Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 228 - December 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.
Forestry and the Weather
Mr J.M.B. Brown, Alice Holt Lodge, comments on the Forest Meteorology and the article by Mr P. Wood in the October issue of The Slasher. He also mentions the next Congress of I.U.F.R.O (International Union of Forest Research Organisations) will be held in 1967 in Munich.
Committee Visit Beddgelert
Mr Leslie Jenkins, Commission Chairman, along with the Welsh National Committee visited Beddgelert, the main event being the opening of the new bridge, which improves the access to the Commission's camping ground.
The bridge was lined by children from Beddgelert primary school, local people and campers.
Mr Gwynfryn Davies suggested to the children that they should remember the ancient Welsh quotation, translated as "He who would be a leader should be a bridge".
Built entirely by Commission staff, the bridge was formally opened by the stroke of a slasher through the green and brown tape draped across the bridge.
Call of the Caribbean
A report on the short term appointment as a Forest Education Consultant of Mr J.D. Leefe, District Officer, Grantham, which requested by F.A.O. in connection with the United Nations Special Fund by the Trinidad and Tobago government, for financial assistance towards the establishment of a Forest Training School.
A subsequent visit was made by Mr A.D.S. Miller, District Officer, who left for Trinidad after accepting an appointment, on secondment, as Research Officer.
Mr Miller has recently been joined by Mr T.I.W. Bell, District Officer, who also accepted an appointment in Trinidad on secondment as Working Plans Officer.
It is hoped the proposed Trinidad Forester Training School will open late in 1967.
Enter the Springtail
The Timber Trades Journal supplement "Forestry and Home Grown Timber" has featured an article on Springtails by Mr D. Bevan, the Commission's Entomologist.
Major Oak Mix-Up
A recent national newspaper article headed "Robin Hood's Oak Dwindles" mistakenly proclaimed "the Major Oak, the 1,400 year-old oak tree reputed to have been one of Robin Hood's hiding places, is in danger of being destroyed by souvenir hunters. The huge oak at Edwinstowe, in Sherwood Forest, is gradually being hacked to pieces by visitors who want mementoes".
Forester D. Garner says there has definitely been a mistake. The Major Oak is on the Thoresby Estate, Edwinstowe and is under their care.
The tree referred to in the newspaper was probably the old oak known as Robin Hood's Larder, which was recently destroyed by gales. It consisted of the outside hollow trunk and a few live branches and it stood in Birklands, Sherwood Forest, but has now been removed by the owners Welbeck Estate Ltd.
Retirement
Mr George Taylor, Forester, Dean has retired after 44 years' service to forestry.
Accommodation Exchange
An appeal by Mr J.M.B. Brown, Research, on behalf of German Forest Officer, Oberforstmeister H.W. Moll whose son wishes to spend six months in England after leaving school. In a reciprocal arrangement, the family would welcome as a guest, the son or daughter of an English family.
Mr H.J. Smith of Kent is hoping to arrange a house swap for two weeks with a house in the Scottish Highlands.
Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 229 - January 1967
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.
Family's Escape from Landslide
A report on the landslide at Achnashellach, North Scotland, with details given by Mr D.M. Laird, Head Forester. Forest Worker George Robertson and his family escaped from their home as it was engulfed in mud. The prompt action of a forest worker, who telephoned the station, may have prevented a serious accident as a train was due to leave Strathcarron station.
The River Nevis at Nevis Forest rose with the flood waters and when they receded, John Young, the fifteen year old son of a forest worker found a 16 lb salmon under a hedge in his garden.
Awards and Honours
FC Director General Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse was elected as an Honorary Member of the Society of American Foresters.
Mr Alan Mitchell was awarded a Veitch Memorial Gold Medal by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Mr M.V. Edwards was awarded an O.B.E. after his retirement as Silviculturist (North).
Obituaries
Mr M.E.W. Mackenzie, Senior Executive in the Office of Director, Scotland before retirement in 1963 has died in Australia.
Mr A.C. Beard, Head Forester of Dymock Forest, South West England Conservancy has died aged 59.
Mr Vernon Collins, H.E.O. in Estate Management, Basingstoke died suddenly on 15th January, 1967.
Miss Ann "Nan" Brooks M.B.E. who was the first woman Senior Executive Officer in the FC has died in Norwich, three years after her retirement.
Retirements
Head Forester Mr G.H. Button (Norfolk) has retired after serving 40 years with the Commission.
Forester Mr E.J. Tucker (Long Forest, North West England) has retired after serving 40 years with the Commission.
Mr William Harrison (Inglewood Forest, Cumberland) has retired just before his 79th birthday.
Mr J. Preston (Joe Preston), (Higher Executive Officer and General Statistics Section at Headquarters) is to retire at the end of this month.
Mr Jack Culbertson, Messenger-Caretaker at 25 Drumsheugh Gardens for a quarter of a century, has retired.
Presentations
Head Forester Mr G.H. Button (Norfolk) retirement presentation during the annual dinner of Foresters in North Norfolk.
Forester Mr E.J. Tucker (Long Forest, North West England) retirement presentation.
Mr William Harrison (Inglewood Forest, Cumberland), retirement presentation.
Mr Jack Culbertson, Messenger-Caretaker at Drumsheugh Gardens, retirement presentation.
Shiver Our Timbers
Mr Reg Ede (Executive Officer at Savile Row) swims all year round in the open air baths at Tooting Common. Similar spartans in the Commission are invited to make themselves known.
Immortality Through Song
Composer Mr Tom Carruthers has added "Kielder Forest Song" to the collection of Northumbrian songs he has composed and will publish soon. He intends to dedicate the song to "The Foresters of North East England".
Close to Nature at HQ
A Goldcrest was found at the top of the Post Office Tower by a window cleaner. The bird was taken to the zoo and subsequently released in a conifer plantation in Godstone, Surrey.
Forest Worker Wins New Car
Forest Worker Mr Frank Davidson won a new Cortina car and 500 gallons of petrol from a competition run by the Aberdeen Press and Journal. Mr & Mrs Davidson had been saving hard to buy a second-hand car to replace their 1957 van.
All Things Bright and Beautiful
A review of the Inforesta Drama Group's production of the Willis and Waterhouse play "All Things Bright and Beautiful" at the Duthy Hall, Southwark. The cast included Dot Lloyd, Geoff Seal, Marion Grogan, Allan Eastty, Alan Meyer, Roger Cannon, Alan Chapman and Ken Winter, who also produced the play.
A Medal for Ann
Miss Ann Jacob, clerk in the Brecon District Office, South Wales, received the Civil Defence long service medal. She served in the Signals Department and is also a Serving Sister in the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Calling All Highlanders!
Publications Officer Herbert Edlin is collecting material for a "Guide to Highland Forests" for the Jubilee Year, 1969. It will cover all the Crofting Counties - Argyll, Inverness, Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, the Outer Hebrides and the Orkney and Shetland Islands.