Promoting Westmorland Hedge Laying

Friends of the Lake District’s thirty-sixth hedge laying competition took place at Sunny Bank Farm, Grayrigg on Saturday (22 February). Fifteen competitors laid 130 metres of hedge in the local Lancashire and Westmorland style.

Jack Ellerby from Friends of the Lake District said: ‘We have some of the best hedge layers here in south Cumbria, and you’ll see more hedge laying in our area than anywhere else in the country. A healthy, well-managed hedgerow helps manage livestock on the farm, provides valuable habitat for loads of wildlife and is an essential feature in our landscape.’

Results from the four classes were as follows:

Championship:                 1^st –   Peter Gibson (Kendal)

                                            2^nd –  Andrew Kirkwood (Endmoor)

                                            3^rd –   Keith Allen (Staveley)

Open:                                  1^st –    Jack Carradice (Selside)   – Best Overall Hedge

                                             2nd – John Gibson (Kendal)

                                             3^rd –   Craig Proctor (Selside)

Novice:                                1^st –    Thomas Kendal (Grayrigg)

                                             2^nd –   Karl Bell (Lancaster)                           

            3^rd –    Jon Oliver (Lancaster)

                               

Many thanks to farmer David Galbraith for hosting and supporting the competition. David and local farmer John Handley were the judges.

Jack Ellerby