Information on Loughborough

Heavy Horses in Employment

Posted on 10/03/2009

Charnwood Borough Council have organised two teams of heavy horses from the British Horse Loggers Charitable Trust to remove felled conifers in Outwoods during Thursday 12 March to Saturday 14 March.

This 120 acre ancient wood is predominantly oak and birch. However, during the Second World War some of the site was replanted with conifers. These none native trees have little wildlife value and are reaching the end of their lives.

Over the past few years the conifers have gradually been felled back and replaced with oak grown from seeds that are collected in the woods. Unfortunately, due to the terrain and nature of the site, it has not been possible to remove the felled conifers using conventional methods. The felled conifers are now building up on the woodland floor suppressing the growth of bluebells.

These magnificent horses are trained to pull tree trunks out of the woods, which they can do without causing the damage that machinery would.

Once removed this timber will be used for fire wood. Heating a home using firewood contributes far less CO2 into the atmosphere than gas, oil or electric central heating. Assuming that the people who are burning the firewood extracted from the Outwoods would otherwise be using one or other of these alternative fuels, estimates are that in three days the horses can remove enough timber to offset 65 tonnes of CO2.

The horses are being sponsored by Natural England and a Shepshed limousine hire company, Movements UK, who wishes to offset the CO2 produced annually by their fleet of cars.

Bill Cregeen, Managing Director of Movements UK, said: "Movements UK has always taken its green credentials very seriously. More recently we have been looking at ways to deliver a carbon offset solution for our fleet of chauffeur-driven Mercedes vehicles. This is an excellent way to achieve this and we look forward to sponsoring similar ventures in the future.

Councillor David Snartt Chairman of the Outwoods Management Committee and Climate Change Champion for Charnwood Borough Council said: "I am delighted to be involved with this project, not only is this an excellent way to enhance the wellbeing of the Outwoods by moving these unwanted conifers from the wood floor, but also looking to help the environment by linking these activities to reductions and offsetting CO2 emissions.

"I am grateful for the involvement and support given by Mr Bill Cregeen of Movements UK Ltd. This is a great way for businesses to be involved in the climate change agenda whilst also providing worthwhile benefits to the community. I am hopeful that we can build on this joint initiative and that many companies will be in future looking at ways to be involved in the reduction and offsetting their C02 emissions.

There will also be a charcoal making demonstration by D M Chainsaws as well as information on the flora and fauna of the Outwoods.