Category Archives: UK Gardens and Wildlife

Hedge laying course helps revive Iron Age tradition

11 March 2013

The word hedge comes from the Ancient English hege or Anglo-Saxon haga and refers to the management of hedgerows for boundary markers, shelter and barriers to keep livestock in and enemies out. As agriculture developed, the function of hedgerows steered more towards stock barriers. During the 19th century the introduction of barbed wire and the demands for more intensive farming methods left many hedgerows neglected or replaced.

The recognition of important hedgerows, some of which date back to the Iron Age, and the 23 per cent decline of hedgerow length in Great Britain between 1984 and 1990 lead to their protection in 1997 under Hedgerow Regulations.

Interest in the traditional craft of hedge laying has been revived thanks to a free course run by the New Forest Land Advice Service.

A group of Commoners and land owners have been taught how to enhance their boundaries using techniques dating back thousands of years to the Iron Age – ensuring hedgerows are retained as a valuable feature in the landscape.

Well maintained hedges are functional and practical, acting as a stock proof barrier on its own or in combination with fencing.

The hedges are also crucial habitats for native plants and wildlife such as nesting birds, dormice, hedgehogs and many insects. They are also corridors for animals to move across fields and between woodland, whilst bats use them as road maps for navigation.

The New Forest Land Advice Service brought in professional hedge layer Andrew Birnie (corr) and organised two free courses in February and March thanks to funding from the Sustainable Development Fund through the New Forest National Park Authority.

At Hazel Copse Farm in Beaulieu, 20 volunteers including a new generation of Commoners laid 70 metres of hedge in a day.

Robert Bridle, 17, a Commoner from the Minstead area, said: ‘ I’ve taken the skills I’ve learned on the course to lay hedges on my own holding. It’s good for the land and wildlife and to maintain the character of the New Forest.’

Land Advice Service Advisor Rhys Morgan said: ‘The response to the course has been very enthusiastic. It’s lovely to think that a tradition going back thousands of years to the Iron Age, or beyond, is still being used today.’

Hedges are laid over the winter when vegetation is at its thinnest and to avoid the bird breeding season from 1 March to 31 August. Typically hedges should be laid every seven to 10 years in order to ensure they stay thick and bushy.

Further hedge laying courses will be held again from the autumn. A small charge is likely next time. If you’re interested in joining the course, contact Rhys Morgan on 01590 646688 or email rhys.morgan@nflandadvice.org.uk. You can also find out more at www.nflandadvice.org.uk

Find out how to become a New Forest volunteer

People with a passion for the New Forest are invited to a Volunteer Fair showcasing the best of volunteering opportunities in the National Park.

This free event organised by the New Forest National Park Authority will be full of New Forest organisations with a vast range of opportunities and different ways to get involved in Forest life. There is a lot to do at the fair including talks about the New Forest.

Gillie Hayball, the New Forest National Park Authority’s Lead Ranger, said: ‘We want to celebrate the great work going on in the New Forest and encourage more people to get involved.

‘Volunteering is good for meeting new people, learning new skills, it can keep you fit and is a great way to make a real difference to the Forest. For anyone with an interest in the wildlife, landscape and heritage of the National Park, come along!’

Pauline Norman a volunteer for the New Forest Remembers – untold stories of World War II project, said: ‘I have been part of this project now for 10 months and I have enjoyed every minute of it. It’s been a brilliant opportunity to meet new and like-minded people and I now have a greater appreciation of the fascinating history of the New Forest and how its landscape has been shaped.

‘On my first day doing survey work we discovered the remains of WWII army accommodation at Roundhill campsite. I also volunteered to help promote the project at the New Forest Show last year and our stand was visited by The Queen!

‘I would recommend volunteering to anyone. It is educational, fun, friendly, exciting, inspirational and very interesting.’

Organisations signed up to attend the Fair include the Forestry Commission, the National Trust, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Friends of New Forest Airfields, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society, New Forest Healthy Walks, the New Forest Centre, Hampshire Conservation Volunteers, Hampshire Scouts and many more.

The Volunteer Fair will be held on Saturday 2nd March 2013 from 10.30am–4pm at Lyndhurst Community Centre. For more information go to www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/volunteer_fair.

Free courses for commoners, farmers and landowners

Free courses are on offer for commoners, farmers, landowners and anyone with an interest in woodland management in the New Forest and Avon Valley.

The New Forest Land Advice Service is providing four freetraining sessions in the New Year to anyone interested in coppicing and pollarding, feasibility of wood fuel, equine nutrition and pasture management and hedge laying.

