(b)  The newly planted hedge will be located to suit present-day (and future) needs.

(c)  A national survey of hedge-planting during the past decade would be very welcome, and also very revealing.

  2. The demise of many hedges is due to:

(A)  Neglected maintenance.

(i)  Changes in farming policy where large machines have replaced several men who previously had off-peak time to carry out hedge maintenance.

(ii)  Economists have changed many farms into simplified systems with the minimum of labour.

(iii)  The cost of hedge maintenance used to be "lost" in the general farm accounts under the heading of "Labour". Now hedging usually appears under its own heading as "hedging" and too frequently is the first sacrifice in a bad financial year. Many farm consultants are anti-hedges for this reason.

(B)  Inadequate advice.

  All growing plants need to be "managed" if the countryside is not to revert eventually to forest and scrubland. Maybe too much emphasis has been placed on Conservation without a balance being established between land use and Conservation. For example it was recommended that farm hedges be cut biannually, but modern flail hedgecutters tend to leave a very rough finish if cutting two-year growth—more adverse comments from the public.

  3. Sadly the Farm stewardship Scheme is often too all-embracing and offers no assistance for landowners to seek for maintenance of certain hedges. The paperwork can also be rather daunting.

  There should be an investigation into the increase in funding available for hedge maintenance, landowners would respond to this in a positive manner.

  4. Skills available/Training

  Since the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) took over the management of Further Education (FE) Colleges there has been a gross reduction in practical training. The only way an FE College can survive is to teach large student groups.

  Practical skills can be DEMONSTRATED to large groups but it is impossible for an individual student to become proficient at any new skill under this system of teaching.

  The Agriculture Training Board (ATB) has ceased teaching basic practical skills, it now tends to concentrate on management training.

  There are a few localised Training Groups (e.g., East Anglian Training Group) who do organise practical skills courses for their members as required.

  The South of England Hedgelaying Society organises four Training Days per year, 30-36 trainees per day. A few of the elder more experienced members do teach individuals/small groups, this could easily be increased to satisfy any increase in demand.

  5. Wildlife in well maintained hedgerows does exceed that which is found in a derelict hedge. Small birds, mammals and insects will be abundant in a well maintained hedge.

  A very large/high hedge lacking in bottom growth will support the larger birds and very little else. Magpies have become a serious pest having bred well in high hedges—Magpies are now threatening the future of many birds, especially at nesting time.

  6. Publicity and Encouragement are needed to help the return to better maintained hedges. Add some controls on hedge removal in urban/road developments.

  Encourage agricultural colleges to produce proficient practical skills training for those land-based tasks which otherwise become neglected.

  Mr John Wilson