A CREDITON hedgelayer has won a national hedgelaying competition, for a second time.

Steven McCulloch has been hedgelaying for 14 years and competing for 10 years. 

Competing in the national championships, which were held at Pewsey Hill Farm, Pewsey, Wiltshire, on Saturday, October 26, and in very wet and windy conditions, Steven fared well, scoring 89 points out of a possible 100.

Steven explained: “This is an annual event that takes place at different sites across the country, and was first held in 1979.

“The event showcases 10 different regional styles including the three West Country styles, Devon, Dorset and North Somerset.

“This year more than 100 of the nations best hedgelayers entered, meaning over one kilometre of hedge was laid in a single day.”

He added: “The format for the day is simple, 10 metre lengths of hedge are pre-drawn and each cutter gets five hours to lay their section.

“In the Devon class we are judged on three sections: 30 points for quality of cutting and lack of splitting back; 30 points for the best use of crooksticks leading to overall strength, (these are like giant tent pegs cut from the hedge itself and used to secure the hedge); 40 points for general appearance, quality of finished hedge and effectiveness as a stockproof barrier.”

Steven said that second was Colin Risdon with 85 points, Martin Turner on 84 and Liam Jefferson on 83.5. 

He added: “This is the second time I’ve won the nationals, the first being in 2014. I compete in seven local hedge laying competitions each winter, laying North Somerset and Dorset style as well as my home Devon style.”

Hedgelaying is a traditional method of maintaining hedgerows.

Steven explained that excess material is cut out and the rest, called pleachers, are laid in by cutting each tree two thirds of the way through and laying the "pleacher" down.

He continued: “This creates a living fence and grows back up again the following spring.

“In Devon, because most of the field boundaries are hedge banks we have a unique style where the hedge is laid flat on top of the bank. This fills in any gaps at the bottom, making the field stock proof, and creates a thick hedge to grow up again and become perfect habitats for pollinators, insects, birds and small mammals like Dormice.”

Steven is a nationally accredited hedgelaying contractor and will be running a free course for anyone who is keen to have-a-go on Sunday, January 12, on the Millennium Green in Sandford, see the Green’s “Facebook” page for more information.