This is Mervyn who works for Richard and Rosemary our neighbours cutting the hedge with a modern flail hedgecutter fixed to the tractor.

Hedgecutting in 1940 however was a lot harder work, all done by hand and using a “slashing hook”.

What we found amusing about these picture (remember we take these from a video) is that during the whole process the man carries on smoking his pipe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We still have one but use it for cutting thistles as most people seem to do.

I have also seen them in use during the hedgelaying competition at the Cheshire ploughing match.

 

 

More next month PHIL.

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