A length of hedge along a quiet lane in Gloucestershire, between Chipping Campden and Shipston-Upon-Stour was transformed over the weekend to produce a sight well worth taking a look at.
The annual North Cotswolds Hedgelaying Competition was held on Saturday 17th November and resulted in a beautifully laid length of hedge along May Lane, the road into the village of Ebrington just off the B4035.
Competition organiser Mark Connelly, from the Cotswolds Conservation Board said:
“The competition attracted many spectators; even people who were intending to take a walk through the countryside changed their plans and stopped to watch the hedglayers at work.
The finished results really are quite stunning to see and a fine example of a traditional rural craft that is kept alive by events of this kind.”
In all, 26 hedgelayers were given the chance to pit their skills against others in four classes, designed to match their abilities; Open, Veteran, Junior Beginners and Novice and Beginners pairs.
The competition was organised by the Cotswolds Conservation Board and supported by The National Hedgelaying Society. It was held courtesy of DE and DM Drinkwater and Sons.
The results
| Class | First place | Second place | Third place |
| 1 – Open | Steve Budding | Andrew Holding | Steven Leslie |
| 2 – Junior and Beginners | Richards Payne | Guy Robins | Clive Gilligan |
| 3 – Veteran | Tony Heard | Peter Flint | Geoff Stephens |
| 4 – Beginner pairs | David Lee & Richard lane | Will Devey & Tom Duffy |
| Best lady hedgelayer | Julia Thomas |
| Best regrowth Open | Steven Leslie |
| Best regrowth Junior beginners | Andrew Williams |
| Best regrowth Veteran | Geoff Stephens |
| Best regrowth Overall | Steven Leslie |
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