Gentle giant a pull for visitors
Meet Jeff the gentle giant, who is showing visitors how traditional horsepower is the most eco-friendly way of harvesting wood from The Wrekin. Meet Jeff the gentle giant, who is showing visitors how traditional horsepower is the most eco-friendly way of harvesting wood from The Wrekin. The huge Clydesdale will be the star turn at free logging demonstrations next weekend. People will be able to try their hands at leading Jeff, courtesy of Phil Wilson, of the Heavy Horse Experience at Hoo Farm visitor centre, Telford. The logging demonstrations will run from 11am to 4pm on April 29 at Burnt Cottage Coppice, near to the rifle range. Visitors are asked to park at the Forest Glen site and to follow the signs on foot. There will be guided walks and refreshments. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
The huge Clydesdale will be the star turn at free logging demonstrations next weekend. People will be able to try their hands at leading Jeff, courtesy of Phil Wilson, of the Heavy Horse Experience at Hoo Farm visitor centre, Telford.
Pete Lambert, Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Wrekin forest project officer, said: "For hundreds of years, working horses hauled wood until being replaced by machinery in the 1960s.
"Horses are ideal for sensitive sites like The Wrekin. Their low-impact technique causes no damage, even in places where delicate plants like orchids grow.
"When a horse pulls a piece of timber along, it scarifies the ground, giving seeds the opportunity to germinate and grow.
"There is no noise, no diesel spills, no noise, no fumes and no wheel ruts on the path."
Mr Lambert is working closely with Andy Grundy, of the West Midlands based Heartwoods project, to show how traditional skills like coppicing can play a 21st century role without harming the environment.
The boom in popularity of log burners has created a potentially lucrative market for a local and sustainable fuel source.
* The logging demonstrations will run from 11am to 4pm on April 29 at Burnt Cottage Coppice, near to the rifle range. Visitors are asked to park at the Forest Glen site and to follow the signs on foot. There will be guided walks and refreshments.