RFS Silky Fox Handsaws Award 2020

RFS Silky Fox Handsaws Award 2020

The RFS Silky Fox Handsaw Award rewards students who have stood out on
practical forestry and arboriculture courses as they start their careers. The award is
given for the best student or the student showing most endeavour as they gain
practical hands-on skills in tree and woodland care.

Capel Manor College-
College statement on the award- This is an important partnership to have with the
RFS and shows to the students that there is a larger industry out there. The
opportunities and experiences they can achieve can start while they are still learning
about the industry, and open further avenues to explore once their qualifications are
completed.

Student- Adam Edwards
Course- Intermediate Diploma in Tree Surgery Level
2
Why Was the student nominated? - Adam has
been a lead point on many of the practical’s this year.
He is always first to step forward and get a job started
and does so with a sense of purpose and leadership.
Often helping others who are unsure. Over this last
year, he has shown his progress on practical’s at
college as well as undertaking small climbing tasks in
the workplace. He has gained his CS30 and
woodchipper certificates of competence ticket and
currently looking to gain his CS38 once the college
reopens.

Students Statement- I am proud of myself because I feel like I have come very
far in the past year both in college and work and it's nice being awarded something
just for trying to improve myself.

Student- James Stewart
Course- Introduction to Tree Surgery Level 1

Why was the student nominated? - James
has excelled at practicals this academic year. From
safely working with the saw and tree felling, to
assisting with aerial pruning works within Crystal
palace park. James demonstrated one of the best
felling cuts I have seen from a level 1 student. He
is always one of the first to have a go at new tasks
and seems to set a high standard for the rest of his
class.
If he keeps this up, he will go far.

Students Statement- I am very honoured to
accept this award from the RFS and am looking
forward to my future in arboriculture at Capel
Manor. Big thank you to my instructors for their guidance.

Coleg Glynllifon-

College Statement on the Award- The college is very appreciative of the
continued support from both the RFS and Silky Fox in awarding this valuable prize.
Student- Rhinallt Eleas Ellis
Course- Level 2 Countryside Management
Why Was the student nominated? - Rhinallt started at Glynllifon on the Level
2 Countryside and Environment course in September last year and it soon became
apparent that he would do very well. Rhinallt, from day one, has had the motivation
and drive to complete all aspects of the course to a very high standard. He has
excelled with the practical side of things, carrying out thinning, brashing and tree
planting tasks competently and effectively. He has also done very well with the
classroom work and has passed his course with a Distinction grade. His excellent
attitude and genuine interest in all things forestry and countryside is obvious for all
to see, attendance whilst on the course was 100%. I do not hesitate at all in
nominating Rhinallt for the award.

Student- Daniel Savin
Course- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in
Countryside management.
Why was the student nominated? Daniel started
college as a mature student and has progressed very
well over the last 2 years. He is enthusiastic and this
year won the Lantra lifelong learner of the year. While at
college Daniel has passed his chainsaw assessment,
chipper, strimmer/brush cutter and first aid +F. Daniel
carried out his six-week work placement with Gwalch
carrying out countryside work such as footpath building
and strimming and maintenance.

Herefordshire and Ludlow College-
College statement on the award- The RFS Silky
Saw Awards allows the college and the RFS the
opportunity to reward students who have made vast
improvements in their practical abilities. It also allows the
beginning of relationships to form between the RFS and
up and coming foresters. The years membership
subscription will allow students to see the great work the
RFS do and enable their education to continue past the
academic year.
Student- Chad Abell
Course- Arborist Standard Level 2
Why was the student nominated? -
Chad has worked extremely hard since he began his apprenticeship at
Herefordshire & Ludlow College in November 2018. Along with the practical skills
that he has developed he is always amongst the first to finish his written
assignments and is continuously engaged with the subjects covered in class.
Chad is currently employed by H A Snell & Sons (Certainly Wood/ The Poplar Tree
Company/ Wood Cut Tree Surgery) as an Arborist apprentice. Chad has received
consistently outstanding feedback from his employer and has become a highly
valued and trusted member of the team.
Chad has amassed an impressive clutch of tickets so far in his time with us including
CS30, CS31, CS38, CS39, Emergency 1st Aid +F, Woodchipper, MEWP level 2 & 3
and Traffic Management. Alongside the arboriculture skills he is developed he has
also been working on forestry operations at work and college, such as woodland.

He wishes to pursue a career in Forestry and Arboriculture, and I believe he will be
an asset to the industry later in his career.

