Royal Forestry Society Awards HCT Apprentice
Each year the Royal Forestry Society, Herefordshire division, presents a student with the George Clive Memorial Prize. The award was named after George Clive after he died in 1999 in recognition of his long standing contribution to forestry and his strong support for the RFS. It is presented to the ‘most conscientious forestry student at Herefordshire College of Technology’s Holme Lacy Campus’ and consists of a framed certificate, book token and a year’s free membership of the RFS.
This year it went to Ben Binnian who successfully completed the NVQ Level 2 Forestry and Arboriculture Apprenticeship and was selected from a range of courses including HNDs and full-time programmes at a variety of levels. HCT Principal, Ian Peake, who presented the award to Ben commented, "It was an honour to present the Royal Forestry Society award to Ben - a truly outstanding student who has secured a rewarding job at a woodland business."
Ben works full time for Bodenham Arboretum, where he undertook his apprenticeship. It is a family run business which was initially bought by his grandfather and has been passed down the generations. The business has changed from focussing on farming to trees and now offers a very successful and developed visitor centre. Ben commented, “I am really pleased to be getting this award. I enjoy the work; it is so varied from planting, caring, felling and thinning. The apprenticeship was great as it covered everything; it provided me with the NVQ, but more importantly the chainsaw and climbing tickets too. It was recommended by a colleague and we have both thoroughly enjoyed it”.
