Old House Project: Hedgerows Working Party

Event details

Come and reconnect with nature, whilst helping the SPAB to repair the hedgerows surrounding our Old House Project!

The traditional, centuries-old skill of hedgelaying is used to create natural boundary fences, whilst also providing valuable natural habitats for birds, insects and other small animals.  The hedgelaying season begins in October, when hedgerows become dormant and the plants are at ‘rest’, so this is an ideal time to carry out this important work.  The hedges around St Andrew’s Chapel, like the house itself, remained neglected and overgrown for many years so much of what is carried out during this working party will be clearing and repairing what is already there and preparing the hedge for planting in the gaps next year.  As well as helping to reinstate the site’s boundary hedge, this will also help to create a valuable wildlife corridor for local animals, giving small mammals, birds, butterflies and other insects important habitat, shelter and food sources.

Over the course of three days, and under the expert guidance of Medway Valley Countryside Partnership’s Derek Whitehead, volunteers will be clearing around existing hedgerow plants and laying to help conserve and repair the perimeter hedge.  You will be taught coppicing and stand-clearing using traditional hand tools and laying hedges where possible using existing hazel and other tree stems.  You will also learn about hedgerow biodiversity and how to recognize the various flora and fauna these vital habitats support.

Date:                Tuesday 1st – Thursday 3rd November 2022
Venue:             Old House Project, St Andrew’s (former) Chapel
                          Boarley Lane, Boxley, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3BU

The price (which will just cover the SPAB’s costs) will be:
£35 for each individual day or £100 if all three are booked together.  
You are welcome to join all or just one or two days of the working party.

Clothing & Equipment

We will be working outside in Winter so please make sure you wear warm, comfortable layers and bring waterproofs in the event of rain.  We also recommend that you wear overalls or old working clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or damaged.  You will also need to wear sturdy (flat, enclosed) footwear, ideally steel-toe capped.  If you have trouble standing for long periods, you may wish to bring a lightweight portable chair/stool. 

Please bring thick gardening gloves to wear.  All other tools and equipment will be provided.

About the tutor

Derek Whitehead, Partnership Officer, Medway Valley Countryside Partnership

‘Derek’s work focuses on delivering volunteer tasks and practical work.  He manages the award-winning Thursday Action Group (TAG) volunteers and performs a variety of practical tasks to support colleagues and projects.  He also coordinates the ZSL citizen science eel-monitoring programme at Allington Lock and is heavily involved in the control of invasive plants as part of MVCP’s Medway Catchment Invasive Plant Control Project.’

About the Old House Project

The SPAB’s Old House Project site is a Grade II* ‘building at risk’ near Maidstone, Kent. St Andrews (former) chapel is a ‘sleeping beauty’ that has stood empty for around 50 years. When the SPAB bought the building in November 2018, it was hidden behind an overgrown garden; vandal damage had left the site vulnerable; and parts of the roof were leaking. In 2018 and early 2019 emergency work to the roof and windows was carried out and a security system installed. In 2020 our bespoke scaffolding was in place, allowing socially-distanced access to the roof. We carried out vital roof repairs to the characterful 20th century post office extension, embarked on extensive archaeological work to help us understand the story of St Andrews, and much more. But there are significant repairs still to be done. 

St Andrews has a colourful and fascinating history: it has housed a relic of St Andrew, was owned by Tudor poet Thomas Wyatt, and acted as a local post office in the 20th century. Over the course of the project the SPAB will work with Historic England, Kent Archaeological Society and the local council to uncover more of the building’s story and to bring St Andrew’s back to life. 

We are increasingly concerned about the decline of craft skills in the UK. A fifth of our housing stock is pre-1919 but much of the maintenance and repair work on these buildings is undertaken by people without specialist skills. In purchasing St Andrews we have embarked on a five-year project to repair this characterful medieval building whilst showcasing the very best conservation methods and materials.

We will share our learnings and progress through our education programme, video demonstrations and the project book (see project resources below). When it comes to historic buildings we advocate repair over demolition. The Old House Project will show what can be done to bring an 'at risk' building back into use.

Programme (for each of the three days)

09:30 -         Meet at The Old House Project site entrance (You will be escorted to the site by Catherine Rose, SPAB Training Officer.)
09:45            

10.00            Welcome, Introductions, Health & Safety Briefing

10:20            Site Tour and Introductory Talk

11:00            Practical Session, part 1

12:00            Lunch (This is a working site with very limited catering provision, so we advise delegates to bring along a packed lunch.)

13:00            Practical Session, part 2

14.00            Afternoon Refreshments

14:30            Practical Session, part 3

15:30            Clean Up and opportunity for final questions

16:00            Close

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the SPAB before booking to discuss any special access requirements.