Awards | Careers | HQ News | Women In Forestry

New RFS Awards at the Royal Welsh 2024

RFS had an exciting week at the Royal Welsh Show; celebrating a Rising Star Award as well as receiving Bronze Award for Educational Value.

By Elle McAllister · July 25, 2024

Photograph: Alison Dinnie, Harriet Jenkins, & Richard Hunter (Confor)

Harriet Jenkins, one of the Forestry Roots 2024 cohort based at Broadleaf Wales, was awarded the newly created Rising Star Award and received The New Sylva book at the Royal Welsh Show.

“Harriet has gone above and beyond from the very beginning of her traineeship. She joined us last October with zero tickets and now has 8 practical tickets towards her RFS Certification. Harriet has taken the opportunity that Ruth, David and the RFS have given her and absolutely made the most of it and represents exactly the sort of young person we wish to support into our industry.” – Alison Dinnie, RFS Careers Advisor

While working full time and completing a significant amount of training, Harriet also found the time to encourage the foresters of the future by running a chainsaw demonstration on the RFS Careers Roadshow, writing blogs for International Women’s Day, and volunteering at the Royal Welsh Show. Harriet is also the new RFS representative on the UK Squirrel Accord Knowledge Exchange and Woodland Management group (KEWM).

The RFS team were also thrilled to receive the Bronze Award for Educational Value 2024.

“We are honoured to have received this award for our stand. The Royal Welsh Show is a key date in our diaries and a great chance to educate people about the challenges and opportunities facing the Forestry sector.” – Becky Wilkinson, RFS Learning & Outreach Manager