On Tuesday 20th January 2026 the Hyndburn’s Woodlands Volunteers were at Huncoat East woodland for a dead-hedging session! Dead-hedging work has been taking place at this site for several years. Previous projects had installed an ‘outdoor learning area’ using dead-hedges as a border, which requires annual repairs and ‘top ups’. A site boundary fence is also being worked on, gradually making its way across the site.
Volunteers used previously coppiced hazel (hazel that was left over from other activities) to create stakes, they did so by using a hatchet to chop a point into the stake, these were then driven into the ground to create the foundations of the fence. Heavy material inlaid first, followed by thinner lengths of wood, and finally top layer foliage was woven in.
We did end up requiring some more material so volunteers wore their hard helmets and took part in some good old fashioned hazel coppicing. There is quite an abundance of hazel on this site that is out of rotation.
We think the new extension to the fence looks incredible, and we’re very keen to keep extending it. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who help create habitat and beautiful structures in Hyndburn’s Woodlands.
As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible
