British Horse Loggers Woodland Management Award
2008 applications invited now - see below for more information
A new award has been launched by the British Horse Loggers. A recent piece of work which has included the use of horses to extract the timber will be nominated. Judging will be stringent and will evaluate the job as a whole, from planning to finish. The BHLWMA will highlight the quality of woodland care and woodland management that can be achieved by the use of horses and there will be a prestigious and coveted prize for the winner, the 'Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy for Woodland Management', as well as prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed.
The Judges have visited all the sites and decided upon the awards.
First place is awarded to Simon Lenihan for his acclaimed work at Tarn Hows nr Coniston in Cumbria for the National Trust. The judges commented,"The work was carried out when conditions were very wet. Taking into consideration the ground conditions, and the size of the timber moved, the absence of any ground damage is impressive".
Second place is awarded to Frankie Woodgate for her high quality work in Wooton Coppice, nr Brockenhurst in Hampshire for the Forestry Commission. The judges commented, "This is clearly a wet area of woodland but the absence of signs of extraction damage points to the success of the horse logging operation".
Third place is awarded to Doug Joiner for his long term involvement in the privately owned Childer Wood and Meephill Coppice, Nr. Ledbury in Herefordshire. The judges commented,"The woodland is well visited by people attending the various courses that Doug runs and so horse logging is well and truly promoted via his efforts at this woodland".
The closing date for the next Award is the end of September 2008 and will consider work undertaken between 31 September 2006 and 31 September 2008. The Award will be announced in February 2009.
For an application form <<click here>>
Simon and Katherine Lenihan receiving "The Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy for Woodland Management" from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales.
This piece, carved by woodcarver Chris Pye, is about 15" across in yew with a carved lime pair of horses pulling a forwarder in deep relief. It is embossed with silver and is a stunning and fitting trophy.
In summing up the Award made in 2007 the Judges, Geraint Richards, Senior Forester of the Duchy of Cornwall Woodlands and Graham Taylor of Prior and Rickett Silviculture, commented,
"Judging the inaugural British Horse Loggers' Woodland Management Award has been an extremely rewarding exercise.
We have been greatly impressed by all five entries, making the decision of how to award a first, second and third prize a most difficult task.
Every entry must be commended; certainly we have come away from our judging feeling that horse logging is currently being practised by some true enthusiasts who are certainly raising the profile of, and professionalism amongst, the horse logging fraternity.
We would feel confident in inviting any of the entrants to work in the woodlands that we are responsible for managing".
Rules and additional information
1. The applicant and the woodland owner must both sign the application form to notify their consent, acceptance of the rules and judging process and to give permission for the Judge(s) to enter the woodland for the purposes of judging. The applicant must be a BHL member.
2. The correct fee must accompany each application (more than one woodland may be applied for). A separate entry form, fully completed, to accompany each application. There is no restriction on the number of separate entries an applicant may make. A whole wood, a series of small woods or a parcel within a larger wood may be entered.
3. The application is to be made within the stipulated timescale and as indicated. Printed paper copies to be posted to the address on the application form. Proof of posting prior to 31st September is required for any entries received after that date.
4. Maps. A location map, (OS 1:25,000) and a woodland map of suitable scale showing the area of the woodland to be entered clearly marked, to be included.
5. Photocopies of valid insurance documents, felling licence, relevant certification, risk assessments and emergency plan with copies of other relevant and/or statutory documents relating to all involved in the work to be included. The Judge(s) may ask to see originals.
6. The aims and objectives of the woodland work. Short, middle and long term plans, a woodland management plan. Description of the work undertaken and timescale and how that fits into the woodland management plan. Who was involved in the work and how.
7. A photographic record, as full as possible showing a record of before, during and after the work.
8. An explanation of the end use of the timber, how that conforms to sustainability and value addition (if applicable)
9. Costings - cost of work and incomes derived from it.
10. Justification of the use of horses over other means.
11. Any other supporting information that will be useful to the Judge(s). The information required to be as good, as full and as useful as possible. Items 1, 2, 3, and 4 are mandatory. Other items to be as good as they can be.
12. Scoring. Woodland plan, 1 - 10. Application and supporting information, 1 - 10. Work, as seen by the Judg(e) on the date(s) of visit including, 1 - 30. Total maximum of 50 points.
13. Judges' decision to be final. Each applicant will receive written feedback on their application. Winners are announced above.
14. Prizes. The Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy to be awarded to the winner. Individual prizes and certificates to be awarded to first, second and third placed.
15. The Judge(s) reserve the right not to visit any work they consider not worthy of their consideration upon reading the application form.
16. If the number of applications warrant such a decision, regional Judges will be appointed by the Senior Judge to make up a shortlist in their area. The Senior Judge will visit either all applications or all those shortlisted, whichever applies.
Geraint Richards,
Head Forester of the Duchy of Cornwall Woodlands;
Senior Judge for the BHLWMA.