June 2014 The Official British Horse Loggers Newsletter

Timber Tongues

BHL Annual Competitions and AGM 2014 In this issue: Chair’s Report 2 and Chair’s AGM Report Kate Mobbs-Morgan

BHL Annual 3 Competitions and AGM 2014 Carole Coates

Obstacle Course 4 Judge’s Report Chris Wadsworth

Fell and Extract 5 Chainsaw/Felling Judge’s Report Ken Stewart

Fell and Extract 5 Extraction Judge’s Comments Jim Johnstone A pair of Shires, Dylan and Prince, tackle the Wobbly Bridge in the Obstacle Course competition; owners James An Amazing Weekend 6 Griffiths and Eddie Griffiths brought them from Staffordshire, and James took the reins for the Pairs competi- (or Nearly) tion, also winning the Best Novice trophy. Photo: Carole Coates (See pages 3, 4, 5 for full results and reports) Steffi Schaffler

The Eye of the 7 Beholder... BHL Woodland Management Award Chris Wadsworth Entries are due in by the end of Septem- Head Forester of the ber, for judging over the winter. Woodlands, Geraint Richards, is the Senior Horses Return to 8/9 Judge. Forestry Commission This coveted award recognises professional Sites excellence in woodland management using Judging is stringent and evaluates the job as a Rab Erskine horses. whole, from planning to finish. The Prince of Wales Perpetual Trophy for Work which has included the use of horses Lynside Eleanor 9 Woodland Management is presented biennial- by a BHL member to extract the timber can Doug Joiner ly, and there are additional prizes for 1st, 2nd be nominated by the horse logger, another and 3rd place. member of the team, the woodland agent or the woodland owner. A Clarification: 10 The next award will be made for work sub- BHL / BHLCT / stantially undertaken from 1st October 2012 Previous winners: 2007 − Simon Lenihan; “Seeing is Believing” / to 30th September 2014. 2009 − Kate Mobbs-Morgan; 2011 – Chris BFotWH Wadsworth; 2013 – Barbara Haddrill. Cathrin Vaughan with Judging will take place over the winter of Julian Philipson 2014, with presentations to the winners in The rules and application form are available on 2015. the BHL website. Pa ge 2 Timber Tongues June 2014

Chair’s Report K ate Mobbs-Morgan

I am writing this having just returned from our Competi- Please have a look at them on the website, more de- tion and AGM weekend. This time hosted by David tails will be posted very soon if not by the time you Roycroft and Steffi Schaffler on the Scottish Borders, part receive this Newsletter. of our cunning plan to begin to move our events around Over the summer we will be preparing for our time at the country. It worked … we had a fantastic turnout of the APF exhibition in September. Put the dates in lovely people and great horses, making it a really good your diary if you can, and join us for some or all of the weekend. time. Much work had been done by David, Steffi and Chris For those of you who surf the net there is now a Wadsworth preparing the site and building the courses and Horse Logging Forum on a site called Arbtalk. There it really paid off. The weekend ran smoothly, was fun, with will be a link to it from our website and it could prove time to relax with good food and drink around the fire in interesting to follow. the evening. A good opportunity to catch up with folk af- ter the winter and to chat to many new faces. Thanks again I have kept this introductory piece short as there is the to all those who contributed in many ways. Chair’s AGM Report to add this time, and some inter- esting articles filling the pages. Next in the diary are our two courses, bookings are look- ing good at the moment but there is still room for more.