Myerscough College-
College statement on the award- The college continues to be proud of its links to the RFS and
being able to recognise the achievements of our students with an industry standard equipment
backed award gives them the acknowledgement that hard work and perseverance will
reward.
Student- Kyle Bishop
Course- City & Guilds Arboriculture Level 2 Technical Certificate.
Why was the student nominated? - Kyle decided to
pursue his return to training for a career in arboriculture with
enthusiasm and energy. To obtain his NPTC chainsaw cross-
cutting and maintenance and NPTC Use of a Manually Fed
Woodchipper he demonstrated excellent skill and confidence with
his control of the saw and manoeuvring of the woodchipper.
Despite the difficult year that the global pandemic has brought to
him, Kyle continues to develop towards his goal of becoming a
qualified arborist.
Students Statement- After an amazing first year at college (
even with the weird end ) I can’t believe I have been selected for
this award, after achieving NPTC’s and completing the full year of
college, being selected from a small class of amazing students is
another great achievement I have gained this year. I cannot wait
to start my career in the Arb industry and achieve my main goal of
being a well-trained tree surgeon who hopefully with be using a
new silky daily.
Student- Kane Haworth
Course- City & Guilds Arboriculture Level 2 Technical
Certificate
Why was the student nominated? - Kane has taken his first
steps to enter the industry with a determination to succeed. He
has never worked with the equipment for tree cutting before yet
succeeded in obtaining his NPTC chainsaw cross-cutting and
maintenance and NPTC Use of a Manually Fed Woodchipper
on the first run with excellent skill and confidence. He has
continued to demonstrate this moving into climbing skills and
will no doubt demonstrate continued success next year on the
L3 programme.

Students statement- I would like to thank people for the nomination in the first
place, it means a lot. Winning this award means so much to me, it would mean
winning an award for once other than being bottom of the class and being ranked as
an outsider as I probably were In high school, I didn’t find any interest in school and
didn’t enjoy it at all. Arb re-ignites my happiness and joyfulness, I have met some
great people during this course, whilst doing the thing I love learning about the most,
Arb. This award would not only look very good on my CV but would also look very
good when being interviewed. I could talk about how hard I pushed myself to work
and be nominated for this award by the end of the year. Winning a silky would
benefit me so much, it would go towards my future job, every time I use the silky I
wouldn’t think of it as any ordinary silky, I would think about the time I was honoured
it by the RFS for working so hard to concur my dream job and dream life for when
I'm older. The silky would be a memory to me from what I achieved at Myerscough
and making a living from something I love to do and have a big passion doing. Arb is
my world now, I never thought I would ever find a paying job I love to do; Arb is not a
job to me, it is my life.

Plumpton College-
College statement on the award- We are really pleased to be working in
partnership with the RFS and it is great to be able reward those students who have
stood out on practical with the Silky Fox Handsaw Award.
Student- Rhys Beardsmore
Course- City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate
in Forestry and Arboriculture
Why was the student nominated? - Rhys has
excelled in the theory side of studies always
achieving distinction grades. But not only did he
excel in studies the first time he used a chainsaw
for crosscutting he showed a real aptitude and
great skill to it excelling in the task set.
Student Statement- Being autistic and dyslexic I have always found education
challenging, being on this course has open a whole new world up to me where I am
calm, focused and engaged with independent studies, woodland has always been
where I am at my happiest and feel appreciated that my hard efforts have been
recognised and look forward to gaining new knowledge and experience.
Student- Harrison Ovenden
Course- Apprenticeship Standard - Forestry & Arborist Level 2

Why was the student nominated? - Harry did not pass
his (CS31) felling certificate first time but he is a very
determined student and works hard to achieve all round.
He passed the next time showing great improvement.
Students Statement- To be nominated is a great achievement
for me as I haven’t always been great when it comes to
my practical test because I find it hard to be my best when be
watched and under pressure. Since doing my second felling
certificate which I passed with great outcomes on my cuts, I
have gained more confidence. In addition, I also got great
comments from my examiner saying my cuts were very good and my theory
knowledge was of great quality.

