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Tuesday, 27 April 2010 11:19 |
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Properly laid hedges always attract attention as we drive around the countryside but they are not there just for their visual impact. Sue Lee and Jean Orpin have been discovering more about them and talking to a local expert
The Beginnings of Hedgelaying
Hedges were few and far between in the Middle Ages when farming was carried out in large open fields. When it was necessary to keep animals enclosed or to keep them out of domestic areas, willow hurdles were used or walls, if stone was available. Some open fields disappeared from the 16thC onwards but the division into small parcels of land often came with official ‘Enclosure’ of a village by Parliament from the 18thC onwards. This required owners to fence their land so quick growing hedgerows were planted and in due course the skills of willow weaving were adapted to ‘lay’ the hedge. In 1796, William Marshall in his book Rural Economy of the Midland Counties described hedge laying as ‘the latest improvement’.
The Benefits of Hedgelaying
The management of hedgerows soon became part of good farming practice as it is today. Hedgelaying is a method of fencing particularly appropriate for livestock, preventing sheep from pushing their way through the base of a hedge and cattle from pushing their way over the top. A well-laid hedge also provides shelter for animals and crops and laying encourages regeneration of the hedge thus providing a fence that can last up to 50 years.
Laid hedges proved to be good fences in fox-hunting country because they are strong enough to resist damage from huntsmen but can be jumped. The hunts in our area have all played an important part in preserving the craft by holding regular competitions, even when the demand for hedgelayers was small. Hedgelaying declined after World War II due to a shortage of labour, the availability of barbed wire and an increase in arable farming with its big machines and large fields.
In recent years, however, the benefits have once again been appreciated and there has been a revival of the craft. Laid hedges are havens for wildlife and raised awareness of environmental conservation has led to legislation to protect hedgerows and grants to farmers who care properly for them.
John Shone
John is based in Ashwell, near Oakham, and is probably best known for his willow-weaving although he is skilled in several rural crafts. He learned dry stone walling from his grandfather, hedgelaying from his father and early in life also learned to make willow hurdles. He acquired these skills as a boy in the north-west but as a young man there was little demand for them so he worked as a gardener for many years before the resurgence of interest in willow weaving enabled him to set up his own business in Rutland. His daughter has now joined him in the business and his skills are being passed on to her. He also has a keen and young apprentice, Tom.
John was interested to discover that the origin of his surname is probably a Germanic word meaning ‘coppice worker’ - the skills of coppicing and using willow are very closely allied to those of hedgelaying.
This winter he is laying 31/2 miles of young hedge near Whitwell. When we visited he was being assisted by Henry and Tom who were preparing the hedge ahead of him. This hedge will be laid again in a couple of years when it has regenerated and then will only need light trimming for about 10 years.
Our thanks to John Shone for letting us interrupt his work to talk to him. About once a month he runs One Day Willow Courses where you can learn to use different weaves and make a fish and a pheasant to take home. The cost is £45 and the next course is on March 20th – for more details contact him on Tel: 01572 755512 or 07721 407 101.
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