FCA Magazine (FCAtoday) - Issue 42: Spring 2011
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 42: Spring 2011
Articles
Faskally FTS 1962/1964 photograph
In the photograph of Faskally FTS Class of 1962/1964 are Ralph Nickerson, Mike Hanafin, Dick Ogilvie, Dave Chappell, Dave Cotton, Dave Douglas, Gordon Rae, Clark Anderson, Don Lindsey, Bill Stoddart, Norman Tullock, Sandy Cram, Ian Garrioch, Mike Smith and Ian Robertson.
South Scotland District Forest Officers 1980
The 1980 photograph of South Scotland District Forest Officers includes Steve Lee, John Davies, Bob Farmer, Richard Toleman, Jim Dewar, Bill Mason, Alastair Rowan, Ernie Michie, Stan Robertson, David Goldie, Martin Gale and Richard Chard.
Timber Carrying on the Caledonian Canal
In November 2010 the MV Kanutta completed her first trip in a 6 month long pilot scheme to transport timber along the Caledonian Canal. Timber is regularly transported by road to the BSW sawmill at Corpach near Fort William and to Norbord near Inverness. This traffic has to use the notorious A82 along the Great Glen. There have been many demands to upgrade this road as it is a key east-west route that suffers many accidents. This project will remove 180,000 lorry miles from this and adjacent roads as each shipment will equal 18 lorry loads.
Sutherland’s Geology Garden
Details are given of the displays and exhibits of big boulders in Sutherland’s Geology Garden at Timespan, the museum in Helmsdale.
Ancient Tree Hunt
A report on recording trees for the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Hunt.
Alder in History and Folklore
An article by Karen Bell highlights the connections of Alder, which was believed to be sacred, to folklore.
Another Lynford Memory
Geoff Barry who was on the final course at Lynford in 1955/56 before its closure, shares a memory and photograph. The students in the photograph are named as Ted Fletcher, Bart Venner, Peter Lansdown, David Mobbs, Ken Gabriel, Bob Budden, Gordon Simpson, Martin ?, Eddie Hampstead, Geoff Patching, Ron Hoblyn, Chris Hodgson, Andy Graham, Geoff Appleyard, Chris Langton, Arthur Dixon, Albert Davison, Lou Hunt, John Anderson, Peter Featherstone, Arthur Arbon, Jim Hall, Dave Snowden, Brian Roebuck, John Humphreys, George Wilbert, Geoff Green, John Walton, Adrian Stangroom, Geoff Simpkins, Geoff Barry, Mike Johnson, Tony Tyers, and Ken Mills, John Wainwright. The instructors were Don Sherrell, Norman Tulloch, Graham Semple and Charles Dick.
A Help in Grief – Coping with the death of someone close
After the death of his wife nine years ago, Julian Evans, formerly the FC Chief Research Officer (S) at Alice Holt has co-written a book with his son Ben, Dr Phil West and Rev Clive Anderson, called A Help In Grief – Coping with the death of someone close.
New Visitor Centre for Glentress
There are pictures and details of The new Visitor Centre at Glentress.
Capercaillie Numbers on the Rise
The numbers of capercaillie in FC forests have increased over the last four years despite being in decline across Scotland.
Book Review
From Peat Bog to Conifer Forest: An Oral History of Whitelee, its Community and Landscape
Ruth Tittensor’s book is featured.
Letter to the Editor
In a Letter to the Editor, Martin Fletcher recalls time spent at the Thetford Chase Creosoting Plant in 1966. He remembers the Deckaville rail track and bogies and the 400 gallons of creosote used every day on fencing stakes.
From the Editor
A comment from Richard Toleman.
Obituaries
Peter Webb has heard of the death aged 103 of Fred Beasley who joined the FC just 7 years after its formation.
George Holmes, along with others, recalls John Aldhous’s long and distinguished career in forestry.
Details are given of the working life of Norman Munro who graduated from Edinburgh University in 1950 and joined the FC as a forest worker in the Forest of Ae.
William Perfitt who had 32 years service with the FC in Kent and Sussex died in February aged 86.
Nic remembers their father George ‘Bill’ Belton who was born in Chiswick in 1924 and died on 12th January 2011.
Mrs. E. Thomason of Linmere Visitor Centre, Delamere tells of the death of Elsie Brooks aged 96 who had been employed at Delamere from 1929 until her retirement in 1979. In recognition of her 50 years service, she was awarded the BEM.
Rod Leslie and Roger Busby remember John Everard who was brought up in Worcestershire and joined the FC as an industrial worker in 1952.