Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 208 - April 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.
Retirement
Mr A.D. Palmer, Chief Clerk in the Office of Director, England has retired. He originally joined the Office of Woods in 1916 as a Boy Clerk and made up the Forests Branch loaned to the Commission on its inception in 1919 and was subsequently transferred to the Commission on 1st April 1924.
Presentation
Mr A.D. Palmer retirement presentation at Savile Row.
Water, Water, But Not Everywhere
The report in an earlier edition of Slasher estimated 17,300,000 tons of rain fell on Coed-y-Brenin and 19,130,000 tons fell on Dovey forests in 48 hours. This was in contrast to the rainfall relatively nearby. In the Bristol Waterworks Company area, the shortage of water was severe and at Litton (Chewton Mendip) amounted to only 26½ inches for the 12 months ended last November. The report lists similar low rainfall in other locations in the area.
Minister Visits Forestry School
The Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt. Hon. James Griffiths, MP, who is responsible for forest policy in the Principality, made his first official visit to a Commission forest and to the Gwydyr Forester Training School. During his visit, he planted a tree at the school and was presented with a school tie by Alderman Gwynfryn Davies Forestry Commissioner and Chairman of the Welsh National Committee. Representing the Commission were Mr J.Q. Williamson, Director, Wales; Mr F.C. Best, Conservator, North Wales; Mr E.H.M. Harris Educational Office, Gwydyr and local officers.
Obituaries
Mr Graham Edward Clarke, Clerical Officer, S.W. England Conservancy Office has died aged 53.
Mr Andrew Kerr (Jock Kerr), Clerical Officer, S.W. England Conservancy Office has died.
Mr Charles Joseph Dolby, formerly of the Audit Section of the Finance Branch, Headquarters has died.
Mrs L.M.J. Hamilton, widow of Mr Frank Hamilton who was formerly Secretary of the Commission, has died.
The Ark in Our Midst
Mr P.F. Garthwaite, Wild Life Officer, gives an insight into the mammals, birds, reptiles and fish that were either native or introduced into our forests. He gives details of the book "The Ark in Our Midst" by the naturalist R.S.R. Fitter.
Woodland Crafts
Mr A.A. Cuthbert, Utilisation Officer, South East England makes some interesting comments on woodland crafts including the demise of some of them. He mentions the lack of barrel hoop makers and manufacturers of besom brooms, though they are made by individuals. He also mentions other crafts which are either rare or thriving in the area including Charcoal burners, Coopers, Cricket bat makers, gate makers, fencing, hedgers, hurdle makers, ladder makers, trug makers, oak shingle makers, rake makers, thatchers, wheelwrights and cartwrights.
A Black Fox
Forester B.E. Sutton, Witley Forest, South East England has seen a big black fox and wonders how many other Commission staff have seen one.
Congratulations: Births
Congratulations to Mr A.E. Flynn, District Officer, Aberystwyth and Mrs Flynn on the birth of their third daughter.
Congratulations to Mr D.E. Earl, former District Officer, North East England and Mrs Earl, the birth of a daughter. Mr Earl is currently in Kampala, on secondment to the Government of Uganda.