2:36pm Thursday 12th July 2007
A Herefordshire loggers has claimed third place in the annual British Horse Loggers new bi-annual Woodland Management Award.
The awards judge actual work in the forest carried out by a member of the British Horse Loggers (BHL).
The judges, Geraint Richards, head forester of the Duchy of Cornwall Woodlands, and Graham Taylor, of Prior and Ricketts Silviculture, visited all the sites entered and judged everything from planning and preparation, the work itself, the finished site, the costs incurred and income derived.
The winner received The Prince of Wales Trophy for Woodland Management, presented personally by HRH The Prince of Wales and the first three placed were also presented with forestry axes.
First place went to Simon Lenihan for his acclaimed work at Tarn Hows, Coniston, 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."
Third place went to Doug Joiner for his long term involvement in the privately owned Childer Wood and Meephill Coppice near Ledbury.
The judges said: "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."
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