Spent a day out in islington innercity farm teaching some beginers on a short section of rather spindly blackthorn and hawthorn and i think that they done quite, well with guidence from myself, the 4 beginers felt that it was a good start to there first foray into the world of hedges and hedgelaying.

October 29th- judged the local hedge-laying competition along with my mentor Middy page, the day was a little overcast in the morning at half past eight when we arrived, but turned out to be quite sunny later in the day, there were 4 competitors only this year as i was unable to take part due to getting over a recent viral infection which took some shaking off, also middy did not take part because i did not. Although the hedge condition was not that great every body tried there best to do a good job of there given sections which were 11 yards of hedge laid to a hertfordshire style and made to be stock proof and finished with a midland roped binding.


Competitors         Tom Hewins, Donato Cinicolo, Brian dorrell, Leo Cinicolo

Judge                     Middy

Under Judge          Steve Gibson

 New obelisk mould.
An obelisk mould i made for my obelisks, this helps to make them all the same circumferance and are ideal for 5 and 6ft types this one is under construction,the upright are coppiced hazel rods, and the weavers will be willow withies.

                                             

What the obelisk is like after completion,this example is a 6ft  ready for sale.

                    

Had this welcome little warbler turn up in my garden, he seem to be very fond of the sunflower hearts and was quite feisty with other resident birds that tried to push him off . Also seem to have a lot of gold finches as well.

Herts County Hedgelaying competition at Bovingdon nr Hemel Hempstead, Herts   30/10/10


Alovely day out entering a local hedge laying competion which saw me come 3rd  again for the second time, as i did last winter. My friend Middy entered this year but was not placed, but he done well, laying well over half his hedge and also put his binders on just to complete his bit he laid, most agreed he did well for his age of nearly 86 yrs old.