Woodland Creation Under Spotlight for Forestry Award at Great Yorkshire Show

Celebrating new and recently established woodlands is the focus of this year’s John Boddy Award at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Entries are now open for the annual award which is presented by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society in partnership with the Forestry Commission and Royal Forestry Society.

The award looks at different aspects of forestry each year, this year the award focuses on the best woodland planted in the region between 1990 and 2010.

Judges will be looking for good silvicultural practice and landscape enhancement, taking into account the long term aims of the woodland management.

Show Director Charles Mills said they were very much looking forward to seeing the entries for this year’s John Boddy Award.

“Many of the woodlands planted during this period will have been on farmland and it will be really interesting to see how they have been maintained and their future sustainability.

“Forestry and woodland management is an integral part of maintaining our countryside and with the Government emphasis on creating more woodland, in terms of space, farmland in Yorkshire could have a pivotal role to play.

“Promoting good management is what this award is all about as well as offering advice and encouragement to new woodland projects.”

The winner of The John Boddy Award takes home the magnificent John Boddy Rose Bowl Trophy as well as a £400 cheque.

The Award is just one of the highlights in the Forestry Area of this year’s 161st Great Yorkshire Show.

As well as The Forestry Commission’s 100th anniversary celebrations, there will be the ever popular Poleclimbing Championships which attracts competitors from far and wide.

Returning this year will be national championship holder, 22-year-old Daniel Whelan.

Daniel from Shropshire, competed at the Show last year and was inspired to climb by his grandad, 86-year-old George Tipping.

George, from Cheshire, has been the oldest competitor in the Great Yorkshire Show poleclimbing competition for many years and while George has said he may not climb this year, Daniel said he is looking forward to taking on the competition and being the fastest up the pole.

The John Boddy Award will be presented on Wednesday, July 10 at 5pm in the Forestry Marquee.

To apply for this year’s Award email yorkshirenortheast@forestrycommission.gov.uk for an application form, entries close on May 17 2019.

Tickets for the 161st Great Yorkshire Show, which runs from Tuesday, July 9 to Thursday, July 11 2019 are now on sale with special advance prices available online at www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

EDITOR’S NOTES

• The Great Yorkshire Show is England’s premier agricultural event, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society
• The YAS supports and promotes the farming industry through health care, business, education and funding scientific research into rural affairs.
• The YAS is supported by its family of businesses including Fodder, Yorkshire Event Centre, Pavilions of Harrogate and the Harrogate Caravan Park as well as events Great Yorkshire Show, Countryside Live and Springtime Live.
• Events at the Great Yorkshire Showground contribute £47 million a year to the local economy.

CONTACT

Jo Francisco
PR Manager
Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Direct Line: 01423 546215 | Mobile: 07954 007414
Email: jof@yas.co.uk