Graham Teece laying Stafford Style

This shows the techniques involved in laying a hedge in the Staffordshire Style. It is a pre-release version: Graham will be adding a commentary to explain the steps in more detail.

[@johnwright9372]

My paternal grandfather Charles Wright (born circa 1896) was the Staffs county hedgelaying champion many times. He lived in Tixall then later in Hixon. In 1957 he won the NUF championship held at Gnosall. I have his medal. I went hedgelaying with him for a couple of weeks in the mid 70s when I was in my early 20s. He was in his late 70s and still working. We cut the birch stakes from a copse on a farm called the Rooks Nest on the hill on the West side of the Trent Valley one frosty morning. He knew all the old country skills including ploughing with draft horses, which by that time was long past. He would occasionally snare rabbits and catch moles on farmers' land. He told me that there was a tinker settlement called Tinkerborough near the Rooks Nest before WWI. One man who lived there was a thatcher who would walk to Stone to work. There were no licensing laws then and pubs were open early. He would have a pint of beer in every pub on the way there and a pint in every pub on the way back. He had a small terrier which he would put inside his coat. One day he was very drunk and fell into a ditch. Passersby could not wake him and could not approach him because the terrier fiercely kept them away. People thought he was dead. Two days later he woke up! Tinkerborough was all overgrown by the 70s but one could still find the old shelves and seats cut in the hillside from the former dwellings. My friend found an old bottle with a pointed bottom. Grand memories.

[@loonyranger]

Did he live in Featherbed Lane? My dad used to visit his mate up there but I can't remember his name. My dad worked at Tixall during the 30s and 40s as a waggoner. He lived in the old stables alongside the horses. He cut many hedges in that area. I know Tinkerborough. I used to live near it. The old track through the woods is there and the cut outs in the rocks where the cottages were. There's some nice cottages there but the really old thatched ones have long gone.

[@annshaw6426]

Just watched this for the second time. Wonderful film deserving a wide audience who will see a master craftsman at work.

[@triumphgibbo7872]

I've often seen 'the build' being the aim for a good hedge, and this perfectly demonstrates what Graham is espousing. Lovely watch, thanks chaps.

[@bearwoodcraft3591]

Almost like he’s won nationals a fair few times lol ❤

[@lesdrinkwater490]

Great work. Not seen the Stafford style before.

[@barkershill]

Brilliant work . Definitely one of the best videos dealing with this topic.

[@Andy2x4]

Incredible craftsmanship and it looks fantastic at the end. Have some very neglected hedges and would love to learn how to lay them.

[@billpiper112]

www.hedgelaying.org.uk/ has details of courses across the country and links to accredited hedge layers. Go for it!

[@AtEboli]

It's mesmerizing watching this. I pity anyone who grows in the suburbs or cities who never had the chance to do this kind of work growing up. Being out in the elements, with all the various plants and crops, with the sun and wind and rain, feeling the seasons as they progress. It makes a lasting impact I think, and teaches you a lot about the natural world.

[@G5XW]

Brilliant work Bill and Graham

[@martinpaddock1982]

Great film, I shall be watching this every night until the Ecceleshall match.🤠

[@billpiper112]

Ha! We need to do another film of a much older hedge. This one makes it look too simple! Good luch at Eccleshall.

[@Wornout1]

Young hedge like that would lend itself to live stakes. Not everyone s cup of tea but if you have no easy access to cut stakes your still be able to crack on. Good job by the way.

[@billpiper112]

Staffordshire style traditionally uses sawn stakes. Personally I prefer Midland ste with hazel stakes and binders

[@lifeoftreedom]

Lovely work.

[@richyf194]

Cracking job,

[@bludgerabled]

Lovely hedge

[@paulmatthews2325]

Liking that, I prefer a side axe for the bigger stuff but that’s just me ! Nice little hedge

[@simonrutherford5738]

It’s very satisfying to watch. Sadly I can’t find any videos of the Breconshire style which is my local hedge style.

[@billpiper112]

I'll see what I can do.

[@gerardhogan3]

I reckon a battery stihl would have done a good job as well. This is amazing. Actually I can see how it would a satisfying job. I grew up on a cane farm so in a weird way I get it... Greetings from Australia

[@chrisdavies3572]

Ok so what did the old boys do before chain saws. Hand tools. Real craftsman.

[@gerardhogan3]

@@chrisdavies3572 yes and I suppose often unsung heroes really. I mean they seem to just do their job and get on with it. Rain, hail or shine. Tough British men and women folk which I admire because that's what started off and began our country, Australia

[@billpiper112]

Please feel free to add a comment - ideas for improvement etc are welcome.

[@samshambles391]

I would love to see how the hedge looks now!😃

[@ApiaryManager]

Nice job! I'll bet he burned a few calories doing that! Very neat!

[@benniebarrow348]

Straight up work . I admire the drive and effort……….oh, the chain saw is cheating. Old school or nothing. LOL.

[@JeffersS13]

What do do at the ends of the hedge or at openings like gates?

[@billpiper112]

You get creative! I think the usual way is to lay a few of the stems the opposite way then Nick them and fold them back the normal way to create elbows at the gatepost at various heights. I'll get Graham to give you a more definitive answer.

[@muhamedsimnica6535]

Very nice but what kind of tree is that all the best

[@annshaw6426]

It’s hawthorn.

[@notthestrawman3005]

Any links to that tool he is using?

[@billpiper112]

Billhook. For a comprensive guide see www.billhooks.co.uk/

[@notthestrawman3005]

What species tree is the hedge?

[@billpiper112]

All young hawthorn, ideal for laying. A mixed species creates an uneven hedge because of different growth patterns.

[@notthestrawman3005]

Awesome, Thanks for the response. You never see this kind of hedge here in east canada! But I think I'll put one in on my property. What age is the hawthorn when its ready to lay down?@@billpiper112

[@billpiper112]

@@notthestrawman3005 Good luck with that project! It does take several years before a newly planted hedge can be laid. Difficult to predict as it relies on soil, climate, etc. There is a useful explanation of a hedgerow management cycle here: hedgerowsurvey.ptes.org/hedge-management-cycle And there is a lot of information on the National Hedgelaying Society's website - including this description of some of the UK regional styles (ironically not including the Staffordshire style) www.hedgelaying.org.uk/pg/info/styles.aspx There is a Facebook group - 'Hedgelaying and Coppicing' with lots of chit-chat and there are certainly some contributors there from your side of the pond - mainly New England I think, but maybe some Canadians. All the best, Bill

[@notthestrawman3005]

Cool, thanks for the info@@billpiper112