HRH Patron’s Day at Gloucester on 24 November 2018
The HRH Invitational event was a chance for a range of age and ability cutters to show off their skills to HRH, who talked to most cutters and presented certificates to the winners of each class.
Prince Charles is a hedgelaying enthusiast and patron of the National Hedgelaying Society. He talked to all cutters and appeared genuinely interested and knowledgeable. He did admit that his hedgelaying attempt did not always look pretty but was he was reassured that in 3 years time the hedge would grow back.
A number of regional styles were undertaken, on a planted hedge of mixed species and sizes, to give all a chance to do some decent cutting.
The event was put on by the National Hedgelaying Society and was in the main slickly done, apart from running out of binders, which were supplemented by some hastily gathered binders from a nearby coppice.
SEHLS were splendidly represented by Mike Bentley, Marcus Broome, Roberto Grilli, Graeme West, David Dunk, Peter Vaughn & Pat Farlaine. , Frank Wright, Matthew Beard, Mandy and Russell Woodham, along with Jarred and Tom from Plumpton College. Plus Franz and Lex from Holland. All got the hedge down in time and turned out some decent looking hedges.
If it is King Bentley, it should also be Saint Hart- Phil did an enormous amount of work both on the day, prior to the event and afterwards. Keeping a herd of novices on track is not easy and Phil did it with his usual professionalism and humour. The day after Phil did the Tool Sharpening course at Plumpton. The Society is so lucky to have a Chairman that leads by example in the promotion of hedgelaying and training.
Matthew Beard