competition

The Annual IW Hedgelaying Competition

The 29th Annual IW Hedgelaying Competition

To be held on Saturday 22th February 2025 from 10am until 4pm, Saturday 22 February 2025, at Parkdown Barns, Calbourne Road, Newport, PO30 4HP by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Mike Morris.

The 28th Annual Hedgelaying Competition was held on 25 February 2023 from 10am until 4pm at Little Duxmore Farm, Rowlands Lane, by kind permission of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.


(No competition was held in 2024)

Results of 2023 competition

(No competition was held in 2022)

(No competition was held in 2021)

Results of 2020 competition

(No competition was held in 2019)

Results of 2018 competition

Results of 2017 competition

Results of 2016 competition

Results of 2015 competition

(2014 competition cancelled due to poor weather)

Results of 2013 competition

Results of 2012 competition

Results of 2011 competition

Results of 2010 competition

Results of 2009 competition

Results of 2008 competition

Each year, the Isle of Wight Hedgerow Group organises the Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition.

The following is the report of the 2007 competition, as reported by Jon Moreno of the Isle of Wight County Press.

A RECORD number of spectators witnessed another captivating IW Hedgelaying Competition with people of all abilities pitting their skills against each other on Saturday. The 16th annual challenge, held at Blackwater Hollow, saw Godshill man Dick Pulleine make it a highly impressive four-in-a-row in the open competition. Dick Pulleine does the finishing touches
Dick Pulleine carries out the finishing touches
Mr Pulleine, 57, of Bleak Down, who runs a coppicing business, retained the AONB Cup, making it his eighth success since 1993, the year the competition began.

“There is no secret to my success. I do this kind of thing in the winter for a living — planting new hedgerows or refurbishing them,” said Mr Pulleine. “I’m well pleased with another win and enjoy some competition, though I have to say this year was one of the toughest I’ve had to date. Taking part each year gives me a buzz and I always set out to win. With the cup, I also won a new chainsaw, which will do me nicely.”

The judges, wood sculptor Paul Sivell and expert hedgelayer Alan Ashby, of Tunbridge Wells, had a tough task trying to pick a winner in the team event, which attracted nine entries. IW Council countryside rangers Richard Temple, Karl Dyson and Nick Webb, who called themselves The Power Rangers, took part in the competition for the first time and won The Landscape Therapy Challenge Trophy. In a day of firsts, National Trust head warden Robin Lang, 44, also won the novices event in his first-ever appearance in the contest, scooping The Mary Sitch Challenge Cup, a pruning saw and Hursts gift tokens for his efforts.

“I had always watched the competition and had been thinking about taking part for a long time, but never got round to it until this year. It was great fun, hedgelaying with people I know. It was a really nice atmosphere there and would have enjoyed taking part whether I had won or not,” he said.

Read other media reports of previous competitons.

Categories
There are three categories for the competition.

OPEN
Any person may apply to enter the Open category.
Prize: The Denis Russell Cup, presented by the Isle of Wight AONB Partnership
AONB cup

NOVICE
Entrants to the Novice category must not have won any hedgelaying cup or prize more than twice.
Prize: The Mary Sitch Cup
Mary Sitch cup


TEAM
The Team category may consist of up to four persons, of whom no more than one can be ineligible for the Novice category.
Prize: The Landscape Therapy Trophy
Landscape Therapy trophy

Since 2017

THE LANDSCAPE THERAPY TROPHY
for the best Isle of Wight competitor.

Since 2008

THE CUP
for the best hedge laid with hand tools only.

Until 2010

THE WIGHT WILDLIFE AWARD (Pictured, now retired)
Given to a landowner in recognition of their valuable contribution to hedgerow conservation on the Island. This trophy was retired in 2010 and was awarded in perpetuity to Tony Ridd of Landscape Therapy.

Wight Wildlife trophy