Hedge Laying 24 Acres

On 2 February 2025 seven villagers joined a team of ten from Cambridge Conservation Volunteers (CCV) to lay part of the hedge on the southern boundary of the 24 Acres. The hedge sits on land leased by the Parish Council (PC) from the National Trust.  The hedge laying was organised by the PC.

 

The hedge, formed of native species, mainly hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple, dogwood and dog rose, was planted by villagers about a decade ago. It has developed well, so much so that it was beginning to intrude on the cricket pitch and the neighbouring byway.  It could have been flailed or mechanically cut back but the PC opted for a more traditional approach because it will create a denser and more biodiverse hedge that is better to look at.

 

The day in question was dry and bright and the team achieved its target of laying 50 metres of hedge, about a third of its total length.  The CCV experts had noted beforehand that the hedge was in ideal condition for laying and were pleased with the results, as were we.

 

The villagers involved in the task were able to learn how to use a billhook and bow saw to manipulate the shrubs of the hedge into place without killing them.  This will stand us in good stead when we come to lay the remainder of the hedge and then to maintain it. On this occasion we used imported hazel stakes and willow binders to give the hedge a robust structure but in the future we hope to use hazel coppiced from Reach Wood.

 

We will be laying the remainder of the 24 Acres hedge in 2026 and 2027 and will need to re-lay the hedge in a decade’s time.  So, whilst the nature of hedge laying limits the number of people that can be actively involved on any one task, the PC would welcome hearing from other villagers who would like to learn a new skill and want to have a go.

 

Nick Acklam