Many of you will recall that our Annual Competition  2022, was held at Norton Farm Selbourne Hampshire, with kind permission of the Faulkner family.

Norton farm  is part of the Selbourne Landscape Partnership, which promotes sustainable farming  practices , for the enhancement of ecology.
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Go to their website to see what they do and how the Society has assisted them in achieving their aims :-
http://selbornelandscapepartnership.org.uk

As members may know , every other year  we run a charity / fun day and donate monies raised primarily to Chailey Heritage Foundation . In 2022 the Committee decided for this year it would divide monies raised equally between Chailey and the Hands of Hope Charity (HOH). HOH  area community based charity in East Sussex / Kent , which Phill Piddell used to do a lot of work for , including some hedge laying.

The event at RSPB Pulborough on 22 January 2022 was our fund raiser for this year and the  £1,458 generated  was split equally between the charities. HOH also benefitted for  the selling of some of Phill's old tools , along with other generous donations from members, to make the total donation to them of £915.

Both charities are greatly appreciative of the donations and have sent letters of thanks. Chailey acknowledged that the Society has donated over £7,000 to the Foundation since 2015, which is a tremendous effort.

More information can be found out about both organisations by visiting their websites:-

www.hohcharity.co.uk

www.chf.org.uk

Below is a photo from 2020 showing Phill Piddell in typical action , giving instruction to volunteers at HoH ; one can well imagine what he is saying to them. We miss Phill greatly.

​Matthew Beard 
​18.4.22

The Society's season came to an end in the sunshine at Peppering Farm, Burpham, near Arundel.
​The site was similarly located to TD1 hedge at Findon ,in that it was on top of the Downs with a panoramic vista to the South with views over Arundel Castle  and  the sea beyond. To complete the picture skylarks seemed to be heralding in the spring, with song filled vertical take off and landings. Magic.  

Around 20 cutters took on a hedge that was predominantly hawthorn, that had been coppiced in part, which through up its own challenges , with multi-stemmed stems requiring careful pleaching. Although Frank's instructions were that this was a hand tools hedge, most cutters reverted to using a chainsaw given the complexities of trying to pleach a stem that had been coppiced in the past. This presented its own difficulties with a proliferation of tool/chain bluntening flints around each stem.

Although the day was titled Midland day, only around 8 cutters did Midland , with the rest doing SOE. We were extremely lucky to have the services of past supreme champions Paul Matthews and Alan Ashby giving expert tuition on how to do Midland style. It is an education just to watch these guys work a hedge , with economy of movement , preciseness of cutting  and forward planning, that sets them  well above the average cutter. Those who  received tuition were indeed lucky recipients.

As ever the day was was not just about champion cutters and all who took part did the Society proud. Natasha and Beth flew the flag for the fairer sex, with Bob and Mike showing that oldens have still got it.It was great to see the 2 Phil's , Strugnell and Rowell ,knocking it over in style

Society members are a talented bunch , with Mike Mason covering off Devon style  and Rob fast becoming our expert in Lancashire and Westmoreland style ( the style to do with few stakes and no binders).

Thanks must go to Frank and Phil for setting things up  and ensuring stakes and binders were delivered  and to Charlie Mellor, the Head Gamekeeper on the estate , who was very welcoming and engaging. Hopefully we can return to the estate next season and get the Duke of Norfolk cutting.

The day ended appropriately  at the George Inn at Burpham , where a splendid meal was enjoyed by all.

The Committee are working  provisional dates for the 2022/23 season and plan to publish a provisional programme in the next week or so, , so cutters can block out dates  for next season. 

