Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 224 - August 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.
Royal Visit
A report on H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh's visits to Grizedale Forest; the Claife Heights footpath, Windemere; the Field Study Centre at Esthwaite Lodge Youth Hostel and the National Council of YMCA's Lakeside Training Centre. Mr J.S.R. Chard, Conservator, North West England, felt the programme enabled His Royal Highness to obtain a good picture of the Commission's contribution to the development of the National Park.
Publications
There has been a steep rise in FC Publication sales. Recommended reading is the booklet on fallow deer by Mr W.A. Cadman Deputy Surveyor (New Forest). Also, FC Landscape Consultant Miss Sylvia Crowe's booklet "Forestry and The Landscape".
Annual Report
The Commissioners' Annual Report for 1965 was published detailing land acquired, acres re-stocked and output from thinnings and fellings. The report included some details on woodland in the private sector.
Promotions to Assistant Conservator
Mr R. Chard (New Forest) moves to South Scotland as Assistant Conservator.
Mr G.G. Stewart (South Scotland) moves to Glasgow as Acting Conservator.
Mr D.R. Johnson (Planning & Economics Branch) moves to Cambridge.
Mr J.A. Spencer (Forest & Estate Management) moves to Planning & Economics Branch.
Mr D.T. Seal (East Scotland) becomes Silviculturist, North.
Resignation
Mr S.R. Payne has resigned.
Retirement
Mr M.V. Edwards has retired.
Transfers: District Officers
O.N. Blatchford from Woking to Alice Holt, Research.
D.H. Wallace from Aberystwyth to Dolgellau.
J. Peal from Dolgellau to Aberystwyth.
G.J. Hamilton from Dingwall N (S) to Dornoch N (S).
Transfers: Foresters
M.M. Sherwood from St. Gywnno S (W) to Chepstow S (W).
I. Pollock from Port Augustus to Ae S (S).
Transfer: Executive Officer
Miss E.J. Johnson from Woking to Basingstoke.
Transfers: Clerical Officer
A. Townend from Edinburgh to York.
L/C EA from Dolgellau to Newtown N (W).
On Catching a Chipmunk
An amusing response detailing methods of capture following enquiries about the habits and lifestyle of imported Japanese chipmunks in case any escape.
Ban the Beaver
Comments regarding beavers, following proposals by Mr Brunson Yapp, senior lecturer in zoology at Birmingham University that the bear, wolf and lynx be re-introduced into Britain. Wildlife Officer Mr Peter Garthwaite believes the re-introduction of beavers could cause havoc in the woodlands by blocking the forest drainage systems.
Rain
Instances and statistics of heavy rainfall in the Somerset area and tales of the ravages of recent storms.
Mr R.M. Brown, District Officer, Taunton, reports on the storm on the evening of 10th June 1966 in the locations of Cannington (west of Bridgwater), Clatworthy Reservoir, Brendon Forest, Quantock Forest and Neroche Forest.
During the storm, a local landowner telephoned Mr Strawbridge, Forester-in-Charge of Brendon Forest to ask his advice about a Douglas fir which had been struck by lightning and was burning 60 feet up.
Tremendous lightning flashes illuminated the sky every few seconds. Six cattle were killed near Clatworthy Reservoir.
Balfour-Browne Deer Trophy
Mr W.N. Gibson (ex-Assistant Conservator in South Scotland) of Tilhill Forestry (Scotland) Limited will be presented with the Balfour-Browne trophy by Sir William Strang Steel.
Previous recipients include Mr Ken MacArthur of Dumfries and Mr Kenny Clarke of Greskine Forest, South Scotland.
The trophy, a silver replica of The Challenger, a bronze by Balfour-Brown was presented to the FC by Miss G.M.C. Balfour-Browne, sister of the famous deer artist.
Congratulations: Marriages
Congratulations on the marriage of Glasgow office colleagues Mr Andy Gallacher, Executive Officer and Miss Anna Traynor, Clerical Officer.
Congratulations on the marriage of Executive Officers Mr Ron Elliott, O. & M. Headquarters and Miss Shirley Fowler of the Secretariat. Mr Alan Chapman of O. & M. was best man.
Congratulations: Appointment
Congratulations to Mrs G.E. Reynolds on her appointment as Supervisor of the typing pool at Headquarters.
Help Wanted
Short factual articles are required for the Timber Trades Journal supplement "Forestry and Home Grown Timber".