A FORMER head forester for Raby Estates, whose work has influenced forestry practice across the globe, has been honoured with a top award.
Hamish Jeffrey, who worked for the estate for 25 years, was awarded the a Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Sylva Trophy, which recognises outstanding contribution to forestry.
Mr Jeffrey’s career took him to Ghana, Liberia and Borneo before he returned to the UK to work for the late John Vane, 11th Baron Barnard.
His son Lord Barnard said: “Hamish was head forester at Raby for 25 years overseeing the management of the woodlands with dedication, skill and tenacity. With his lifetime commitment to forestry, I’m delighted that Hamish has been chosen as a worthy recipient of this prestigious award.
“He was responsible for growing good quality timber in an estate context and at the same time being sensitive to environmental and landscape concerns.”
Mr Jeffrey wanted to work in the forestry industry from his teenage years and helped forest teams in his school holidays.
An initial job with the Forestry Commission on the Isle of Wight gave him enough experience to take a forestry degree at Gwydir College in Wales. He qualified in 1968 and with his zoologist wife Sonia, took up postings at Ghana and Liberia before being headhunted by Unilever to work in Borneo.
Mr Jeffrey said: “My main concern in both Ghana and Indonesia was the destruction of the forest. This may sound strange as I was there harvesting timber, but we were trying to establish a continuous cover type of forestry.
“We had a 30-year programme, only felling one thirtieth per year, with the intention of relogging.
“Unfortunately, farmers moved into the concession and we were powerless to stop them. The soils would not sustain crops, and after about five years they had to move on having completely destroyed the forest. It saddens me now to see on Google earth that the entire concessions have been destroyed.”
Returning to the UK he focussed on growing Raby Estate’s trees as part of the landscape and environment.
He managed the estate’s sawmills and became an early exponent of the firewood market.
He also mentored numerous individuals as they have explored and pursued forestry careers. Among his many notable achievements was being responsible for Lord Barnard’s contribution of oak towards the restoration of York Minister following the fire there.
Now retired, Mr Jeffrey remains in the industry as a contractor to small estates and farms.
