Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 223 - July 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.
Visit of Iceland's Director-General of Forestry
Mr Hakon Bjarnason, Director-General of Forestry in Iceland, was a recent visitor to our shores. During his tour of North Scotland and North East England Conservancy, he was shown forestry and forest research work likely to prove of interest and of possible assistance to the work of his own forest service.
The only indigenous woods are the scrub remnants of former Birch woods which were fairly extensive at the time the country was settled mainly by the Norwegians in the 9th and 10th centuries. Most of these woods disappeared as the result of exploitation and grazing. Interest in forestry in Iceland revived during the latter part of the 19th century.
The forests visited by Mr Bjarnason in the north of Scotland include Rumster, Dornoch nursery, Borgie, Naver and Shin forests and in the North East England, Allerston and Kielder were the main venues. They also visited Kielder Village School and Community Centre. Mr Bjarnason talked to the children about Iceland and planted a cherry tree in the school grounds. The host Conservators Mr Hamish Maxwell and Mr Gunnar Godwin have both made visits to Iceland in recent years. Mr Bjarnason also met the Director General Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse and visited the Research Station Alice Holt Lodge.
Re-Opening of Quantock Forest Trail
Lord Waldegrave, lately Chairman of the Forestry Commission, performed the opening ceremony of the Trail through Quantock Forest on Saturday 18th June.
The occasion started with a sandwich lunch in the Picnic Place and the only people right in the centre of the field to brave a heavy rainstorm were the families of Foresters George Jenkinson, Eric Hibberd and Michael Stark. Everyone else sought the protection of their cars and of the forest.
The opening was attended by a large gathering and included not only the more obvious interests of forestry, natural history, local government, planning, water authorities, army, landowners and staghounds, but also the less obvious, namely, the many societies which have been the most vociferous in their criticism of forestry on the Quantock Hills.
The BBC televised a preview of the trail in the programme "Points West".
Lord Waldegrave referred to the convincing growth in employment in the 40 years since the forest was acquired and planted. Also the contrast between the then 20 sheep per square mile and now 30 human beings per square mile, dependent on the forest.
The trail includes a permanent exhibition shed, portraying in miniature, the Natural History of the timbers and their end products, the wildlife and the management of the forest. The centrepiece is an illustrated 25 inch map of the forest, 5 feet square, mounted as a table and covered with perspex.
Steady Employment
On their recent visit to Scotland the Forestry Commissioners met Head Forester Bobby Johnston of Eredine and Glenorchy Forests. These two forests currently hold a greater reserve of plantable land than many Conservancies. The combined reserve is now in excess of 15,000 acres. When reorganisation takes place, both forests will expect to plant around 700 acres per annum for the next decade.
End of An Era in the Radio Unit
Chief Forester R. Linder was the original recruit to the Radio Unit on its formation in the summer of 1958. Bob saw the communications system grow from the original three installations until now, with more than half of the Commission's acreage under plantations served by radio. Bob is leaving to take up commercial employment.
Staff Educational Visits
North Scotland: Inverness Office's annual educational outing included a visit to Newton Nursery in the East Conservancy, where the party was shown around by the District Officer Mr J.E. Everard and Head Forester Mr W.J. Nicolson. In the afternoon the party went on to Pluscarden Abbey and then to Culbin Forest. The Head Forester Mr W.G. Milne explained some of the problems arising from the afforestation of the sand dunes. High tea at the Altonbury Hotel, Nairn, was followed by a convivial evening.
South Wales Conservancy office staff recently visited the Forest of Dean and Tintern. Mr Sanzen-Baker, Deputy Surveyor, welcomed the party. They walked through the seed orchard and were given an explanation of grafting techniques and pollenisation by Research staff. The afternoon was spent in Tintern Forest on a tour conducted by Mr S.J.C. West, D.F.O.
West Scotland: The outing to Glenrickard Forest on the Isle of Arran proved to be somewhat challenging on occasions in rather inclement weather. The Glen Sannox steamer had already departed from the pier when the Conservator and Assistant Conservator arrived, having been delayed by train failure.
