FCA Magazine (FCAtoday) - Issue 32: July 2007
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 32: July 2007
Articles
AGM 2007
The AGM was held at Dunster in Somerset. Reports received from the Groups indicated a wide range of activities were enjoyed.
Henry Smith’s Memories
Henry Smith has some interesting stories to tell of his time working for the FC.
Excursion to Quantock Forest
David Chadwick reflects on his forestry career which started in 1959 as an Assistant District Officer in the Somerset District of South West Conservancy.
Mixed Measures…3 X 3
Ken Broad who retired in 1999 sent in a another whimsical memory of his 50 years in forestry and woodland management.
The Oak Tree in Folklore
Karen Bell says the oak was one of the most revered trees of the Celtic people. It was featured in many stories about gods, goddesses and mythological or legendary characters, although in Scotland the rowan and hazel were thought to be even more powerful than the mighty oak. The oak has always had a link to the mysterious plant of the Druids – mistletoe. Karen cites many more uses of the oak through the ages.
Ancient Trees
The Woodland Trust has teamed up with the Ancient Tree Forum to celebrate ancient trees. It is asking people to record ancient trees so that a national data base can be produced. Anybody can record a tree. All you do is to go on the website and for each tree, put in as many details as you are able. There is an interactive map, so the tree can be located very accurately.
The Forestry Commission’s Dublin Bothy in the 1950s
Part 3: Recreation
John Keenleyside continues his memories of the characters and times in the Dublin Bothy in the 1950s.
Some More on Genealogy
Ken Davidson gives more tips on tracing ancestry.
Whitelee: Forest Oral History Project: Update
Ruth Tittensor reports on the meeting last August in Whitelee where the FC invited about 30 people.
that 30 people met last August. They were some of the contributors to the Whitelee Forest Oral History Project. Ruth gives details on the project.
What is a “Forester”?
Les Howe is wondering where have all of the “Proper” foresters have gone. Seeing the logo “Forest Ranger” on the FC vans, he wonders if they are trained and experienced in forest management and able to plan and supervise a wide range of jobs in the forest. Does a Recreation Forester coach the local football team?
Obituaries
David Roy Bowen died in February after 28 years service in Wales.
Derek House attended the Dean Forestry School and on completion of training became a member of a Research Branch team involved in the establishment and maintenance of sample plots and census of woodlands. During this period he and Derek Earl gained some recognition through the act of climbing some of the tallest trees in the UK, not through any sporting encounter but in the interest of gathering accurate tree heights.
John Keenleyside tells of two Scotland members who died recently.
Jimmy Maxtone from Fochabers served his whole career in East Scotland.
Jimmy Paterson was from Nairn. He was not a trained forester but he was one of the greatest tree hunters of our time. He inspired and led the hunt for Britain’s tallest tree. The one he first identified as potential champion in 1993 was finally confirmed and televised in 2006 for the BBC production Trees that made Britain.
Ken Trodd recalls Warwick Payne who died in April. He did his pre Forester School training at Bramshill. During this period, information was being gathered for a publication on the service requirements and work commitment for a trainee. Subsequently a book titled Tim of Tamberley Forest was written and appeared in the early 1950s. Warwick figured largely in the book as the character Tim.
Gill Potts has many happy memories of her husband Harold “H” Potts who died last August after 58 years service with the FC. He joined in 1948 and worked on a wide range of jobs including planting, road building and cone collecting.
William Shaw of Carradale has written an appreciation of his colleague, forester Andy Simpson, who died in January aged 83.
Frank, Hugh Thom’s brother recalls his life. After national service in Malaya he returned and enrolled at Faskally Training School. Following his graduation in 1954 he was posted to Inchnacardoch Forest.
Mike Whitlock of Alice Holt has sent thoughts of some of his past colleagues.
Betty Page who died in March was in charge of “Office Services” under its various titles. This involved responsibility for buildings and supplies.
Dennis Chandler, who died in November, had a background in agriculture and at one time had a chicken farm. With the decline in agriculture, he sought a more regular form of employment. As a result, he joined the research staff as a messenger, handling the post and delivering and collecting papers. He became well known amongst all members of staff and was respected for his quiet demeanour and efficiency.
Bill Powell also died in March. He worked in various sections including Photography, Work Study and the workshops. He was an accomplished photographer and at one time led a dance band about which he wrote an article for FCA Today. He used to play the piano for social functions in the retirement home where he spent the last years of his life.