Hone your hedge-laying skills and help wildlife

Hedge-laying is good for wildlife, and can be fun and good exercise for humans too.

That’s the message from EDDC’s Countryside Team as they invite people to fill the limited spaces on a hedge-laying day on 1st November 2013.

Much of the work carried out by Countryside staff and volunteers is practical and hands-on at the nature reserves across the district. Sites are managed with people and wildlife as the priorities and the team are keen to keep traditional practices alive as far as possible.

Nature Conservation Officer Steve Edmonds said: “A laid hedge has several purposes and benefits, as well as just being a barrier to keep farm animals in. Left unmanaged it will grow into a disparate line of trees, but if it is laid by hand (or steeped, as the craft is often called in Devon) the hedge becomes an impenetrable barrier and shelter for livestock. It also provides a home for a wide range of wildlife, acting as a corridor for mammals, birds and insects to safely move around the countryside. All this, and it looks good too!”.

A craft passed down through the generations

No machine can replicate the work of the hedge-layer, despite all the advances we have made in modern technology; it is undeniably a craft, which has been passed down from generation to generation. Thirty different hedge-laying techniques have been recorded in Britain; the different styles depend on weather, farming practices and types of trees and shrubs in the hedge.

Hedge-Laying Skills Training Day

The EDDC Countryside team are offering an opportunity for anyone to come along and learn hedge-laying skills ‘Devon-style’ at their Training Day on Friday 1 November 2013 between 10am and 4pm at Delderfield Community Nature Reserve in Sidmouth.

The day will be led by Henry Selway, who has been laying Devon Hedges for many years, and regularly judges hedge-laying competitions. The cost is £15 per person and places are limited, so booking is essential – call 01395 517 557 or email Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk.

Community Woodland Day in Sidmouth

The team are also holding a Community Woodland Day at Knapp Community Nature Reserve in Sidmouth between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 2nd November 2013.

This will provide an opportunity to find out about traditional woodland management methods which will benefit woodland flowers and butterflies. All are invited to join the Rangers in thinning the woodland and widening paths, and to learn about coppicing. This is an ancient process where trees are cut back every 7-10 years to encourage sustainable long-term growth of new wood from the base the following year. This practice produces different ages of coppice throughout a wood, thereby having a positive effect by providing a variety of habitats and food sources for wildlife.

Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness is welcome and there’s no need to book. It may be possible to take home a small amount of firewood. Call 01395 517 557 or email Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk for more information.