Hurdle making, hedgelaying and dry stone walling

Understanding Hurdle Making

Hurdle making is a traditional rural craft that involves creating fence panels, primarily from coppiced wood such as hazel or willow.
These versatile objects were traditionally used for fencing in livestock, but can now also be used for garden purposes.
Flexibility and resilience of the materials used make hurdles robust and durable.
The basic components of a hurdle are uprights, called zales, and weavers, known as wattles. The process of weaving the wattles between the zales is called wattling.
Understanding the different ways of bending and interlocking branches will improve the strength and durability of the finished hurdle.

Hedgelaying Basics

The process of hedgelaying involves cutting, bending and interweaving branches of a hedge to create a dense, livestock proof barrier.
The key steps in hedgelaying are pleaching (partially cutting through the stem), staking (inserting vertical stakes into the laid hedge), and binding (securing the top of the hedge with long, thin poles).
The art of hedgelaying ensures the longevity of a hedge, promotes biodiversity and creates habitats for wildlife.
There are many different regional styles of hedgelaying, including Midland, Devon and South of England, each adapted to local conditions and requirements.

Essentials of Dry Stone Walling

Dry stone walling is a method of constructing walls without the use of mortar.
Maintaining and repairing dry stone walls is a skilled craft that has been handed down through generations.
These walls provide important habitats for a range of wildlife and create distinct landscapes such as those in the Yorkshire Dales.
Understanding the principles of dry stone walling, including selection of stones, the importance of throughstones, coping stones and the dry stone wall’s double-skinned construction is critical.
Good dry stone walling involves creating a sturdy, long-lasting structure that can withstand the elements.

Each of these rural crafts involves using locally sourced, sustainable materials and offer benefits both to the environment and the rural community. Successful application of these skills supports the thriving of local traditions, promotes environmental stewardlship and creates habitats for wildlife.