Cornish hedge
Encyclopedia
A Cornish hedge is a style of hedge built of stone and earth found in Cornwall
, south-west England
. Sometimes hedging plants or trees are planted on the hedge to increase its windbreaking height. A rich flora develops over the lifespan of a Cornish hedge. The Cornish hedge contributes to the distinctive field-pattern of the Cornish landscape, and form the county's largest semi-natural wildlife habitat.
and Iron Age
s, 2000–4000 years ago, when Cornwall's traditional pattern of landscape became established. Others were built during the Mediaeval field rationalisations; more originated in the tin
and copper
industrial boom of the 18th and 19th centuries, when heaths and uplands were enclosed
.
In other parts of Britain, early hedges were destroyed to make way for the manorial open-field system. Many were replaced after the Enclosure Acts, then removed again during modern agricultural intensification, and now some are being replanted for wildlife. Cornwall is richer in historic hedges than other parts of Britain, with over three-quarters of the hedges remaining today being anciently established.
The Cornish Hedge Research and Education Group (CHREG) is the main body promoting the understanding of Cornish hedges in Cornwall. It is currently a partner in a Transeuropean project to share the knowledge of traditional skills related to hedges and drystone buildings.
The materials used for the hedge vary in different parts of the county because of the underlying rocks. Building methods with slate are different from those with granite since the sides of each stone are relatively flat. In building with slate if the stones are small they will be laid "cursy-wavy" or herringbone fashion each course being inclined either to right or left alternately. There would be a foundation of larger stones and a row of coping stones (larger than the rest) standing on edge to complete the top.
, Fwag (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group), Stone Academy Bodmin, Cornwall AONB, Country Trust and professional hedgers to ensure the future of Cornish Hedges in the landscape.
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, south-west England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Sometimes hedging plants or trees are planted on the hedge to increase its windbreaking height. A rich flora develops over the lifespan of a Cornish hedge. The Cornish hedge contributes to the distinctive field-pattern of the Cornish landscape, and form the county's largest semi-natural wildlife habitat.
Construction
History
There are about 30000 miles (48,280.2 km) of hedges in Cornwall today, and their development over the centuries is preserved in their structure. The first Cornish hedges enclosed land for cereal crops during the Neolithic Age (4000–6000 years ago). Prehistoric farms were of about 5 to 10 ha (12.4 to 24.7 acre), with fields about 0.1 hectare (0.247105163015276 acre) for hand cultivation. Some hedges date from the BronzeBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
and Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
s, 2000–4000 years ago, when Cornwall's traditional pattern of landscape became established. Others were built during the Mediaeval field rationalisations; more originated in the tin
Tin
Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn and atomic number 50. It is a main group metal in group 14 of the periodic table. Tin shows chemical similarity to both neighboring group 14 elements, germanium and lead and has two possible oxidation states, +2 and the slightly more stable +4...
and copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
industrial boom of the 18th and 19th centuries, when heaths and uplands were enclosed
Enclosure
Enclosure or inclosure is the process which ends traditional rights such as mowing meadows for hay, or grazing livestock on common land. Once enclosed, these uses of the land become restricted to the owner, and it ceases to be common land. In England and Wales the term is also used for the...
.
In other parts of Britain, early hedges were destroyed to make way for the manorial open-field system. Many were replaced after the Enclosure Acts, then removed again during modern agricultural intensification, and now some are being replanted for wildlife. Cornwall is richer in historic hedges than other parts of Britain, with over three-quarters of the hedges remaining today being anciently established.
The Cornish Hedge Research and Education Group (CHREG) is the main body promoting the understanding of Cornish hedges in Cornwall. It is currently a partner in a Transeuropean project to share the knowledge of traditional skills related to hedges and drystone buildings.
The materials used for the hedge vary in different parts of the county because of the underlying rocks. Building methods with slate are different from those with granite since the sides of each stone are relatively flat. In building with slate if the stones are small they will be laid "cursy-wavy" or herringbone fashion each course being inclined either to right or left alternately. There would be a foundation of larger stones and a row of coping stones (larger than the rest) standing on edge to complete the top.
Maintenance
Cornish hedges suffer from the effects of tree roots, burrowing rabbits, rain, wind, farm animals and people. Eventually the hedge sides lose their batter, bulge outwards and stones fall. How often repairs are needed depends on how well the hedge was built, its stone, and what has happened to it since it was last repaired. Typically a hedge needs a cycle of repair every 150 years or so, or less often if it is fenced. Building new hedges, and repairing existing hedges, is a skilled craft, and there are professional hedgers in Cornwall. The Cornish Hedge Research and Education Group (CHREG) supports the development of traditional skills and works with Cornwall County CouncilCornwall County Council
Cornwall Council is the unitary authority for Cornwall, in England, United Kingdom. The council, and its predecessor Cornwall County Council, has a tradition of large groups of independents, having been controlled by independents in the 1970s and 1980s...
, Fwag (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group), Stone Academy Bodmin, Cornwall AONB, Country Trust and professional hedgers to ensure the future of Cornish Hedges in the landscape.
Further reading
- Balchin, W. G. V. (1954) Cornwall: an illustrated essay on the history of the landscape; chap. 4. London: Hodder and Stoughton