Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2014 | Page 49

COUNTRY LIFE

Cha nce to become a lea der

Hedgelaying back at Newbarn
This year the Isle of Wight
Hedgelaying Competition is
returning to Newbarn Farm,
Calbourne on Saturday February
22, to complete the hedge it
started two years ago, by kind
permission of Mr. Chris Spence.
Competitors will be battling
it out in three categories, Open,
Novice and Team, with extra
prizes for ‘best laid hedge using
only hand tools’ and the ‘Peter
Tunks Prize’ (Former Supreme
National Champion), for
straightest stakes.
Even though competition is
fierce, the atmosphere is relaxed,
with competitors encouraging
each other along the way, with
advice and cheeky banter.
Champions Tom Murphy
(Open), Jim Clinton (Novice) and
Dunsbury Farm (Team) are all
expected back to defend their
honours, Tom having won here
two years ago. The day offers a

great opportunity for spectators
to witness a country craft at
first hand, getting up close and
speaking with the competitors,
who are only too pleased to
pass on their knowledge. The
event is supported by Landscape
Therapy, Hampshire and Isle of
Wight Wildlife Trust, The Isle of
Wight Council, The ANOB Project
and the West Wight Landscape
Partnership.
Warm clothing and stout boots
are the order of the day, as it can
get very cold and heavy under
foot. Help is on hand in the
marquee with hot drinks and
food being available courtesy of
the ‘Calbourne Ladies’.
For more information about the
day, entering as a competitor or
to support this non-profit making
event through sponsorship,
please contact Tony Ridd, 760011
or email tony@land 66WF