As we were driving back from Newport on Thursday, just past Blackwater, we noticed some poor souls in a very wet field who seemed to be working hard at laying at hedge.
Well, we couldn’t resist, so turned the car around and went back to investigate – despite this weeks activities, it’s not just all politics for us you know.
A rather friendly chap called Oswald Hoskyns came to greet us, probably wondering what on earth we wanted, and he went on to explain that they were preparing for the upcoming Annual Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition.
I’d noticed mention of this in the County Press a couple of weeks ago and thought it sounded quite interesting but never got around to following it up.
Anyway, friendly old Oswald talked us through what was planned and Simon’s ever enquiring questioning lead to us learning how hedges are laid and the benefits of hedge over fencing etc.
It was all very interesting and we ‘ll have a short podcast to go out (hopefully later tonight once we get round to sorting it out) where you can hear all about it.
The event happens tomorrow, starting at 10am and running til 3pm. From memory, there will be 17 teams competing and anyone is welcome to join in and learn this wonderful skill – yes, even you and I, complete novices can ‘have a go’.
Last years event went down a storm (not the hedges in the storms though, because they were built to last 50 years), a record number of competitors entered the event, despite the very cold winds and tomorrows should be just as successful – keep your fingers crossed for dry, sunny weather.
There’s certainly lots going on tomorrow, what with the Bonchurch beach clean, Julian Winslow drinks at Botanics (2-4pm), Neil Tregear drinks at Quay Arts (2-4pm), it’ll be hard to fit them all in, but this is definitely one that we want to catch, even if only for an hour.
If you’re reading this off the Island and haven’t time to jump on a ferry and visit tomorrow, then you’ll be pleased to hear that you can learn this dying art by booking in with Hobbit House, who offer B&B or camping alongside the following activites: Badger Watching; Hedge Laying; Carriage Driving; Hurdle Making; Guided Walks; Coppicing; Charcoal making; Pond dipping and Bat Box making – phew, you’ll need a holiday after all that!
If you do book up, don’t forget to say where you heard about it.
