Further details to be published in due course.

Venue confirmed as Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Date confirmed as 8th November 2025.

See you there!

In partnership with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

The competition is divided into three classes;

OPEN – any person may apply to enter the Open category.
NOVICE – Entrants to the Novice category must not have won any hedgelaying cup or prize more than twice.
TEAM – The Team category may consist of up to four persons, of whom no more than one can be ineligible for the Novice category.

There are also three additional accolades to compete for:

The Wight Local Trophy – best hedge laid by an Isle of Wight Competitor
The Hand Job – best hedge laid with hand tools only
Straight Up and Down– best stakes and binding

Each competitor will be expected to lay and secure a length of hedge within the competition time limit. All lengths will be 10m.

Competitors should report by 0900hrs for instructions, safety briefing and the draw for lengths. Competition begins at 1000hrs and finishes at 1500hrs. Hedges are to be laid, staked and bound, according to Midland Style, but double-brushed.

Catering will be available on site.

The closing date for entries is Friday 7th November 2025.

Judging will be completed on a points basis

Quality of cutting, finish of cut stool and absence of splitting 20 points

Straightness of hedge and stakes 20 points

Quality of binding 20 points

Stockproofness 20 points

Finished height of hedge 10 points

General appearance, quality and neatness of finished hedge and tidiness of working area 10 points

Competition Rules

1. Each competitor to pleach, stake and bind the stated length (approx. 10 meters) in 5 hours in the style
2. The height will be 3′ 6″
3. Any competitor failing to complete the fence must complete it after the allotted time
4. The competition organisers reserve the right not to accept any application for entry to the competition
5. No person under 16 years of age on the day of the competition may enter except by special arrangement with the organisers
6. In the event of the number of competitors exceeding the number of pitches available, those who returned their entry details first shall be given priority. No entrant is guaranteed a pitch
7. Competitors must be on site to register by 0930, and ready to cut at 1000. Late entrants may be accepted at the Judges’ discretion and subject to pitch availability
8. Pitches will only be allocated by drawing of lots or under the direction of the Judges
9. Any instruction given to a competitor by the Judges or Organisers before or during the competition must be complied with
10. Spectators will be close to the competition area at all times. Competitors must make all reasonable efforts to work safely and protect themselves, other competitors and the public
11. Stakes and binders will be provided by the organisers, and these must be the only stakes and binders used
12. No complaints about unfair behaviour, site or materials shall be considered unless they are brought to the attention of the Judges at the earliest practical opportunity
13. Competitors and their work may be photographed and/or filmed by organisers, the public and the media
14. Competitors agree that their names, results, and any recording of them and their work on the competition day may be used freely and published for any purpose
15. Chainsaw Protocol:
    Provide a current chainsaw use certificate prior to the safety briefing
    Proper and full personal protective equipment must be worn when operating the saw.
16. The Organisers and landowners will not be held responsible for any accident to any competitors
17. The Organisers reserve the right to alter the schedule owing to weather conditions or other circumstances
18. Competitors who, in the opinion of the Judges, fail to observe these Conditions may be instructed to leave the competition and/or the site

Entry form to follow