Hunt's thriving conservation competition helps shape the countryside

The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt held its 26th Annual Hedge Laying Competition on Sunday 26th February, with huge competitor numbers and enthusiasm.

The idyllic farm and countryside between Babcary and Sparkford, Dorset, was a welcome host to both professionals and complete beginners learning the traditional skills of hedge laying.

The Novice class is what makes this competition and vital wildlife conservation project extra special. Experienced professionals offer their expertise in a full training and tutorial for the over 50 competitors taking part in the Novice class, enabling complete beginners to take part. The organisers and professionals see this as an essential part of keeping these key skills and methods alive, as well as maintaining and improving wildlife conservation. The Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt fully appreciate this established competition as being a great social and community event too, with the event being run entirely by volunteers from the hunt. The competition is moved to a new farm in the hunt country each year.

The Countryside Alliance's Chief Executive, Tim Bonner, agrees these important events should be recognised for their conservation work: "There is so much 'noise' in the press and media about rewilding and city councils dictating individual diet choices for climate change, when it is clear that farmers, rural industries and hunts are -and always have been - quietly and expertly managing, improving, shaping the countryside."

Long-standing competition organiser and hunting enthusiast, Peter FitzGerald, highlights the important countryside management gained from the event: "The day is a huge success for everyone and every party involved, with traditional expertise and knowledge being passed on, farmers and landowners benefiting, wonderful improvements to nature and bird habitats, and hunt followers have more fantastic hedges to cross. It's wonderful to have this work recognised by our great sponsors too."

Local and international brand names support this key rural event, with Fox Grant Estate Agents having sponsored for 15 years.

The benefits of hedge laying are plentiful; it ensures thicker hedge growth from the bottom, thus offering excellent natural boundary fencing for farmers, provides birds and mammals with a safe, nutritious and enclosed habitat and gives fun, natural and long-lasting fences for hunt followers to jump.

Image credit: Mrs L Dinley Photography