STORMS were forecast for Cumbria on Saturday 27 April. But it takes more than a few thunder-claps and occasional hail showers to dampen the enthusiasm of those professional motor-manual operatives and college students who put their skills to the test at the Newton Rigg Logging Competition.
There were 19 contenders who took part in the much-anticipated event, some of whom had travelled to the Penrith-based rural skills college from as far afield as Wales and Scotland.
As usual, Husqvarna sponsored the event and the Swedish-made saws were much in evidence. Even so, when it comes to the cut and thrust of serious competition, top performers have their tried-and-trusted favourites and Stihl has a loyal following. Gethin Hughes explained that although he uses both Husqvarna and Stihl chainsaws for day-in day-out work in the wood, when it comes to tackling competition disciplines, he brings out his perfectly maintained and dependable Dolmar.
Pete Bowsher is a Tilhill harvesting manager based at Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway. He explained that the company had donated prizes in the form of cash-filled envelopes for the newcomers. Tilhill also supplied the Newton Rigg event with timber for the limbing poles. The logs were hauled to the Hunter Wilson timberyard at Gretna on the Scottish border, where they were rounded. Robin Hood Sawmill, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, produced the pegs.
Pete Bowsher, who hails from Canada, is recognised as one of the UK’s most talented and sought-after chainsaw carvers. Precision being his strong point, it was no surprise that he was willing to don his judge’s hat and attend the Newton Rigg Logging Competition. Dan Barry, Tilhill’s harvesting contracts manager, was also present, but as a competitor.
Euroforest, South Lanarkshire, is also sponsoring logging competitions and donating prizes for student entrants this year. Simon Wallis is the company’s compliance manager. A former training manager with the Forestry Commission and director of the Symington-based company Forestry Training and Consultancy Services, he too was well qualified to take on the role of judge.
Sam Moore is also employed by Euroforest. Unfazed by his first attempt at competitive logging, the Scotsman commented: “It’s great. I’m enjoying it. I like seeing the different ways folk approach the job. It’s nothing like when you’re actually working. I’ll probably give it another go, as it’s sort of addictive. The camaraderie is good too. People are prepared to give you advice. Competing is a bit nerve-wracking but that’s what makes you want to improve.”
Richard Siddons, Head of Strategic Projects, Natural Resources Wales, revealed that he has been carrying out the exacting task of sitting in a quiet, sheltered place keeping tally of the scores at logging competitions for quite some time.
“My interest in logging competitions started 30 years ago with the Royal Welsh Show version,” he said. “I would like to say that it’s the wine, women and song that keeps me going, but really it’s the people associated with the sport that I enjoy. Despite being competitors, they support one another and create a convivial atmosphere. Competitions such as that held at Newton Rigg are important because we want to encourage as many young people as possible to join in the time-honoured sport and keep it going. Our efforts are attracting interest, so I expect to be around for some years yet. My sense of power is endless!”
Maddy Parkin was the event’s only female competitor, and a pretty determined one at that. Currently employed as a Forestry England craftsperson at Kielder, Northumberland, it came as no surprise to learn that she has ambitions aimed at extending her forestry experience. Persistence has paid off for Maddy. After competing at Newton Rigg previously, in 2018 she secured a place in the UK Loggers team and was able to compete in the World Logging Championship at Lillehammer, Norway.
Reporting that the experience had been amazing, Maddy said: “The very high competition standards I encountered there are definitely something to live up to, but I hope to get there within a few years. Winning silver in the relay was not only a welcome surprise but also a real confidence boost that left me feeling very much encouraged. The next World Logging Championship will take place in Serbia in 2020 and I very much hope to be there.”
As luck would have it, wet conditions didn’t become a serious issue at Newton Rigg until the logging competition was in its final and (for the spectators at least) most exciting stage. Perhaps it was the peals of thunder rumbling ominously overhead that caused George Milne the embarrassment of pre-empting the starter’s signal in the limbing competition. After some consultation on the correct punishment, the official rule book was consulted and George penalised by the loss of points. Unfortunately, the time delay meant the storm broke just as the last pair of competitors scheduled to complete the discipline prepared to enter the arena.
The situation did, nevertheless, demonstrate that would-be UK Loggers need to adopt professional practices and be prepared for all contingencies. Ace UK logger Peter Fox exemplified this when he hastily zipped on a transparent plastic waterproof before he and Andrew Townsend stepped into the slanting rain and took their turn at limbing. Peter didn’t only stay dry on the day, he no doubt also experienced a high when he won the Newton Rigg logging competition with an outstanding score of 1,593 points.
Speaking in his role as event organiser, Peter Fox drew the Newton Rigg Logging Competition to a close by extending his thanks to all who had been involved in its realisation. He also said the next logging competition will probably take place in East Anglia at the end of August.
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