Oliver Rackham

[the village idiot]

Had the pleasure of sharing a few ales with him over a weeks residential course at Flatford Mill about 15 years ago.

 

His depth of knowledge across medieval history, ecology, woodland management and the countryside at large was astounding.

 

I'm glad I tried to see him speak several times, he opened the door to ancient trees and woodland for so many people.

 

No doubt many have read his books, but I would urge all that haven't to treat themselves.

 

 

I for one, will go plant a british tree in a woodland in his memory.

 

 

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That's a brilliant idea:thumbup: I am not doing any planting, but will dedicate a majestic old small leaved lime coppice stool to him.

[derek robinson]

Brilliant idea,so apt.

 

Derek

[David Humphries]

Oliver Rackham obituary | Environment | The Guardian

 

 

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[Mountain man]

It's unlikely I'll ever get round to reading one of his books but the obit gives an idea of his achievements.

 

Original thinking and encyclopedic knowledge.

[Yournamehere]

A line in the article at the 'Big Boots to Fill' linky sums it up: he taught you to look at the clues in the fields and lanes and create a narrative: he changed the way you looked at the country side.

I had just finished reading 'Woodlands' when news of his death came in: the last chapter is 'Advice For The Future' all the little things you've learnt and wanted to pass on before it's too late; like print out paper copies of your research cos technology is changing so fast the data will be lost on obsolete equipment in as little as ten years time let alone a hundred or the near thousand years of some manorial records.

It was difficult to finish that bit.

It's easy for me, I have no television nor family to distract me so I can spend long winter evenings studying. Before Woodlands I had read his 'Ancient Woodland' - the recent edition - 'Magisterial' just doesn't cover it, well , neither of them really, they are awesome books both, written by someone who knows and loves his subject inside out.

The three smaller books - 'History of the Countryside', 'Trees and Woodlands in the British Landscape', and 'Hatfield, The Last Forest' are essential reading for anyone who enjoys stepping out. They are packed through and through with the information you need to know what happened to create what you see, why it is there and how it got there.

And loads of 'myth-busting' to boot!

The man changed my life.

[timbernut]

A line in the article at the 'Big Boots to Fill' linky sums it up: he taught you to look at the clues in the fields and lanes and create a narrative: he changed the way you looked at the country side.

 

I had just finished reading 'Woodlands' when news of his death came in: the last chapter is 'Advice For The Future' all the little things you've learnt and wanted to pass on before it's too late; like print out paper copies of your research cos technology is changing so fast the data will be lost on obsolete equipment in as little as ten years time let alone a hundred or the near thousand years of some manorial records.

 

It was difficult to finish that bit.

 

It's easy for me, I have no television nor family to distract me so I can spend long winter evenings studying. Before Woodlands I had read his 'Ancient Woodland' - the recent edition - 'Magisterial' just doesn't cover it, well , neither of them really, they are awesome books both, written by someone who knows and loves his subject inside out.

 

The three smaller books - 'History of the Countryside', 'Trees and Woodlands in the British Landscape', and 'Hatfield, The Last Forest' are essential reading for anyone who enjoys stepping out. They are packed through and through with the information you need to know what happened to create what you see, why it is there and how it got there.

 

And loads of 'myth-busting' to boot!

 

The man changed my life.

 

 

Your spot on! Those last 3 you mentioned taught me loads. They are equally brilliant as a cover to cover read or a dip in reference.

Also your remark about information storage is right and we now have school teachers saying kids don't need to learn to write (just read), although it's great we're becoming too reliant on computer technology!

[MrPaul]

An inspirational man, very sad news indeed

[woodyguy]

As said, totally inspirational. His books are some of the few that I've re-read several times, always getting more and different things from them each time. Sad loss.

[corylus]

Always wanted to meet him but sadly never did. I remember him visiting Swaledale to look at some pollard elms that has DED, but only read about it after the event.

I heard the news of his death not moments after loading a couple of his books into the van for holiday reading.

Made for a few poignant moments.

[David Humphries]

I was reminiscing about a talk Oliver Rackham gave at Hampstead in 2010 where he described amongst many other things a woodland of old hornbeam pollards on the northern fringe of the M25 at Cuffley.

 

I visited soon after the talk, and had the opportunity to have a gander around it again today.

 

Its got a great ancient woodland feel, if you're ever in the vicinity its well worth a walk around.

 

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