What is the Pembrokeshire Style?
I've been unable to find more than a limited number of written resources (books, articles, or websites) on the Pembrokeshire style of hedgelaying. What follows is based on, the information I could locate, nuggets gleaned from chatting with veteran hedgelayers, and my own interpretation of old traditions formed through experience. As such, this is very much my own understanding of the Pembrokeshire style, and why I believe it took shape in the way it did. I envisage refining these passages, and I'd be very interested to hear from anyone with alternative knowledge or insight
There are a few different names for the act of hedgelaying in Wales, the term I'm familiar with in Pembrokeshire is plashing.
Watch out! low flying hedge
The Pembrokeshire style is what's known as a flying hedge, a low hedge laid on a bank An earthwork on which a hedge is grown. In Pembrokeshire, banks were historically a primary element for marking boundaries. . The "flying" refers to low laid stems with branches protruding out towards the field. This over-arching style is common in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and the Gower.
Historically, the earth banks An earthwork on which a hedge is grown. In Pembrokeshire, banks were historically a primary element for marking boundaries. themselves would have been the primary livestock deterrent, with the thorny flying hedge deterring nibbling and adventurous ones. I suspect that many banks An earthwork on which a hedge is grown. In Pembrokeshire, banks were historically a primary element for marking boundaries. in Pembrokeshire have reduced in height over time, and my understanding is that the bank An earthwork on which a hedge is grown. In Pembrokeshire, banks were historically a primary element for marking boundaries. its batter The sloped sides of the bank and any associated ditches would once have been maintained alongside the hedge, as all were critical to stock-proofing The ability of a hedge, bank, or boundary to prevent livestock from passing through, under, or over it.
Keep those cuts covered
One thing I came across was that unnecessarily visible white Exposed cuts on the stem on a competition hedge would result in a penalty. This doesn't seem as prevalent in modern competitions, but after discussing it with a veteran hedgelayer, I came to see this as a key element to longevity
It would appear that this approach developed to ensure fresh cuts were protected from salty coastal air where possible, and that visible white Exposed cuts on the stem was therefore undesirable. If white Exposed cuts on the stem could be seen then it was also exposed to the elements. Staked styles leave cuts very much on display to expose them to light. I discussed this theory with another hedgelayer who works in the Gower. He had seen a staked style applied on the Gower coast and within a year or two, the hedge was all but dead. His conclusion was that exposure of the cuts to salty coastal winds was the cause.
Keeping it together
In windy and exposed locations how do we maintain the integrity of the hedge?
A hedge laid in the Pembrokeshire style is squat and compact. This lowers the profile, and its more rounded shape lets the wind pass over it, while its less rigid and more springy nature allows it to roll with the punches
Another practice that helps maintain structure in windy conditions is laying the hedge with the prevailing wind, where practical. A slight downward gradient is tolerated to achieve this, particularly in exposed locations
Furthermore the skill in selecting and managing the thorny elements, ensuring there's enough material to weave and lock into a consistent barrier is essential. Crooks Hooked shaped pegs fashioned from material removed from the hedge are used to peg stems down (I've used them myself), but I'm led to believe this was historically frowned upon and would once have resulted in point deductions in competitions
I assume crooks Hooked shaped pegs fashioned from material removed from the hedge were seen as a sign of poor craftsmanship, and only necessary if the hedge wasn't laid properly in the first place. That said, where hedges are gappy or dominated by thornless species such as hazel, crooks Hooked shaped pegs fashioned from material removed from the hedge become more necessary as there isn't enough thorny material to lock the structure together
How low is low enough?
The angle of lay The angle between the laid stem and the earth bank is another much discussed element of hedgelaying styles. I've seen some angles attributed to the Pembrokeshire style, in my experience, the integrity matters more than adherence to an angle.
As long as stems are laid low enough to prevent gaps, the hedge will function as intended. Gaps low down would have allowed livestock to burrow in and weaken the hedge. While fencing is often relied upon today for stock-proofing The ability of a hedge, bank, or boundary to prevent livestock from passing through, under, or over it. I believe it's still good practice to lay a hedge that would resist the more nefarious attentions of livestock
To dead hedge or not
I'm not aware of any specific traditional practices around dead hedging The insertion of cut material back into the hedge to fill gaps in the Pembrokeshire style. Dead hedging The insertion of cut material back into the hedge to fill gaps is something I've done in the past, particularly in low or weak spots
These days, I'm less inclined to use it, unless it's a particularly exposed site and being used specifically to protect fresh cuts. I find dead material can inhibit regrowth. Furthermore, it tends to stick out like a sore thumb once the hedge greens up, but that's purely my personal preference
No stakes involved
As mentioned earlier, stakes Posts banged into the ground vertically or at slight angles to provide structure aren't used in this style. I believe the primary reason for this is the presence of the bank. When maintained, the height and batter The sloped sides of the bank of the banks An earthwork on which a hedge is grown. In Pembrokeshire, banks were historically a primary element for marking boundaries. would have significantly reduced the stock's ability to push through, and all that's required from the hedge is a deterrent to climbing and nibbling.
It's also simply easier and safer to lay a stakeless hedge on a bank. I've done both, and I didn't enjoy perching on a bank while hammering in stakes Lengths of wood banged into the ground vertically or at slight angles to provide structure one bit. In the modern world of risk assessments, a flying hedge on a bank An earthwork on which a hedge is grown. In Pembrokeshire, banks were historically a primary element for marking boundaries. is a lower risk approach.
And finally, why source additional materials if the infrastructure doesn't require them?
Pembrokeshire style, through my eyes
Hedgelaying has gained a lot of recognition for its contribution to conservation, and I feel the Pembrokeshire style lends itself particularly well to this. Its bushy form makes good nesting habitat for birds, and its broader footprint gives excellent cover for wildlife moving at ground level, acting as a corridor through the landscape.
The Pembrokeshire style, as I understand it, is shaped less by fixed rules and more by place, practice, and necessity. What I've set out here is drawn from what I've seen in the landscape, what I've been shown by others, and what has made sense through experience. It's not intended as a definitive account, but as one interpretation of a style that has evolved to suit its surroundings. I'd be genuinely interested to hear from anyone with different experiences or knowledge of how it's been practised