Traditional skill still going strong
Contestants from across the region showed that a rural tradition is continuing to thrive as they showed off their skills at the 20th Yorkshire Hedgelaying Association competition.
Competitors, including Dean Bradley, from Harrogate, above, battled it out in a series of classes at Low Lindrick Farm, near Fountains Abbey, on Saturday.
Hedges were trimmed and weaved, demonstrating a craft which is still going strong in Yorkshire, despite the threat of modern farming technology. Organiser Ken Walmsley said: “It’s a very old tradition and we work very hard to try and keep it going. The idea of it is to promote growth and create a habitat for wildlife. It is not necessarily a farming tradition, a lot of conservationists and forestry people practice the skill.” PICTURE: SIMON Hulme.