Chair’s AGM Report, 2014 Last September we were well re- ceived at the South West Wood Fair, It feels as if it has been a busy year ence. This has shown an interest from also run by Confor as a smaller sister but I hope for the membership the non-members and from people work- event to the APF. transition with the change of ing horses in other countries, some- Chairman has been smooth so far. thing to build on. The BHL continues to have strong support from our patron, HRH The The Committee as a whole though We continue to offer the BHL insur- Prince of Wales. Following his ap- and some of our membership have ance scheme, an excellent benefit, and pointment of a new Assistant Private been putting in a lot of time to have some good courses in the pipe- Secretary, I attended a meeting at make some changes and to contin- line for later in the year. Booking num- earlier this year to ue to take the BHL forward in a bers are good at the moment. We have meet the new Secretary and to dis- positive way. also begun to try and advertise further cuss how best the Prince can assist afield in the publications of potentially The most obvious change is the in promoting our work. redesigning of the website. We interested parties. We have continuing contact with used a combination of a profes- We are also beginning to move our Clarence House and are discussing sional web designer and Matt Wal- events around the country, as you can what should best be our next step in ler, both of whom put a great deal see, in the hope of attracting more showcasing the options we have of time into the changes. members to attend or bringing in fresh available to the forestry industry and interest. We hope you find the new site user in fact all woodland owners. -friendly and we welcome any In September there is the biennial APF Working horses in a woodland envi- comments or feedback. It is still a forestry exhibition and as usual the ronment continues to be a challeng- work in progress and we have one BHL will be running working demon- ing way to make a living but if we or two decisions to make as to how strations over the three-day event. we can improve it as a members’ pull together, deliver and maintain This is an important opportunity to benefit. It is however already avail- high standards of professionalism able to all members for infor- showcase the benefits of working there is work out there to be had. horses in forestry and we have plans in mation and free advertising and we The BHL and its committee will full swing to make this a really good strive to update it regularly. continue to work hard in the coming show for our membership. We would year to offer good training, working We also have now a Facebook welcome any members interested in towards raising industry standards page and Twitter account linked, joining us on the stand to chat to inter- and therefore the professional pro- which have proved popular and ested parties and promote both the file of the horse logger. give us a better social media pres- BHL and the BHLCT. Timber Tongues June 2014 Pa ge 3

BHL Annual Competitions and AGM 2014 Carole Coates

Obstacle Course Alongside the Fell and Extract Competition there was the Obstacle Course. This was challenging and provided a lot of laughs as well as demonstrating some excellent horse skills. All the usual components were there − chainsaw, shunt, balance, voice control − all aided and abetted by a wonky log to drag, and uneven ground that made balancing blocks a feat of nature. Results 1. Noel Donaghy Doug Joiner’s new award for contributions to horse logging, accepted by himself on behalf of Judith 2. Kevin Taylor Webb, MBE and presented by BHL Chair, Kate Mobbs-Morgan. Photo: Carole Coates 3. Kevin Reed. In a message to the BHL, Judith said that the profile of horselogging has come Pairs on a “significant journey”. She added, “Although we still have some way to go 1. James Griffiths in increasing understanding of the potential of horselogging in integrated man- agement systems, widening its acceptance and helping build greater continuity Best Novice of work for contractors, the hard work of members of the BHL, its Committee James Griffiths and colleagues on the Charitable Trust has made a real difference.” New Award Despite worries that this new venue may put people off, the attendance was very good, bringing horses from Scotland, England and Ireland and This was given and presented by Doug Join- members from all the home nations. er for the person who has contributed the most to the revival of horse logging in Brit- James Griffiths and Eddie Griffiths (not related) brought a pair of grey ain. The recipient, Judith Webb, was unable Shires from Staffordshire and Noel Donaghy brought a Suffolk mare to attend and the award was accepted by from Belfast − it is really pleasing that so much effort is being made. Doug on her behalf. Judith Webb, MBE, is a trustee of the BHL Charitable Trust and was The weather held up on Saturday and Sunday morning so whilst every- instrumental in establishing the first modern one was dry we were all bitten to death. horse logging society in 1988. Chris Wadsworth, Steffi Schaffler and Dave Roycroft had put a lot of The presentation took place prior to the time and effort into selecting and setting up both skills tests as well ad- AGM on the Sunday. vertising the event to locals and providing a superb camp area with a tent, and a yurt, with cooking facilities. AGM They were supported by Charles who owns the site and Felicia who was The AGM commenced with Kate providing responsible for the vital element of ensuring that there was sufficient tea an overview of the previous year and thank- and coffee during the weekend. ing Steffi, Dave and Chris for all their efforts All in all a brilliant weekend that was both social and practical. and the attendees without whom the event could not have happened. Fell and Extract Competition The accounts were presented by Julian. The This took place all day Saturday in a small wood across the road from committee confirmed they are all happy to the main site and was very challenging due to the wetness of the ground. stand again; Kate said there is a vacancy. On the Sunday there was also an opportunity to have a go. It was confirmed that there will be no Results change in subscription costs. 1. Peter Coates, Yorkshire Any other business − ideas for a site for next 2. Noel Donaghy, Northern Ireland year. Suggestions were requested. 3. George Newton, Lake District Pa ge 4 Timber Tongues June 2014

