Making a Cleft Gate I’ve already posted stuff about the virtues of sweet chestnut, so I won’t bang on about it again now. If you’re interested, please check out “Making a cleft sheep hurdle” and “Sweet Chestnut Fencing” Design There are infinite designs of bespoke gates, so eat some cheese and dream up your own creative design to fit in with the spirit/theme of your garden. There are lots of images on google if you need some inspiration or I’d be flattered if you wanted to copy mine or bounce design ideas off me. The good thing about cleft gates... read more
History For centuries hurdles were used by sheep farmers to pen sheep into confined areas for grazing or animal welfare. I spoke to an old Wiltshire farmer who remembers men carrying several hurdles each on their backs, supported by a stick over their shoulder. Although men were men back then, weight would have still been an issue and hurdles were built strong but lean. It’s quite likely the athletics sport of hurdling began with these fit young farmers racing each other over their sheep hurdles. Nowadays hurdles are somewhat chunkier given that we don’t physically carry them any great distance.... read more
