Two Yorkshire foresters honoured

Foresters from two Yorkshire estates have been honoured for their long and dedicated service to the industry. Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Long Service Awards were presented to Nick Cooke, Forestry Manager of the Castle Howard Estate, and to David Kirkwood from Rise Park, Skirlaugh.

Nick Cooke, has worked for the Castle Howard Estate since 1977 and, for the past six years, he has been the Forestry Manager in charge of the nursery, woodlands and forest contracts.

Presenting him with the Award, RFS President Mr John Besent said: “Nick is responsible for nearly 2000 acres of woodland, and for a large tree and shrub nursery. One of the reasons why he excels at his job is that he has acquired a knowledge of the woodlands and the nursery over a long period of time. He knows what will grow best where, and that is the secret of producing good-quality timber.”

David Kirkwood, known on the Rise Park Estate as ‘Dave the Woodman’, retired from full-time employment at the end of last year, after 34 years service, but he still works part-time.

David’s son Justin Kirkwood collected the award from the RFS President on his father’s behalf when David was unable to make the awards ceremony due to ill health.

Mr Besent said: “David has an excellent knowledge of all woodland operations, also of the birds, flowers and insects which inhabit the estate. He is a master craftsman who has devoted his life to caring for the estate’s 200 acres of woodlands. Those woodlands are a testament to his hard work and dedication.”

The Royal Forestry Society’s Yorkshire Division holds a number of meetings each year, often in woodlands and estates not normally open to the public, to see at first hand the management techniques being employed within the woodlands and the wider forest supply and marketing chain.