Kate Ellis of Lauriston is the only full-time hedge-layer in mainland Australia, and quite possibly the only female hedge-layer in the southern hemisphere.
The Seymour Alternative Farming Expo will be held once again on February 15, 16, and 17, 2013.
This event has grown into the most successful alternative farming expo in the southern hemisphere and each year more than 450 exhibitors present their products, services and skills.
An interesting practitioner who will be demonstrating her skills at Seymour Expo is Kate Ellis of Lauriston, the only full-time hedge-layer in mainland Australia, and quite possibly the only female hedge-layer in the southern hemisphere.
The first written reports about hedges came from Julius Caesar in his battles for Gaul in northern Europe. The local tribes had constructed hedges by cutting and laying small trees, binding them with brambles and thorn to achieve a stockproof barrier to keep in stock and keep out marauding tribes. The Britons of the same era probably had similar barriers and when the Anglo-Saxons settled in lowland Britain they continued the practice, mainly using hawthorn trees.
Kate lived in Europe for 10 years, which included five years in Scotland gaining her PHD in Environmental Science at St Andrews University, and that is where she discovered hedge-laying and became fascinated. It has turned into her full-time work and passion. She learnt the craft from a couple of hedge-layers in Tasmania, and still works with them to revive her skills.
"In Australia," explained Kate, "The hedges are all either hawthorn or elm. I use willow for binding and whatever suitable timber I can find for the stakes. Finding and cutting the willow from the banks of rivers and creeks is very labour intensive.
"I've been doing this commercially for three years. I started with my own 100-metre hawthorn hedge and people kept stopping on the road to find out what it was all about."
The concept of laying a hedge appears fairly straightforward, but in practice is much harder, requiring skill and experience. The aim is to reduce the thickness of the upright stems of the hedgerow trees by cutting away the wood on one side of the stem, in line with the course of the hedge. The stem is then laid down towards the horizontal, along the length of the hedge. Knowing how much to leave when cutting the stem to keep the hedge alive is just one aspect of the art of hedge-laying.
Kate said that the hedges need to be about eight feet high to start laying and end up at the usual fence height of four feet. The traditional tool used is a Staffordshire billhook - a rather intimidating implement made by blacksmiths.
Hedge-laying is currently undergoing a revival in the United States and United Kingdom and there is plenty of interest here from people who have seen Kate's work.
"I'm trying to revive the old crafts because we can't all have jobs in town. We need these crafts to sustain life in the country. Not everything has to be nailed, drilled or wired, and the old ways are aesthetically attractive.
"It's going full circle. I'm making a living doing this, because there is plenty of work. I have a 300-metre hawthorn hedge to lay in Kyneton Botanical Gardens. It wouldn't last another 20 years in its current situation. I will restore it in the traditional manner and it will regenerate."
Kate has expanded her skills to include other offerings such as woven fences - which are known as wattle fences - hurdles, 'tipis' for climbing plants, tree guards and lattices, all made in the traditional way, usually using willow.
"My clients usually have beautiful properties and they are keen to continue the historical aspect of hand-made features. I'm about to start traditional fencing with cleft timber for posts.
"What attracted me to these crafts was essentially their aesthetic appeal, but also the sustainability factor that they use locally sourced, natural materials."
Visitors to the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo can book their tickets and family passes on-line to avoid delays at the gate. Simply go to www.seymour-expo.com which also has details of the lecture programs.
There is something for everyone to see and do at the 2013 Seymour Alternative Farming Expo.
Full details of the event can be found at www.seymour-expo.com
FAMILY PASSES GIVEAWAYSeymour Alternative Farming Expo and the Macedon Ranges Guardian are giving away complimentary family passes to five lucky readers. These tickets are valued at $40 each. To enter, post or email the following information to The Guardian Expo Ticket Giveaway, 3 Market Street, Kyneton, 3444, or edit@elliottmidnews.com.au by close of business, Tuesday, February 12.
2013 Seymour Alternative Farming Expo
Ticket giveaway entry
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(Winning entrants will be required to collect their tickets from the Guardian office in Kyneton by Thursday, February 14)
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