At the end of March 24 the South of England Hedgelaying Society had it’s annual Midland Day followed by an end of season lunch at a suitable hostelry. This is a chance for members of the Society to try a different style of hedgelaying prior to putting the tools away for a few months until the season starts again in September. Once again, we were hosted by the Norfolk Estate.

Midland Style is very different from South of England and it was developed due to there being a lot more mixed farming in those parts: one side is devoid of brush and this was known as the ‘Face’ or ‘Plough’ side. Arable crops would have been grown on this side, whereas stock would have been grazed on the other side which is heavy with brush to protect the new growth from being nibbled off.

It is a style that I am slowly getting more comfortable with, though I am far from being super-proficient at. It also differs from South of England style in that being single-brushed you have to stake as you go along the hedge in order to stop the hedge from falling over.

Although it might seem odd, laying a Midland hedge in the South of England, it does have its place in certain situations. Alongside a right of way where space is at a premium for example. I certainly look forward to doing more of it in future.