FCA Magazine (FCAtoday) - Issue 45: Spring 2012
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 45: Spring 2012
Articles
A New Environmental Body for Wales
A new body that will include the functions of Forestry Commission Wales, Countryside Council for Wales and Environment Agency for Wales is likely to come into being on 1st April 2013.
New Forestry Commission England Hits Ground Running
The restructured Forestry Commission in England takes full effect from 2nd April 2012. The Public Estate is now divided into six Districts instead of eleven and grants, licensing and wider woodland advice works across five Areas instead of nine Regions. The main national office remains in Bristol.
Far North Timber Traffic in Prospect
A new flow of timber by rail is likely to begin in the far north of Scotland in a few months. A loading centre is being built at Kinbrace.
Anyone Want a Chair? – and Other Woody Delights
Eric Rogers gives brief details of his life up to retirement and his full life during retirement. He was a founder member of the Association of Pole Lathe Turners and has enjoyed his visits to shows and the countryside in many countries.
A Walk on the Wild Side
Mike Whitlock has responded to Richard Toleman’s request for articles for the FCA Today magazine with details of an energetic week he spent in July 2011.
My Life in the Forestry Commission – Part 3: First Year at Forester Training School 1954-55
Eric Crofts continues his recollections with his arrival at Faskally FTS in 1954, where the staff members were Tom Robbie, DO Robertson, HF “Daddy” Stoddart and Forester Ian Garrioch.
Faskally Forester Training School 1954-56 Class photograph
This photograph is on the www.forestry-memories.org.uk website and is listed as part of Bill Stoddart’s collection of images taken when he was a lecturer at several Forester Training Schools. Donald Beaton provided the information on this photograph which was taken in 1956 at the end of the course.
Ron Troughton; John Bartle; Alistair Brown; Fred Burgen; Harry Thirwell; Dave Williams; Donald Beaton; Joe Pearce; Brian Maughn; Jim Johnstone; Jim McLean; David Main; Pat Alexander; Ken Fryer; Pete Fligg; Esmond Harris (Instructor); Mr Cruickshanks (Head); Bill Stoddart (Instructor); Ian Garrioch (Instructor); Eric Crofts; Roddy Ross and Gordon Thirde.
Forest Worker Training Scheme
For some of an ever dwindling band of octogenarian FC retirees, the Government’s post war Forest Worker Training Scheme (FWTS) was the start of a forestry career. Ted Baldwin recalls going to Birch Hall to start his training.
Letter to the Editor
Colin McLean has some fond and amusing memories of Jack Leefe who died recently.
From the Editor
An appeal from Richard Toleman.
Obituaries
George Bruce has told of the death in October of Ike Atkinson aged 91 years.
Peter Brett says colleagues from the old South East England Conservancy will be saddened to hear of the death of William “Jack” Davies who died on 16th March 2002 aged 88 years.
David Paterson tells of the death in December 2011 of George A. Dey aged 87 years.
George Stewart remembers Peter Innes who died recently.