Dave reports from a Saturday spent in the cold…….
It was bitter cold when we arrived on the Attingham estate for our third hedgelaying day of the season. But, it was dry and that’s what really matters when hedgelaying; a wet-handled bilhook is an accident waiting to happen. Connie the Ranger arrived with a fresh supply of stakes and heatherings (binders). Now we were ready.
A select band of hedgers was on site for this session which allowed us to have two cutting teams with a support group. The support group look after the fire and clear the hedge ahead of the cutters. This valuable group includes Christine our stake sharpener supreme. That said even she was lured to ‘help’ with the fire; it was that cold!
Although a new hedge the trees do vary considerably in size from just over 2cm up to 20cm in diameter. This is dictated by position and species. Anything growing under an established 100 year old oak is going to struggle. I think the biggest ones we had to contend with were the Field Maples meaning that the ‘big axe’ had to be brought into action.
Normally Field Maple would be left as a standard tree as their autumn colour is superb but here there were many planted together here so the best was chosen to let grow whilst those around were pleached.
Timing for lunch is usually at 12:45 but not this time. Why the change? Well the sun came out and we were not going to miss the opportunity of a warmer lunch break!
Reinforcements arrived just after lunch in the form of Bryn, Anne and Bess (the dog). With extra hands and paws to help the fire really got going and with the temperature now well above freezing everyone happily worked on. By end of play another 22 metres of hedge had been laid. …Only another 150 to go?
My thanks to Chris and Andrew for providing biscuits and cakes and to Connie and the Attingham team for providing the stakes and binders.
P.S. Did I mention it was cold?
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 
Thanks Peter H, that perhaps explains why there are clumps of standard trees! Why not come out next time and help lay them down sideways! Thanks. SSNTV
Hi Guys, I remember planting that section of hedge row, many moons ago. I was left by Colin (Now retired ranger) to get on with it. If I remember correctly, it was a February day, dry and sunny but not too cold. And I had plenty to plant, as I was told to get them into the ground. This explains probably too, many of one species etc in large sections.Very pleased to see the next stage of the hedge development in progress. Well done.