HEdgelaying training Courses
The desire to conserve and enhance our heritage hedgerows, undertake new (old) skills and spend time in the outdoors is on the increase. We would like to welcome you to join our Coppicing and Hedgelaying Training Course and enjoy an experience that will stay with you for life!
WHEN ARE THE COURSES?
The training courses take place during selected dates (see below) from October through to the end of March. The course is spread over two days, commencing at 9.00 a.m. each day through to 4.00 p.m. with an hour break for lunch. If the day is showing as unavailable this is because it is because booking is now closed and the course is full.
LOCATION
The location of our two-day course is Norbury Park, Fetcham for day one Coppicing & pointing up stakes and various locations for day two, Hedgelaying. For Winter 2021/22 we will continue to lay the hedge at Bay Pond in Godstone for our October and November course dates and will start a new hedge at the Birtley Estate in Bramley, Guildford in December and continue at this location until complete. Breakfast and lunch will be served by Lorraine at Birtley Woodland Art Space outdoor studio.
Hedgelaying is a management solution for overgrown hedges widely practised throughout the UK and Europe during the winter months. A country craft that rejuvenates existing hedgerows by encouraging them to put on new growth, Hedgelaying improves the overall structure and strength of a hedge providing protection for crops and wildlife.
BOOKING
COURSE SUITABILITY
We welcome both novices and intermediates training up to 7 individuals per course. Private groups are also welcome. For those who are already experienced Hedgelayer, there will be an opportunity to learn a different style or two, pick up tips and learn new methods.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The courses are open to both men, women and children over 10 years old. We can facilitate individual bookings and private groups. This course is great as a team-building activity!
Hedgelaying is not suitable for anybody unable to move around easily on rough ground.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
DAY ONE - COPPICING & PREPARATION OF MATERIALS
Following an introduction to the course, you will spend the day learning how to coppice the stakes and binders from the neighbouring woodlands and prepare them ready for use. Location: Norbury Park, Fetcham.
DAY TWO - HEDGELAYING
The Hedgelaying begins, you will have the option to work in pairs or if you prefer alone. You will be laying between 8 to 10 yds of the hedge. All hedges will be laid in the South of England style, a double brush hedge. Location: Bay Pond Godstone or Birtley Estate, Bramley, Guildford.
GROUP BOOKINGS
We can facilitate groups of up to 21 individuals and will provide additional, professional instructors to facilitate the training ensuring no more than a 7 (trainee) to 1 (instructor) ratio. Please contact the organiser directly to discuss and arrange dates to suit.
BESPOKE COURSES
If you would like a bespoke training course this can be discussed with the organiser and a quotation provided. The trainer may be willing to travel to undertake the course elsewhere e.g. on your own land. Training is not necessarily restricted to weekends, please inform the organiser of the dates you would like to be considered.
We will supply all the required tools and protection including axes, billhooks, pruning saws and eye protection. Suitable gloves such as welding gauntlets are also required. If you do have your own tools and protection please bring these with you making sure all tools have been sharpened beforehand.
You will be cutting with hand tools. If any chainsaw cutting is required this will be undertaken by the instructor for safety reasons.
You will remain in the open air throughout the day, therefore, participants should dress warmly and bring waterproofs and strong footwear, preferably boots with toe caps.
This two-day training course is provided by Hedges & Hurdles owner, Paul Matthews a Hedgelaying and Hurdle making professional. Hedges & Hurdles has been in operation since 2000 contracting out services to local authorities, organisations such as the National Trust and private residents and landowners including local farmers who wish to ensure a stock-proof barrier around their land.
Paul is a registered and active member of the South of England Hedgelaying Society and the National Hedge Laying Society of England & Wales. An active participant in Regional and National Hedgelaying competitions Paul was awarded the title of National Champion in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017 and was also very proud to be awarded Supreme Champion status in 2015.
We reserve the right to alter or vary the programme due to events or circumstances beyond our reasonable control without being obliged to refund monies.
If the course is cancelled by the organiser for any reason we will contact you as soon as possible and will always endeavour to reschedule your booking for another date, however, if this is not possible a full refund will be provided.