Cornish Hedge - History

History

There are about 30,000 miles (48,000 km) of hedges in Cornwall today, and their development over the centuries is preserved in their structure. The first Cornish hedges enclosed land for cereal crops during the Neolithic Age (4000–6000 years ago). Prehistoric farms were of about 5 to 10 hectares (12 to 25 acres), with fields about 0.1 hectares (0.25 acre) for hand cultivation. Some hedges date from the Bronze and Iron Ages, 2000–4000 years ago, when Cornwall's traditional pattern of landscape became established. Others were built during the Mediaeval field rationalisations; more originated in the tin and copper industrial boom of the 18th and 19th centuries, when heaths and uplands were enclosed.

In other parts of Britain, early hedges were destroyed to make way for the manorial open-field system. Many were replaced after the Enclosure Acts, then removed again during modern agricultural intensification, and now some are being replanted for wildlife. Cornwall is richer in historic hedges than other parts of Britain, with over three-quarters of the hedges remaining today being anciently established.

The Cornish Hedge Research and Education Group (CHREG) is the main body promoting the understanding of Cornish hedges in Cornwall. It is currently a partner in a Transeuropean project to share the knowledge of traditional skills related to hedges and drystone buildings.

The materials used for the hedge vary in different parts of the county because of the underlying rocks. Building methods with slate are different from those with granite since the sides of each stone are relatively flat. In building with slate if the stones are small they will be laid "cursy-wavy" or herringbone fashion each course being inclined either to right or left alternately. There would be a foundation of larger stones and a row of coping stones (larger than the rest) standing on edge to complete the top.