Ancient Wood Show and Match
22.02.2002

Local people will demonstrate a variety of popular, traditional woodcrafts during a Hedgelaying Competition being held at Newtown Lodge Farm, Shefford Woodlands, Hungerford on Sunday 3rd March 2002.

While some of the country’s top talented hedgelayers put their skills in cutting and laying 10 yards of hedge under the watchful eye of national judge Philip Hallam, there will be a series of demonstrations of age-old rural crafts including basket making, chair-seating, hurdle making, hazel and willow sculpture. Blacksmith, David Hemsley will also demonstrate his mobile forge.

The hedgelayers will start at 09.00 and judging will take place at 14.00. Stewards will be on hand throughout describing the South of England style of pleaching, binding and staking as the contenders cut against the clock.

The Hedgelaying Competition, sponsored by the Newbury and District Agricultural Society, is being organised by Mr Bill Acworth of Little Hidden Farm, Hungerford. First, second and third prizes will be awarded in the Open class with special Veteran, Novice and Local prizes.

The following craftspeople will put on demonstrations starting at 11.00 and there will be displays of their finished works for sale:
    Simon Denman, Bucklebury - hurdle maker and hazel sculptor
    Veronica Upton, Stratfield Saye - greenwood worker and pole lathe turner
    Jocelin Whitfield, Spencers Wood, Reading - willow sculptor
    Christine Brewster, Earley, Reading - basket maker and chair seater
    Steve Marshall, Froxfield, Marlborough - mobile sawmill, wood turner
    David Hemsley, Armour Forge, Ashmansworth - blacksmith

The event is free and will be signposted from Junction 14 of the M4, and the B4000.
(map reference SU370730)

For further press information please contact:
Annette Priestley
Comand (UK)
Tel: 01635 248258
e-mail: priestley@comanduk.co.uk