Welcome to the 8th edition of the Newsletter for the Devon Hedge Group. This edition tackles the often-misunderstood legislation regarding felling licenses and hedge protection. There are details of the National Hedge Laying Competition, held for the first time in the West Country. A summary of a study by English Nature on Dormice and hedgerows plus training opportunities for Devon's hedgers. There are details of the Devon Hedge Competition 2002/03. Finally, look up Devon Hedge Week 2002, as there are again, a host of events through out the county. This year, Somerset Hedge Group are also holding their Hedge week at the same time. So why not join in with the Regional celebration of one of the West country's most definitive and important landscape assets...hedges!