Words from the Hedge : A Hedgelayer’s View of the Countryside

Words from the Hedge is a passionate evocation of the history, beauty, and importance of our hedgerows by a craftsman who has been laying hedges for almost three decades — and has the scars to prove it.

Hedges are as old as civilisation and as emblematic of the British countryside as chalk streams, hay meadows, and oak trees. But unlike woodland and rivers, farmland hedges remain on the periphery of the public consciousness, often going unnoticed and almost always underappreciated.

A Journey Through the Heart of Hedgerows

Wielding his pen as deftly as he does a billhook, professional hedgelayer Richard Negus takes us on a journey that reveals these ribbons of thorn and barb are so much more than mere decoration or boundary markers. They are essential for much-needed wildlife recovery.

If we don’t get our hedges right, there is little hope for species like the almost-extinct turtledove.

The Human Craft Behind Every Hedge

And yet, no hedge is truly 'wild'; each one is a testament to generations of human skill and labour, requiring ongoing maintenance to survive and thrive. But there is a problem: we need more hedgelayers, and this is something Negus is trying to solve.

Introducing a lively band of fellow countrymen and countrywomen along the way, Negus explores:

• The practical complexities of modern farming and land ownership.
• The challenges faced by conservationists.

A Timely Exploration

Written with vigour and humour, as well as rare insight and honesty, Words from the Hedge is a timely exploration of how we can use hedges to make the British countryside a place where nature has a home.