Laid Back

County expert George Bevan tells ROY LEWIS about the drawbacks and why he's calling for a change.

FARM environmental stewardship schemes are putting the ancient craft of hedge-laying back into the spotlight but not all of the traditional styles of layering are likely to make the grade, according to one expert.

Among the styles that could get the chop is the Herefordshire border which is dense and stockproof for three or four years, but not so effective at promoting strong new growth for a longer-lasting barrier.

George Bevan of the Batch, Whitbourne, who has managed farms in four counties, said he had practised the Herefordshire style for much of his early working life but, after examining closely the effectiveness of other styles, he had decided to call for a change.

In a doubtful tone, he remarked: "Although I was brought up on the Herefordshire style, having lived in the St Weonards area, I have worked with the Midland style for the past 25 years and am strongly in favour of it."

The hedge in summer before laying

There are other local styles, including the Welsh Border and Old English, which have evolved over the years.

They are part of Britain's heritage, going back to the Enclosures Act of 1800 when farmers had to keep their land in one piece.

Of the local styles, George insisted that the Midland was the one for him.

"It does encourage better growth from the base and this leads to a good stockproof hedge that can last for 20 years and encourage wildlife.

"The hedge also looks attractive and enhances the countryside so I don't think Defra will be taking kindly to the Herefordshire style when any grant aid is considered in its environmental stewardship schemes."

George, now retired but kept busy running a smallholding, said that with the high cost of hedgelaying, grants were necessary if traditional styles were to be increasingly practised.

There might be far fewer boundaries nowadays but miles of hedges still remain on many farms and most are kept tidy with the use of modern flail-cutting machinery which, unfortunately, leaves gaps and also deposits the chopped 'rubbish' in the bottom of the hedge, stifling essential growth to ensure a strong, long-lasting barrier.

"Economics do have to come into farming," said George, "but I still think a well-laid hedge can be a more economical proposition in the long run."

George said that the dense Herefordshire style required the tree stems and shoots that had been severed and killed, together with dead brushwood, to be woven back into the hedge.

"All that dead stuff may well deter livestock for a while but it chokes new growth by shading out the sunlight," said George.

The Midland style uses all the live wood. "The idea is to work from the side that gets the most sunshine and to lean the tail of each pleach away so that the base of the hedge gets the full sunshine.

"Strong shoots, encouraged by the sunlight, will come from the tree stump to become the new plants for a long-lasting hedge."

It was vital, emphasised George, to clear out material from the hedge bottom and scrape the ground as bare as possible.

"This gives the hawthorn berries a chance to germinate and produce new plants.

"If there are weak sections and gaps some replanting should be carried out.

But make sure you use hawthorn, hazel and blackthorn and not elderberry, hip, brier or dog rose as these will only smother the hedge and dominate the growth."

For the last couple of years George has been endeavouring to promote a competition among the younger members of the farming community of Herefordshire and neighbouring counties with trophies supplied by several sponsors.

The competition has been running for two years and George is hoping to ensure the third event, planned for later this year, is a far bigger affair, attracting competitors from a wide area.

George is not so active as he used to be so he instructs his protg Glynis Middleton, who does hedgelaying in several different styles and makes a neat job of it.

George has produced a video showing the art of laying a hedge and the equipment needed. He also gives some valuable tips learnt over the years.

The videos have been selling well right across the Midlands and further afield and many of them have gone to older rural folk who ring him up to tell him they are having a go at the traditional craft.

"Many more youngsters are also getting interested and I am doing what I can to keep their interest," said George.

An open day is being organised for September looking at the growth associated with all local styles.

There will be no charge for the day, all are welcome, and breakfast will be laid on by Whitbourne farmers at a reasonable charge.

George, who also wants to involve schools, hopes to stimulate more interest by posing the question: Why is a ditch dug alongside the hedge, regardless of style?

If you think you know the answer, ring George on 01886 821276.

George and Glynis Middleton lay a hedge in the English style

Different styles of layering

The Hereford (or Border) style

The Midland style

Old English style