An RFS Journey to Hexham
I've always taken an interest in the origins of organisations where I've worked. I think understanding where an establishment has come from, can add value and meaning to what is being undertaken in the present.
Sometimes the stories of those involved in the past, can provide a source of inspiration and even help shape the future. Here is a short tale of my own journey of discovery, learning about the origins of the RFS.
Although I didn’t know much about it, I knew the RFS had a long and rich history, and one of the first things I did when I started in this role was to read a book detailing the story of the Society’s first 100 years. The book was put together by eminent forester and former RFS President, NDG James, with help from former RFS Director, and another eminent forester himself, Esmond Harris, and was published in 1982. The book provides an invaluable archive of dates, events, and notable persons involved through the Society’s history, with enough images to help bring the story to life.
I learned from the pages of that work, that the RFS started its life in Hexham, Northumbria. It was set up by members of the Scottish Arboricultural Society, which eventually became the Royal Scottish Forestry Society. On a recent trip to join an RFS woodland meeting, coordinated by our North Eastern division, I took the opportunity to visit Hexham, and the House where it all began. In 1882, so the story goes, forester Henry Clark met nurseryman John W Robson, at Mr Robson’s house, and discussed the idea of setting up their own Society, in England.
On my visit, I was lucky enough to meet the current occupant of Mr Robson’s former home, Hexham Mayor, Derek Kennedy. I was very pleased to hear that Derek knew all about the RFS and its association with Hexham, and I was even more delighted to learn that the Mayor regularly cleans the RFS commemorative plaque, which sits proudly in his front garden! When the RFS celebrated its centenary in 1982, an oak tree was planted in the main park in the town, so I went along to see how it was doing. I am pleased to report that our Hexham oak is still there, and looking healthy enough, and I expect and certainly hope, it will be there to witness notable RFS dates to celebrate in the future.
I would hope that Messrs Clark and Robson, and all those involved in the establishment of the RFS, will be proud of the achievements of the Society since those early days. What is remarkable is the number of activities which were started in the early years of the Society: Woodland meetings, Study Tours, Overseas Study Tours, Quarterly Journal, Awards and Certificates, all remain core business of the RFS. All these undertakings continue to add considerable value those in forestry. I feel greatly honoured to be involved, in my own small way, to ensure we continue to provide these services, and actually many more besides, to as many in the sector as we can.
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