FCA Magazine (FCAtoday) - Issue 44: Winter 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 44: Winter 2011
Articles
Quarries – Good or Bad? Another View
A study by the University of Chester looked at breeding birds in hard and soft quarries.
The article includes photographs of former quarries in Broom, Bedfordshire.
How it Looks to Me
Ron Marnie sent in a poem by Head Forester R.J. Jennings of the Dean, who also used to be at St. Asaph Nursery. The poem was originally published in Slasher.
Wales Tallest Tree is No More
The 124 year old Douglas fir at Vyrnwy Forest, last measured at 63.7m was battered by a storm in February. The tree started to lean and the trunk had two substantial cracks extending up from the base. It was removed in sections and FDM Mike Whitley suggested leaving the lower 15m on the trunk in place for a wood sculpture.
My Career in Forestry – Summary of My 42 Years
Don Amer gained forestry experience at Delamere and Thornthwaite before enrolling at the Gwydyr Forester Training School in 1950. In 1954 he was posted to Culbin Forest under the watchful eye of Chief Forester Willie Milne. He has several other appointments including a job with the Radio and Electronic Branch (REB) before his retirement in 1989.
My Early Life in the Forestry Commission - Part 2: Ardgarten Forest
Eric Crofts, former Research Forester and Cartographer, continues his recollections of his career with the Forestry Commission.
National Tree Collections of Scotland
The finest of Scotland’s specimen trees are being brought together as the National Tree Collections of Scotland (NTCS). The objective is to increase public awareness and help protect this national heritage.
Benmore 1940
George Pringle recalls his time at Benmore in 1940, when he joined another 20 young men arriving to train as foresters. George has many humorous stories and in the summer of 1940, he joined the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), which he refers to as “Look, Duck and Vanish”.
It Must Be True – It Was in the Newspaper
Cycling enthusiasts will be interested to learn of the way the mayor of Vilnius in Lithuania is dealing with cars illegally parked in cycle lanes. He is photographed in a tank crushing an offending vehicle. Later, it was admitted the incident was staged.
New Forest Campsite Wardens’ Reunion
Martin Fletcher met former campsite wardens at the Rose & Crown in Brockenhurst on 1st July for a lunchtime reunion. It had been 30 years since he and Linda Cox joined the recreation team in the New Forest. A reunion photograph was taken outside the Rose & Crown showing: - Peggy Copson who ran Hollands Wood with her late husband Bob from 1976 – 1984; Beryl Welton who ran Roundhill with her late husband Fred then Holmsley, Longbeech, Ocknell, PipersWait and Setthorns from 1978 – 1993; David and Mary Meaden who ran Ashurst and Denny Wood from 1982 – 2004; Gary and Lyn Withers-Lancashire who ran Longbeech, Ocknell from 1981 – 1986; Eileen Leech who ran Hollands Wood with her late husband David from 1986 – 1992; Molly Robertson who with her late husband Tony were Relief Wardens from 1980 – 1988; Shelia Pople who with her late husband Eddy were Relief Wardens from 1989 – 1993 and Bob Murray, who was the stores supremo at Burley Yard.
A Venerable Tree
Artist Carry Ackroyd exhibited linocuts and lithographs at an exhibition in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens. She has further exhibitions in Nuneaton and Sherbourne. The article includes a poem about a venerable tree by John Clare called “Nothingness of Life”.
Look Out for Commas in Scotland
The distinctive orange and brown butterfly, well known in England is making a comeback in Scotland. The Butterfly Conservation charity is asking for help in tracking their expansion north.
How are Capers Doing?
The Capercaillie is the worlds largest grouse and is widely distributed in northern Europe and Asia. The “Horse of the Forest” lives in mature conifer forests and prefers pinewoods. In Britain it only occurs in Scotland, while three quarters of the population is found in Strathspey and Badenoch.
Book Review
Using Alternative Conifer Species for Productive Forestry in Scotland
This publication by Dr Scott McG. Wilson was sponsored by FCS and the International Year of the Forests 2011.
From the Editor
A comment from Richard Toleman.
Obituaries
Finlay MacRae has many memories of William (Willie) Beattie, who died in September aged 97 years.
Ron & Ann Birkitt have fond memories of Ron’s sister Joyce Jenkins who died recently.
Bart Venner remembers John “Twiggy” Leefe who died recently.
Past Bangor students will remember Eric Huggard who died aged 91 years.