Posted: 18/05/2013 at 00:16
I wouldn't call a blackthorn a fruit tree in the commonly understood way. It makes a good stock-proof hedge, but you can grow it as a hedge, or a free-standing tree. It does of course have nasty spines/thorns.
Blackcurrant and raspberry are not suitable for a hedge. Raspberry needs pruning to the ground every year and blackcurrant would not grow well in a hedge.
You might be better growing conventional hedge species as a wind-break and growing fruit trees conventionally on the sheltered side.