News
15th October 2020
Sadly, the Covid-19 outbreak has forced us to cancel all training courses this year.
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COVID-19 Update
Sadly the current situation with the Covid-19 virus has forced us to cancel all training courses for the 2020/21 season.
We have also had to postpone the BHHA "Skills of the Hills" event which was due to take place in March 2021. We hope to be able to reschedule it
next autumn, possibly in October.
The Association comprises an enthusiastic group of people working and living on the Blackdown Hills who are dedicated to preserving the craft of hedgelaying
and other related skills in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The aim of the Association is to do their utmost to preserve the rural skills associated with hedgerows.
We run training courses in hedgelaying and hedgerow crafts, attending local fairs and agricultural shows with a stand and demonstrations, and staging
the "Skills of the Hills" annual event.
The members of the BHHA regularly take part in hedgelaying competitions both in the South West and nationally.
Training Courses
One of our main activities during the winter season is running courses teaching the Devon style of hedgelaying. The BHHA course
is rightly celebrated as being one of the most "hands-on" courses you can go on with one experienced tutor to each pair of students laying their own section of hedge.
Unfortunately due to Covid-19 we will not be running any courses in the 2020/21 season.
Our craft courses and workshops are aimed at promoting and educating people about rural skills and crafts using materials from the hedgerow. We have
courses on making hedgerow chairs, hazel hurdles, and various types of traditional baskets.
Sadly our craft courses are also victims of Covid-19 this season.
BHHA "Skills of the Hills" Event
The highlight of our year. It is the largest regional hedgelaying competition in the country and the second largest overall.
(only the National Championships are bigger).
With craft demonstrations, entertainment, and hot food & drink it is a day out for the whole family.
The latest event page has the results of the most recent competition and a gallery of photographs taken on the day.