NHLS Events
SEHLS Annual Competition
- 21/02/2026
- 08:00 - 15:00
- £FREE
A friendly competition with 6 classes including novice pairs, pairs, intermediate, veterans, seniors and champions.
Only open to existing members and novice cutters have to have completed a minimum of 3 SEHL Society training days.
Prize giving lunch afterwards at a local pub.
Email Mark Schofield - sehlsmembership@gmail.com
Affiliated Organisation
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Introduction to Hedgelaying
- 21/02/2026
- 10:00 - 16:00
- £95
A one-day beginner's hedgelaying course in South of England and Midland styles. Email: hedgecraft@theoldfarmyard.co.uk
Hedgelaying Practice Day
- 21/02/2026
- 09:30 - 16:00
- £5 (or FREE)
Suitable for: Trainees who have completed an Introduction to Hedge Laying Course.
An informal opportunity to cut 8 yards of hedge with supervision from experienced hedgelayers.
Styles taught: South of England; Northumbrian
Other Benefits: Opportunity to join our structured programme to practise for NHLS Bronze Award.
Cost: Free for members of NHLS, APTGW, or NCFed (on proof of membership). Others £5.00 per day.
Contact: L.Robson22@gmail.com for details and booking.
Wirral Countryside Volunteers 22nd Hedgelaying Training Day
- 21/02/2026
- 00:09 - 16:00
- £5
The 22nd Wirral Countryside Volunteers Cheshire style hedgelaying training event will take place near the gas works opposite ASDA, Woodchurch Road.
Tools and appropriate PPE will be available for Trainees to use. Please ensure you wear clothing and footwear suitable for outdoor working.
Refreshments - tea, coffee and cake - will be available through the day. Please remember to bring a packed lunch with you, plus any other refreshments you require.
IMPORTANT NOTE: there are different ticket types available: for 'TRAINER ONLY' (the individuals who will deliver the training) and 'TRAINEE ONLY' (the individuals learning the how to hedge lay). Please ensure you select the correct ticket for your skill level.
More detailed information will be sent to attendees in the week before the event.
Affiliated Organisation
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Friends of the Lake District Hedgelaying Competition 2026
- 21/02/2026
- 09:00 - 15:00
- £FREE
Come and join us for this years hedgelaying competition, which is being held at Gowbarrow Hall Farm above the beautiful Ullswater lake.
"This event brings together some of the most skilled and experienced hedgelayers, along with novices and beginners who are looking to learn and improve their technique. This year we’re also running a training day a couple of weeks before the competition. Running the competition and training events helps improve skill levels, attracts more people into hedge laying and raises awareness of the importance of this vital heritage skill for restoring and managing healthy hedgerows." -Naomi Walker, Nature Recovery Officer at Friends of the Lake District
The competition makes an interesting spectator sport and everyone is very welcome to come along to watch and learn more about this traditional rural craft. Entry is free for spectators who are very welcome to come and watch!
Free lunch will be provided for the competitors and prizes will be handed out to the winning hedgelayers at the end.
The exact location (can be used to navigate via google maps) can be seen at the What3Words link here: ///possible.simply.sway
If you have any questions or can't find us on the day, please email naomi.walker@fld.org.uk and she will get back to you as soon as possible.
Booking
WE ARE ONLY TAKING BOOKINGS FOR THIS COMPETITION, NOT OTHERS. PLEASE SEND BOOKING FORMS FOR OTHER COMPETITIONS TO LANCS & WESTMORLAND HEDGE LAYING ASSOCIATION - Melanie Fryer, secretary: rubyanne577@gmail.com
Places in the competition can be booked by getting a ticket (follow the external event page link) and filling out the details. Please email naomi.walker@fld.org.uk if you need any help with booking on.
You must be a member of the National Hedge Laying Society to compete & we will only be using Lancs & Westmoreland style in this competition
This event is part of our Hedgerow Heroes project, which you can read more about on our website.
Affiliated Organisation
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Hedgelaying Training Day
- 28/02/2026
- 09:15 - 16:30
- ££35 for DRST Members (£45 for non-members)
Devon Rural Skills Trust (DRST) North Somerset Style Hedgelaying Course
Affiliated Organisation
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Cotswold Hedgelaying Taster Day
- 28/02/2026
- 08:30 - 03:30
- £45
Working in pairs with a qualified and experienced hedge layer to supervise, this is a chance to "have a go" at laying a hedge in the Midland style.
Tools and safety equipment will be provided. Just turn up with a packed lunch a drink and enthusiasm!
Contact claire_maymon@yahoo.co.uk for further information.
Affiliated Organisation
Lancashire & Westmorland Training Day
- 28/02/2026
- 09:30 - 15:00
- £20 + £10 membership
Park at the venue and you will taken to the hedge.
Please bring your own drinks/food.
Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Hedgelaying Competition
- 01/03/2026
- 09:30 - 15:00
- £FREE
Open, intermediate and novice classes in Devon Style
Entries for Intemediate and novice can be in pairs. Professional trainers will help the novices
Best beer for all entries!
Contact Peter FitzGerald on 01747 840895 or James Fielder on 07715 122932
Affiliated Organisation
Lancashire & Westmoreland Competition
- 01/03/2026
- 09:30 - 15:00
- £10 membership
Members only.
Try your hand in a competition.
Free to enter and hot lunch provided.
Hedgelaying Workshop
- 07/03/2026
- 09:00 - 15:00
A full days practical workshop discussing the history of hedgelaying and it different styles, a look at the tools involved and its application in the modern farming world. You will lay about 6 metres of hedge with all tools provided. Contact the Black Isle Brewery for more details or Torquil Varty on 07803903203
SEHLS Midland Day
- 07/03/2026
- 08:00 - 15:00
- £FREE
A chance for existing South of England Style experienced Society members to try their hand at Midland style, under the supervision of experienced Midland cutters.
Cants are also usually available to cut South of England style.
Free to SEHL Society members.
Email - Mark Schofield - sehlsmembership@gmail.com
Affiliated Organisation
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SEHLS Charity Hedgelaying/Fun Day
- 07/03/2026
- 08:00 - 15:00
- £FREE
A relaxed and informal day’s hedge laying open to SEHL Society members. This is normally a fund raising event for a local charity.
Email Mark Schofield - sehlsmembership@gmail.com
Affiliated Organisation
Visit event link
Blackdown Hills “Skills of the Hills” Hedgelaying Competition
- 07/03/2026
- 08:30 - 16:00
Devon style hedgelaying competition with three individual classes and two for pairs: Open, Intermediate, Novice, Intermediate Pairs, and Novice Pairs.
For more details see the "Visit Event Link" or download the entry form under "More Info"
Hedges and Hurdles – Hedgelaying Training
- 07/03/2026
- 09:00 - 16:00
This two-day Introduction To Hedgelaying Course is designed for complete novices or for those wishing to improve their hedgelaying skills. We will be cutting in the South of England Style.
Details about the course are included on our website via the link.
Day 1 - Coppicing and preparation of materials for the hedge (Norbury Park, Fetcham, Surrey)
Day 2 - Hedgelaying (Reigate, Surrey)
Tutor Paul Matthews is Lantra Accredited at the Gold level standard.
Hedgelaying Training Course – Dorset Style
- 07/03/2026
- 09:00 - 17:00
- £244
This course will be a practical introduction to the ancient craft of Hedge-laying. We will work together in a small group, maintaining a mature hedge in traditional west-country style; Laying branches to regenerate and trying out various tools and techniques, whilst harvesting firewood and poles for craft.
The aim is that the hands-on experience of this course will enable participants to Lay Hedges independently, by learning the tools and skills required, including:
choosing which branches to lay, cutting a hinge, laying the branch, weaving a hedge and pegging down the hedge.
There will be a brief introduction before we start laying, including safe tool use, sharpening and maintenance.
The cost of the course will include accommodation in our beautiful gothic mansion and all your meals. Our food consists of a self-service breakfast and a freshly made vegetarian lunch and dinner. The accommodation will be in private rooms with two shared bathrooms on each floor of our house. Alternatively if you don’t require accommodation you can just pay for the course and your meals.
Click the link for further information.
Forest of Bowland Celebration of Hedges
- 07/03/2026
- 09:00 - 16:00
- £10 membership
This hedge was planted by one of our former members and has never been laid before. Plenty of support on the day and a great opportunity to learn the Lancashire and Westmorland style.
A hot lunch will be provided. Toilets on site and ample parking.
For any enquiries and application form please email: secretarylwhla@gmail.com
Ashington Hedgelaying Competition
- 07/03/2026
Hedgelaying Competition in Somerset
- 21/03/2026
- 09:00 - 15:00
- £FREE
The competition is divided into three classes; Novice, Novice Pairs and Open. Each competitor will be expected to lay and secure a length of hedge within the
competition time limit. The difficulty and length of hedge varies, ranging from 7m for Novices to 10m for the Open. Competitors should report at 9am for instructions and the draw for lengths. The competition will start at 9.30am and finish at 2.45pm. Hedges should be laid in the Devon style (horizontally laid stems (steppers) using crooks set at an angle to secure the finished length (please no baler twine). A limited number of crooks will be available on the day for the Novice Class. Would competitors in the Open Class please bring their own crooks.
Hot food and drinks will be provided free of charge on the day for competitors. Tea and coffee will be available to non-competitors for a charge. As the competition is held on a working farm, please keep dogs on a lead.
Individual competitors will receive a £15 cutting fee each. Pairs will receive a £15 cutting fee per pair.
Affiliated Organisation
Visit event link
Hedgelaying Practice Day
- 21/03/2026
- 09:30 - 16:00
- £5 (or FREE)
Suitable for: Trainees who have completed an Introduction to Hedge Laying Course.
An informal opportunity to cut 8 yards of hedge with supervision from experienced hedgelayers.
Styles taught: South of England; Northumbrian
Other Benefits: Opportunity to join our structured programme to practise for NHLS Bronze Award.
Cost: Free for members of NHLS, APTGW, or NCFed (on proof of membership). Others £5.00 per day.
Contact: L.Robson22@gmail.com for details and booking.
Cotley Hedgelaying Competition
- 21/03/2026
- 09:00 - 16:00
- £FREE to enter
Cotley Farm, Cotley, Chard, Somerset TA20 3EP
Devon style hedgelaying competition with three classes: Open, Intermediate, Pairs.
Competitors should report at 9am for instructions and the draw for lengths. The competition will start at 9.30am and finish at 3pm. Hedges should be laid in the Devon style.
Hot food and drinks will be provided free of charge on the day for competitors. There will be a Bar and bbq afterwards .
Individual competitors will receive a £20 cutting fee each. Pairs will receive a £20 cutting fee per pair.