Award for students who show rural endeavours at Holme Lacy campus (From Hereford Times)

Award for students who show rural endeavours at Holme Lacy campus

2:15pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Farming By Mark Bowen

THE Royal Forestry Society (RFS) has linked up with Herefordshire based Silky Fox Handsaws to offer a unique annual award to students on courses across the country with a strong practical arboriculture or woodland management element.

Herefordshire College of Technology’s (HCT) Holme Lacy campus is among the 21 colleges taking part.

The award at Holme Lacy will be presented by the RFS Herefordshire division and by Silky Fox Handsaws to the student the college judges to be the ‘best’ or the ‘student showing most endeavour’ in 2012.

The winner will receive a Silky Gomtaro 300mm pruning saw together with a year’s membership to the RFS.

“The award is for students on further education courses that meet the practical skills criteria," said RFS education officer Debbie Cotton.

“They recognise the increasing value of level two and three diploma courses in forestry and arboriculture in delivering the essential skills to open doors into careers in both the private and public sector.”

Silky Fox proprietor David Davenport said the successful students will form the backbone of the country’s forestry experts in the future.

“The practical skills learned through these courses help ensure we have a skilled workforce to maintain and enhance the country’s trees and woodlands,”

said David.

The RFS Herefordshire division organises woodland visits and activities, and welcomes new members.

For further information, email Chris Johnson at chrisjohnson@bronwin.

freeserve.co.uk, visit rfs.

org.uk or call 01531 635 069.