How big an area is the garden? You could improve drainage by digging some pits (say five) of a few spade depths wide and deep. Fill that with gravel and cover the top back over with top soil/lawn.

its membrane then the trees

Thanks both, the gravel pits is new to me but is logical and an idea for the future. I'm befuddled as had the top soil laid last autumn and had drains laid all over the place so not sure if they are not working or alternatively a local gardener suggested my soil, which was laid by a digger has been overly compacted. I did have to dig down a few feet last week for another reason and after the first 18 inches of putty like clay, I hit the subsoil strata which is locally known as 'pencil' as is common tothe area which I think is shale type deposit and it was dry.

if you can dig holes down to the pencil and put gravel in that then your topsoil it will make great drainage .

thanks, will probably do at some point or better still get someone to do it for me!

Hi, I wouldn't bother too much about drainage for the salix, they are sometimes planted in wet areas to help soak up the excess water, Derek.

Yes Derek, see them growing locally and they thrive, the bush type but the garden centre told me I can train them to the shape I need for the shelter belt as don't want them too bushy as will be in lawn. Was thinking of using the Salix as protection for the Laurel as it suffers from wind burn up here in the first year.

Can't help thinking that you are creating a lot of work for yourself! Quite apart from the moneypit that you seem to be digging, digging holes in clay just creates a sump where water will collect and rot the roots of anything you put in there.
Now is not the time of year to be digging in clay (but you're finding that out). Better to spend the late-spring, summer and autumn improving the soil, to plant up bare root hedging in October/November or even the following spring.
Take a look at http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/blog/hedging-yew-hedging-in-clay-this-time/

Cheers Urbanite, have been on this website ages ago and remember the labour saving advice which is more and more attractive as my back ache reappears. BW

but the clay goes threw too a dry pouress pencil ie shale which is great for drainage by the sounds of it .

Builders digging out the 'footings' for new houses usually wreck the garden soil. I have 7 raised beds on clay top soil filled with what I have rotted down in compost bins,
umpteen Growbags, and old potting soil.
Quite surprised at the success of vegetable crops last year.
Must get more grit and add, as you advise.
I obtained some plastic and stapled it inside the woodwork to stop it rotting.
I find crops that need staking suffer from high winds. Am
growing French Beans this year, not climbers.
Anyway, raised beds are warmer than clay soil !

Yes they are warmer and give you more control so long as you attend to their watering needs. I have researched raised beds last year and there is lots of good advice on the web to help with the practicalities I ma intending to have the flower beds elevated and maybe bounded by a low stone wall which will be in keeping with local style but I could not be bothered to do vegetable beds in this clay as raised beds would be ideal for the amount I would grow.