The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Churchinford Hedging and Ditching
Vital maintenance work trimming the hedgerows at Churchinford in Somerset
In partnership with:
Overview
From the time of Enclosure in the 16th century agricultural land is parcelled off leading to the structure of today's farmland. The mixed border hedgerows are a feature of the countryside in the West Country and become bushy and full in the summer months. A hedging and ditching team is on trim patrol. Hedges are cut back at least twice a year. Maintenance of hedgerows is carried out by village and town parishes, volunteers, private owners and county councils.
Before the days of electric fencing laying a hedge was vital to both the farming community and the countryside. A craft in its own right steeping as it is known or hedge laying and ditching were often included as competitions in agricultural shows. The Devon Rural Skills Trust runs courses to teach how to repair and maintain turf and stone faced hedges and walls. Since 1997 many hedgerows are protected and may not be removed without permission.
Related
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.