December already and our third training day found us at Horsted Keynes.
A novelty this time with traffic lights and hi-vis jackets, because of which parking was limited.
Today's hedge was a bit of a tricky one, while generally small (some massive stuff) it was a bit of a 3D puzzle in places, so our plucky trainees got some good practice of a "real world hedge".
Looking at the trainees setting off in the distance made me think of a school walking bus (see above), but maybe that was just me.
There was little to clear out so cutting was quite quick to begin and with mostly hazel it was quite easy to get started for most people (those who didn't have a huge tree to deal with anyway)
It soon became apparent that the historic flailing of the hedges caused a lot of knotty growth which was quite a tangle in places. Additionally some of the easy looking sections had hidden challenges to amuse some of the veteran hedgers. All in all a most amusing hedge.
With no food we all brought our own and took brakes as and when.
The weather held out and we we soon managed to get the hedge in shape and add the stakes and binders.
All the sections looked good, and our trainees got some very valuable experience on a bit of a gnarly hedge
I'm sure the locals will appreciate the nice new hedge, although it's not a super busy road (on a Saturday anyway)
Pictures as always
photos.app.goo.gl/cpFp2rNFytfSyLtV8
If you have any more pictures please add them, or email them to me and I will add