| Welcome to the Somerset Hedge Group Website |
What is a hedge? - a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs
2012 Calendars
- a wonderful present!
The 2012 Hedge Group calendars are available from Joy
Williams E-mail: jewilliams@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset Hedge Group Secretary, c/o Countryside Team, Somerset
County Council, County Hall, Taunton TA1 4DY Tel: 01823 355663
The cost is £4.00 each including postage and packing. Cheques in
favour of Somerset Hedge Group.
Become
a member of the Somerset Hedge Group - Help to further the aims of
the group (see below).
There are two versions of the Membership Form.
Click here
for a form that can be completed electronically saved and emailed
to Joy Williams: jewilliams@somerset.gov.uk
Click
here for a form that can be printed, completed by hand and posted
Please print, fill in and mail to Joy Williams, Somerset Hedge Group Secretary,
c/o Countryside Team, Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, TA1
4DY. Membership is free but you may like to support the group by sending
a donation with your application. Please make cheques out to 'Somerset
Hedge Group'.
Hedgerow Futures Conference: 3-5 September 2012
2012
Somerset Hedge Group Photographic Competition
The 2012 Photographic Competition has been announced. The subject for
photographs is: Hedgerow flowers and fruits through
the seasons.
There are Open and Junior (U15)
categories and generous cash prizes. The competition is open to amateurs
only and will be for digital images only. Further details and rules are
available on the draft entry form.
Click here.
Get photographing and try to capture the flora of hedgerows in Somerset
- in beech banks on Exmoor and the Blackdowns, new hedges planted under
Environmental Stewardship and ancient parish boundaries - in autumn colours,
winter frost, spring green and summer flowering.
To see the 2008 photo entries on 
,
click here.
To see the 2010 photo entries on ,
click
here.
Hedge Habitat
Champion - Peter Grainger. E-mail: petegrainger@hotmail.com
Progressing the Somerset
Habitat Action Plan for hedges.
Celebrating
Somerset's hedges
Somerset has a rich network of hedgerows and field boundaries ranging from the upland beech hedges of Exmoor, the Blackdown and Quantock Hills in the west, to the lowland ancient species-rich hedges throughout central Somerset, rising again to the stone walls and hedges of the Mendip Hills.
The
Aims of the Group
| • | To promote good practice in hedge management |
| • | To raise awareness and appreciation of the value of hedges to farming and non-farming communities |
| • | To increase the conservation of the hedge network across the county |
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The Somerset Hedge Group was formed in 1997 to co-ordinate the efforts of individuals and organisations who are concerned about hedgerows. The Somerset Hedge Group promotes responsible hedge management through demonstrations; competitions; advice on training courses, management and grant aid; publicity and other initiatives. Numerous factors such as agricultural mechanisation, urban expansion, rural development and road building have affected hedgerows in the past 50 years. Between 1984 and 1990, it is estimated that the total length of British hedgerows declined by 23% (DETR, 2000). Not all of this decline is due to direct removal, in fact the main loss of hedgerow is now neglect and mismanagement. |
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The Somerset Hedge Group uses a farmer-orientated approach to promote good practice and listening to farmers is an important role for the Group. The Group also acts as a forum for discussion where academics and practitioners alike are given the opportunity to share findings and experience.
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For the latest
events, check Diary Dates
Count from 9/2/2008 16:00
 | Over 90% of Somerset is farmed and most hedges occur on farmland |
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