Devon Wildlife Trust invited local landowners, volunteers and members of the public to a hedge-laying training event aimed at encouraging more people to learn the rural skill.

The event was held at Howard Trapnell’s Lower Adworthy Farm, in East Worlington, north Devon. The event was fully booked and participants dodged the rain showers to learn the basics of laying a Devon hedge, from understanding the tools, to preparing the hedge for laying, and how to work safely.

The hedge chosen for the demonstration adjoins a relict orchard which Mr Trapnell hopes to restore over the coming months.

The participants managed to successfully lay approximately 60 metres of hedge opening up the orchard and allowing more light in.

Mr Trapnell said: “It was great to have this event held at my farm. The course was extremely well run and although most of the volunteers were new to hedge laying, by the end of the day they had produced an impressive length of well laid stock-proof hedge. It’s very labour intensive work and this has given a flying start to the job of restoring the old orchard.” The event was run by Stuart Coleman, DWT Working Wetlands project advisor who, prior to working for DWT, worked as a contractor and has laid hedges for more than 15 years.

He said: “Everyone was keen to learn and got stuck in. Despite pretty tough conditions they all managed to do a great job.

“Hedge-laying is a really useful rural skill and I was pleased the event was fully booked. Devon Hedge Week seems to be getting more popular each year and we hope to run another event soon for the people who didn’t manage to make it this time.”

Hedges in good condition are not just stock proof barriers but are also great for wildlife.

Stuart added: “Well managed Devon hedges provide excellent nesting habitats and food for birds and dormice and, when part of a network, form vital corridors for species to move around between woodlands and other wildlife rich areas.

“By keeping hedges in good condition landowners are really making a difference for wildlife in the county.”

Working Wetlands has been supported by South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, Grantscape and Natural England.