A Bangor University student has won a special award given in memory of Phil Johnson, a fondly remembered Tilhill member of staff.

Cameron Pellett from Kent has won the Tilhill Phil Johnson Memorial Award for Best Silviculture Student 2019/20 for his MSc Silviculture module.

He was presented with a specially carved wooden trophy in the shape of an acorn by Tilhill’s regional manager for Wales, David Edwards, along with £250 prize money, presented for the first time in an online webinar format.

Upon receiving his award, Cameron said: “Thank you David for presenting me with this award. I feel honoured, especially considering the calibre of my peers. It came as a huge surprise to hear I had won, and I am really grateful to Tilhill for supporting it.”

David Edwards, Tilhill’s regional forestry manager for Wales and theMarches, who presented the award to Cameron, added: “It gives me great pleasure to present the award in memory of Phil Johnson to Cameron as the best silviculture student. It is always tinged with sadness when this award is made as I remember my colleague Phil fondly, but we have to look onwards and upwards and there has never been a more exciting time, in my opinion, to start a career in forestry. I wish Cameron all the luck in the future as I present Cameron virtually with this award.”

The award is dedicated to Phil Johnson who worked for Tilhill for many years and was regional manager for England and Wales when he passed away following a short illness seven years ago. During his career he made a huge contribution to the company, Tilhill said, including setting up the UK’s largest privately owned mountain bike centre at Coed Llandegla, Wales.

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