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Quality Contractors, Tim Bodfish- Atheston Forestry
Day two of the 2019 Confor Woodland Show saw contractors visiting the stands that were in abundance across the showground. Harvesting Southern Manager Dafydd Lewis introduced the marketing team to Tim Bodfish of Atheston Forestry as one of his preferred quality contractors to feature in our latest themed article.
Atheston Forestry was formed around ten years ago by Tim Bodfish who begun by carrying out thinning operations on his own farm which led to him starting up firewood sales. When Tim’s sons left school they very much interested in forestry and joined Tim in his forestry works. As they increasingly needed more timber for firewood they started doing thinning works locally on farms and estates. This led to the need for them to invest in harvesters and forwarders and shortly after they officially launched themselves as contractors.
The team consists of Tim, his sons Johnathan and Andrew with the addition of Derek Roberts.
Atheston Forestry began working for Tilhill Forestry’s Senior Forest Manager, Iwan Parry at a power station in South Pembrokeshire, Wales eight years ago.
A stand-out job for Atheston is Cresselly Woodland which last year at the Royal Welsh Show won the gold medal for best community or public access woodland,a silver medal for best managed woodland (11-50ha) and a bronze medal for best broadleaf stand over 40 years old. Cresselly also won a Special Prize, which was The Meirion Davies Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup awarded to the ‘Best Community Woodland or Public Access Woodland in Stand Class I’ at the Royal Welsh Show.
It is a mixed woodland of Beech and Ash hardwoods plus Douglas and some Larch. Previously, the woodland hadn’t been managed for over 20 years. Tim recommended and introduced the owner to Tilhill Forestry who were able to secure grants for the woodland and begin professionally managing it.
Dafydd Lewis. on commenting on his choice for the Quality Contractor theme said: “We have built a good relationship, Tim provides a great service and helps us fulfil our objectives on site whilst maintaining a good health and safety and environmental record.”
Tim said “When we begin a Tilhill Forestry job it’s so nice to know it is already prepared for harvesting and that there is access and a good sized stacking area.”
A special thank you to Tim Bodfish for chatting to us and giving us a little more insight into one of our quality contractors.