The 2023 Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition returned on Saturday after a 2-year break.
With previous champion Phil Hart not in attendance, there was keen interest in the Open class, where a new winner was guaranteed. Crowds of spectators gathered to enjoy the action throughout the day, anticipating a good standard of work in all 3 classes.
The venue was Little Duxmore Farm, on Rowlands Lane near Havenstreet, a farm recently purchased by hosts, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The farm was a new location for the competition and an unusual hedge that had pitches sloping in both directions. 12 pitches were cut during the day, with 28 hedge layers competing, including 6 teams making up the largest class.
Co-organiser Tony Ridd of Landscape Therapy said:
“This year’s competition has been one of the most enjoyable we’ve ever had.
“It’s encouraging to see so many teams in the event – this is a really accessible way to start competitive hedge laying.
“I expect to see some of the team hedgelayers progressing to the novice class in future years and winning trophies in their own right.”
The spectators not only enjoyed the competition but also other attractions such as the Vectis Searchers metal detecting exhibition, Ralph Griffin’s display of billhooks and tools, and the popular running display of static engines and vehicles from Vectis Vintage Tractors and Engines Club.
The judges were former national hedge laying champion Alan Ashby, of Tunbridge Wells, and the Island’s AONB lead officer, Richard Grogan.
4 competitors entered the Open class: 2 mainland visitors and 2 Island regulars: Tom Murphy and Kingsley Hollis. Matthew Beard, from the South of England Hedge Laying Society, crossed the Solent to try his luck once more after achieving 4th place in 2020, and Graham West was a newcomer to the event.
When the Open class results were announced, the mainlanders took the top 2 spots, with Sussex man Graham West winning the Denis Russell Cup and also the Peter Tunks £20 note award for the best stakes and binding, and Matthew Beard in 2nd place. 3rd was Tom Murphy, leaving Kingsley Hollis in last place. Tom was also awarded the Landscape Therapy Best Isle of Wight Competitor award.
In the Novice class, there were only 2 contenders, with reigning novice champion Tod Carder successfully defending his title, and securing himself a place in the Open competition next year.
The large team class, always popular with spectators, fielded 6 teams. Winners were the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Staff team, beating the Isle of Wight Young Farmers by a single point.
The Young Farmers team comprised: Tom Marsh, Emily Smith, William Earley and Siân Grove. They were allocated a particularly challenging sloping pitch, and, with some newcomers to the craft in the team, they did well to push the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Volunteers team into 3rd place, although the volunteers did have the consolation of winning the W Hurst & Sons cup for the best hedge laid with hand tools.
| Position | Class | Name | Score |
| 1 | Open | Graham West | 79 |
| 2 | Open | Matthew Beard | 74 |
| 3 | Open | Tom Murphy | 73 |
| 4 | Open | Kingsley Hollis | 72 |
| 1 | Novice | Tod Carder | 71 |
| 2 | Novice | Gwyn Alford | 69 |
| 1 | Team | HIWWT Staff | 70 |
| 2 | Team | Young Farmers: Tom Marsh; Emily Smith; William Earley and Sian Grove | 69 |
| 3 | Team | HIWWT Volunteers | 67 |
| 4 | Team | Badger Boys: Joe Rackstraw; Jim Warder; Jon Jewett; Liam Newton | 66 |
| 5 | Team | IW Coppice group: Richard Knowles; Rod Warne; Dave Hughes | 65 |
| 6 | Team | ‘The Tree Fellers’: Ed Daish-Miller; Jim Clinton; Tom Sargeant; | 64 |
Winner of the W Hurst & Sons cup for the best hedge laid with hand tools: HIWWT Volunteers
The Peter Tunks £20 note award: An award was presented by judge Alan Ashby on the day in memory of former supreme national champion Peter Tunks, a regular judge and great supporter of the competition, who died in 2019. The award is a £20 note for the best stakes and binding. The winner was Graham West.
Landscape Therapy Best Isle of Wight Competitor award: Tom Murphy
When we run out of diesel to run machinery we are going to need these traditional skills. Well done to these folks for keeping them alive!
What a pity that these good folk were not employed to cut the roadside hedges, instead we have the handy ‘work’ of a cowboy who not only makes a disaster of the hedgerows but also leaves the mess on the roadside.