10.06.04
New Guild of Cornish Hedgers will safeguard the future of Cornwall's hedges

A new guild of Cornish hedgers and the development of a code of good practice will be launched at the Royal Cornwall Show to help raise the standards of hedging and repairs to Cornwall's prehistoric hedgerows.

To highlight their craft, hedge builder Richard Boden Cummins, has built a replica Cornish hedge, on display at the entrance to the Farmers Pavilion. Richard is one of the guild's first members and will also be instrumental in training many of the next generation of hedge builders at his newly established rural craft-training centre, The Stone Academy, near Camelford.

The Guild has been formed by a group of professional hedgers with assistance from Robin Menneer, a chartered surveyor, who originally learnt hedging during the war on his family farm at Gweek. The project received valuable funding from Rural Progress, an Objective One project to develop skills and knowledge transfer in the land based sector.

Robin says: "New government initiatives have fuelled the demand for the repair and building of hedges and there are general concerns within the industry about the lack of both training facilities and young hedgers, trained to a recognised standard, to ensure the demand is met.”

To help overcome this problem Robin developed the guild's fifty working-day apprenticeship training scheme where Instruction takes place on a one to one basis and he is preparing a series of twenty booklets on different hedging aspects and has prepared the code of good practice.

The guild offers different levels of membership depending upon interest and experience, and a one-day practical examination for skilled hedgers. It is hoped the one day practical examination will eventually lead to a nationally accredited standard in liaison with the Dry Stone Walling Association. The Dry Stone Walling Association have been very supportive of the guild and Chris Stevens, the SW Branch Secretary, will be on the guild's stand during the show.

The guild is keen to preserve the craft of Cornish hedging by establishing a recognised standard and register of certified and master craftsmen, which contractors and landlords can refer to when tendering out hedging contracts.

Richard Boden Cummins comments: "The hedge is not only an important visual fabric of the Cornish landscape and archaeological heritage but it provides an important habitat for fauna and flora. When building hedges you know you will leave your mark on the countryside for generations to come, it is very satisfying and I hope the guild will attract more young people to learn this valuable craft.”

Further information on the guild is available at the Royal Cornwall Show from the replica Cornish Hedge next to stand 400 the Farmers Pavilion and from the guild's stand next to the Rural Craft tent.

Further information is available from guild steward, Patrick Semmens, on 01736 788816 or email patrick@graniteheritage.fsnet.co.uk. Information on developing your Cornish Hedging Skills is available from The Stone Academy on tel: 01840 212884 or fax: 01840 213629.

Editor's notes:

Available to interview at the show:
Robin Menneer, the Guild of Cornish Hedgers, near the Rural Craft tent
Richard Boden-Cummins, The Stone Academy Stand, Replica Cornish Hedge, Farmers Pavillion.

Interviews can be arranged by contacting Carolyn Daw, mobile 07866 697057 or 01822 833488.

Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mob: 07973 813647
Tel: 01579 370991

lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk

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