3 November 2014

Logging is in the blood of Rex Kelly's family. The organiser of the Logging Weekend at Pigeon Valley Steam Museum proudly watched as a team including one son and a granddaughter won Saturday's 'King of the Forest' Chockerman Race while another grandson was among the team that ran second.

"Sarah did the grommet (wire rope splice) and she was incredible and Nigel just slotted in there," Kelly said of the winning team, The Outsiders, which was formed on the day.

A record 12 teams entered the race, which is designed around forestry and wood cutting skills and judged on technique, safety and time.

"The highlight for me is running the show and seeing the numbers turn up. It's getting bigger and bigger and the calibre of people that come along amazes me," Kelly said.

The weekend also provided a chance for those not involved with the industry to see just what goes on in the bush. Kelly said the public turnout was good, especially on Sunday when steam logging machinery was fired up and the horses geared up to show how tree felling and hauling was done in yesteryear.

"We got the public involved in cross-cut sawing and they really enjoyed it. It was a great day."

Source: Nelson Mail story by Helen Murdoch. Read the full story >>