THE woman behind an upsurge in recreational access to Forestry England's woodlands and a senior plant health advisor are among those to be named in The Queen's Birthday Honours list. 

Bridgette Angell (also known as Hall) has overseen a 25 per cent growth in FE's Outdoor Recreation Network (ORN) and has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Forestry and to Outdoor Recreation. 

Having joined the Forestry Commission in 1995, she is now head of recreation and visitor experience and has helped pave the way for millions of people, including many new and first-time visitors, to safely access the countryside and green spaces.

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Bridgette said: “I have memories of watching the Queen's Silver Jubilee celebrations in black and white on a hot and sunny day.

“I was brought up in the New Forest and I think it was in 1979 and the 900 years’ celebration of the founding of the New Forest, that my pony and I lined up to be inspected by the Queen.

"It is a dim memory now but I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams that one day I would have had my name put forward for a Birthday Honour." 

England's forests welcomed unprecedented visitor numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Bridgette’s leadership at the heart of FE's efforts to ensure its woodlands were up to scratch, both to cope with the record numbers and to ensure staff were able to adjust to ever-changing guidelines. 

She added: “I strongly believe that access to the outdoors should be for everyone. And while there’s still much to be done, it’s wonderful to see more people from all parts of our society enjoying the nation’s forests.

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“I am hugely humbled and grateful to have been nominated for an MBE for Services to Forestry and Outdoor Recreation." 

Alongside Bridgette, former works supervisor at Kielder Forest, Simon Banks, has been handed a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to forestry. Martin Colledge, beat manager for forests in Lancashire and Cumbria - including part of the Lake District National Park - also receives a BEM. 

Forestry Journal: The honours were handed out to mark The Queen's official birthday The honours were handed out to mark The Queen's official birthday

Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) Christopher Jones, a former senior specialist adviser on Plant Health and Forestry, completes the sector's list of honours, with a BEM for services to forestry. 

Simon said: "I’m extremely proud to have served the Forestry Commission for 42 years as part of the team in Kielder Forest.

"It is a wonderful organisation; I’m delighted and humbled to receive this recognition.”