Noel Donaghy with Imogen, Obstacle Course winner, and James Griffiths, Pairs winner in the Obstacle Course competition and winner runner-up in the Fell and Extract. Photo: Colin Parsons of the Best Novice trophy. Photo: Colin Parsons

BHL Horse Logging Competition, the Obstacle Course Judge’s Report — Chris Wadsworth

This year’s competition took place on an open field, the The winner of the Singles was Noel Donaghy with lack of trees being compensated for by slopes and Imogen, who only dropped 85 points, closely followed undulations. by Kevin Taylor and Bill, with 90 points lost. The course required the competitor to move a 7 metre log Kevin Read with Danny and George Newton with from the start box through various tests and obstacles, George Mac tied on 105 points lost, with Kevin edging including the balance beam, the ramp, parbuckling onto a into third place on time difference. forwarder, and two separate shunt operations, in which the George Newton’s second entry with Charlie Mac was horse is hitched to the back end of the log, which is notable for his strenuous efforts on both shunts. He propelled ahead. The second shunt was the Wobbly Bridge, was the only contestant to get his horse to straddle the which proved to be very wobbly indeed, and defeated all log in the manner of the Continental “international” the contestants. competitors. The Singles competition had nine contestants forward: There was only one entrant in the Pairs, which was run George Newton with Dales, George Mac on Sunday morning: James Griffiths with Shires Dylan James Griffiths with Shire, Dylan and Prince, who took the course at a show ring trot. Kevin Read with Dales, Danny Pairs have an advantage in the shunts, with a horse on Eddie Griffiths with Shire, Prince each side of the pole, and James was the only Peter Coates with Shire cross, Nathan competitor to at least leave the second arch of the Noel Donaghy with Suffolk, Imogen Wobbly Bridge standing! Kevin Taylor with Coloured Cob, Bill Great thanks to all who made the long trip to Caitlin Erskine with Ardennes, Rhona Dumfrieshire and had a go. George Newton with Dales, Charlie Mac

Noel Donaghy with Imogen. Photo: Carole Coates The Obstacle Course: Peter Coates with Nathan. Photo: Colin Parsons Timber Tongues June 2014 Pa ge 5

Fell and Extract Competition Chainsaw/Felling Judge’s Report Ken Stewart

The day began with a comprehensive briefing for all with the Fell and Extract teams being taken down to the competition site and given a further briefing. It was stressed to them that the order of importance of judging criteria was first and foremost safe operating practice, with technique and skill coming next. Ideally what I was Peter Coates, Fell and Extract winner; with judge Chris Wadsworth, and looking for was to see how they work on a daily basis hosts Steffi Schaffler and Dave Roycroft. Photo: Carole Coates without trying to cut too fast or take short-cuts. All protective equipment and chainsaws were checked to important and, as a client, I would expect to see cutters ensure they met current standards and where operators paid on a day rate basis getting through it. (One to practice had non-compliant PPE they were provided with it. for next year, ladies and gents!) One issue which arose is the use of climbing helmets on The safety questions were mostly answered well with only the ground. Whilst the EN 12492 climbing helmet Peter getting them all right – well done. The issue of FISA standard exceeds that of the EN 397 for work helmets, seems to be a mystery to many and few knew that AFAG generally speaking they can both be used on the ground, guidelines were replaced by FISA last year. On although with the much greater cost of a climbing helmet important issues of chainsaw safety though, all did very it is best kept for climbing operations as ground work is well. hard on helmets and they invariably get damaged beyond Overall though, Jim and I were impressed with the general use before their end of date. standard of cutting and what I saw throughout the As both offer much the same level of impact protection competition were safe, competent operators I would be an EN 397 work helmet is cheaper and therefore more happy to have on my land and who were a credit to the readily replaced and therefore more likely to be replaced themselves and the BHL. when it needs it; that is what I prefer to see on the Well done to all concerned ground. Gloves were another issue. Whilst the real need for gloves Extraction Judge’s Comments is still under debate as chainsaw construction standards continue to improve, especially the efficiency of front Jim Johnstone hand guards, conventional wisdom (and FISA guidelines for ground based workers) indicates that approved First I would say that well done to both Steffi and Dave for chainsaw protection gloves should still be worn. all the work and effort they put in to make the event a great success, food, tea etc., even toilets on site. Chainsaws were all in good condition and sharp (except mine – which I had to fit a new blade to before felling Also a big thanks to all the people who went to a lot effort some windblow!). to attend with their horses, they travelled from all over the UK and even Ireland. I think it could have been the biggest All the cutters were proficient and safe in all respects with turnout of horses at the annual event so far. What I some very accurate felling. The occasional hung-up trees thought was great was that there were all the different were dealt with effectively with either hand tools or breeds and types of horses, large, medium and small, horses. although no Clydesdales. Snedding was generally slow – but neat. This is an area of I think the public also saw a different approach to forestry operation where there is a fine line between speed and rather than the never-ending machine ops that they see up accuracy. As a commercial operator I like to see trees here in Dumfriesshire. How many got eaten alive by the coming down and being sned off quickly and neatly. This midges! They are a constant menace up here in Scotland takes time to master though and where cutters are not and there is no escape or remedy regardless what you try. routinely doing conifer work this skill inevitably fades. As far as the competition went, it was good. Chris prepared To that end, all had taken on board my brief to what I thought was a decent course but it ended up too concentrate on quality rather than speed – although I did soft for the horses, however thanks to Ken he felled some deduct marks for slow cutting and lack of fluency. (Peter trees where the ground conditions were better and it ended Coates had a clean sheet until this point!) Given that many up a success. Well done to you, Chris for all your effort and cutters are employed on a piecework basis, this is quite never-ending enthusiasm, I don’t know how you do it. Pa ge 6 Timber Tongues June 2014

