Hedgelaying Event Hosted By Bisca’s Richard McLane

Back By Popular Demand – Award Winning Hedgelayer, Farmer & Engineer Ed Caldecott Returns To Ryedale To Support Our Local Hedgelaying Event – Free To All Interested

Following the extraordinary success and interest in our previous hedgelaying events, we are proud to confirm we have extended this year’s event – now it its third year – to take place over two days in February 2024. The event will see 200 metres of mixed hedging being laid, with demonstrations taking place of both the Midland Bullock and Yorkshire hedgelaying styles, located at Lodgefield Farm, Gilling East.

Led by Ed Caldecott, a true professional and award-winning hedgelayer, farmer and engineer – the event remains FREE to all those attending and is open to anybody keen to either learn or practise their skills in the ancient craft of hedgelaying. While Richard Mclane, founder of local business, Bisca staircases has sponsored the event as part of its environmental quest to support projects which offer sustainability gains and which conserve the landscape in our local area; his family are looking forward to once again hosting a strong attendance out on the hilltop of their farm, in the beautiful Gilling Valley.

THE BENEFITS OF HEDGELAYING

Hedgelaying is the only way to stimulate new growth from ground level in mature hedgerows, lasting 20+ years before the need to repeat, whilst prolonging a hedge’s lifespan without having to replant; this is a re-emerging technique which offers many benefits to landowners including:

Effectively containing stock and providing shelter for farm animals
Reducing costs for fencing and time needed for hedge maintenance
Preserving the natural landscape and our traditional farming heritage
Enhancing the beauty of the hedge itself and the surrounding countryside
Providing natural habitats for wildlife and enhancing the local biodiversity

If left unmaintained, a hedgerow will lose its structure, become weak and gappy, often either starting to rot at the root or alternatively growing to look like a tree and thus, losing its hedging qualities.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND OUR HEDGELAYING EVENT?

With a strong and welcome presence from Ryedale’s farming community at previous events, we’ve also been fortunate to have conservationists, horticulturalists, local residents, families, students and many others join us and contribute to the day. Whether you’re looking to get a grasp of the skills required to lay a hedge, practise what you already know with like-minded people – or even show us how it’s done… we’d love to see you.

The day will combine masses of enthusiasm with some of the best views in Ryedale – and most importantly a passion for conserving our much-loved farming heritage and landscape. Hot drinks, soup and cake will be served.

To find out full details of the event please click here.
Or to ask any questions, please contact Richard McLane on: mclanesustain@gmail.com or 07872 530465