Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 202 - October 1964
The digitisation of the Slasher was undertaken by, and images courtesy of, the Forest Research Knowledge and Information Management staff based at both the Northern Research Station in Roslin, Scotland and Alice Holt in Surrey, where the original copies are currently located.
The content summary below was very kindly compiled by Diane Birkett, Bedfordshire. See PDF attachment link below the text to view the full document. A total of over 400 issues were produced between 1948 and the final issue in 2010.
Retirement
Mr Ike Adams, Head Forester of Mortimer Forest, North West England Conservancy has retired after 49 years service to forestry.
Presentation
Mr Ike Adams, Head Forester of Mortimer Forest, North West England retirement presentation. It was suggested that working in the Dean in the early days seems to have led to longevity with Ike's brother Mr J.H. Adams, Head Forester, retiring after 51 years service and Head Forester Mr A.E. Walker serving for 51 years.
For Those in Peril
There was a dedication ceremony in Cardiganshire for a new navigation light at the New Quay harbour entrance, replacing a light that was demolished by storms 40 years ago. The Commission provided a heartwood oak mounting post 18 feet tall and a foot square prepared from Welsh oak, the cost being met by all grades of Commission staff in Cardiganshire.
At the service dedicating the light to the dead of two world wars, the Commission was represented by Divisional Officer J.R. Hampson; District Officer D.H. Wallace; Forester L. Jones and Forest Worker J. Morgan.
A bronze plaque was mounted on the post as acknowledgement to "Forestry Commission Staff in Cardiganshire".
Obituary
Mr John Morrison, Forest Worker, Achnashellach, North Scotland Conservancy died during felling operations after a gust of wind changed the direction of the fall of a tree. He was 61 years old.
Botanical Congress
Mr J.M.B. Brown, Alice Holt, reports on speakers at the Tenth International Botanical Congress in Edinburgh, which was attended by several delegates from the Commission.
Dean School Celebrations
Founded in 1904, the Dean School commenced its 60th birthday celebrations with a cricket match between former and present students, with the "Old Boys" winning by seven runs. Tea was prepared and served by a group of Foresters' wives. Mrs Long, the school matron and her staff provided help the following day.
Attending on the second day were the Earl Waldegrave, Commissioner Chairman, and Lady Waldegrave; Mr J.Q. Williamson, Director Wales; and Mr C.A. Connell, Conservator of Forests for South West England. They joined Education Officer Mr J. Goodwin, his staff and senior and overseas students for lunch. A bar and buffet were arranged in the Senior Lecture Room for the remainder of guests.
Lady Waldegrave presented Forester certificates and prizes to eleven senior students and course certificates and prizes to 23 students from overseas.
At an exhibition of school work organised by the students, Messrs Lacek and Kyama demonstrated pit sawing with an old saw they had restored.
"Old Boys" and their wives were invited to visit Mr and Mrs Goodwin at their home, where skittles competition winner Mr Paul Reynolds received a bottle of whisky.
The students organised a dance at the Swan Hotel for the younger and more energetic attendees.
Cadets Form Forest Patrols
Following a recent bad fire at St, Gwynno Forest, Wales, the officer commanding a unit of Army Cadets offered the service of his lads for fire patrol duties which was accepted by Divisional Officer J.T. Fitzherbert. An experimental scheme has begun with Cadets including forest patrols as their public service qualifications for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The scheme is being trialled in Rhondda Forest.
Dogs and Hedgehogs
Mr J.W. Gradwell, District (Estates) Officer, South East England responds to the recent explanation of how Labradors pick up hedgehogs without harm. He relates the event ten years ago when his dachshund ate and regurgitated a hedgehog.
News From Miss Ann Brooks in Australia
Miss Ann Brooks, former Senior Executive in the Office of the Director, England has written from North Queensland, Australia. She sent a photograph of some giant Kauri pines which are believed to be 800 years old. They have a girth of 23 feet and the height of the first branch is 70 feet. The pines stand in a National Forest Park amid jungle and close to Lake Barrine, which occupies a natural crater of about 240 square miles. Miss Brooks also visited Green Island and viewed life on the barrier reef through a glass bottomed boat.
Tree Planting in Japan
The National Land Afforestation Promotion Committee in Tokyo has asked the Commission to supply some tree seeds, which will enable them to sow this seed in Japan. As they will be hosting the Olympic Games, they wish to grow trees from each country in commemorative projects. The Commission has sent seeds of pedunculate oak, beech, sycamore and Scots pine.
Put On That Diving Suit
Following the story of the mechanical loader which slid into a loch, Mr J.R. Fletcher, District Officer, N.W. England, writes to enquire if there are any further items of Forestry Commission equipment languishing in watery graves. He praises skin diving and mentions a recent dive he made with a fellow member of the Matlock branch of the British Sub Aqua Club. They dived in a North Derbyshire reservoir to locate an autoscythe which had parted company with its operator during grass cutting activities. Despite limited visibility, the autoscythe was successfully located and retrieved.
Osprey Egg Analysis
An analysis of the detrimental effect of pesticides on the behaviour of Ospreys and their eggs is given by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Dr D.A. Ratcliffe of the Nature Conservancy has associated 'abnormal and pathological behaviour' with sub-lethal doses of pesticide in peregrines.
Spiders
The British Spider Group reports on a substantial number of zebra spiders on a coaldust coated brick wall at the Stockport Gas Works with a darkening skin pigment. The main predators are house sparrows and it may create a better chance of survival.
Logging By Balloon
Balloon logging is to be trialled on Vancouver Island with the intention to open up areas of forest in British Columbia which are economically or physically inaccessible. The trials will be started when three balloons, each inflated with 75,000 cubic feet of helium are delivered from the United Kingdom. It is believed the balloons could be used in logging with winds up to 50 miles per hour.
Promotion
Mr W.A.J. Johnson, District (Estate) Officer, South Scotland Conservancy, has been promoted to Divisional Officer.
Thought For The Month
A contributor recommends that "to stop rural depopulation the Commission should plant gooseberry bushes on the hills".
They Took Care
Members of the Social Centre under the auspices of the Exeter Society for the Blind enjoyed a forest visit and picnic at Haldon. Those taking part in the excursion were thoughtful in ensuring cigarette ends or hot ash were not dropped because each blind person who smoked carried an ashtray.