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About Us

Browse a range of Workshops & Courses


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sustainability

Our business is driven by a sustainability ethos that prioritizes environmental responsibility, ethical practices, and long-term ecological balance. We believe that true sustainability goes beyond compliance; it involves a proactive commitment to preserving natural resources, reducing waste, and minimizing our carbon footprint.

By integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of our operations—from sourcing materials to engaging with local communities—we aim to create a positive impact on the environment while fostering economic and social well-being.

Our approach is rooted in the belief that sustainable business practices not only protect the planet but also ensure the longevity and success of our business, benefiting both present and future generations.

 

Surrey Hills Enterprises

In 2025, we were honoured to receive the Surrey Hills Trademark Gold Award, the highest accolade for members of Surrey Hills Enterprises. This prestigious award recognises outstanding business excellence, a strong commitment to sustainability, and active contributions to the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

The awarding body, Surrey Hills Enterprises, works with local businesses to support the rural economy and to promote, protect, and enhance the beautiful Surrey Hills.


Paul Matthews

Paul Matthews, Co-Director of Hedges & Hurdles, is a registered and active member of both the South of England Hedgelaying Society and the National Hedge Laying Society of England & Wales. A highly experienced practitioner, Paul has achieved national recognition in hedgelaying competitions, including the prestigious title of National Champion and the honour of being named Supreme Champion.

In addition to his expertise in traditional crafts, Paul is a skilled horticulturist with extensive knowledge of trees, their management, and their role within the wider landscape. His practical skills extend to hurdle-making and green woodworking, where he applies age-old techniques to create strong, functional, and sustainable products.

Through Hedges & Hurdles, Paul delivers specialist training in hedgelaying, coppicing, green woodworking, hurdle-making, and woodland management, with courses available during the winter season.


Lorraine Ellery Matthews

Lorraine, Co-Director of Hedges & Hurdles, brings extensive senior commercial experience from the scholarly publishing industry to her role as the driving force behind Hedges & Hurdles. She oversees all aspects of the business, including PR, marketing, finance, and operations, ensuring seamless delivery of high-quality experiences.

Since joining the business in 2017, Lorraine has developed into an accomplished Willow Artist, specialising in creating home and garden decorations, sculptures, and practical items such as baskets, obelisks, cloches, and trellises. Her unique strength lies in combining technical expertise with the ability to deliver engaging, adaptable, and memorable workshops and training courses.

Through her collaborative work with wellbeing practitioners, heritage craft specialists, and local landowners who host our experiences, Lorraine now offers a wide range of workshops and events tailored to both individual participants and corporate groups, providing opportunities for team building, creativity, and sustainable learning.

Debbie Whittenbury

Debbie has been working to support Lorraine and the business since 2017 delivering workshops, mainly for larger groups. Debbie studied textile design at Buckinghamshire School of Art and went on to design fabrics for the fashion industry. Debbie has travelled extensively; her love of design has grown and been influenced by her travel across South East Asia, Africa and Europe. Debbie has worked for the past 19 years as a Design & Sales Consultant at Domus, an innovative and design led tile supplier, where she can be working on projects as small as a kitchen splashback to a full house refurbishment or creating bespoke interiors for restaurants worldwide.


It is so important to teach heritage crafts,
to pass on our knowledge and keep these
skills alive. We use traditional materials,
natural resources including Hazel and
Willow to create our crafts. The majority of
what we use we coppice ourselves, with
the help on occasions from volunteers!
We can honestly say that our activities
are environmentally beneficial and really
help increase the biodiversity in the
woodland environments where we work.

Lorraine & Paul Matthews

Check out our calendar of events


See Calendar

We have a growing team tutors each with their own speciality skills:

tutors

Paul Matthews

DIRECTOR
Heritage Skills: Hedgelaying – Wattle Hurdle Making – Rustic Gates – Coppcing – Woodland Skills
Creating with Wood – Nature & Wellness – Hedgerow walks and talks – Mushroom, Plant & Tree identification

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LORRAINE ELLERY MATTHEWS

DIRECTOR
Creating with Willow: Willow Art – Craft – Baskets – Sculptures – Living Willow – Botanical & Willow – Seasonal Wreaths

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Debbie Whittenbury

Creating with Willow: Willow Art – Living Willow – Willow & Botanicals – Seasonal Wreaths
Also our in-house cook!

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Ruth Wheeler

Creating with Wood: Wood Art – Pyrography & Carving – Soap Stone Carving and Ceramics – Wellness: Yoga and Yoga Nia

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luke watley-bigg

ONEWHEEL Coach –
Videographer & Photographer

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JO & KATIE

Sensory activities – breathwork – meditation – soothing techniques for our nervous system

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lizzy maskel

Bushcraft
Foraging
Fire Lighting

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