Press Release - July 2017
(L-R) Geraint Richards and Graham Taylor
Two Woodland Heritage trustees, Graham Taylor and Geraint Richards, have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to forestry in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Graham has been awarded an MBE for service to forestry, whilst Geraint has been awarded the MVO (Member of The Royal Victorian Order). Between the two of them they have been trustees of Woodland Heritage for over sixteen years.
Graham and Geraint have carved out very successful careers in forestry. Graham is director of the leading forestry consultancy Pryor and Rickett Silviculture, whilst Geraint is Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall.
Since both graduating from Bangor University, they have not only excelled in their ‘day jobs’, but have also notched up a huge range of other achievements, working tirelessly on a range of important initiatives, including Woodland Heritage, Future Trees Trust, European Squirrel Initiative and, more recently, they have been key figures in helping to set up the National Tree Improvement Strategy.
They have also maintained close links with their alma mater, Bangor University, during this time, including hosting regular forest visits, giving guest lectures in Bangor and, most importantly, inspiring numerous forestry@bangor students, many of whom have also gone on to attend Woodland Heritage’s Woodland to Workshop course for which Graham and Geraint are two of the tutors.
Lewis Scott, Chairman of trustees of Woodland Heritage commented, “Woodland Heritage is very proud to learn of this deserved recognition for Graham and Geraint, marking the great success they have achieved in their careers. Our charity is blessed to have such driving forces in the forestry industry as both advisors to our charity and as volunteers, ready to roll their sleeves up and help lead events such as our annual Field Weekend, at which our members learn so much. They also enable our charity to get involved in important initiatives individually, with Graham taking a leading role in the recent ‘Realising the Value of your Hardwoods’ film and Geraint giving us the chance to bring our longstanding work on AOD to the collective benefit of ongoing tree health work in the UK.”
ABOUT THE AWARDEES
Geraint Richards. Head Forester, Duchy of Cornwall
Geraint studied at Bangor University from 1988-1992, including a year out with the FC in Thetford Forest and graduated with BSc Forestry (First Class Honours). He subsequently spent four years working for the Forestry Commission in Kent and Sussex and was then delighted to be appointed as Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall in 1996. He is now responsible for the management of the woodlands and forests across the Duchy of Cornwall’s landholding, some 5,000 acres of woodland altogether from shelterbelts on the Isles of Scilly to coniferous stands in Cornwall and high-quality ancient semi-natural woodlands in Herefordshire. He is currently involved with a wide range of U.K. and international forestry organisations and initiatives including Woodland Heritage (trustee), Future Trees Trust (co-chairman with Graham Taylor) and the UK Squirrel Accord plus on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Institute of Forestry. Geraint is particularly keen to see more young people enter and enjoy the forestry profession. Geraint lives in Cornwall and is married to Anne with five children. He is a passionate follower of the Welsh rugby team!
Graham Taylor. Director, Pryor and Rickett Silviculture
Graham studied at Bangor University from 1986-1990 and graduated with a Joint Honours in Forestry & Soil Science (making him one of those rare foresters who understands the medium that trees grow in). During his time at Bangor, he was instrumental in lobbying for theforestry@bangor degrees to include an optional year-long placement, which have remained ever since as a vital component of these degree programmes. Graham spent his year with the Forestry Commission. After graduating, he initially worked for Fountain Forestry in Hay-on-Wye. He then joined Pryor & Rickett Sliviculture (PRS) in 1993 as Assistant Forest Manager, becoming director in 1998 and have helping steer growth from a base of 2,500 hectares to about 20,000 ha of privately owned forestry which PRS manage / advise on behalf of some 350 private clients. Graham is a Trustee of Woodland Heritage and Co-Chairman of Future Trees Trust (with Geraint Richards). He is also on the management committee of European Squirrel Initiative (ESI) who are working on improving the extent and efficacy of grey squirrel control measures. Graham is regularly invited to speak at regional and national conferences and events. As well as the above he aims to spend time with family, keep fit (running / cycling) and is also involved in church work, running a youth group and other responsibilities. Three words sum Graham up in a nutshell: ‘Family, Faith & Forestry’.
ABOUT WOODLAND HERITAGE
Woodland Heritage was established as a charity in 1994 by two cabinet makers keen to ‘put something back’. A membership-based organisation, the charity supports the resilient management of woodlands, the development of the timber supply chain, the furthering of knowledge and skills within the forestry and timber sectors as well as within the general public, and the tackling of threats to the future supply of high quality UK timber. As well as running the popular ‘From Woodland to Workshop’ courses and a Field Weekend each year, Woodland Heritage produces an annual Journal. A current priority for the charity is supporting research into Acute Oak Decline. HRH The Prince of Wales has been the Patron of Woodland Heritage since 2005.
For more information on this release, please contact Guy Corbett-Marshall, Development Director, Woodland Heritage on 07816 384221