The Party spent four hours on the Isle of Arran, travelling to the venues by mini-buses. From Brodick, they passed through Lamlash to the venues on the itinerary, beginning with a bridging example. Demonstrations of deep draining, ploughing and late planting were planned, but some had to be curtailed due to the inclement weather. One of the mini-buses received a punctured tyre on a lonely hillside, with no jack or wheelbrace within miles. A visit to Brodick Castle was abandoned and makeshift travel arrangements were made to get the party back in Brodick in time for the steamer's return journey.
Tailpiece
A fire in Drybrook, the Dean, was reported and first to arrive on the scene was the Land Rover fire party from the Parkend School, which included some of the overseas students. A "local" went up to the first man out of the Land Rover and asked "Where are you from?" "Nigeria", replied the student. "Well blow me down", said the local, "you've beaten the Colford Fire Brigade".
Transfers: District Officers
D. Small from Hitchin E (E) to Princes Risborough E (E)
J. Laurie Muir from Olney E (E) to Alice Holt, Work Study
Foresters F. Cameron from Sunart N (S) to South Laggan N (S)
J. Dickinson from Alice Holt to Dean
A.A. Green from Clannaroc N (S) to Inchnacardoch (D.R.)
J. Wade from South West England to North East England
Transfer: Civil Engineer (W.G. Main Grade)
V.O. Jameson from Shrewsbury N (W) to Newtown N (W)
Transfer: A.C.E. (Tech. B)
D. Bennett from Cowal W (S) to Moffatt S (S)
Transfer: Superintendent of Works
D.F.M. Murray from Fort William N (S) to Glen Hurich N (S)
Transfer: C.E.A.
B.F. Maxwell from Llanrwst N (W) to Dolgellau N (W)
Transfer: T/C.E.A.
M.W. Lewis from Shrewsbury N (W) to Newtown N (W)
Transfer: Cartographer's Assistant
B.G.A. Lamont from HQ Edinburgh to HQ Basingstoke
Transfers: H.E.Os.
F.M. Foley from Inverness N (S) to HQ London
H. Lloyd from Chester NW (E) to Cambridge E (E)
J.F. Norton from Cambridge E (E) to HQ Basingstoke
Transfers: E.Os.
D.W. Brittain from Chester NW (E) to Aberdeen E (S)
G.W. Foulds from Cambridge E (E) to HQ Basingstoke
B. Holland from HQ London to Chester NW (E)
K.W. Pratt from Cambridge E (E) to HQ London
Transfer: C.O.
J.A. Bates from Shrewsbury to Bristol SW (E)
Transfer: Photoprinter
A.E.J. Richards from HQ Edinburgh to HQ Basingstoke
Congratulations: Marriage
Congratulations on the marriage of Miss Mary Bevan to Mr Derek Hyett. Both are Clerical Officers at the Dean Office, Whitemead Park, Parkend.
Congratulations: Birth
Congratulations to Mr G.G. Seal, Executive Officer HQ London and Mrs Seal on the birth of their daughter.
Deer Stalker's Lament
While stalking a buck at 7am in a quiet and remote part of Margam Forest, Head Forester D.M. Morgan heard the sound of bagpipes. His appearance, wearing a mask and armed, gave the piper, who was a local lad practising, quite a shock.
From Foundry to Forest
Glasgow poet, Charles Senior, whose poems have been published in Scottish newspapers and periodicals, moved north away from the noise and smoke of the foundry near his Snettleston home, to live in Inverness for health reasons. Now he has joined the Commission as the Forest Clerk at Culloden Forest.
Retirement
Frank Edwards has retired. He started working for the Commission as an E.O. in 1946. He spent six months at the Cardiff Office before moving to the Director's Office as an H.E.O. In 1959 he returned as a C.O. to the Cardiff Office where he has spent the past six years as cashier.
Presentations
Frank Edwards, Cardiff Office retirement presentation.
Chief Forester R. Linder (Bob Linder) presentation on his leaving the Commission.
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Groups: Forestry Commission staff magazines