Dolydd GobaithVisit us
Hedgelaying weekend at
Dolydd Gobaith
Come along to learn the important (and addictive) skill of hedgelaying
You’ll spend the first day learning from decorated hedgelayer Jim Kilpatrick, on the beautiful hillsides overlooking the wonderful Tanat Valley at Dolydd Gobaith. The second day will be a chance to put your new skills into practice and get comfortable with hedgelaying, while helping to contribute to our conservation work at Dolydd Gobaith.
If you’re truly hooked, there will also be opportunities to carry on practising and helping us maintain the hedgerows at Dolydd Gobaith.
Hedgelaying Weekend
10am–4pm, Saturday 2nd November & Sunday 3rd November
FAQs
What is hedgelaying?
Hedgelaying is an ancient skill and an important part of the proper management of our farmed landscape. Hedges are artificial features that provide important benefits for humans and other species. They provide boundaries for humans and help keep animals in (and out). For other species, they mimic woodland edges, providing opportunities for foraging food, finding shelter, and moving safely between other habitats. Without ongoing management (including hedgelaying), hedgerows will eventually become lines of trees. Thats not a bad thing, and provides other benefits, but loses some of those important features that humans and wildlife need. Hedgelaying makes use of many native species' adaptation to animal browsing, where chops and cuts can stimulate vigorous growth. By cutting the trees in the right way and at the right time, and laying over the cut stems, hedgelaying reinvigorates the hedge, providing a living barrier and making the hedge bushier and denser in a way thats a boon to all sorts of other species. We’ve lost hundreds and thousands of miles of hedgerows over the last century, and badly need to get them back. By learning to lay hedges, you’ll be an important part of restoring biodiversity and preserving our landscape culture.
How long is the course?
The course runs over two days, 10am until 4pm each day.
Do I need to bring tools?
All tools will be provided, but if you’ve got a favourite billhook or axe, then do sharpen it up and bring it along.
Why are there two ticket options?
If you’re hooked on hedgelaying by the end of the weekend (and we very much hope you are), then we would love it if you could come back and help us lay the extensive hedgerows at Dolydd Gobaith, and we’ll only ask for a small contribution to the course costs. If you don’t think you’d like to come back, thats totally fine, we just ask for a slightly larger contribution towards the courses that Dolydd Gobaith provides, helping to train our volunteers. The course is subsidised, so we're only asking for a contribution either way towards our costs and ongoing training opportunities.
What do I need to bring?
A packed lunch (we’ll be out on the hillside, so we won’t be able to warm it up). Drinks (a thermos full of something warm will put a spring in your step). Suitable clothing (dress appropriately for the weather in clothes that won’t mind the odd thorn or wayward branch). Good footwear (the hillside is steep and muddy in places)
Hedgelaying Weekend
10am–4pm, Saturday 2nd November & Sunday 3rd November
Got a question?
We're very friendly, so please do get in touch
Email us
volunteers@dolydd-gobaith.cymru
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