An Amazing Weekend (or Nearly) theme, the horses, the real working horses. So what is there to argue about? I found that there is lots, or that Steffi Schaffler some people think there is. I feel absolutely baffled by the urgency with which some people need to state their opinion. Not that I feel one shouldn’t have an opinion or not state it. Germans tend to argue a lot. But the vehe- mence and negativity that I have met on several occa- sions in the BHL is beyond me. What is there to argue about. The harness? The breed? The colour of the horse? What I do the rest of my time working when the horse is not earning any money? This is not having an opinion, that’s just being opinionated, intolerant and unhelpful. I don’t even understand why we have to agree on these things. If a harness works for me and my horse, who cares if it looks different to anybody else’s? If my horse wears shoes or not, who cares? If my horse is a rare spe- cies or not, so what? Are we not an organization to en- courage new people and other members to have a go at that job that we all love so much? The job where it is difficult to find enough work to make it pay, to stay dry Gathering around the fire on an amazing weekend. Photo: Colin Parsons and feed the kids? Aren’t we happy for anybody actually It’s been about a week since we had a lot of you here at trying? Does somebody new not deserve all the help and Drumwhirn. The fire is still going under the shelter out- respect we can find? side and the competition course is still in our field. Still, it Of the 100 members we have nearly 20 who are new eve- feels miles away and years ago. But ever since you all dis- ry year. Of the 80 more or less constant only a small per- appeared last Sunday I have been meaning to write some- centage actually works. I know there are people who be- thing about that weekend. It feels a lot has happened lieve there isn’t enough work as it is, but if there isn’t a since, but maybe that is just normal life. We managed to “new” generation being allowed in and greeted warmly finish the beer in a few evenings sitting at the fire. We there will be no work soon, or there will at least be no nearly clear felled the wood at the bottom of the compe- more BHL. We are a small organisation, incredibly spe- tition field. My horse suddenly decided he is a great horse cialized. Isn’t that enough to make us work together and and works like a dream. Merida had her first proper acci- not against each other? dent and was covered in blood (she’s fine). We lost a dog Because why would you want to go to an event if all you and decided when to move. Just one of these weeks. get is people looking down at you and being judgemen- And still, with all this going on, last weekend came back tal? You might as well stay home and try for yourself. to me again and again. And not only because it was such Having run this event here I can just say I loved it − till a nice event. I had a lot of positive feedback and I was so the nearly last minute. And then I absolutely hated it. I happy that so many different people turned up and en- wasn’t there when the argument started, but I wish I joyed a weekend of meeting each other. I had been hop- could have made people leave these few minutes earlier. ing to have a good turnout, but not only that, everything A lot of people left without saying good bye or thank you including the weather and all seem to fall into place. or anything. That in itself is something I count as really The thing that makes my thoughts go back to it again and bad manners. again is what happened right in the end. Some of you Anyway, what I would hope for in the future is that we might have missed it and have no clue what I am talking can have events with a positive feeling all around. We about. But it is something that as far as I remember has nearly got there, and for my feeling we can just cut out all happened at some point at all the bigger BHL events. grumpiness and ill feeling. It’s just not worth going And I can’t get my head round it. Why does there always somewhere to have a go at somebody, just stay at home need to be some … shall I call it unrest, or bullying or and let other people have a good time. just general nastiness? And to tell the truth that was what I was dreading all the weeks running up to that event. I will go and sit at the fire again, with a bit less company And I thought we had maybe got away with it … wrong. than last weekend, but with the hope of meeting you all soon again. The BHL is an amazingly mixed bunch of When I became more active in the BHL a few years ago I people and I think the more the merrier. heard all the stories of the good old times when BHL events were lots of beer and arguments. I couldn’t quite Thanks so much for coming here and making this hap- see how or why (no, I do understand the beer bit). Eve- pen. It was special, and possibly we are on the way to rybody seemed so nice and we all had this one common somewhere together. I very much hope so anyway. Timber Tongues June 2014 Pa ge 7

