Meet the team: Thane
Meet Thane, Arborist for Weymouth Town Council. Thane has worked as a tree surgeon since he was 16 years old. He completed his training at Kingston Maurward College, while working for a local business for one day a week:
“I’ve always enjoyed climbing, mainly free climbing which I still do now in my spare time. When my Dad told me I could pursue it as a career, I got in to it straight away and haven’t looked back since!”
Once qualified, Thane worked for Dorset County Council for 5 years. After leaving the council, he travelled around the country working as a freelancer. Thane has also spent time working with renowned woodsman Ben Law, who specialises in sustainable woodland management, timber frames and eco-building:
“I’m really grateful to have worked with someone who is so experienced and passionate. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with and learn a great deal from Ben, managing a semi-ancient woodland in West Sussex.”
Thane’s role involves a lot of climbing to maintain and manage the trees in our parks, open spaces, cemeteries, highways and allotments. He is pleased to have been able to return to work in Dorset, where he first trained:
“I’m proud to work for Weymouth Town Council and to be giving back to the community I grew up in. I like working on projects that keep our spaces safe and improve them for the benefit of local people and wildlife.”
Recently, he worked on a project to remove Ash trees from Weymouth cemetery that were in poor condition and prone to snapping. The trees have been replaced with Hornbeams, a species which grow more slowly and are a denser, stronger wood. The new trees will now be nurtured with formative pruning, to encourage healthy growth.
The work Thane and the team carry out is also hugely important for our local biodiversity. They install bird and bat boxes to support wildlife when needed. Thane has completed a bat training course and so is able to consider the impact of tree works on bats and their habitats.
Living on Portland, Thane enjoys the local climbing spots and the beautiful stretch of Chesil beach. Thane’s favourite Weymouth spot would be The Nothe:
“It’s a good spot for a walk and I like taking my little boy there. As it’s one of the spots we maintain, I feel proud to see local people enjoying walks or a picnic there, or feeding the resident squirrels”