British Horse Loggers Woodland Management Award
This award was launched by the British Horse Loggers in 2005. A recent piece of work which has included the use of horses by a BHL member to extract the timber can be nominated. Nominations can be by the horse logger, any other member of the team, the woodland agent or the woodland owner.
Judging is stringent and evaluates the job as a whole, from planning to finish. Geraint Richards, Head Forester of the Duchy of Cornwall Woodlands is the Senior Judge.
The BHLWMA highlights the quality of woodland care and woodland management that can be achieved by the use of horses and there is 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 next round of judging will be for work substantially undertaken from 1st October 2010 to 30th September 2012. The award will be judged over the winter of 2012 and presented to the winners in 2013.
Rules are below and the application form can be seen by <<clicking here>>
The Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy for Woodland Management.
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.
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 can be the contractor, the owner or agent acting on behalf of the owner. The horse logging contractor must be a BHL member.
2. The correct fee (currently £20, cheques payable to 'British Horse Loggers', per entry) 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 30th September in the nominated year is required for any entries received after that date.
All information requested below may be sent in with the application or made available to the judge(s) at the time of inspection.
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.
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.
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. 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.