After last years cancellation due to heavy rain we were hoping for a dry day for the Patron's Competition and we were granted this wish - at least until a hail shower within the last hour. The hedge was close to, and similar in nature to the 2013 hedge being about fifteen years old, mainly Hawthorn with some Field Maple and Hazel. I believe 48 cutters were present, cutting Midland, South of England, North Somerset and two Welsh styles.
As you can see the hedge was not at all heavy, with little field layer, no rose or bramble and mercifully it had not been flailed or cut at any time.
Whilst the hedge had been planted in two rows, in some places the plants on the field side had died or had poor growth. In the example below the clump of Field Maple may well have stunted the growth on the north side.
Whilst a hedge of this age and structure could be presumed to hold few challenges, in every cant there are always some difficult stems. In trying to make a thick hedge one strives to keep as much as possible but twisted and interlocked stems can make for some difficult decisions.
Looking up the South of England cants at the end of the session...
...and I managed a reasonably straight stake line
A flavour of the relaxed and jovial side of this event is shown by this Midland competitor from Lancaster flying the flag of John of Gaunt over his cant.
And finally a shot of Alan finishing off his Midland cant.
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