Ahead of National Hedgerow Week (May 8-14), our work to enhance and preserve hedgerows across Courteenhall Estate has been highlighted in the new Coronation issue of the Spectator Magazine.

The magazine interviewed hedgelayer Alice Roe, who is new to the specialist country craft, and who has been working under the tutelage of landscape gardener Mick Thwaites to pleach a number of our hedges in a Midland style.

Hedgelaying has been practised in Britain for hundreds of years and is essential to help conserve wildlife and our landscape.

Alice, who spotted an advert for a hedgelaying trainee scheme on Instagram, said: “Every single tiny stretch of hedge is completely different.”

Hedges are biodiversity heroes as they connect habitats, protect against pollution, help fight climate change and provide a home for a wide variety of wildlife.

As well as hedgelaying at Courteenhall, we are also planting more than 1,500 trees and laying about 3km of new hedges.

To find out more about National Hedgerow Week visit their website https://hedgelink.org.uk/campaign/national-hedgerow-week/about-hedges/