Skip to content Skip to navigation

Hedge Laying Success at Ladderedge

Churnet Valley Volunteers and ‘Friends of Ladderedge‘ have laid 100m of native hedge at Ladderedge Country Park. The opportunity arose to offer training to students undertaking the NVQ and friends of Ladderedge group when the Practical Projects Volunteer Team  attended the site over 5 days  at the request of SMDC Conservation Officer Emma Mortimer.

Practical Projects Officer for the Churnet Valley Richard Whiting said “Hedge Laying is an ancient countryside skill that breathes new life into old hedges. The hedge is laid during winter when its dormant and in spring the hedge puts up new young growth resulting in a healthier and thicker hedge providing a stockproof barrier that is also a wildlife corridor and valuable habitat, particularly for nesting birds”

The group have visited the site twice in the last 12 months having previously installed a 30metre section of boardwalk to one of the trails.


Volunteer Pat Beesley (pictured) said: "It's really rewarding to stand back at the end of the day and see a neatly laid hedge. A skill that I never expected to have the opportunity to try .The work-parties are a brilliant way to keep fit, meet new people and get outdoors, with the added bonus of taking me to some real hidden gems in the  area that I would never have  found on my own."

 

The Churnet Valley Practical Projects volunteers meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays to undertake conservation work throughout the valley. For more information on this or the free level 2 training please contact Richard on 07960875157 or email r.whiting@staff-wildlife.org.uk.

To get involved at Ladderedge email friendsofladderedge@gmail.com