The Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) Forestry team gradually came into being as a response to the need of a number of local canal societies. Initially the demand for specialist skills in forestry was filled on an ad hoc basis, with volunteers with the necessary qualifications and experience being sought out for specific projects. The group is purely voluntary, it cannot carry out private work, as all insurance is through the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) for the Waterway Recovery Group (WRG). The group has a firm belief in safe working and appropriate training and qualifications to the industry standard, see our section on training for more information.
The group formed around the two focal members, Graham Robinson and Dave Johnson, and ran for many years as an informal partnership of these two friends. Graham took the initiative to formalise the arrangement, and the WRG Forestry Team was formed. Over a couple of years the team expanded to regularly include Clive Alderman, Alison Johnson, Sue Webster and Jen Leigh. Sadly, Dave died in 2005 as a result of a brain tumour, and although his unique strengths, skills & experience cannot be replaced, the group hope to continue to strengthen their skills component through a strong commitment to training.
Graham's interest began with volunteer work on his local canal - the Lancaster Canal. Over the past 12 years Graham has NPTC qualifications in chainsaw use, pesticide application, and has undertaken training in fencing, hedge-laying, tree planting, coppicing, charcoal burning and more, usually at his own expense to enable him to carry out a voluntary job to a professional standard. Graham was the first recipient of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Training Award, which he used to finance Tree Climbing courses and assessment.
Alison undertook the initial chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting course in 2002/3, and has passed assessments in the basic chainsaw use and small tree felling. She has also completed a tree climbing course.
Clive undertook the intial chainsaw qualifications in 2005, passing the tree felling in autumn 2005.
Sue & Jen are both qualified chipper operators.
We are just one of many volunteer groups who work under the umbrella of the Waterway Recovery Group. WRG Forestry group could not exist without the continued support of other WRG local groups and the WRG committee. The depth of skills, knowledge and the dedication of WRG to all things waterway restoration is phenomenal, if you want a skill, somewhere within WRG it will exist. We have worked alongside groups from London, the North West, Essex, Newbury, Kent & East Sussex ... For more information on the phenomenon that is WRG click the logo.
