The committee have reviewed the feedback from the last competition and been working hard to make things better, easier, and more profitable in the future.
Simple Scoring
Firstly the scoring is being simplified, and we will now be judged on just three criteria:
35 Cut and Pleach
35 Stakes and Binders
30 General Appearance
Style Guide
And to ensure we are all clear on what is expected we have agreed to use the following
South of England Style
The objective is to create a stock proof hedge with brush at both sides extending from the top of the hedge to ground level.
Pleachers are laid down the centre of the hedge and are to be of sufficient cross section to allow sap growth. Sufficient ‘heel’ is left to allow ground level growth.
Stakes are placed two to the yard along the centre of the hedge and finished to protrude four inches above the top of the binders. Stakes are to be driven in as grown, i.e. smallest diameter uppermost. Stakes should be cut at an angle in the same direction as the pleachers.
Binders start from under two previous binders so as to create a single twist effect. The top of the binders will be four feet from ground level. The side to start or “face” of the hedge would be determined on the day by the judge/steward or the person running the day.
Height 4 foot to the top of the binders unless otherwise stated by the judge/steward or person running the day.
Dead Wood is limited to that required to block a gap which would otherwise not be stock proof.
Frith is cleared away from the newly laid hedge as directed.
Bigger prizes!
And the good news continues! We have agreed to update the prize money offered, as follows