More The Society was extremely well represented at the 2021 National Championships held at Rotherfield estate Alton Hampshire on 23 October 2021, with David Dunk taking the headlines , but all attending Society members acquitting themselves admirably.
19 members entered the competition, covering Midland , SOE, Dorset and Yorkshire styles.
The hedge was a real challenge and varying in composition , species , age and density , hence organizers allowed 6 hours cutting time rather than the usual 5.
All 6 hours were required, but all managed to finish in time with massive amount of brash being produced.
Winners of their classes were :-
- South of England Open - David Dunk
- South of England Intermediate - Mike Mason
- South of England Vets - David Droscher
- Yorkshire - Gary Moore
- Best overall intermediate - Mike Mason
- Best overall vet- David Droscher
- Best work on a poor length- Gary Moore
- South of England Intermediate - Graham West
- South of England Vets - Clive Gilligan
So congratulations to the winners and especially David Dunk , who had a beast of a hedge and some very strong competition in that class.We are extremely lucky to have such quality cutters as members of the Society, who give their time freely to the cause.
All who took part did a good job, even those entering for the first time- the hedge had practically all the challenges it could have - Phil Hart described it as character building- he wasn't kidding !
Thanks must go to the Society members who judged , Kevin Agate ,Dave Truran and Mark Moore, along with the stewards Roger Taylor and Helene Threadgold - they travelled a long way , gave up their time and were very professional in their duties.
Phil Hart towed the display caravan to the event and manned it with Gwyn Alford and others - a decent number of members of the public called by and hopefully that will lead to new trainee enquiries and more hedges.
It was pleasing to see some of this year's trainees come along - hopefully they will have been inspired by what they saw.
More photos can be found at :-
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Se3oXMFni35JTD6F7
( copy and paste into search bar)
The next SEHLS event, Training Day 2, is again in Hampshire , at Petersfield on 6 November .If you have not already signed up please do so by emailing Frank Wright at [email protected] There is around 180 yards of nice double row hawthorn hedge to lay.