Sidmouth: The Donkey Sanctuary to use eco-friendly and traditional hedge-laying process

By Nub News Reporter

19th Apr 2023 | Local News

Volunteers help with hedge-laying at The Donkey Sanctuary (TDC)
Volunteers help with hedge-laying at The Donkey Sanctuary (TDC)

The Donkey Sanctuary is using a traditional country skill to create secure enclosures for the donkeys and provide added enrichment.

The ecology and conservation team and volunteers have used the method of hedge-laying across many areas of the sanctuary, including the New Arrivals Unit. 

Hedge laying is a traditional skill which has been practised for centuries. It provides a living fence that benefits wildlife whilst at the same time offering a secure barrier which keeps the donkeys safe. It is a sympathetic management of a hedgerow in keeping with The Donkey's Sanctuary's efforts to create a diverse environment. 

Hedge laying is a seasonal job which is carried out over the winter months when shrubs and trees are dormant, and birds have finished nesting. Hand tools are used to partially cut existing shrubs and small trees through their stems at an angle several inches above the ground. 

The plants are then laid over in the direction of the hedge, weaved together and secured with stakes. This soon encourages new growth to be produced, which regrows from the base to fill the gaps and create a beautiful strong and dense hedge. 

Donkeys enjoying the cut plants (The Donkey Sanctuary)

As well as providing natural habitats for animals and birds, the cuttings from the hedges - such as hazel and willow - have been given to the donkeys to provide extra enrichment, offering them more opportunities to interact with their environment, make choices and be mentally and physically active. 

Pascal Bisson, Apprentice Ecology and Conservation Officer said: "Hedge laying regenerates a hedge, giving it greater density and a robust base. This provides a more substantial windbreak for our donkeys and an ecological benefit to wildlife. 

"The thickly-woven branches of a well-laid hedge offer an excellent habitat for birds, small mammals, insects and reptiles. Hedges grow back incredibly quickly from hedge laying. After a year a hawthorn hedge can send up stems two-feet tall!" 

Marianne Steele, CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary added: "This is a great example of how our conservation work supports our native wildlife, while creating safe and secure enclosures and enrichment for our donkeys." 

     

New sidmouth Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: sidmouth jobs

Share:

Related Articles

County Hall, Exeter (LDRS)
Local News

Children in care in Devon surpasses 900 as budget pressures bite

Christmas lights in Sidmouth (Sidmouth Town Council)
Local News

Annual Christmas lights switch-on coming up in Sidmouth this weekend

Sign-Up for our FREE Newsletter

We want to provide sidmouth with more and more clickbait-free local news.
To do that, we need a loyal newsletter following.
Help us survive and sign up to our FREE weekly newsletter.

Already subscribed? Thank you. Just press X or click here.
We won't pass your details on to anyone else.
By clicking the Subscribe button you agree to our Privacy Policy.