Graham Woodgate

I've only just discovered this very, very sad news. Graham literally changed my life, first inspiring me and helping me get funding for my PhD, and then when Wye College fell apart voluntarily supervising my thesis in his own time. He read and commented on multiple drafts and accompanied me on research trips and to my viva - I would not have finished my PhD without him. He was a wonderful, intelligent, supportive friend and I feel very privileged to have known him.

I have only just made the sad discovery regarding Graham's untimely passing but it is important that I pay homage to a very special person. Unfortunately, I lost contact with Graham a while ago. If my memory serves me well, our last conversation was shortly after his final call-out as an active part-time member of the Fire Brigade Service covering the Ashford area. I first met Graham at Wye College - we were next-door neighbours in the Halls of Residence. I recall his extremely impressive performance in a campus election that was held not too long after his enrolment - such was the immediate impact he had made across the entire student body. At a personal level, Graham's acts of kindness and generosity seemed boundless. A very special person indeed.

I am a couple of years late to this, writing from the other side of the world. I remember Graham well from Wye College in 1991, when I was there on a brief fellowship in Ken Giller's lab. He embodied many things that have also guided me: combining practical things with scholarship; doing your teaching; and remaining grounded. We were both annoyed about injustice and I imagine he remained so for the rest of his life. The Handbook is still read by my many political ecology students. SB, Prof at University of Melbourne, Australia. V sorry to hear he passed 'so young'. Condolences

I have just discovered this sad news whilst looking up some of Graham's work. I was lucky enough to be taught by Graham at Wye whilst taking my Masters and he inspired and encouraged me to continue studying for a PhD. Graham's classes were hugely enjoyable and insightful, and he was warm and open with everyone, fostering a friendly community of students. He always made time to talk and discuss so many interesting topics and he was key in helping me form my ideas and set up my PhD fieldwork in Mexico. Later, I worked with Graham at UCL, and the Centre for Environment and Development. We marked many exam papers, and I learnt so much from him. I am so very sad to hear he passed over a year ago. He made his mark on everyone and the world. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

To add, and having read some other comments. I've no doubt he changed the lives of many people he met and taught.

Very late in seeing this news, and I've had no contact with Graham for years- but my time at Wye, and Mexico (as a result of Graham's links) were very special and without doubt Graham's teaching was a key part of that. Condolences to all who were close to him.

This sad news is only filtering through to Graham's former colleagues from Wye. I am shocked, as Graham was a valued colleague and friend. We visited his wood several times when our children were young. Since those days, he came to talk about sustainable agricultural systems to my students at Kingston University. Graham connected well with all he met and was an all-round good chap to know. I want to express our condolences to all Graham's family and friends. Clare and Hadrian

I was very lucky to have Graham as a tutor and thesis supervisor during my time at UCL. Not only was he the kindest and most supportive teacher I had, but he was also so knowledgeable and wise and many of the discussions we had and the reflections he shared have stayed with me to this day. I ended up working on forest conservation in Latin America which was greatly influenced by the discussions I had with Graham as a student and afterwards. He was also incredibly generous, allowing us to visit and camp at the farm as part of our graduation celebrations and showing us all the local area and wildlife! Graham really showed us how it is possible to live gently and kindly while also being influential and inspirational- thank you for everything.