On the farm at the weekend we have all sorts of ways of having fun. This March, while the wind still blows cold from the East, there is still time to get on with something together, something physical and very satisfying.  And for the hedge – a short section between a grand, ancient oak and the old, very full farm pond, it meant ‘getting laid’.

Hedge laying is a an old craft to thicken and invigorate the mix of bushy species. We love it. And when the new growth  is encouraged by Spring warmth to burst forth we shall love farm life all the more. In bitter cold cut, spliced, trimmed and cleared up before dark.When later we were all cleaned up and sitting in front of the fire to watch television, what should be on Countryfile on BBC1? Hedgelaying!