entry forms, email [email protected] or head to the Facebook event page.