Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 238 - October 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.
Obituary
Mr Dugald Graham Campbell, Assistant Conservator in the Forest Management Division in Basingstoke died last month aged 46.
Memorial
Mrs Maxwell MacDonald unveiled a bronze plaque set in a rock in Corrour, Inverness-shire, to commemorate the forestry work undertaken by her father, Sir John Stirling Maxwell, from the end of the 19th century until he died in 1954. The woodlands and the major part of the Corrour estate now belong to the Commission. Sir John was Chairman of the Commission from 1929 to 1932.
The ceremony took place on the occasion of the visit to Corrour of the Society of Foresters of Great Britain, of which Captain Maxwell MacDonald is Past President. Some one hundred members of the Society were present from universities, research, private forestry, the timber trade and the Commission. As the plaque was unveiled, Captain Maxwell MacDonald, in the distance, played a lament on the pipes.
Abernethy Pearl
Pearls have been found in many rivers and the Tay, which flows by several forests, has yielded a pearl, about half an inch in diameter. The pearl, believed to be worth £10,000 was found by professional pearl fisher Mr Abernethy.
"Nonsearch" Search in Vain
As reported in earlier issues of The Slasher, a search is on for trees of the appropriate size to form the main mast of the "Nonsuch", a replica of the 17th century sailing ship being built by the Hudson Bay Company in Appledore, Devon.
Forester Mr R.M. Burnett ascertained there were five large pine in Coed Caerdydd, South Wales, two of which were within the required specification. Alas, after enquiries, the trees were no longer available, so the search continues.
Gypsy Moth IV
Regarding the constructional use of timber in Gypsy Moth IV, in which Sir Francis Chichester sailed around the world. Mr Roger Lines, Silviculturist (N), says his brother is one of the yard managers at Camper and Nicholson, who built Gypsy Moth, and has told our colleague that the boat was constructed of 3.5 mm thick mahogany, with six layers of veneer, cold moulded.
The Biblins Opened
The opening ceremony of the Biblins Youth Adventure Centre was performed by Mr Jack Longland, Director of Education for Derbyshire, who unveiled the Biblins sign and received the key from Mr Sanzen-Baker.
With the agreement of the Commission, work on the Biblins, a fine log cabin in the Wyre Valley below Symons Yat, began more than two years ago. Every weekend since then, volunteers from youth organisations have been strenuously engaged so that now the cabin consists of a large mess room with kitchen and verandah, two bunk rooms and two rooms for leaders. A basement will store canoes and can also be used for indoor games. There is accommodation for 50 people. The cabin will have obvious benefits for those who take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Schemes.
A local Dean Newspaper paid tribute to Mr Sanzen-Baker for his enthusiasm, guidance and hard work in the development of the youth adventure centre.
Honour Presentation
Mr George Mackay, Ganger at Borgie Forest, North Scotland received the British Empire Medal in the Birthday Honours list.
The presentation was made at a local hotel by the Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland, Lord Migdale. Among those present were Lord Moncrieff, County Convener of Sutherland and Lady Moncrieff; members of county and district councils and, from the Forestry Commission, Mr H.A. Maxwell, Conservator; Mr R.A. Innes, Assistant Conservator; Mr T.S.B. MacBeath, Administration and Finance Officer and Mr D.B. Paterson, District Officer. The present Head Forester and Forester at Borgie were also present, together with a former Forester, Mr Phipps.
It is believed Mr Mackay is the first serving industrial worker to receive the B.E.M. for services to forestry. He joined the Commission in 1920 and his identity number 1/1/19 is an indication of his length of employment.
Calling Amateur Radio Operators
Mr Lindsay-Smith, District Office of Shrewsbury, has recently joined the ranks of licensed amateur radio operators and is appealing for fellow operators to get in touch.
First of 41
Out of 41 entrants for the Associate Examination of the Institute of Wood Science this year, Mr. J. Howarth, Forester in the East England Conservancy, gained first place and was awarded the Bryan Latham Prize.
Candidates were required to submit a thesis on an approved subject and to sit for a theory paper in timber technology.
Also successful was Mr J.B. Richards, Forester in the Dean.
Alice Holt Sports & Social Club Dance
The Sports & Social Club dance, Alice Holt, on Saturday 11th November is in aid of St. Christopher's School for Handicapped Children.
Helping Police at Cannock
The hunt for the murderer of little Christine Darby, whose body was found in Cannock Chase continues. Commission staff supplied detectives with a large-scale map of that part of the forest. Posters appealing for information were displayed on many of the trees. Mr Jim Leach, a forestry contract worker, discovered the child's shoe.
Ancient Tomb at Shin
The Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments has excavated a chambered tomb on Ord Hill, Shin Forest in the North Scotland Conservancy. Pottery, flint blades, cremated bone fragments and charcoal were found in this "Passage Grave".
Trees In a Hurry
The forest plots at Bedgebury, which flanks the Pinetum near Goudhurst in Kent are planted on a poor, leached, acid silt. But Mr A. Westall, Head Forester with Silviculturist, South, reports on a Nothofagus obliqua (Roble beech, a native of Chile) which, after 29 years, has a standing volume of 2060 h.ft per acre and a total crop yield of 3902 h.ft per acre.
There is also a Sequoiadendron giganteum which, after 29 years, has a standing volume of 3613 h.ft per acre and a total yield of 6791 h.ft per acre.
About Forest Names
A document has been issued by Publications Officer Mr Herbert Edlin on behalf of the Research Branch and in particular Dr Don Phillips, who sought to meet the needs of the Pathology Branch . The document is a list of all the Commission's 400 or so forests in alphabetical order.
Among the quaintest names are Alice Holt (S.E. England); Clatteringshaws (S. Scotland); Leapmoor (W. Scotland); Poorstock (S.W. England); Rumster (N. Scotland); Watermeetings (S. Scotland); Wigsley (E. England).
Among the most attractive names are Beechwood (E. England); Pen Beat, Bucklebury (S.E. England); Fountains (N.E. England); Kerry (N. Wales); Mildmay (S.E. England); Moffat Water (S. Scotland); and Rosarie (E. Scotland).
The forests with the shortest names are Ae (S. Scotland); Mon and Edw (N. Wales); Hay (S. Wales); Bere (S.E. England); Dean, Goyt and Hope (N.W. England); Plym and Wyre (S.W. England); and Wark (N.E. England).
The longest single name is Clatteringshaws (S. Scotland), with Clashindarroch (E. Scotland) next, then Achaglachgach and Achnashellach (N. Scotland), Inchnacardoch (N. Scotland); Montreathmont (E. Scotland); Tighnabruaich (W. Scotland); and Watermeetings (S. Scotland).