A group of retired foresters with around 1,000 years experience between them visited north Wales recently to see how the industry to which they had devoted their lives was changing.
The group, comprising 33 former Forestry Commission employees from all over Great Britain, were given an insight to the modern challenges facing Forestry Commission Wales as it manages Gwydyr Forest to provide environmental benefits both now and in the future.
For some of the group the visit was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, taking them back to the area where they had worked several decades ago.
Among their number were two retired Forest District Managers for the area and former Conservator for Wales, David Hughes.
The day also brought back memories for Chris Griffiths, chair of the North Wales Forestry Contracting Association who trained at the long closed nearby Capel Curig Forestry School before going on to spend 40 years working in the area.
He said, “It’s great to see Gwydyr again and to see that it is still being looked after, and learn about all the changes since I retired.”
The day began at the large Douglas Fir stand in Betws-y-Coed planted in 1921, where some members of the group remembered the first thinning of the trees.
They learned how FC Wales was using continuous cover systems more, rather than the traditional clearfelling, before looking at a Regaining Our Forgotten Inheritance site – a WEFO funded project to restore Oak woodlands – and PAWS restoration.
They then passed the old forestry school in Capel Curig – now an army camp – at which several did their forestry training in days gone by.
The group discussed an important challenge facing today’s forester which would barely have featured in the thinking of his predecessors – the effects of climate change and how we will need to change silviculture practices to make our woodlands more resilient in the future.
The tour ended at Giants Head, a cliff face above the Lledr Valley with good views of Gwydyr South, with a talk about woodland recreation and the role of the FC Wales education team in making woodlands more relevant to people of all ages.
The day was hosted by FC Wales Local Area Manager Ewan Stevens, with over 30 years forestry experience, and Area Education Manager Kim Burnham, with over 20 years with the Commission.
Kim said, “The group had a wealth of experience of forestry and it was fascinating to hear some of the tales of how things were done in the good old days.
“But forestry has changed so much and I hope they went away with an appreciation of the different challenges we face today to ensure our woodlands are vibrant places which contribute to a sustainable Wales and which are valued by everybody.”
