FCA Magazine (FCAtoday) - Issue 56: Winter 2015
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 56: Winter 2015
Articles
Cashel Hydro Electric Scheme
This hydro electric scheme is a small scale project of about 500Kw capacity on the Cashel burn on the east shore of Loch Lomond, supplying electricity to meet the average demand of about 450 homes. It was constructed by DHG Hydro in partnership with the two landowners, The Cashel RSFS Forest Trust (CFT) and Mr. Peter Meddings. The aim of the Trust is to demonstrate the restoration and regeneration of Scotland's native woods. Income from the sale of electricity is providing a secure long term cash flow to ensure effective management of the woodland, and the development of related conservation and educational projects. Pictures, diagrams and maps illustrate the article.
Life After The Dean FTS
Simon Malone continues his reminiscences of time spent with the FC. His first posting after leaving Dean FTS was to Challock Forest in Kent. Other postings followed and after the storm of 1987 was put in charge of harvesting in the south beat of Thetford Forest and was involved in the big clear up in the Spring of 1988. Among the photographs is one showing a presentation party in Denge Woods Petham for Gilbert Clarke, retiring from the FC after 43 years.
Exchange Course Betws-y-Coed 1951-2
A photograph shows students from Lynford FTS on exchange at Gwydyr 1951-52.
Steam Wagons
John Palmer’s photographs of vehicles from the Bedfordshire Steam Rally at Old Warden show the Yorkshire Undertype Steam Wagon No. 117 manufactured in 1905 by the Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co. Ltd. at their Pepper Road works in Hunslet, Leeds and the three-ton Garrett Overtype Steam Wagon No. 30826 made by Richard Garrett & Sons at their Leiston works in Suffolk in 1912.
The Band of Colleagues Remembered
Members of the North Wales FCA were invited to a meeting of the North Wales Division of The Royal Forestry Society on 8th October. The R.F.S. (N.W.) installed a plaque to commemorate staff members of the Forestry Commission up to 2013 when it was absorbed into the new agency of Natural Resources Wales. The plaque is situated in a grove of tall Douglas Fir, near the river and village of Tyn y Groes. The plaque wording is: - 1919 - 2013 Erected by THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY NORTH WALES DIVISION. To remember those who worked for or served the Forestry Commission in Wales. A photograph taken at the meeting shows: - Phil Lloyd, Arthur Miller, Ken Searson, Andy Phillips, John Roe, David Williams, Terry Davies, Sue Starling, Gordon Griffiths, Les Starling, Graham Mayhead and Harry Hindle.
The Path to Forester Training School
Eric Rogers recalls working on a private estate in Hertfordshire before his National Service in the Royal Artillery where he served in the Far East. He returned home after being wounded and went to Lynford Hall when he recovered.
The Hazel in Folklore
Karen Bell says hazel nuts are renowned for being the fruits of knowledge and were eaten by Druids seeking prophetic wisdom. She mentions other early beliefs surrounding the hazel nut.
Into The Forest
Just after Christmas 1948, Mike Whitlock remembers when he boarded a train bound for the destination of Doublebois in Cornwall at the start of a "Forest Workers Training Scheme", a vocational training scheme set up for ex-service people. Mike has many stories of those times before he left the West Country for Lynford Hall FTS.
From the Editor
A comment from Richard Toleman.
Obituaries
Family and friends met at St. Michael’s Church, Wark on 12th August to say goodbye to Lou Simpson, widow of Charlie, who died aged 95 years.
George Holmes recalls David Seal who died in October 2015 at the age of 90. He was a distinguished forester who served nearly 35 years with the Forestry Commission.