FCA Magazine (FCRA News) - Issue 13: Jun 2001
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 13: June 2001
Articles
Heaney’s Hundred
Robin Heaney has retired after serving 50 years with the FC, starting at Tairlaw in South Scotland in 1951. Retiring as a Head Ranger, he was awarded an MBE in 1995. He has a story about his father James, now 100 years old and who started work with the FC in 1948 and retired in 1966.
Aid for Tree Aid
Details of the Tree Aid charity.
Cycling is Good for You
An interesting article for keen cyclists. A healthy pursuit with a key role in transport with details of the Sustrans Guide to the Cycle Network.
Bill Grant at Grizedale
A short account of Bill Grant’s life at Grizedale is taken from two books he has written.
Civils Spot
Jock Low recalls his civil engineering days in North Wales and West Scotland. Tram rail bridges were brought back to Chirk Depot. Some rails were pre-1914 and had KRUPPS-ESSEN cast into them. He recalls Fordson Roadless tractors being used for ploughing and extraction in North Wales.
As a National Serviceman in 1951, Keith Ball of the HQ Drawing Office recalls the construction and use of Bailey Bridges.
Life in Retirement
Frankie (Frances) Edwards, who is Social Secretary of the Alice Holt Group of the FCRA, has become very poetical about retirement.
Who and Where Are They Now?
In the last issue of FCRA News, a photo of Glentress FTS 1947-1949 with a request for information prompted a response from D'Arcy Black who recognised some of the “POWs”. They are from right to left - Joe Roe, Malcolm Scott, Johnny Dyce, Alistair Morrison and D'Arcy.
Tom Johnstone from Pickering added more information and also named George Rogers.
Tree Test Answered
More on the Molika fir mentioned in the last issue. Roger Lines has a story about the tree, also known as the Macedonian pine or Pinus peuce.
Attention All Hoarders
Details of John Zehetmayr’s collection of Slasher from 1974-2001.
Postponement of AGM
Notice of the postponement of the FCRA AGM until September, due to foot and mouth disease.
Have You Really Been There?
Fred Hummel has been to Taklamakan and the Gobi, starting at Alma Ata. John Keenleyside has been to Alaska. Their stories should be in future issues with Charles Cook’s trip to the Karakoram.
Wartime Stories
Cyril Lewis, now retired to Lydney, recalls when he was Forester in Charge on the Isle of Wight during the War. He and his wife lived at Signal House in the middle of Parkhurst Forest and were subject to many restrictions.
From the Editor
A comment from Richard Toleman.
Welcome to Retirement
Calder Miller (Edinburgh)
Brian Gore (Wooton Hants)
Jack Rayton (Ulverston)
Paula Harris Grizedale
Margaret Robinson Dunoon
Robin Heaney Maybole
Ann Yeoman (Farnham)
William Hook (Coleford)
Pete Bland ( Wykeham)
Thomas Jones (Pontrhydfendigaid)
Roy Cox (Ringwood)
Duncan McNiven (Balfron)
David Buegg (Dingwall)
George Mercer (Penicuik)
Philip Evans (Ipswich)
George Wiseman (Fochabers)
Alan Gordon (New Galloway)
Farewells
William Burnett (Peterhead) aged 80 retired 1984
Edward Humphreys (Welshpool) aged 94
Edward Conder (Kirby Lonsdale) aged 83 retired 1977
George Hutchinson (Crowthorne) aged 63 retired 2000
Sidney Davies (Aberystwyth) aged 73 retired 1987
John Keiller (Auchtermuchty) aged 76 retired 1989
Roben Edwards (Dolgellau) aged 80 retired 1982
James Mcleary (Hamilton) aged 84 retired 1976
Bernard Elley (Lydney) aged 68 retired 1991
William McGrady (Bedford) aged 74 retired 1991
Thomas George (Llandrindod Wells) aged 88 retired 1971
Michael Marko (Newton Stewart) aged 74 retired 1983
Edward Grant (Inverness) aged 71 retired 1994
Wilfred Stratford (Coniston) aged 78 retired 1986
Leslie Howard (Warminster) aged 80
Peter Stuart (Banchory) aged 86 retired 1976
Obituaries
David Fraser, who worked with John Steven at HQ for about 2 years, saw his obituary in the 'Scotsman' in January.
Dick Jackson recalls Athole Whayman who died recently.
Nick Banister remembers Arthur Cadman, a talented, if controversial character.
Although Robert Sangster, who died in February, was not a member of the FC, he did have contacts with it and joined the Colonial Forestry Service and was Secretary of the Scottish Woodland Owners Association.