Duke of Cornwall Award: multipurpose woodlands - 2009

First Prize: Hovingham Estate, York

RFS President John Besent, left, presents the RFS Duke of Cornwall Award to Hovingham Head Forester David Brown

Judges Rodney Helliwell and Roderick Leslie commented: “Simply beautiful woods to be in; thoughtful and decisive management obvious at every turn in the meandering rides – from the systematic thinning across the estate down to the retention of two or three big Beech complementing nearby restocking. Long-term vision and interests, from shooting through public access to wildlife conservation brought together in clear, comprehensive plans.”

David Brown, who is the fourth generation of his family to have been Head Forester for the Worsley family, said: “We are very proud to have received the award. It shows that good conservation management and commercial forestry can run hand in hand. It also shows the benefit of continuity of management and a clear policy. Hovingham Estate has been following the same forestry policy since 1897. We are always looking to develop and refine our silvicultural techniques.”

Second Prize: Upper Teesdale Estate, County Durham

RFS President John Besent, left, presents Raby Estate retired head forester Hamish Jeffrey with the Duke of Cornwall Second Prize

Owned by Lord Barnard, the woodlands, which form part of the Upper Teesdale Estate, lie within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A number of stand-alone native broadleaf clumps and belts have recently been established, in addition to older woodlands, to encourage wildlife by providing corridors and stepping stones for the movement of birds, insects and other wildlife.

Judges Rodney Helliwell and Roderick Leslie commented: “Woods designed to support endangered Black Grouse, a tenacious commitment to thinning in the face of difficult access and excellent provision for visitors to this exceptional area epitomise Raby Estate’s custodianship of Upper Teesdale.”

Geoff Turnbull, who has recently taken over as Head Forester from Hamish Jeffrey, who retired, said: “The woodlands are a tribute to the policy of long-term upland forest management followed by Lord Barnard and his staff. We are working an exposed and sensitive landscape which is home to approximately 30 per cent of the English Black Grouse population which depend on native broadleaves such as rowan, hawthorn, birch, alder, willow and hazel. Planting these has also encouraged other species such as redwing, fieldfare, twite, linnet and whinchat.”

Special Commendation: Grimston Wood, York

RFS president John Besent, left, presents a Duke of Cornwall Special Commendation to Ralph Hoyle, owner of Grimston Wood

Owner Ralph Hoyle’s work on a block within his 75-acre wood unwittingly started a lowland heathland restoration scheme – the only one within the boundaries of the City of York.

Lowland heathland is a rare and threatened habitat, and is a Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat. Ralph has now introduced ten longhorn cattle to graze the wood in summer to help develop the heathland.

Judges Rodney Helliwell and Roderick Leslie commented: “Charismatic longhorn cattle are the stars of this imaginative restoration of rare Vale of York heathland from western hemlock plantation.”

Ralph said: “I am delighted that the scheme has been recognised. The heathland regenerated from heather seeds that had lain dormant since before 1965 when the Forestry Commission planted the site, and is of great interest to many groups. I am considering whether more of the plantation could be restored as heathland, but the financial viability of such an extension has to be considered.”