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that cuts this hedge with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And cutters in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That laid with us upon PVC day.
(With apologies to William Shakespeare)*
 
12 hardy cutters turned out to attack one of Ed Lovejoy’s notorious hedges.  Actually we didn’t have to be that hardy as the weather was perfect even though there had been a bit of early rain.  The ground was a bit soft even for the 4WD brigade.
The hedge was old hawthorn and some old maple on a bank above a wet ditch so not an easy job as most plants were multi-stemmed and very tangled so each one took a lot of work.  It certainly wasn’t a classic hedge.
The draw took place about 0830 and should, more accurately, be titled the Vice-president v. Chairman competition on this occasion as the teams were captained by Phil Hart and Dave Sands.  The Prez did turn out and assist on his team a little later.  With only 12 of us that didn’t take long so we were all off to attack the hedge. Each team worked out amongst themselves who should do what and anyone that finished their bit went on to assist someone else.  The hedge proved to be as awkward as anticipated but a decent job was made of it nevertheless.  Being old there was a tendency for stems to break off … but you have to work with what you’ve got.  The VP had won the right to choose which half of the hedge to cut and chose wisely and the (Vice) President’s team duly took the trophy.  The total length of hedge laid was 112metres or 122 yards.  The pictures give some idea but you had to be there really.
Our suffering was allayed by another excellent Ed Lovejoy BBQ lunch with home-grown pork, lamb and beef burgers and sausages plus two kinds of cake!  He is one of the most reliable lunch-providers on the list.
When we had finished we went back up to the farmyard for the presentation by Ed who also judged the outcome; hopefully there is a picture somewhere of Mike Parrot. receiving the trophy.  The pop-up farm shop then had a hectic few minutes while cutters stocked up on some of Ed’s home-grown meat, bacon, sausages, chops, etc.
Everybody seemed to enjoy the day, which is probably the main thing as I imagine most of us hope to enjoy an outing with the Society.  For those unfamiliar with the event, it’s pretty relaxed, there is a trophy but nobody takes it too seriously … it is a team event and we all help each other out to try and make the best of what we have.
 
* Henry V, Act IV, Scene III; the rallying speech prior to the battle of Agincourt.  The mangled quote is not intentionally gender-specific but the inclusion of a selection of personal pronouns did not scan.


Frank Wright
SEHLS Hedge Manager  and Mail Chimp guru

After months of preparation and pandemic postponement in 2021, the Society was finally able to hold its 37th Annual Competition at Fielders Farm Selbourne curtesy of the Faulkner family.
 All assembled promptly for a safety briefing by Phil Hart, which was then followed by the draw for cants. It was really great to welcome a number of new cutters to the competition, with a healthy representation from Hampshire.

Despite the gloomy, grey weather and strengthening winds, the rain held off and  the competition started promptly at 9am with 31 cutters tackling a really nice double planted hawthorn  hedge, about 12 feet high. Competitors were under the eagle eye of the judges, who were ably assisted by some enthusiastic stewards.

 We were honoured to have the judging services of Roy Champion from Surrey Hedge Laying Group and Tony Ridd from Isle of Wight Hedge Laying Group. This augers well for future collaborations between the organisations for the furtherance of hedge laying.

 Apart from the novice class, cutters had a choice to make early on, as to whether to get the chainsaw out. The champions led the way firing up their machine in double quick time. Most opted for chainsaws, given the number of stems per cant and the flail line which had created some meshing of stems. A few hardy (foolish?) souls resisted the temptation and carried on with hand tools only.

As the day progressed the hedge was got down and was starting to take shape. A few spectators turned up and the field margin got very muddy. Piles of brash started to grown in size.

Tim Russ, the photographer from Bridport, toured the hedge doing 7 laps of the hedge, getting some great photos which can be found on following blog pages.

Staking using David Dunk premium quality chestnut stakes progressed at pace, with binding using SEHLS coppiced hazel binders from Surrey.

In an instant the 5hrs was over, with the majority finishing within the allotted time, but an extra half an hour given to novices who struggled to get done on time.
Judges finalised their assessments and compiled scores after many tours of each cant, as cutters retreated to the car park and made their way to Oakhanger Village Hall for the lunch and presentation of prizes .

