FCA Magazine (FCAtoday) - Issue 46: Summer 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 46: Summer 2012
Articles
The History of the Forestry Commission in Wales
FC Wales will cease to exist rom 1st April 2013. A project is under way to gather together stories, anecdotes and pictures that will provide a written record of its history and the people who have been part of it.
Forestry Commission Subscriptions
A list of news releases available on the Forestry Commission website.
How to Cycle Out of Touch
A view on Mike Penning, the Government Road Safety Minister’s comment on the UK having a safer cycling record than the Netherlands, points out it is based on population rather than cyclists. Therefore the logical conclusion of the Minister’s argument would be the cyclist death rate would be reduced to zero if nobody cycled.
Worker Protective Clothing Scheme 1976
Having just donated a pair of PC14 1976 Safety Boots to a Scarecrow Diamond Jubilee competition, Martin Fletcher believes it is good to reflect on the excellent value of the scheme. Other clothing items are mentioned. Bryce Reynard modelled early forester’s clothing items at the 2012 AGM.
The article has a photograph of Charlie Greenlees modelling a forester’s uniform from the 1950s, which was taken in 2006 at Lochgilphead, Argyll and is reproduced from the Forestry Memories website.
Juniper in History and Folklore
Karen Bell writes about the history, folklore and uses of Juniper and its berries.
Memories of Kielder
Don Amer’s introduction to Kielder Forest was in 1959 when he was transferred from Culbin Forest in Morayshire. He has many memories of the area.
My Life in the Forestry Commission – Part 4: Lynford and Back to Faskally
Eric Crofts resumes his story from August 1955 when he went to Lynford Hall FTS.
The Pando Tree
An informative article on the Pando tree, Quaking aspen, (Populus tremuloides) which is thought to be the world’s largest living organism. P. tremuloides forests occur widely in northern North America and, as with all aspens, they are characterised by having poor seedling reproduction but are very successful at suckering.
Foresters’ Meetings
David Chadwick shares a photograph, given to him by Alastair Rowan several years ago, of a North East England Conservancy, Foresters’ meeting at Hamsterley in the last 1950s or early 1960s. included in the photograph are: - George B Ryle; George Batters; Walter Smith; Ian MacDonald; Leslie Chapman; Peter Thallon; Alastair Rowan; Alan Rix; Ian Marshall; Tom Johnston; Les McCavish; John Voysey; Charlie Simpson; Ted Turnbull; Frank Stephenson; Ted Parker and Ned Charlton.
Letter to the Editor
Gordon M. Cowie asks if the Forestry Commission has a future.
From the Editor
An appeal from Richard Toleman.
Obituaries
The life of James “Jim” Ogilvie who was born in Elgin in 1920 is remembered.
Details of Fred Weston’s life are recalled. He died on 17th April 2012 aged 95 years.
Gordon Cale is remembered by Mike Whitlock.