Julie Stubbs, Land Advice Service Manager, said: ‘These four courses are in response to discussions with farmers, commoners and landowners in the New Forest area. These are the skills they would like to build on and it is great to be able to offer them this opportunity.’

Practical coppicing and pollarding

Wednesday 13 February 2013, 1pm – 5pm Foxhills Infant School, Ashurst.

Local expert Dave Dibden will be explaining the environmental, cultural and economic benefits of these traditional woodland and tree management techniques. Places are limited. To book your place email georgianna.watson@nflandadvice.org.uk or call 01590 646698.

Harvesting Energy – wood fuel conference

Friday 22 February 2013, 9:30am-4pm, Lyndhurst Community Centre.

This one day conference looks at the feasibility and economics of wood fuel production and looks at creating links between woodland owners, managers, land agents and the end user. Places are limited. To book your place email georgianna.watson@nflandadvice.org.uk or call 01590 646698.

Equine nutrition and pasture management – how to get the most out of your paddock

Wednesday 13 and Wednesday 27th February 2013, Lyndhurst Community Centre.

A two-part course designed in partnership with New Forest Equine Forum. The course is an opportunity to find out more about nutrition and pasture management. Speakers include a vet, an equine nutritionist and experts on paddock management. Places are limited. To book both days email rachael.bowen@newforestnpa.gov.uk or call 01590 646632.

Hedge laying

Saturday 19 January at Hazel Copse Farm, Beaulieu and Saturday 2 February (look out for location details soon).

Expert hedge layer Andrew Birnie will be teaching and demonstrating hedge laying techniques using a range of hand tools. Places are limited. To book your place email rhys.morgan@nflandadvice.org.uk or call 01590 646688.

For more information about the Land Advice Service visit www.nflandadvice.org.uk

About the New Forest Land Advice Service

The New Forest Land Advice Service is available to landowners and occupiers who would like advice and support on a wide range of issues relating to land management. The advisors operate across the National Park, the Avon Valley and the coastal plain. Since the service started in 2010 it has advised more than 300 businesses.

It is funded by the New Forest National Park Authority, Natural England, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the Verderers.

The service offers:

• A free and independent service for the land managing community in and around the New Forest and Avon Valley.
• Support for landowners, farmers, New Forest Commoners, equine owners, graziers and community groups.
• Advice to anyone who owns or manages a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) in the area.
• A small grant scheme which can support capital works which benefit the landscape, biodiversity and cultural heritage of the area.

To find out more about the New Forest Land Advice Service, or arrange a visit, please call 01590 646696 or email enquiries@nfladvice.org.uk.

New Forest National Park Authority welcomes forestry report

4 July 2012

The New Forest National Park Authority has welcomed a report by a panel set up to look into the future of England’s woodlands which recommends keeping the New Forest in public ownership.

The report published today (4 July 2012) also recommends enshrining in statute the benefit to the public which woodlands like the New Forest have, and they also say landowners should be encouraged to achieve these benefits in private woodlands as well.

Welcoming the report, New Forest National Park Authority Chairman Julian Johnson said: ‘The Panel has recognised that woodlands are not only vital for nature, but bring great value to people in terms of providing jobs and skills and supporting the economy – which is particularly relevant with our Commoning system in the New Forest – as well as benefiting people’s health and wellbeing.

‘These benefits have been recognised in the New Forest for a long time in the way it has been managed and we hope the New Forest will benefit from a renewed focus on achieving them.’

The 72-page report also recommends that the Forestry Commission evolves into a new organisation which will champion woodlands. It would have guardians and trustees who would be accountable to Parliament and the organisation would be more independent from Government with greater financial freedom. The report says: ‘Government investment is now needed to kick start these changes which will repay itself many times over in terms of public benefit.’

The Government launched a consultation on the future of the public forest estate managed by the Forestry Commission in January 2011, including the Crown land in the New Forest National Park.

The Panel, chaired by The Right Reverend James Jones Bishop of Liverpool, was then set-up to advise the Government on the future of England’s forests and woods.

As part of the consultation, the New Forest National Park Authority co-hosted a visit by some of the Panel members to the New Forest in February this year which included a tour of key sites and discussions with a wide range of Forest organisations about issues such as habitats, recreation, land management, volunteering and tourism.

The Government now has six months to consider the report and publish its response to the recommendations.

Mr Johnson said: ‘We are pleased that the Panel listened to our calls for the New Forest to stay in public ownership and took on board the special nature of public woodlands in its recommendations. We will now be seeking greater understanding of the details behind the report and will hold discussions with Authority Members and our stakeholders to explore what the recommendations would mean for the Forest.’