The Eye of the Beholder... local types came to hand, and created crosses to suit individual need. It was not until the latter part of that Chris Wadsworth century when British and European breeders found a need for “brand names”, to address a booming export trade to Look at any bunch of horse loggers. Do you see logical, North America and the other new countries. Thus it was practical people in a tough discipline? In part, yes, but for that the Black Horse of the English Midlands became the the rest, we are romantics to a man and woman. Shire, and his Scottish counterpart became the Clydesdale. I read the articles on working native breeds in the last All in all, we are looking at tribes of close cousins, rather Timber Tongues, and of the devotion of the writers to their than anything distinct to itself. chosen breeds. Clearly, our individual choice of working Over time, I have worked a variety of breeds, and I have horse, despite a veneer of logic (or, perhaps, ostensible found a wide variety of temperaments, not confined to any logic) is really decided by what fills the eye, or moves the one breed, but more between individual horses, heart. We are about as logical in our choice of horses as irrespective of breed. My best horses could make me look we are in our choice of human partners. like a horseman. The articles failed to mention the one native breed which Which brings us to what my sadly departed mentor, Geoff has found perhaps the widest acceptance amongst British Morton, would term ”The idiot at t’other end o’t lines.” loggers. I refer, of course, to the “Coloured Cob”, the Time and again, I have stood in a crowd, and watched “Gipsy ‘Oss”; not actually a breed at all, but a useful horses doing fine work. People get excited, and say “What mongrel, formed of several types of cart horse, and marvellous horses, that’s just the breed I want!” What we various native ponies. I now have one myself, and I am have actually seen are pretty-good-to-average horses, pleased with my choice. worked by a master craftsman. What is this “breed” business, anyway? Roger Clark would quote an old horseman’s view of a All the heavy draught breeds can trace their bulk and good work horse: “The eye of a saint, the heart of a lion, power back to Flanders, and to big Flemish horses spread and the a**** of a farmer’s daughter!” There speaks a man around Europe (including Britain) and crossed with with a fine and dedicated appreciation of the merits of fine whatever local horses there were. The ponies are all horses … and the merits of farmers’ daughters, too. variations on a theme, with local names − Hutzl, Konik, Romantics, all! Gotland, Fjord, Dales, Garron, Shetland, Icelandic, and Geoff Morton would say, “There’s no good breeds, only all the rest in between − a continuum of hardy, useful good horses!” I would add, “And good horsemen.” little horses all the way from the Black Sea to the Atlantic. Enjoy your horses. Before the nineteenth century, nobody much thought about “breeds” of workhorses. They just used whatever

Cob Power — Bryn Dafys of Brynmorian working with Ian Bowler’s mare Peter Coates favours cross-breeds — here is his Shire cross, Nathan, at Bonnie in South West Wales, where Cobs are ideal for the steep terrain and RHS Harlow Carr Garden, where Peter used three horses on a seven- often wet working conditions day felling and extraction contract Pa ge 8 Timber Tongues June 2014

