By HELEN COMPSON

Published at 09:38, Friday, 05 February 2010

THE Rector of Hexham has been appointed to a leading role within the Forestry Commission.

Canon Graham Usher takes up his post this month as chairman of its North-East regional advisory committee, on which he has already served for the past two years.

The committee plays a pivotal role in furthering the Forestry Commission’s mission to protect Britain’s forests and woodlands.

The chairmen of the nine such committees nationwide also collectively advise the commission on matters of national significance.

Regional director Brendan Callaghan said: “Graham has an extensive knowledge of the region thanks to many years working in the community, both through his work and his many voluntary roles.

“Coupled with his strong interest and enthusiasm for environmental issues, he will prove a great asset to the RAC and to the Forestry Commission at a local and national level.”

Mr Usher (39), who is married with two children, was inducted as Rector of Hexham in 2004.

He is currently a member of the Northumberland National Park Authority, and has previously served on the Middlesbrough Local Strategic Partnership.

After gaining an honours degree in ecology at Edinburgh University, he led the university's Nature Conservation in Scotland summer school for five years.

He later went on to study for both a BA and an MA degree in theology at Cambridge University before becoming a clergyman.

He said: “I aim to ensure the North-East RAC continues to make an important contribution to the work of the Forestry Commission, by drawing together a range of diverse views from industry, land owner, conservation and recreational interests.

“I enjoy being in the forest environment and want to see the public estate well managed, balancing the views of all interested groups.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk