Our hedgecutting (hedgelaying) competition showcases the craftsmanship required to create and maintain the beautiful hedgerows that are the hallmark of our countryside.
Hedgecutting Competitors will be required to cut and lay a length of hedge in the best manner, laying the first pleach off to the next competitor to fill in.
Competitors will draw lots for their length of hedge prior to the start of hedgecutting.
Approx. lengths to be cut per class:
HEDGECUTTING will commence at 8:30am and conclude at 1:00pm. The start and finish times will be strictly adhered to.
The height and direction of the pleaches will be specified by the Stewards at the time of the draw.
Competitors will be allowed to help each other if required, but no other person is to interfere.
No entry will be accepted from any Competitor who has twice previously refused to cut the length of hedge allotted to him.
Prize Money in the Hedgecutting classes has been generously donated by
Mr WR & MRS SM Slater
Expenses of £10.00 per competitor will be paid to each competitor who completes his length to the satisfaction of the chief hedge laying steward.
The Society Tankard to be won outright for the best Hedgecutting by a Competitor who has not attained their 25th birthday by the 1st October 2026.
The Best Novice, i.e. anyone who attended the Society’s Spring 2026 Hedgecutting course, will receive £10.00, and hold for one year, THE J D EATON TROPHY.
SPECIAL PRIZES
The Southern Region of the DERBYSHIRE FEDERATION of YOUNG FARMERS CLUBS, has generously donated a TROPHY, to be held for one year, for the best Hedgecutting in the Competition, carried out by a person who is a registered YFC member at the time of entry and residing within 12 miles of Brailsford Post Office.
CLASS 1H – NOVICE HEDGECUTTING – OPEN
Open to competitors who have been on the Brailsford Hedgecutting Training Course Spring 2025.
The winner will receive and hold for one year THE RURAL LAW PRACTICE, CUMBRIA PERPETUAL CHALLENGE SHIELD.
CLASS 2H: JUNIOR HEDGECUTTING – OPEN
Open to competitors who have not attained their 25th birthday on 1st October 2025.
The winner will receive, and hold for one year, THE MAJOR R K KNOWLES PERPETUAL CHALLENGE CUP kindly presented by Major R K KNOWLES, and will retain the Society’s TANKARD.
CLASS 3H: SENIOR
Open to Competitors who reside within 12 miles of Brailsford Post Office.
The winner will receive, and hold for one year, THE MEYNELL AND SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE HUNT SUPPORTERS CUP kindly presented by the MEYNELL & SOUTH STAFFS. HUNT.
The best Competitor in this class not having attained their 25th birthday on the 1st October 2025 will receive, and hold for one year, THE GEORGE SMALLDON PERPETUAL MEMORIAL TROPHY kindly presented by his family in his memory.
Competitors must win Class 2H twice before moving onto Class 3H.
CLASS 4H: SENIOR INTERMEDIATE – OPEN
Competitors must win Class 3H twice before moving up to 4H (competitors outside the 12 mile radius move to Champion Class).
The winner will receive, and hold for one year, THE JACK BILLINGE MEMORIAL TROPHY presented in his memory by his family.
CLASS 5H: CHAMPIONS – OPEN
The winner will receive, and hold for one year, THE JOE HULLAND PERPETUAL MEMORIAL TROPHY and retain a TANKARD presented by the Society.
CLASS 6H: VETERANS – OPEN
For competitors aged 65 years and over.
ALL HEDGE STAKES in the GROWING HEDGE CLASSES have been generously donated by LESTER LOWE of Kniveton
Competitors on site for 8:00am, Competitors start at 8:30am