Horses Return to Forestry Commission Sites Rab Erskine

On Saturday 17th May 2014, I took part in offering a Public Having done the rounds of taking them for Demonstration of Horse Logging, as part of the Borders Festival horse riding lessons we had decided to purchase of the Horse. Between 150 and 200 people turned out to see my Angel in order to give them a more real experi- daughter Caitlin work, and in demonstration terms it was a great ence of the horse world. success. By 2009, and after lots of reading, researching The demonstration was organised as part of a thinning contract and conversations with a very enthusiastic Iain Caitlin, Rhona (her Ardennes) and cutter Sean MacNeil had been Laidlaw (Forestry Commission), I went down to working on for the last five weeks. take part in Doug Joiner’s week-long training course and returned even more keen. Present amongst the crowd were other horse loggers in support: Simon Lenihan and his son, Billy Anderson and family, and Dan- Doug helped me with sourcing the harness and ny MacNeil. I was doing the talking and wearing the BHL top. other equipment and Angel and I, with a lot of help from Caitlin, began the process of learning Caitlin and Rhona spent the two hours extracting to the roadside to work in the woods. and standing for photographs. We even collected £101.61 for the BHLCT. As time went on I more and more realised that although I had a large number of years’ experi- Seven years earlier I had seen a similar advert for a demonstration ence of working in woodlands, I did not have a at Harestanes, also run by the Forestry Commission and again lot of experience working with horses. part of the Borders Festival of the Horse. For a year or so Caitlin and I, with her brother’s Little did I know back then, as I journeyed along with my wife help, worked with different contracts and other Amanda to see Danny MacNeil, his son Sean, and their three loggers: Danny MacNeil coaching me and Angel working horses Saracen (Shire cross), Scout (Cob) and Jake at Bowmont Forest, and then Chris Wadsworth (Clydesdale/Irish Draft) that my own journey would lead to me with Ouragan (Percheron) alongside Steffi Schaf- being involved in today’s demonstration! fler with Lisa (Ardennes) helping Caitlin and I I was inspired by watching Danny, Sean and the horses work. So with our first two larger contracts. inspired that I decided to look into whether our own Cob could However, it was becoming more and more ap- be trained to work. parent that Angel and I were not connecting well Angel had been in the family since she was three. My two daugh- enough for me to complete the contracts. Caitlin ters – Caitlin, who now runs the Homestead Horselogging com- came to the rescue in 2011 and she agreed to pany, and Kailzie, her elder sister − had been horse-mad since take on the company. early primary school. Since 2011 she has moved the company on so well that she is now employed full-time. Angel worked well for two years, but it became more and more apparent that there was a need for a bigger horse with more mass and strength, and in 2012 Caitlin bought Rhona. Since then, with grant help and lots of support, she has developed enough to be accepted onto the BHL Professional Contractors list. Saturday’s demonstration felt like a showcase for both Caitlin’s success and the return of horses to Forestry Commission sites. This particular site is in the heart of Glentress Forest. One of the ‘Seven Stanes’ Mountain Bike Sites, it has some- thing in the region of 350,000 visitors each year.

(Continued on page 9) Timber in the stack at the Glentress Forest site Timber Tongues June 2014 Pa ge 9

(Continued from page 8) Lynside Eleanor — I’ll leave the last words to John Everitt, Planning Forester, Forest by Doug Joiner Enterprise Scotland, Dumfries and Borders Forest District: Doug and Ella scarifying (with a “I can see three main benefits with thorn bush) to using a local horse logging team for encourage heather working a site like the high-recreation regeneration on the continuous cover area in Glentress: Stiperstones NNR in South Shropshire. 1. Often small-scale harvesting opera- The Long Mynd and tions of less than 100 tonnes are re- Caer Caradoc in the quired to be worked. A horse logging background. Photo: team doesn't require expensive ma- Richard Stanton chinery transportation for a small job. Also the team can move easily be- tween isolated blocks of work within the forest. Lynside Eleanor was born in 1988 and died in 2014 aged 26.

2. High manoeuvrability, flexibility She is arguably the best-known horse in forestry work and had a very early and low ground pressure mean that dice with death at four days old when she damaged her lip so badly she there is limited damage to final crop could not suckle. trees and soil structure. Mountain She went on to be the most incredible, kind and giving working companion bike trails can also be avoided during in my forestry career. extraction, which prevents expensive repair bills. On 6th March 2014 we found Ella cast, lying flat and unable to get up. She appeared to have been down for quite a bit of the night, possibly suffering 3. The horse logging in itself can at- from colic. After many attempts to get her up again, I finally had no alter- tract interest to the area and attract native but to ask the vet to put her down. additional visitors.” She had reached the very grand age of 26 and having spent 22 of those years with me, it was a very painful decision but the only possible one in the circumstances. The vet made her death as peaceful and quiet as I could hope for. I will miss her. Amongst her many achievements, putting up with me for ever, taking a Christmas tree to Clarence House and being the very best and most skilled work companion I could wish for, I believe she played a very big part in persuading HRH The Prince of Wales to become the Patron of the BHL in 2004 and subsequently Patron of the BHLCT and the BFotWH. I remember the summons (she was never big on invitations) from Elizabeth Buchanan, HRH’s Pri- vate Secretary at the time, “Come to the rear gate of Powys Castle and bring the grey.”

