Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 230 - February 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.
School Students Tragedy
Mr Kitione Vunisasari and Mr Serupepeli Turuva, Fijian second-year students at the Dean Forester Training School died in a recent road accident. Another student, Mr Mat Vunibaka was injured and is making a good recovery.
Retirement
Mr W.G. Gray (Bill Gray), Head Forester, Kennington Nursery has retired. He initially attended the Forest Apprentices schools at Burley and Chopwell, prior to joining the Research Branch in 1922.
Presentations and Tributes
Mr W.G. Gray (Bill Gray), Head Forester, Kennington Nursery retirement presentation.
Tributes for Mr Arthur Beard, Head Forester, Dymock Forest, South West England whose death was reported last month.
Tributes for Mr Vernon Collins, HEO, Estate Management Division, Basingstoke whose death was reported last month.
Jubilee Year Suggestions Wanted
Suggestions are invited for the forthcoming Forestry Commission Jubilee Year 1969 celebrations.
Stone Age Secrets
Mr George Dey, District Officer, says the use of mechanical cultivators in the Rhondda area has resulted in a wealth of finds of Stone Age arrowheads and flint tools. They are currently being looked after by Mr Arthur Hazzard, Forest Clerk at Rhondda until they can be displayed as a collection.
Unique Tribute
Nora Burke, whose father was a distinguished conservator in the Indian Forest Service, has paid a generous tribute to the Forestry Commission in her latest book "The Midnight Forest" with the following dedication "To the Forestry Commission, all its officers and men, who are not only adding to the nation's wealth, but have saved some of our countryside from new towns and other buildings, planted beautiful forests for the future, and thus provided a habitat for our remaining wildlife".
The Midnight Forest, publish by Jarrolds, is about her study of the animals and birds living in the King's Forest in Thetford Chase during the severe winter of 1962-63.
Free Fall Parachuting
In the Mortimer Forest, South West England news sheet, Forester David Watts describes his hobby of free fall parachuting.
The club to which he belongs is based in Hereford, where students have to complete six hours ground training in falling and packing the parachutes, then with a strong pair of boots, £50,000 insurance cover, you are ready to step into space.
The first six jumps are from 1,800 feet with the parachute opening automatically, when you learn to fall with arms and legs stretched wide to give a stable position for free fall. The first free fall is 5 seconds before pulling the ripcord, then 10, then 15 until at 12,000 feet you can fall for 60 seconds. Above that height, oxygen is needed. Locally, they don't normally jump over 8,000 feet since otherwise the plane would groan and one's lips would turn blue. In free fall you reach terminal velocity, 120 mph after 12 seconds and an experienced man can do loops, turns and rolls before pulling the cord.
Not Out of the Wood
One of our Publications staff recently met the manager of a large publishing firm who said "Interesting to know that you actually use wood for paper making. Of course all our books are printed on wood-free paper". Puzzling because the firm concerned sells books and journals at keen prices. Could it possibly be using nothing but rags and esparto grass - the alternative raw materials used only for luxury papers? A printing textbook provided the answer. Wood-free paper does not contain any raw, unprocessed wood. It is nearly always made from wood which is chemically treated during the pulping process, to get rid of its lignin content. All the rest of the wood substance remains to provide the durable and flexible printing medium.
Safety Quiz Success
A road safety quiz organised by the local authority at Holsworthy attracted 20 teams from various firms and organisations, including one from Halwill Forest, South West England, which secured third place. Mr G.F. Beasley, Chief Forester, said they were gratified with their placing. The winning team consisted of school teachers and second place went to a team of bank officials.
At the meeting the Road Safety Committee Chairman presented a 10 year safe driving medal to Mr R. Keast, the Halwill Forest lorry driver.
Ourselves As Others See Us
A quote from a South Wales newspaper report under the heading "Stolen Car Trail in Prisoner Hunt": -
"He was badly in need of a shave and looked rough", she said. "I thought he was a Forester, but now I'm convinced it was the escaped prisoner."
Return to the Fold
Mr David Gowler, EO, Savile Row, London has returned after facing many challenges during his travels across the world.
Forester's Heart of Oak
Mr Jack Wilson, Head Forester, South Warwickshire, has been described as the "Forester with a heart of oak" by the Birmingham Post due to the excellence of his carving and woodwork. In addition to his forestry work and wood carving, he is in demand as a speaker among voluntary organisations interested in silviculture and wild life conservation. He is also responsible for the maintenance of Oversley Wood Nature Trail, used by Warwickshire schools.