The Arnside & Silverdale AONB hosted the annual Lancashire & Westmorland Hedgelaying Association Competition at Dobshall Wood.

The event was held on the January 9 this year in honour of Damon Peacock, whose skills and tutelage in the art of hedge laying are sorely missed by all.

The competition saw a good turnout on Sunday, with a total of 18 competitors, competing across Junior (U18s), Starter, Novice, and Open categories.

The event was hosted and organised by Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with the kind permission of the landowner, The Woodland Trust.

Hedges are laid in the traditional Westmorland style and are judged for being stock-proof, good cutting-angles and tidy trim, being well staked and, most importantly, for their hedge re-growth qualities.

  • The results were: Junior Class: 1st Clark Ellwood, 2nd George Harrison, 3rd Angus Ellwood
  • Starter Class: 1st Andy Roger, 2nd Mark Reynolds
  • Novice Class: 1st James Yates Bell, 2nd Neil Croskery, 3rd Sally Capewell
  • Open Class: 1st Craig Procter, 2nd William Bell, 3rd David Whittaker
  • James Yates-Bell won the title of ‘Best Hedge on the Day’

Dougie Watson, Arnside & Silverdale AONB Countryside Officer said: “It was great to have so much interest from the public this year: the site was brilliantly placed for people to come and see the traditional skill in action.

"The weather was great, and we were delighted to see so many young people taking part.”

Colin Riley, Woodland Trust Site Manager (North) said: “We were keen to do something meaningful to remember Damon, and this was a great opportunity to celebrate his connections with The Woodland Trust.

"Competitors skilfully laid approximately 170 metres of hedge, a success which will indeed live long in the landscape.”