Saturday 22nd February 2025

Park Down Farm Barns, Middle Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 4HT

By kind permission of Michael Morris

The competition was 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 were also additional accolades to compete for:

• The Hand Job – best hedge laid with hand tools only
• Straight Up and Down– best stakes and binding

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

Catering was available on site, with thanks to Tasty Snacks Catering.

Judging was completed on a points basis

The binding was defined as Midland Style and the hedge was specified to be double-brush.

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 stated on the day
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:
    1. Provide a current chainsaw use certificate prior to the safety briefing
    2. 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