NEWS

Askham Bryan College will be amongst the first to launch The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Silky Fox Handsaws Awards to recognise outstanding students on courses with a strong practical arboriculture or woodland management element.

The winner will receive a Silky Gomtaro 300mm pruning saw together with a year’s membership to the RFS. The award will be presented by the RFS’s Yorkshire Division and by Silky Fox Handsaws to the student the College judges to be ‘showing most endeavour’ in 2012.

RFS Education Officer Debbie Cotton explained: “The annual award is for students on Further Education courses that meet the practical skills criteria.

“It recognises the increasing value of Level 2 & 3 Diploma courses in Forestry and Arboriculture in delivering the essential skills to open doors into careers in both the private and public sector.

“As an education charity promoting the wise management of trees and woods, the RFS is delighted to recognise the excellent work of colleges up and down the country, and to give recognition to students who have gone the extra mile in their learning.”

For Askham Bryan, Lecturer in Arboriculture, David Butterfield said: “The practical skills in trees and timber industries are fundamental to employability, we take this very seriously and anything that supports this can only be a good thing for the tree managers of the future. We are very happy to be involved in the RFS Silky Fox Handsaws Award as it acknowledges the efforts and skills required by the student to enter into a challenging industry.”

David Davenport of Silky Fox Handsaws said: “The practical skills learned through these courses help ensure we have a skilled workforce to maintain and enhance the country’s trees and woodlands. The successful students form the backbone of the country’s tree experts in the future.

“Silky saws enjoy a worldwide reputation for quality, and we hope these will become treasured – and useful – reminders for the students of the valuable time that they spent in college.”

The RFS Yorkshire Division organises woodland visits and activities, and welcomes new members. For further information please contact Divisional Secretary Ben Scotting on 01765 609 355 or email ben@yorwoods.org.uk or visit www.rfs.org.uk .