FCA Magazine (FCAtoday) - Issue 70: Summer 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 70: Summer 2020
Articles
FCA AGM
The 2020 FCA AGM due to be hosted by the North Wales Group was cancelled.
Forestry Commission – Endings?
George Stewart laments the demise of the Forestry Commission and considers its successful past and the future of forestry and its habitats.
FC Anniversary 1969
Martin Fletcher remembers events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the FC in 1969.
Harry Oram
Peter Schweiger remembers some events in the life of his friend who died in April.
A Factor Reminiscing
Charles Dickens shares details of his career with the Forestry Commission and his role as a Factor.
The Royal Forestry Society
Simon Lloyd gives details of the work and the benefits of membership of the society.
The Royal Record of Tree Planting
Brian Greig, Tree Warden in the Parish of Rowledge reports on his research.
A Grim Memory
Peter Schweiger recalls the unpleasant job of weeding.
Letters to the Editor
Mention of James Ogilvie’s Centenary Edition of Slasher reminded Martin Fletcher of his discovery of a copy of Slasher Issue No. 1 at The Queen’s House in Lyndhurst. Martin has facts to add to the December 1919 commemoration plantation plaque and muses on the reason for the name Giraffe House at Parkend. He also adds the fact that the naval ‘oak sawlog acceptance hammer’ depicted in the Dean Oak and HMS Victory article was unearthed near the Speech House in the mid 20th century.
Peter Schweiger sent in some photographs that he took at Gwydyr of the Issacson Overhead winch and shares memories of the horse Jock, who helped with the logging.
Edwin Jones appeals for the FC starting dates of his father Ernest Jones who retired in 1980 at Bagots Wood, Staffordshire and his grandfather George Jones who retired in 1963 at Southrey Wood, Lincolnshire. He believes George Jones, who was in lumber haulage in 1919 after World War I, set up the forestry station at Greystoke Forest, Cumbria.
From the Editor
A comment from Richard Toleman.
Obituaries
Bill Slee gives details of the life of his father-in-law John Dyce who has died aged 100.
Keith Miller reports the death of John Grieve who attended Faskally FTS from 1964-66 and was head forester at Lorne FD. After retirement he was a woodland officer in Perth & Argyll Conservancy.