04 Mar 2025

Countryside Ranger Ben Morgan-Brown has taken first place in the ‘solo novice’ category at the Blackdown Hills Hedge Association Competition. Given five hours to lay a hedge in the traditional Devon-style, Ben impressed the judges with his skill and technique.

Hedgelaying is a traditional countryside craft used to maintain healthy hedgerows. It involves partially cutting young trees, so they bend and lie at an angle while continuing to grow from the base. This process creates thick and healthy hedges that act as natural livestock barrier and provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Competitors were judged on the quality of their cuts, crooks, use of materials, overall appearance, and the stock-proof strength of their section of hedge. After a hard day’s work, Ben was thrilled to secure first place.

Ben first trained with the Blackdown Hills Hedge Association when he began working in conservation just over three years ago. Since then, he has laid at least one stretch of hedgerow each year with the Countryside team and previously placed 3rd and 4th in the ‘novice pairs’ category at past competitions.

Ben said: "When I started working in conservation, the art of hedgelaying really sparked something in me—it felt like the epitome of a job where you could look back at the end of the day with pride. Winning first place was a dream of mine, and I’m still buzzing from the win!"