Around 50 sat down to a satisfying meal put on by the nearby Hanger Inn and drinks supplied by Frank Wright. Whilst this was going on Mark Schofield was punching scores into his laptop and was soon able to confirm that the judges had added up their scores correctly.

After the meal Phil Hart led the prize giving, ably aided by Kate Faulkner, land owner and leading light in the Selborne Land Partnership, who are enthusiasts of hedge laying.

All in all the event went really well and was greatly enjoyed by all. It was great to see Life members Val and Peter Lewes attending and enjoying themselves and recounting stories of legendary Nelson Russell, which can be found at http://master-hedgelayer.co.uk/  Hopefully we can get more Life members to come along next year.

Thanks must be recorded to:-

• Judges- Clive Gilligan, Alan Ashby, Roger Taylor, Tony Ridd and Roy Champion
• Stewards- Roger Ferrand and Frank Wright
• Competition organising team: - Tim Hughes, Frank Wright, Phil Hart , Matthew Beard , Mark Schofield , Mike Parrott
• The Faulkner family, Selborne Land Partnership
• Dave Droscher for making the splendid new cant markers and transport box for the tea urn.
• All cutters and spectators for supporting the event, some of which travelling a long way and had an even longer journey home in another February storm.
  
• Results  for the 2022 Competition were  can be accessed via the link below :-

competition_results.xlsx


Photos can be found on the next pages on the blog 
Matthew Beard
SEHLS Treasurer 23.2.22

The Society makes a welcome return to RSPB Pulborough on Saturday 22 January to tame  a challenging hedge.

Part of the purpose of the day is to raise money for  charity and this year, the Committee have decided to share any monies raised equally between our usual charity, Chailey Heritage Foundation and a charity close to the heart of Phill Piddell, the Hands of Hope charity at Hawkhurst.
More details about each charity can be found at :-

Chailey Heritage Foundation 
www.chf.org.uk/

Hands of Hope 
www.hohcharity.co.uk/
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Both charities do great work , so if you feel inclined to make a small donation please do so by making  an electronic transfer to the Society's bank account and we will pass the money on. Please indicate on the payment which charity you wish to support. If you don't show a preference we will split your donation between each charity.

The Society's bank details are :-
Sort code 20-49-76
A/C No. 90867381

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A really great day at Burpham near Arundel was enjoyed by around 25 cutters of mixed ages and abilities, which was a fitting tribute to Phill Piddell.
The hedge was a real mixture of good bad and indifferent, which gave all a good  work out. Great to see some new faces and some more familiar ones .
After much deliberation, the judging panel lead by Mike Parrott, award the Phill Piddell trophy to Oliver Collins; well done  Oliver and to all those trainees who took part- every hedge is learning experience and the trick is to remember past mistakes to avoid making again  in the future.
Thanks to Phil, Frank and Tim , who efforts made it all happen.
Remaining events for the  rest of the  season:-

1. Charity/ Fun Day , Pulborough- 22.1.22
2. Annual competition , Alton- 20.2.22
3. President v Chairman competition, Wittersham - 12.3.22
4. Midland Day, Arundel 26.3.22

If  want to attend events 1,3 or 4 please email Frank  at fdw1709@gmail.com

Should you want to enter the competition please  fill in the attached form and email to the address on the form

Our annual competition  is on Sunday 20 February 2022 at Norton Farm Selbourne near Alton Hampshire.
It promises to be a great event with a decent  quality hawthorn hedge  to lay, some excellent David Dunk stakes and binders currently being  sourced.

After the competition , we have a sit down hot lunch and prize giving ceremony at the nearby Oakhanger Village hall.

The event is being put on in collaboration  with the Selbourne Land Partnership and South Downs National Park, so there should be plenty of interest.

So don't delay and get your entry form in now ; click on link below and save a copy onto your computer, complete it and send on to:-
thesouthofenglandhedgelayers@googlemail.com

Closing date 30 January 2022​


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