Cheshire Hedges

A tough hedge this week. Many stems are rotten inside. Without laying the whole hedge would disappear in 10 years. Now it will last for decades to come.

A refreshing change from planting. 100m of new hedging that is now stock proof for the summer. Approx 200 plastic guards ready for landfill as unable to recycle them. Remember to invest in the plant not the plastic.

1695m of new hedging done ✔️. A tough project in all weathers. All plants were 90-120cm tall. Invest in the plant not the plastic. Now time for some hedge laying.

The first 5m of 2000m of new hedgerow for the Tatton Estate, Cheshire. My biggest planting project to date. I am planting 90-120cm mixed hedging. Invest in the plant not the plastic. A hawthorn mix from Hedges Direct plus crab apple, holly and hornbeam. 9 species in total.

A great couple of days teaching the Chester Zoo estate team the craft of hedge laying. A very difficult hedge to begin with, but the advantage of teaching on the landowners hedge is they have something to refer back to when I am not there. All the brash taken away for the elephants and giraffes, a phrase I never thought I would say! Well done Ruby, Clare and Katie for transforming an old hedge and giving it a new life for another generation.

What do you do with your pile of brash after hedge laying? I asked my landowner today what they will do with it. The reply was ‘we’lll feed the elephants or giraffes, they like something new for lunch!’ Where am I?

On my travels again at the weekend. I went to the NE Hedge Laying match in Hepple (near Rothbury) in Northumberland. It was a glorious day. Hedgers from Bucks, Midlands, Lancs, Cheshire and the NE. The hedge is complete with 4 different styles. I finished 4th in my first Open class. Great hospitality from Walter and Lucy Riddell on the Hepple Estate. I look forward to competing again next year.

If you love hedge laying and love Northumberland then this match is for you. On Saturday I attended the NE match on the Hepple Estate in the heart of the National park.

The day was very well organised by David and his team. The hospitality given by Walter and Lucy Riddell was above expectations and very well received by all hedgers and spectators. If you attend matches on the level of hospitality this has to be number 1 on your list.

Great to see 4 different styles in one hedge. It gave us all something to think about as wide styles merged into narrow ones. Hedgers from Bucks, Cheshire, Lancs, Midlands and the NE made this an event to add to anyone’s diary for next year, 24 Oct 2026.

Open results:
1st Peter Gibson 2nd Heather Swift 3rd Andrew Kirkwood 4th Richard Thorogood

Cheshire Hedges offers traditional hedge laying across Cheshire. Field or garden, laying a hedge can bring new life to your landscape. For award winning hedge laying, contact Richard for further details on how he can transform your hedge.

Visit us at https://cheshirehedges.com

A great day at the National championships in Buckinghamshire yesterday. Tricky conditions with a very difficult hedge. Pleased with 3rd place in the Cheshire class. It continues my award winning season. I travel to Rothbury in Northumberland next week for the NE Open Championships. Come and support if you can.

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