Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 206 - February 1965
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.
December Rainfalls
Mr P.A. Thomas, Area Civil Engineer, North Wales, reports on the rainfalls recorded at Coed-y-Brenin and Dovey Forests during the 24 hour periods ending 9am on 12th and 13th December were 2.37 inches and 5.83 inches at Coed-y-Brenin and 1.96 inches and 6.82 inches at Dovey. Assuming a fairly uniform distribution, he calculates the rainfall on the 20,857 acres of Coed-y-Brenin to be 17,300,000 tons and the 21,596 acres at Dovey to be 19,130,000 tons.
Mr F.C. Best, Conservator, North Wales, reports on the extensive flooding in the Conway and Mawddach Valleys during the early part of the week beginning Sunday 6th December with further heavy rainfall six days later.
More rainfall measurements for the week were taken at Dolwyddelan, Gwydr (nearly 18 inches), the Forest Centre at Coed-y-Brenin (nearly 17 inches), the Forest Centre at Dovey Corris (15 inches).
At the Lake Vyrnwy dam, the rainfall of 4.75 inches in 24 hours was the highest ever recorded and the lake rose over 7 ft in a night.
A privately owned lake in Dovey burst and Mrs P. Fraser, widow of the late Head Forester of Dovey, had to spend three quarters of an hour during the night on the kitchen table.
Rainfall figures at higher elevation may have been considerably heavier.
The highest rainfall in 24 hours every recorded in Britain was 11 inches on 18th July 1955 near Weymouth. A fall of over 26 inches was recorded at Llyn Cowlyd in a week in 1925.
From Gravel Pits to Bird Sanctuaries
In the past four years, two flooded gravel pits in Sevenoaks, Kent, have undergone a transformation, from barren industrial sites to harbours for wildfowl of many different species.
Commission Wildlife Officer, Mr P.F. Garthwaite was shown around the area by Dr Jeffrey Harrison, Scientific Advisor to the Wildfowlers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland, which has leased the pits from the owner as an experimental reserve.
The booklet "Know Your Wildfowl Food Plants" published jointly by WAGBI and the Wildfowl Trust gives details of creating the habitat.
Obituaries
Mr George Davies, Clerical Officer at Chester died suddenly in December aged 60 years.
Mr George Lees, former Forester, Dean, who retired in 1953 has died, aged 76 years.
A tribute to Mr Bertie Gale, New Forest, whose death was reported in December 1964.
Older Foresters Still Going Strong
Mr Elam Ward, woodcutter in the Forest of Dean, aged 95, active and in good health, must be the oldest of the Commission's pensioners. He told Head Forester R.J. Jennings he was born in 1869 and started work before he was 9 years old. He joined his father and brothers who were cutters. He retired when he was 72 years old. His recipe for good health is "Bread and cheese, hard work and plenty of cider".
Birds of Prey and Toxic Chemicals
Ian Prestt of the Toxic Chemicals and Wildlife Section of Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon reports on the research on birds of prey and chemical analysis of a wide range of wild animals, birds and their eggs.
Promotions
Mr Eric Tinson has been promoted from Senior to Chief Executive Officer. He joined the Commission in 1938, and has been with the Marketing Section at Headquarters for the past year.
Mr A.C. Christie has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
Mr J.R. Fletcher has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
Mr W.G. Jeffrey has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
Mr J. Jobling has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
Mr F.M. Macrae has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
Mr S.A. Neustein has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
Mr P.A.W. Overell has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
Mr J.R. Skinner has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
Mr B. Walbank has been promoted to District Officer Grade I.
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