A LLANDDERFEL man has won a top national award for his tree-mendous efforts for a local charity.

Brian Palmer, a retired leadership development and programme manager from Llandderfel near Bala has landed the prestigious Woodland Trust Chairman’s Award, made annually to recognise outstanding voluntary work in support of the charity’s work.

Mr Palmer has volunteered for the Woodland Trust (Coed Cadw) over the last eight years in a huge variety of roles. He is a voluntary speaker, going out to tell local groups about the importance of restoring the small areas of ancient woodland that still remain.

But he has also branched out to organise seed collection at woodland sites for the Millennium Seed Bank in Kew, he leads guided walks in woods for groups and families, he represents the charity at shows and events, sits on the charity’s Wales Advisory Group and, to top it all, regularly collects water samples at the Trust’s Cwm Mynach site in north Wales to monitor of the effects of acid rain.

“I’d certainly recommend it to other people,” said Brian.

“It gets me out in the fresh air in some wonderful locations and I love the opportunity it gives me to do something positive for the environment.

“More than that, the reaction you can get when you explain the importance of ancient woodland can be inspiring.

“In some cases I’ve managed to identify landowners who have subsequently gone on to restore ancient woodland that they own.

"That’s really rewarding.”

Brian was presented with the award at a special ceremony by the Woodland Trust’s chair, Baroness Barbara Young.

The Woodland Trust has been working with volunteers for over 40 years and offers volunteering positions which range from green-fingered woodland working group members, to tree health recorders and woodland creation champions.

Anyone keen to get involved can check out the opportunities at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteering