Book prize for top countryside student

Posted 11 September 2013

A Countryside Management student from Harper Adams University has been presented with a prestigious forestry award in recognition of outstanding performance in the second year of her degree.

Anne Walker from Leyburn, North Yorkshire, received the first Royal Forestry Society’s Prees Heath Award – a new prize given to the highest overall achiever for woodland and field sports modules.

The prize was a selection of key reference books and a certificate, presented by North West Midlands Branch Vice-Chairman and owner of Prees Heath Forest Nurseries, David Gwillam.

20-year-old Anne was graded on examination results, a tree identification test and an assignment. She said: “I’m very pleased and surprised. The assignment was challenging but fun and I enjoyed it all.

“The books will prove really useful and are good reference materials for both university and when I start my career.”

The books which Anne received are Woodland Management: A Practical Guide; Coppicing and Coppice Crafts; and Woodlands: a Practical Handbook.

She received them at Natural England’s Fenn’s Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses near Whitchurch, where she is currently undertaking her industrial placement year.

Senior Lecturer and Chartered Forester, Jim Waterson, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Royal Forestry Society and Prees Heath with this important new award, which reflects excellent student achievement by Anne.

“This type of award is particularly valuable as it also helps to reinforce the connections between our students, our courses and the professional land management and conservation sectors, which is highly-important to all concerned."