We met up with Ken in Surbiton on a chilly Saturday morning to assist with coppicing hazel. We met in a housing estate which threw us off the meeting point as it seemed an unlikely place when the local park was a few hundred metres away. It was correct though as behind a fence there was a small parcel of land that had been sold off to developers. Ken was allowed access to collect hazel stakes and sticks for his dead hedge project in Petersham Common.

Ken explained how vital the hedges were for wildlife and showed us how to use the different hand tools correctly so we didn't hurt ourselves when we cut the sticks. After the talk we set to work coppicing the sticks and taking off the small branches and twigs so it was smooth. This was so the sticks could be woven into the hedge creating an environment that the wildlife loves.

It took about an hour and a half and in that time Ken had started a fire, boiled water and made us a round of hot drinks. Delicious! Especially with a vegan Oreo.