Reaseheath College-
College statement on the award- The RFS Silky Fox Award provides a great
opportunity to highlight and commend the outstanding learner progression of
individuals engaged in training to work in the forestry and arboriculture sectors. The
award offers the college a chance to recognise and acknowledge the significant
achievements made by students in their studies. Excellent that college tutors and
industry links can work together to highlight and reward learners who have done well
during their time studying. The RFS Silky Fox Award is an ideal way of giving credit
to learners who have worked hard and excelled during their time studying forestry
and arboriculture.
Student- Aaron Stanway
Course- Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Forestry and
Arboriculture.
Why was the student nominated? - During his first year studying forestry and
arboriculture Aaron has worked hard to develop and sustain a keen and professional
interest in the subject area. Aaron has shown that he is interpreting what is learned
in theory lectures and applying this knowledge when working in practical situations.
Aaron has displayed a mature attitude and excellent aptitude to the accumulation of
knowledge and practical skills required by the forestry and Arboricultural sectors.
The team would like to commend Aaron for his hard work during his first year of
study by nominating him for the RFS Silky Saw Award.
Students statement- As someone who has struggled with concentration
throughout education. Being on a course I have learnt to apply myself to a course
has been great. At the start I went into the course with the same attitude as school.
However, being taught from the tutors how the theory in the classroom directly
relates to practical work, which I massively enjoy. I have been able to link the two

sides together which has given me a new outlook on my education. As I understand
I need the classroom understanding as a platform to advance skills in my practical
work. This is helped give me motivation that I could not find previously when it came
to the classroom.
Student- Alexander Pointon
Course- Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Forestry and
Arboriculture.
Why was the student nominated? - Alex has developed a thoroughly
professional interest and approach to his academic and practical studies of forestry
and arboriculture over the past two years. Alex has always shown a willingness to
go the extra distance and put in maximum effort to gain the knowledge and practical
skills required by the forestry and Arboricultural industries. Alex is excellent at
applying his accumulated academic understanding and practical skills to the
requirements of both industries and workplace situations. The team feel confident
that Alex will excel in his future career in the forestry and arboriculture sectors and
will prove to be asset to future employers.
Students statement- After receiving the news that I had been nominated to win this
award, I was surprised and honoured. I started on this course when I was looking at
heading in a completely new direction for my career, so to now be considered to win
such an award gives me great confidence in knowing this is a field I can grow in. I
want to firstly thank my tutors for their support throughout my course, their
encouragement and guidance has been invaluable and have allowed me to push
myself further with my studies. Going forward I have recently secured a place at
Bangor University and cannot wait to develop my knowledge and love for this
industry further. Even if I do not win this award, I am grateful to be nominated and
part of the overall experience.

Shuttleworth College-
College statement on the award- We are exceptionally proud to continue to
offer the Silky Fox award for recognition of the hard work that the students put into
their studies and thank the RFS for their continued support to acknowledge their
efforts.
Student- Ian Price
Course- Level 3 Extended Diploma Countryside Management

Why was the student nominated? - Ian has shown great development in all
aspects of the practical work on the course. Showing good application in hand tool
use and working with new machinery and was extremely conscientious in his studies
for the duration of the programme.

Student- Tom Pretty

Course- Level 2 Arborist Apprenticeship
Why was the student nominated? - Tom has already
begun to research and develop his own ideas towards solutions
for some of the day to day problems faced by industry. His work
continues to be at a standard above that expected on his
programme with clear evidence of his own research on each
task. Tom believes in and is keen to see the planting and establishment of many
more trees across the UK.
Student statement- This is great, and I am pleased that my research and work
so far is being stated as worthy of recognition. I have so many more ideas to get off
the blocks. This has renewed my determination for each to succeed and I think this
will look great on my CV going forward into industry. Thank you!

Sparsholt College-
College statement on the award- To be able to offer
recognition for students that work to an exceptional
standard, is a fantastic reward and helps to incentivise
other students at the beginning of their courses. Receiving
an award from such a well-respected independent body is a
great reward and will carry substantial emphasis on a CV at
the beginning of their career.
Student- Ben Cross
Course- Level 2 in Forestry and Arboriculture

Why was the student nominated? - Ben worked consistently throughout the
course and showed significant improvement in practical and academic
assessments. With help from Course Tutors and Learning Support Ben was
forecast a Pass Grade, his hard work paid off and he achieved a Distinction in the
Course Exam. Ben passed his Chainsaw Use and Maintenance early in the course
and assisted other students wherever possible.
Student statement- I'm really happy to get this award. It has shown that my hard
work has paid off and been recognised by others. It has given me a huge boost, at
the right time of finishing up at college and going into Arboriculture. The award will
be fantastic on my CV for future employers and customers.