2008 Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition
The 2008 competition was held on Saturday 23 February 2008 by kind permission of A E Brown Farms.
Location: by the Fighting Cocks, Hale Common, Arreton
The biggest competition yet was held in reasonably dry weather on a cauliflower field alongside the main Arreton–Sandown road. Fifteen pitches were cut, plus a demonstration pitch by Peter Tunks, a former supreme national champion. Other attractions included a demonstration of hurdle-making from local hurdler Richard Bolwell, and an impressive display of billhooks.
The sizable crowd assembled for the results had a tense wait for the verdict as the three judges had to reinspect the pitches to determine the results of several ties. A remarkable upset occurred when reigning champion Dick Pulleine was unexpectedly ousted from the top spot by Paul Davies, who had not competed in recent years. The novice class also saw a new winner, with Rob Richards picking up his first trophy — and the new W Hurst & Sons cup for the best laid hedge with hand tools only. A big entry from the IW College guaranteed an exciting team class, with a strong student showing.
Judges were Alan Ashby, Paul Sivell and Phil Allen
Results
Open Class
- 1st — Paul Davies
- 2nd — Dick Pulleine
- 3rd — Oz Hoskyns
- 4th — James Cook
- 5th — Tom Murphy
Novice Class
- 1st — Rob Richards
- 2nd — Robin Lang
- 3rd — Alex Holmes
- 4th — Paul Trickett
- 5th — Rick Temple
Team Class
- 1st — Red Hot Solar Panel
- 2nd — Wench Layers
- 3rd — Yer But No But
- 4th — Two Toms & a Tit
- 5th — Hedge Babes & The Dude
The W Hurst & Sons Cup: awarded to Rob Richards.