Hedge-laying at Slindon Forge

We've had a Youth Discovery Working Holiday group at Slindon this week, staying at the basecamp while carrying out work on the estate - it is difficult to express how much good work such groups of volunteers do.

On Friday, we all joined in for a day of laying hedges at the old forge at Slindon - mostly hazel butts, rather lank & overgrown . . . .Before . . . . .

. . and during . . .

"After" will be on Monday, when the remaining stakes go in at half-metre intervals along the centreline of the living laid hazel-stems, followed by the intertwining of the binders & an immediate trim - this is of course to be a Sussex style laid hedge.

It was a day of bonfires & billhooks . . .