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We have at the bottom of our new garden a very old hawthorn hedge,
this is very thick and quite tall but the bottom 3 to 4 feet is bare
and quite open.

How thick is thick? Hawthorn will tolerate very rough treatmnet nad you
can have a fair bit of fun doing your own laying. It may not be
professional or 'done pretty' but it is your own work and it will thicken
up to give a good hedge again.

You should do it in January or February when it is completely dormant and
you will need a good saw for the very thick bits and a heavy bladed
slasher for the more managable pieces. Cut diagonally downward about
2/3rds of the way through and then bend down as close to the ground as
possible [the brach, not you g]. as you move along the others will lay
on top and give added height. You will find it necessary to knock posts
in at intervals along the lenght to be laid to keep the line of the
hedge.

You will also need some very heavy leather gauntlets. Ideally an old
kettle filled with water should also accompany you along with a box of
matches. You then collect the thinnings, light a fire and boil the
kettle to make a cuppa whilst you admire your handiwork, collect the
compliments and think how you can do it all again in a few years time.

It can be very satisfying to do as a hobby; to do properly takes a *lot*
of experience.
--
David
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