Art of hedge laying brought to life in Bloxham

Neil Minor goes through the techniques of cutting trees to be part of the hedge. Picture by Isabel Hands. NNL-160118-102844001

The two-day course was led by tutor Neil Minor and is always a popular event where those attending get the chance to learn the technqiues of hedge laying despite the cold and at times, snowy weather.

Isabel Hands works at the farm and said the weekend was another success. She said: “We have done it for the last three years and about ten years ago we had planted a lot of new hedges so the weekend was all about laying the new ones down.

“I think people like to try something new. This is a traditional craft and many are interested because they would not normally get the opportunity to do something like this. It is certainly more of an art than science. Everytime you approach a new steam you have to think about the best way to lay it down.”

A little sprinking of snow failed to stop those taking part in the course finishing their hedge. Picture by Isabel Hands. NNL-160118-102859001

Fourteen people braced the cold snap over the weekend, and spent time working on the hedge to the north of the school’s farm near the sports hall.

Mrs Hands added: “There were a lot of dog walkers walking by so it was good to tell them why we were doing it.”