(AGENPARL) – mar 06 dicembre 2022 Please find our latest news release below.
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Andrew Fagg
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Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale | Bainbridge | Leyburn | DL8 3EL
News Release
[YDNPA 4cm_BLACK]
Kirkwood becomes Dales hedgelaying champion
Bainbridge, 6 December 2022
A Kendal man has won the annual hedgelaying competition run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
Andrew Kirkwood beat five rivals in the Open Class at the competition held at Gaythorne Hall near Orton in Cumbria on Saturday (3 December).
Judges Stephen Lord and Roger Sedgwick gave second place to Aidan Handley, also from Kendal, with his brother John Handley coming third.
The competition was part of the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedgelaying Association 2022/23 Grand Prix.
During the day seven people were taught how to lay a hedge by Peter Gibson, chairman of the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedgelaying Association. The training event was funded by the [Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership](https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/westmorland-dales-hidden-landscapes-partnership)(WDLP), which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Competition organiser Adrian Shepherd, who is Head of Land Management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “We had reasonable weather for hedge laying with light winds and it was mainly dry and bright. Competitors produced a well laid hedge. This is a traditional and completely natural stock proof barrier which will support an abundance of wildlife.
“Many new hedgerows have been planted in Lancashire and Westmorland and across the National Park in recent years, so people with hedgelaying skills are likely to be in increasing demand in coming years. That’s why it was good to see new people being trained alongside the highly skilled competitors; special thanks to colleagues from the WDLP team for their support in helping organising and funding the training element of the event.”
He also thanked the judges; the Leven Hall Farm Partnership including farmer Jim Breary; the Lancashire and Westmorland Hedgelaying Association; and colleagues in the ranger service.
/ends//
Note to Newsdesk
Images:
1 ‘Judges kept a close eye on hedgelaying competitors on Saturday’
2 ‘The Dales hedgelaying competition at Gaythorne Hall near Orton’
1.The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK. It is administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which has two main purposes: “to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage” and “to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park”. In carrying out these purposes, the Authority has a duty “to seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities”. The National Park Authority comprises 25 members, made up of county and district councillors and members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to represent parishes or in recognition of their specialist skills or knowledge.
2.All of our work is guided by the vision for the future of the National Park set out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan: “Through their passion for this special place, local people and businesses will keep the Yorkshire Dales National Park a thriving area. Its unique cultural landscape will be treasured for its stunning scenery, exceptional heritage and wonderful wildlife, and every year millions of people will be inspired to be a part of it.”
For more information on how we are working and for the latest guidance on COVID-19 please visit https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/category/covid-19/
Thank you
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