No saw losers at Royal Welsh Show

UK Logging Championship chaps on way to Croatia for World Championships.

The weather gods smiled – mostly – on Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, permanent home, since 1963, of the Royal Welsh Show.

Strong winds and heavy rain were forecast for arguably the world’s largest agricultural show, held July 19th – 22nd, but save for a rather damp second day and decidedly wetter weather at its close, glorious sunshine and light breezes were in order throughout.

Visitor numbers – more than 70,000, a record for a day and past 220,000 for the whole show – reflected the good weather and the keen local, national and international interest in all things to do with agriculture, forestry work, the countryside and related machinery plus other bits of kit.

Particular interest focused on the Forestry Section, home this year to the UK Logging Championships. Competition, while fierce and frenzied, remained friendly throughout.

It remained distinctly fresh-smelling, too.

Fuel for the championship was sponsored by Aspen, an alkylate petrol – free from benzene, olefins, sulphur and solvents – created for the forestry sector in Sweden, through UK distributor, Dorset-based Anglo American Oil Company Ltd (AAOC).

Other sponsors included Husqvarna and Arbotec, and the finals were broadcast on S4C and BBC Mid Wales Royal Welsh Show.

With virtually no emissions from the chainsaws, the air was not thick with unpleasant and downright toxic exhaust fumes – an occupational hazard for foresters. The only detectable smell was an altogether more pleasant scent of chainsaw blade through wood.

The sweet smell was also of success for Richard Elliot, Dewi Williams and Alun Jones. They came first to third respectively in the Professional Class and will represent the UK at the World Logging Championships (WLC) in Zagreb, Croatia, this September. Josh Russell, Under 24 winner, and team leader Andy Campbell make the UK contingent up to five.

The fuel for the WLC – part of the International Association of Logging Championships – is also sponsored by Aspen, ensuring that the company’s claim that it is “the fuel for professionals” is quite definitely correct.

Said Andy Campbell, “One or two of the guys didn’t use Aspen, and you could really tell the difference, especially on a warm, still day.

“On days like this, the fumes from regular pump fuel hang around in the air right in front of you, which is obviously bad form your health. It’s not too nice for the spectators, either,” he added.

“The day isn’t far off when Aspen alkylate petrol is considered as much of a forester’s PPE as decent ballistic trousers and ear defenders. The protection they offer is pretty obvious. Using Aspen protects us from what can’t be easily seen, such as lung damage, or worse.”

Interest from potential dealers and users, for both Aspen and AAOC’s other low-impact fuel – EcoPar diesel alternative – was strong both at the sponsor’s gazebo and at the stand of Aspen distributor, Hereford Mower Services.

Elsewhere in the Forestry section, chainsaw carver Simon Hedger drew large crowds held rapt by his sculpting and the finished pieces. From life-size works of a terrier and pup to a near life-size horse, his artistry was met with rounds of applause and sales.

Perhaps more significantly, and certainly more moving, was when two young blind men had their hands guided to touch Simon’s sculptures. Although many people touched the pieces of display, a singularly priceless moment occurred when the inherent essence of the once-living wood and Simon’s gift passed through their fingertips, giving them, perhaps, a wholly different sight of the art.

Anglo American Oil Company Ltd wishes the UK team the best of British for the forthcoming world championships. Keep up to date with all the news at www.twitter.com/environmentAAOC.