FCA Magazine (FCAtoday) - Issue 69: Spring 2020
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 69: Spring – 2020
Articles
Slasher Preview
James Ogilvie gives a preview of the publication he is producing to celebrate the FC centenary.
Reminiscences: FTS at Park End During the Early 1960s
Although he died in March 2019, Pete Ralph’s widow Beryl wished to see this article of his memories published. Pete Ralph worked for the Forestry Commission for almost forty years. He started in 1957 by spending 3 years ‘in the wood’ in Surrey, then two years at the Forester Training School at Parkend, between 1960 and 1962. Returning to the Forest of Dean in 1975, he continued to work for the FC locally until his retirement in 1996. In the article, Pete puts forward another theory on the origin of the name ‘Giraffe House’. Included with the article is a 1961-62 photograph of the Dean School of Forestry showing: - E.R. Kamundi; J. Dickinson; E. Temu; M.J. Sayer; J. Stemp; P.W. Ralph; G. Kearns; I. Parrott; R. Rogers; M. Pratt; D. Mwela; F. Mwale; C. Phillipson; D. Williams; J. Richards; R.V. Wills; R.G. Strouts; M. Rodgers; A.C .Swinburn; G. Barfield; P.J. Mobbs; M. Baker; N. Salim; J. Bakamunaga; J. Zabasajja; R. Taylor; C. Hudson; G. Nsubuga; A. Hansford; D. Pitt; W. Williams; R. Liversidge; D. Lyons; Mr G.E. Waygood; Mr M.E.S. Dickenson; Mr J.F. Goodwin; Mr J.T. Webster; A.R. Barlow; M.A. Nicol; F.S. Smith and J.I.M. Ihidero.
Dean Oak and HMS Victory
In his article, Rob Guest describes the association of oak from the Forest of Dean Oak with maritime history. He wrote about the event two hundred years after the Battle of Trafalgar celebrating Trafalgar Day in the Forest of Dean on October 21st 2005. Val Long co-ordinated an event where 200 oaks were planted in an avenue, to be known as Trafalgar Avenue. Excess seedlings were planted nearby, in what became known as the Nelson Grove. The 200 oaks were planted by people associated with the Forest of Dean, including the Verderers, the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Robert Turner (the Queen’s Remembrancer), local Councillors and forestry staff. The occasion included a display of local schoolchildren dancing hornpipes to live music (trained by Steve Rowley). Don Burgess, the local brewer from Freeminer Brewery also attended with a special brew for the occasion, which he called Trafalgar Ale. Pictures of the celebration accompany the article.
Breckland and the Pine Hedgerows
For his article, Simon Malone has researched the geology, use of land and land acquisition in Breckland, which includes details of the work of the Ackland Committee, set up to advise the government. Its decision led to the establishment of the Forestry Commission, the state forest industry intended to create a reserve of timber against any future wars or catastrophes. And so, the Forestry Commission came into being in 1919.
FC 100th Anniversary Tree Planting in East Anglia
Simon Malone writes about the planting of trees in the Lynford Arboretum in celebration of the Forestry Commission centenary. Much of the early planting in the 1950s was carried out by students at the then Lynford Forester Training School. It is also the 25th anniversary of the Friends of Thetford Forest. Norman ‘Mac’ McCreath who took over responsibility for the Arboretum and set about totally overhauling it was unable to join the planting ceremony. After an introduction from John Bruce, those helping with the planting were Dave Goodrum, Charles Ashley, Eric Rogers and Charles Ashley. Imogen Radford supplied some of the photographs accompanying the article. A commemorative plaque is engraved with “To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Forestry Commission 1919 – 2019 these trees were planted by Forestry England, FC Retirement Association, Friends of Thetford Forest”.
Wollemi Pine
Mike Whitlock writes about the Wollemi Pine and the Chichester City Tree Trail booklet produced by the local council. One of the authors of the guide was Rod Stern, who worked for the Forestry Commission. He retired to Chichester and died recently. Among the trees mentioned in the booklet is the Wollemi Pine, which may have been known before its first recorded discovery in the Wollemi National Park, New South Wales in 1994.
The Problem in 2010
In his article, Jim Christie says essential Forest equipment was costing in the region of £250,000 in 2010 in an industry where profit margins were extremely fragile. It was essential that prudent capital purchase choices were made, particularly in the Timber Harvesting Industry where buying the wrong harvesting equipment could be a serious waste of a business’s capital. He has some ideas on solving this dilemma.
Book Reviews
The Ancient Yew: A History of Taxus Baccata by Robert Bevan-Jones
This book is reviewed by Dr Scott McG Wilson, who says it is the enhanced third edition under the same title, first published in 2002. He believes it contributes to our understanding of the historical and cultural status of the yew.
Abernethy Forest – the history and ecology of an old Scottish pinewood by Ron W. Summers
Ro Scott reviews this book and believes it will be of interest to anyone who cares about native woodland.
From the Editor
Richard Toleman observes the changing situation causing the postponement of the AGM.
Obituaries
Ian Blake said George Bruce died recently.
Graham Hamilton has reported the death in January of former conservator North Scotland of Bob Cathie aged 94 years.
Groups: Forestry Commission staff magazines