Young Cumbrian farmers compete in hedge-laying challenge (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Young Cumbrian farmers compete in hedge-laying challenge
2:40pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News
YOUNG farmers and countryside enthusiasts used their creative skills to compete in the 30th hedge-laying challenge organised by Friends of the Lake District.
Scores of hopefuls turned out on Saturday for the one-day event at New Hall Farm, between Crook and Staveley.
Competition organiser Jack Ellerby said events like this were important in helping develop rural skills which have been dying out across the area.
A training scheme was run in tandem with the competition to teach novices key hedge-laying skills.
Keith Allen, from Staveley, won the Open Class and laid the best overall hedge on the field, after an absence from competitions of 21 years.
Results from the five classes were as follows: Championship: 1 Robert Bell, Kendal; 2 Peter Gibson, Kendal; 3 Andrew Kirkwood, Endmoor. Open: 1 Keith Allen, Staveley (Best Overall Hedge); 2 Edward Park, Crook; 3 Anthony Wood, Hale. Novice: 1 John Gibson, Kendal; 2 Craig Proctor, Selside; 3 Andy Jackson, Cheshire. Young Farmer: 1 Matthew Atkinson, Burneside; 2 Thomas Kendal, Grayrigg; 3 James Park, Crook. Young Farmer: 1 Vicci Neill, Kendal; 2 Sarah Carruthers, Underbarrow; 3 Lee Johnson, Lyth.
