The NEWT team were out on New House Farm today, hedge-laying. Simon, Jasmine, Adele and Chris were joined by Jess, Carolyn and Barbara completed the laying of the hawthorn hedge with skills and finesse. As usual there was lots of banter about the best ways of hedge-laying and how invigorating it was to work outside, especially when warmed by broccoli and stilton soup, made by Adele’s fair hand.
The morning started with a discussion about philosophy, psychology and the purpose of life but it soon became apparent, that the only WAY was hedge-laying.
Clear the debris that stands in your path
Snip back the tendrils to gain a clear view
Sight the aim of your first cut
Move in with care, thorns are out to snag you
Place the blade with thought and precision
The angle of the slice is essential
Thrust and drag with purpose
Feel the dust come away to reveal the perfect mark
Hammer in the wedge with deft strokes
Now comes the judgment:
How much to pull the branch or prise
Here comes the crack! as the wood splits to give way
The ends need to be tidied and tended
So the plant does not rot and die
For the purpose of hedge-laying
Is to perpetuate life and nuture new growth
For that is the hedge-laying WAY
Thank you to all the volunteers that attended the event today. We look forward to many more this year.