Hedge restoration R J Simmons

Jim Simmons secured £21,229.84 to restore a hedgerow running alongside a public footpath by laying it and to install a dead hedge along a well-used bridleway. Together, these measures help prevent visitors from straying off designated rights of way and onto productive arable land, protecting both public access routes and farm operations. 

Dead hedging provides an effective, natural way to guide people along the correct paths while also creating a valuable wildlife corridor. Constructed using materials sourced from across the farm, the dead hedge can be regularly topped up and will gradually break down, enriching the soil over time. 

The restoration and laying of the hedgerow alongside the footpath has improved visibility and allowed more light to reach the route, encouraging safer and more enjoyable use. Hedge laying is a traditional countryside management technique that promotes dense growth at the base of the hedge, creating excellent habitat for wildlife while reinforcing clear boundaries along rights of way.