THE New Year saw a new maintenance scheme start on the Millennium Green in Sandford.

A team of five volunteers, armed with bow saws and billhooks, assembled on a crisp January morning to learn how to “lay hedges” with local hedge laying contractor, Steven McCulloch.

The hedge that borders the farmland is now very mature and has a lot of scrub encroachment into the Green.

Laying the hedge not only clears the scrub but also allows the light in to regenerate the hedgerow. This traditional process sustainably maintains the hedge and provides new habitats for the local wildlife.

The volunteers worked hard, thinning the hedge and then cutting and laying the “pleachers” and probably worked off some of those mince pies consumed over the festive period!

Hot soup was served for lunch and, with the sun continuing to shine, the laid hedge was finished up and held in place with “crooksticks”.

The volunteers had a thoroughly enjoyable day; they all worked on their own section from beginning to end and were able to admire their handiwork with immense satisfaction.

They are all looking forward to doing it again next January when new volunteers will be very welcome.