Cornish hedgers are being asked to complete a short online survey which will help determine whether the ancient skill should be classified as an endangered craft.

The Guild of Cornish Hedgers, working with the Heritage Crafts Association (HCA - the advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts) and supported by Cornwall Council's Strategic Historic Environment Service, is asking all hedgers in Cornwall to complete the survey.

The information collected will help determine whether the craft should be added to the HCA Red List of Endangered Crafts and will act as supporting evidence for funding bids for future training and support of this ancient Cornish craft.

Guild training in action (Credit: Guild of Cornish Hedgers)

Cornish hedges create the distinctive character and framework of the Cornish landscape. Placed end to end, they would stretch for about 30,000 miles.

These iconic hedges preserve field patterns that in some places are thousands of years old and provide vital habitats, wildlife corridors, shelter, shade and sustenance and can help alleviate water and soil run-off.

Ann Reynolds, Senior Office for the Rural Historic Environment said: "Cornish hedges are an iconic part of the landscape and are living heritage features which have retained their purpose for hundreds of years. They can tell us the story of past and current land use in individual parts of Cornwall.

"It is crucial to recognise the skill and craft knowledge that is involved in the creation and maintenance of these hedges, so this survey will be an important starting point in understanding the current state of the craft within Cornwall and will help us plan for the future. We urge anyone who is a hedger to fill out the quick survey, so please help us get the word out into the hedging community."

Helen Bowkett, Guild of Cornish Hedgers, said: "The Guild of Cornish Hedgers have come together with a new team of Guild craftspeople to open a new chapter in the development of Cornish Hedging training. We are working with key partners to develop a certificated NVQ training pathway to support current hedgers in the work field, broaden the range of trainers to offer expert tuition in the distinctive regional Cornish hedging styles, and encourage new people of all ages to embrace this ancient craft through accessible and accredited training.

"We welcome this opportunity to understand the background of Cornish hedgers across the county, as we embrace a new vision of community within the Guild to share the knowledge and expertise within the craft and pass this on to a new generation." 

Mary Lewis, Endangered Crafts Manger at the HCA, said: "We have an incredible range of heritage craft skills in the UK and some of the best craftspeople in the world. Over generations, skilled specialist craftspeople have helped to create the diverse landscape and character of the UK. Cornish Hedging is one of the crafts that creates local distinctiveness, supports biodiversity and ensures the survival of local heritage assets for the next generation.

"This survey will give us a better understanding of the sector and will enable us to plan for a future that ensures that the knowledge and skills of Cornish Hedging are safeguarded for the next generation."

Councillor Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for Environment and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said: "This positive promotion of these vital and unique landscape, ecological and historical assets requires a workforce that can deliver on the construction and repair of hedges.

"Cornish Hedging is recognised as a traditional skill that takes time and dedication to learn. Good hedgers are vital to keeping the distinctiveness of our landscape. It is currently unknown how many hedgers there are and that's why we need people to complete this survey."

The survey can be accessed through the Let's Talk Cornwall website and will close on March 18, 2023. The data collected will be used to inform the 2023 Register of Heritage Crafts.