So on a slightly damp Saturday we gathered in a field for the 41st annual hedgelaying competition.
We kicked off at about 9 o'clock which was pretty much as the real rain started.
The hedge was actually pretty good, it cut well and didn't have brittle stems or much dead, so the only thing to worry about was the wind and a bit of rain.
There were a lot of tall a bushy stems, which were something of a challenge to get into place without breaking with the wind blowing pretty fearlessly all day, even one of the loo's blew over (I don't know if anyone was inside, probably best not to look?).
We all got on well, and within in the 5hrs most people had got their sections sorted and looking good.
Because of the weather most people didn't do much last minute "fettling", and our usual post event wander about to guess who was in-line for a prize just didn't happen.
Massive thanks to Phil Hart of standing in as judge and helping John Savings. Phil has a very good eye for the detail, so we were all under the spotlight. Both our judges were out in the rain while we managed to eat our food in the (semi) dry. Big respect.
Very well done to the winners
SoE winners:
Intermediate
4th Mike Mason
3rd Graham West
2nd Phill Piddell
1st Johnny Adams
Open
4th Stephen Mockford
3rd Nigel Adams
2nd Mike Bentley
1st David Dunk
Veteran
3rd Clive Gilligan
2nd Frank Wright
1st Lex Roeleveld
Other styles
Derby
Gary Moore 2nd
Dorset
Russell Woodham 1st
Extra thanks to the entire organising committee.
Pictures - please add more if you have them!
photos.app.goo.gl/Y646TYzDRcgtTDyt8