Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 219 - March 1966
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.
Agricultural Shows Where the Commission is Exhibiting
A list of Agricultural shows with a planned Forestry Commission attendance in England, Scotland and Wales.
The Commission will also be attending the Wild Life Exhibition at Alexandra Palace, National Nature Week and the Game Fair at Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire.
On Forest Fires
A warning that the season of high fire danger is here - the period when the previous years' vegetation remains and that which is sap-filled and more fire resistant has not yet appeared.
The total financial loss in the Forest Year 1965 from fires amounted to nearly £77,000.
A fire in non-Commission woods in Wales was caused when a forest worker was clearing the plantation.
Whilst using a sickle, he struck and ignited a box of matches in his pocket, setting alight his clothing. This in turn fired some bracken and a breeze swiftly fanned the flames into a blaze.
Do Not Feed the Birds
During a recent cold spell, a robin became so friendly with some of our workers that it followed the men throughout the day. During the lunch break, it was fed on various scraps and eventually it became so tame that it would take crumbs from the men's hands. One lunchtime however the bird removed a lighted cigarette from the hand of one worker and even after a chase refused to drop it. There was a sigh of relief when the robin did eventually release the stub, which was promptly extinguished.
Perhaps it would be better not to feed any birds when there is a fire risk if one takes into account the amazing habit of "anting" which some birds display. Usually the bird picks up an ant in its beak and holding it between the tips of the mandibles, goes into a peculiar posture and appears to rub the ant up and down the bases of the primary feathers. But even more odd is that some birds have been known to use lighted cigarette ends or small embers from fires as substitutes for ants. There is a record of seagulls deliberately flying off with burning rubbish from a refuse dump near one of our Scottish forests and a strong suspicion that these birds were responsible for starting several fires in the vicinity.
Awards for Inventions
Head Forester Mr A. Rose of Ledmore, East Scotland and Head Forester Mr G.A. Sharp of North East England have each been awarded £300 by a committee on awards to inventors for the development of their respective lining out ploughs, the Ledmore and the York. They are tractor mounted machines used for transplanting purposes. Their value is obvious considering the number of plants lined out each year to meet the Commissions planting programmes of over 100 million trees a year.
Mr Rose had previously received an award of £25 in respect of his machine under the Commission's suggestions scheme.
Retirement
Mr C.R. Wellington, Head Forester, East England Conservancy has retired after nearly 50 years in forestry.
An Off-Beat Quiz
Readers are invited to write to the Editor with their suggestions on the characters set out.
Obituary
Mr Elam Ward, former wood-cutter who worked in the Dean from the age of 9 has died aged 96.
The Northerwood Club
Mr W.A. Cadman, Deputy Surveyor, New Forest and Mr P.J. Langley, District Officer, Education and Training Branch have been elected to the Committee of the Northerwood Club.
Suffering and Cruelty
A report from the New Forest refers to many cases of suffering and cruelty to deer.
Shooting from Metasequoias
Comments on Mr Frank Best's claim in last month's magazine to have shot a pheasant from the cover of a group of Metasequoias.
A Chance to Know Your Conifers
The Commission's new publication "Know Your Conifers" edited by Herbert Edlin, Publications Officer.
Transfers: Assistant Conservators
H.V. Dier from Aberdeen to Dumfries.
J.M. Gwynn from Hexham to London.
Transfers: District Officers
D. MacLeod from Inverness to Dingwall.
C. Bancroft from Cambridge to Ipswich.
W. Norris, returned from Zambia to Kintyre, W (S).
Transfers: Foresters
W.J. Gordon from Blackhall E (S) to Culbin E (S).
P.F. Davies from Delamere, Workstudy to Dolgellau, Work Study.
J.B. Colling from Thornthwaite NW (E) to Ennerdale NW (E).
P. Armstrong from Clashindarroch E (S) to Glenbranter W (S).
Transfers: Assistant Foresters
W.G. Peterson from Ae S (S) to Tulliallan, Research.
W.M. McDonald from Inverness to Inverinan W (S).
P.J. Humphries from Bodmin SW (E) to Alice Holt, P. and E.
B. Seniscal from St Fillans W (S) to Fearnoch W (S).
G.N. Kearns from Alice Holt, P and E to Edinburgh, P. and E.
J.S. Innes to Edinburgh, P. and E.
R.J.A. McDuff from Inverinan to Cairnbaan W (S).
I.L. Reid from Knapdale W (S) to St Fillians.
B.D. Symes from Thornthwaite to Langholme, Work Study.
A.G. Little from Bickley, NE (E) to Alice Holt, P and E.
P.A. Thomas from Dolgellau to Cairbaan.
J.T.H. Murrey from Glenbranter to Knapdale.
J.G. Whyatt from Alice Holt P and E to Upper Nithsdale S (S).
J.D. McNeill from Tulliallan to Research, Mabie S (S).
P. Hutchinson from Ennerdale to Thornthwaite.
Transfer: Conservancy Engineer
C.S. Allan from Cardiff to Chester.
Transfer: Assistant Conservancy Engineer
W.H. Clarkson from Dumfries S (S) to Huntley E (S).
Transfers: A/CE's
A.R. Bromley from York to Llanrwst N (W).
H.N. Hoyle from Barcaldine W (S) to Kendal NW (E).
Transfer: Mechanical Engineer
W.S. MacKenzie from Inverness to Kielder, Work Study.
Transfers: H.E.Os
G.B. McAllister from Glasgow to Chapelhall S (S).
K.H.C. Taylor fro Work Study, Dumfries to Glasgow.
Transfers: E.Os
Mrs V. Thompson from Shrewsbury to London.
A. Oswald from Chapelhall to Glasgow.
The Wild West End
Miss J. Pascoe, Shorthand Typist at Headquarters recounts the events viewed from the office window of police in pursuit of fugitives.
Antiquarian Find
Mr S. Rushton, employed at Haslingden Forest, North West England, found a flint arrow-head at a shallow depth, which he passed to the Rawtenstall Museum. It was identified as a neolithic flint, thus placing its age at approximately 2300 B.C.