FCA Magazine (FCRA News) - Issue 4: December 1998
FC staff Retirement Association magazine. The content summary below was very kindly compiled by Diane Birkett, Bedfordshire. See PDF attachment below the text to view the full document. A total of 77 issues were completed between 1997 and the final issue in 2023.
Issue 4: December 1998
Articles
Don’t You Look Well?
John Fletcher, previously Conservator in Bristol describes life after he retired in 1989. The previous year he had approached Leslie Troup to persuade him to kick start Tree Aid. He became Tree Aid’s first Honorary Director and with Brian Tipping and Jack Massey formed the team which produced the first Newsletter, appeals brochure and leaflets. All three agreed to give six months of their time. Brian and Jack are still members of the Council of Management 10 years on! Fundraising has been through donations and activities. Projects funded have been Natural Forest Management at Takieta in Niger and Kordofan, Sudan. Tree nurseries and plantings at Biharamulo in Tanzania. Agroforestry at Thies in Senegal.
Memory – or Lack of It
Ron Brown who retired from Alice Holt in 1985 wishes he had kept a personal diary during his time with the FC, when he travelled around so much of the country. He appeals for anyone to contact him if they have memories of his time spent in Ferndown and Wimborne in 1940, Lynford Hall, Dean, Rockingham, Sherwood and Alice Holt.
Life After Retirement
Books suggested for presents are: - Talking Taproots by Ann M. Moules. Ann’s husband Tom was a forester in Cropton Forest, North Yorkshire, Slaley Forest, Northumberland, Head Forester in Falstone and finally Private Woodlands Officer in York. All for a Handful of Seed – The Life and Adventures of David Douglas by Archie Smith. Archie follows in the footsteps of David Douglas of the Fir.
Old Bangers - and their Hobbies!
Ron Marnie gives an account of his love of old cars. In the 1960s, working as a DO in the Great Glen alongside Finlay Macrae, Sandy Morrison, John Ogilvie, Alan Rae, Johnny Drummond, Ernie Michie and Assistant Conservators, Bob Innes and Jock Crystall, Ron considered what he would do during retirement. He started his collection of old cars beginning with a 1937 Morris 8 in Inverness which he bought for £25. Next was a dismantled 1938 MG TA in Barnhill, nearby Dundee, followed by a 1965 Healey belonging to John Poland, helicopter pilot and owner of the company PLM. Then a 1942 Jeep and a 1970 MGB GT. Mike Green became an assistant and bought an MGB Roadster which he rebuilt. Next came a 1929 Austin 7 special, Morris 1000s, Triumph 13/60 Drop Head Coupes and a 1923 Fiat Doctor’s Coupe with 3 seats under the leather hood and 2 outside in the dickey or rumble seat.
Even Engineers Eulogize
In April 1998 Forestry Civil Engineering (FCE) opened for business. Its first priority is to provide Forest Enterprise with a Civil Engineering support service, but it will also serve the forestry industry.
Here to Help
Details are given of Council & Care, a membership organisation which gives advice and help to older people.
Fred Remembers
Fred Hummel has anecdotes of the early days in Research.
From the Editor
Richard Toleman reveals a suggestion from the HQ and South Scotland Branch that Groups hold a slide showing afternoon with film recorded by members of some of their own exotic or unusual events. With a captive audience, he suggests the door is locked, the projector is switched on and a check is made for sleepers halfway through.
