Hedgelaying competitors on the ‘hedge’ of glory

THE winners of the 25th Durham Hedgelaying Competition have been crowned a cut above!
Top of the chops was rising young talent John Hanley, who just edged the title of Overall Champion when he beat last year’s winner, Peter Gibson, to the trophy.

Sixteen competitors took part in the Durham Hedgerow Partnership event, organised by Durham County Council, which saw entrants given just five hours to pit their skills against each other.
There was no hedging bets as points were awarded for neatness, quality of cuts, the use of stakes and binders, straightness of the hedge and adherence to the style of cutting.
Twenty-three-year-old Hanley, from Cumbria, cut a Lancashire and Westmorland style hedge, and also won first prize in the Open class, Best Cutter and Junior Champion categories.

He then went on to win the Scottish competition on Saturday, taking home the overall Grand Prix prize of three competitions after event success in Durham, Scotland and Northumberland.
Other worthy winners included David Shepherd, from Mickleton in County Durham, who triumphed in the Best Local Competitor category and Heather Swift from Lancashire who won Best Regrowth category.

Coun Mark Wilkes, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “We’d like to say a massive congratulations to everyone who took part in the competition, as well as our worthy winners.
“One of the key aims of the Durham Hedgerow Partnership is to ensure that these traditional skills aren’t lost. The competition is a rare chance to see talented people practicing a truly ancient craft and it was brilliant to see everyone enjoying the event.”