MEET Hoyland’s answer to Edward Scissor Hands.

Philip Rowell, 59, has been complimented by many passers-by on the re-hedging work he has been carrying out on a field off Tankersley Lane, Hoyland Common.

The professional hedge layer was asked to take on the sizeable job by the Wentworth Estate to replace one which was completely overgrown.

Philip said: “First and foremost it is a living stock-proof fence or hedge but it also helps with conservation.

“You get robins, blackbirds and the odd thrush that come to nest in the hedges.

“Fencing is only guaranteed to last about seven years but if you look after these hedges they can last a lifetime.”

Philip has been hedge laying for 15 years but only turned professional in 2000. He was a mechanic before that but was keen to get a job where he could work outdoors.

He said: “I thought it was a new millennium and I wanted a new job. I get phone calls from all over the country now and pass them onto other hedge-layers.”

The tradition goes back centuries and differs from region to region in the UK.

And Philip said South Yorkshire would hold competitions to find the best hedge-layer around. He said: “There was a contest called the ‘open to all England competition’ which was held in Worsbrough in the 1870s so it gives you an idea of how long it has being going on.

“You would cut 11 yards in four hours and the winner would get seven and six in prize money.”

That’s about 37 pence to you and me.