A landscape architect and tree officer with Carlisle City Council, Charles Bennett, has won this year’s Royal Forestry Society/Lockhart Garratt Award after excelling in the Level 6 PDArb.
Charles, who has been in his current role for ten years, said: ” The course was excellent in acting as a mirror on yourself – it soon identified weaknesses, even in areas where you thought you were sound, and really made you focus on best practice. This is the top award for anyone working in arboriculture, and I was delighted to receive the award.”
He achieved the award through distance learning with Tree Life. Nominating him, Dave Dowson said: “Charles has produced some exceptional assignments that reflect real work situations and that promote the arboriculture profession.”
The award was presented to Charles by RFS President Sophie Churchill OBE who said: “It is always inspiring to meet people like Charles who have pursued their professional development alongside their working lives. The Royal Forestry Society is a learned and also learning society and we are pleased to recognise leaders amongst the many people equipping themselves better to protect, manage and improve our trees and woodlands.”
And by John Lockhart of Lockhart Garratt who said: “Lockhart Garratt has been delighted to be able to partner the Royal Forestry Society in supporting this highly prestigious award for the last nine years. It is inspiring to witness the dedication and professionalism of Charles and all of those who have achieved this award. They help to raise the profile and importance of the profession generally and highlight the critical importance of trees in all of our daily lives.”
