A lot of my work over the past few years has been on the Norfolk Estate. Known for its conservation work, in particular to conserve the Grey Partridge, the Estate has planted miles of hedgerow and is passionate about managing them properly, which of course means lot of hedgelaying!

First up for the 2024-25 season was to finish off the last 140 or so metres of a hedge that I started the previous season. This had a few meaty stems in it, but nothing too taxing.

It was also a good opportunity to give my new side axe an outing and I am happy to say it performed very well indeed.

Just over a week later the hedge was complete and it was on to the next one.

In January 2025 my good friend Robert Hogg came over from Ireland to give me a hand for a couple of days. Robert was the All-Ireland Hedgelaying Champion in 2023 and needless to say he is a good cutter. He was keen to get some experience in cutting South of England style and I was only too pleased to show him the ropes.

It didn’t take Robert long to learn the nuances of South of England style and it was great to work with him on the hedge. As rewarding as hedgelaying is, it can be quite a lonely vocation away from competitions and other meets, so it was great to have some company and to share the craic with Robert.

Soon after Robert’s visit, I had the first 100 metres complete.

The hedge had a dip in it towards the bottom half of the run, so it was necessary to change the direction of lay as we always lay hedges uphill.

So I started from the other end of the hedge and worked back down to the dip. I soon had a lovely view of Arundel Castle in the distance.

One side of this hedge had been laid previously, but unfortunately in the wrong direction, so it required some creative problem solving to put things right…

It wasn’t too much longer before I had reached the end and another 240 odd metres of hedge was complete and looking resplendent in the early spring sunshine.

It’s always a joy to work on the Norfolk Estate in such beautiful countryside on the South Downs. I count myself very lucky indeed.