Laying the hedge

We had some arguments today, Mrs B and I: as usual they were the result of difference in understanding of what constitutes pruning.  I'm very queasy about pruning, Mrs B less so.  I want our hedge to be fully formed this Spring, whereas the Master Gardener knows that that will not happen.

However, the photo shows last year's hedge laying success, and today's effort on one of the hazel stems.  Now we need to devise methods of protecting the small hedge plants from the deer which find the buds tasty – but that's a job for closer to Spring.