Farewells
Edward Brachtvogel died aged 61. (Bellingham) Retired 1990
Joseph Caley died aged 86. (Chesterfield) Retired 1976
Alex Campbell died aged 61. (Skerray by Bettyhill) Retired 1993
Frederick Cater died aged 68. (Munford) Retired 1988
Charles Collins died aged 72. (Exeter) Retired 1987
William Coombes died aged 71. (Wimbourne) Retired 1972
William Cordy died aged 80. (Munford) Retired 1982
Noel Cudlipp died aged 82. (Southampton) Retired 1979
Clive Leeder died aged 84. (Fakenham) Retired 1970
William Clarkson died aged 82. (Huntly) Retired 1979
Sydney Lewis died aged 94. (Lydney) Retired 1967
Riley Linn died aged 80. (New Milton) Retired 1977
Mary Macauley died aged 90. (Dumfries) Retired 1973
Christine Mackenzie died aged 68. (Dingwall) Retired 1989
James Mckinven died aged 81. (Carradale) Retired 1980
James McMillan died aged 79. (Lockerbie) Retired
Donald Maclean died aged 65. (Muir of Ord) Retired 1971
Jane McLean died aged 67. (Edinburgh) Retired 1990
Leonard Eareth died aged82. (Brandon) Retired 1979
Michael Maggs died aged 75. (Newton Abbot) Retired 1987
John Eckton died aged 84. (Arundel) Retired 1973
Edward Matthews died aged 91. (Turriff) Retired 1967
Frederick Farley died aged 82. (Cranbrook) Retired 1975
Charles Mitchell died aged 67. (Buckie) Retired 1990
George Garwood died aged 85. (Fareham) Retired 1972
David Murray died aged 68. (Elgin) Retired 1994
Caroline Grant died aged 74. (Elgin) Retired 1973
Robert Oliver died aged 79. (Billingham) Retired 1983
Albert Green died aged 81. (Manchester) Retired 1976
James O'Mara died aged 78. (Dalbeattie) Retired 1984
Griffin Griffiths died aged 81. (Dolgellau) Retired 1979
Trevor Owen died aged 85. (Llanfechan) Retired 1977
Peter Grieve died aged 89. (Troqueer) Retired 1968
John Page died aged 91. (Lochgoilhead) Retired 1971
Andrew Hart died aged 83. (Thornhill) Retired 1977
Hamish Park died aged 75. (Tummel) Retired 1984
Rod Hewitt died aged 71. (Fordingbridge) Retired 1986
Albert Parry died aged 82. (Rhuddlan) Retired 1981
Charles Hillidge died aged 74. (Welshpool) Retired 1986
Maurice Pengelly died aged 93. (Tavistock) Retired 1968
Donald Hoskins died aged 73. (Llandrindod Wells) Retired 1985
Sydney Perkins died aged 87. (Hereford) Retired 1975
Isaac Hughes died aged 71. (Betws y Coed) Retired 1984
Idris Pierce died aged 68. (Dolgellau) Retired 1991
Cyril Jones died aged 63. (Chepstow) Retired 1994
William Rae died aged 73. (Peebles) Retired 1985
Robert Jones died aged 68. (Betws y Coed) Retired 1979
Andrew Roberts died aged 74. (Aberfoyle) Retired 1988
Wilfred Jones died aged 81. (Cowbridge) Retired 1981
Eric Rosher died aged 68. (Norwich) Retired 1979
Eric Larcombe died aged 84. (Weymouth) Retired 1963
Dugald Sinclair died aged 71. (Callander) Retired 1983
Obituaries
Bill Elliott reports the death of two colleagues. Tom Farmer MBE, one of the few remaining officers who joined the Forestry Commission before the war, died in Adelaide, South Australia, in March 1998, aged 80. He retired in 1977 and emigrated with his wife Winifred to Australia in 1983.
Arthur Searle died at his home in Colwyn Bay in April 1998, aged 81. Arthur joined the Forestry Commission in the Forest of Dean.
John Zehetmayr writes to say that Jeff Hampson died at Brecon in June 1998 aged 80.
Graham Pyatt recalls John Stoakley who died after a short illness in July 1997. He will be remembered for his work with Pine Beauty Moth in the late '70s, and his novel pesticide application to control it.
Lena Birchall tells of the loss by the Alice Holt Group stalwart Robin Sym in August, aged 54.
John Gwynn remembers David Moir who died early this year. He was a Land Agent in the FC for most of his working life and retired in 1983.