Doug and Ella delivering a Christmas tree to Clarence House in December 2010. Driving down the Mall with in the background. Caitlin Erskine with her Ardennes mare Rhona Photo: Gudrun Leitz A Clarification: BHL / BHLCT / “Seeing is Believing” / BFotWH Cathrin Vaughan (with special thanks to Julian Philipson for his input) This is intended as a clarification to counteract any “Seeing is Believing” confusion over the roles and set-up of these organisations. This was a personal initiative by HRH The Prince of Wales to promote horse logging (he is Patron of the British Horse Loggers (BHL) BHL and the BHLCT). He hosted practical This is the primary horse logging organisation. It is a demonstrations of horse logging on Duchy estate land, membership association, run by the Committee who are to which influential forestry owners and managers were elected by the members at the AGM. invited. The BHL is responsible for the Professional Register, Three such demonstrations were organised by the horse loggers’ professional insurance, the Annual Duchy: in Cornwall (2008), at Llwynywermod in Wales Competitions and AGM, the coveted BHL Woodland (2012), and on the Balmoral Estate (2013). Management Award, a range of training courses, the A mark of their success was that the BHL Welsh website and Facebook page, and the quarterly newsletter. apprenticeship arose directly out of the Llwynywermod Funded primarily by membership subscriptions, the BHL demonstration. can also accept funding from those wishing to promote its Horse loggers invited to take part included BHL objectives. members and non-members, and BHL members and The BHL’s single biggest outgoing is for its stand at the BHLCT trustees were among those who assisted. biennial APF forestry event. This is a prime opportunity to British Festival of the Working Horse showcase horse logging to the forestry profession and gain (BFotWH) horse logging contracts, with practical demonstrations in a section of woodland of what horses and modern The Festival is Doug Joiner’s own venture, for putting equipment can achieve. on working horse events to promote the wider use of horse power. It is a company limited by guarantee, with The BHL Committee is chaired by Kate Mobbs-Morgan. charitable status. It is not linked formally to the BHL and Committee members are: Steffi Schaffler (Membership the BHLCT. Secretary), Julian Philipson (Treasurer), Chris Wadsworth, Nick Burton, Dave Roycroft, Max Hibbert. Co-opted BHL members, alongside non-members, took part in the members are Cathy Vaughan (newsletter), Matt Waller Festival at Peterborough in 2012, where logging was just (Webmaster) and Linda Thackray (logo items). one aspect on show. Subsequent “mini festivals” have demonstrated working horses in vineyards (2013) and in British Horse Loggers Charitable Trust horticulture (2014). The next full Festival is planned for (BHLCT) 2016. The Charitable Trust is subsidiary to the BHL, and was set The directors and trustees are: Doug Joiner (Chair), Ian up by the BHL to run the Apprenticeship Scheme on its Wilson, Bob Worton; Company Secretary is Nick Lloyd. behalf. This is because this important scheme requires very substantial funding, and many grant-making bodies prefer to donate to a registered charity. The BHL Machinery Pool is run in the Trust’s name because it has limited liability status. The Trust’s Memorandum and Articles stipulate that four of the seven trustees must be appointed by the BHL. The current trustees are: Doug Joiner (Chair), Nick Burton, Iain Laidlaw, Julian Philipson, Geraint Richards, Judith Webb MBE.

Welsh Apprentice Kevin Taylor took part in the in the 2014 BHL Competitions with his Cob, Bill, and came second in the Obstacle Course. They are pictured here in the Fell and Extract. Photo: Colin Parsons TheThe next next issue edition of Timber of Timber Tongues Tongues will be will in September, be out in The BHL Newsletter Editor and contributions are welcome.June. Cathy Vaughan Bryn Tawel, 12 Llynfa Road How about sharing your experiences, opinions and expertiseIf you wouldwith fellow like toBHL contribute, members? please Have youemail been your Penclawdd Swansea SA4 3XD working on an interesting project, for example? article in by Mid May 2011 to the newsletter editor. 01792-850902 Please email copy to Cathy Vaughan Email: [email protected] by mid-August