Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 249 - September 1968
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.
Hungry in Winter
An appeal by the editor for articles to "feed" the hungry Slasher editions in the Winter.
Letter from Australia
A letter from former Head Forester Mr W.F. Stoddart, who now lives in Australia:
In company with a prison officer friend, I recently visited an Open Prison Settlement at Gurnang State Forest near Oberon, about 150 miles north-west of where I live in New South Wales. The prison camp was built by the Australian Forestry Commission, and forest work over an area of about 6,000 acres is done by the prisoners, who received $1.05 per week for doing so. At the settlement there is a small forest nursery where they raise seedlings of Pinus radiata which are lifted and planted direct in the forest. No lining out is done and the seedlings average 10 inches in height when lifted.
The forest, which goes to an elevation of 4,000 feet, consists almost entirely of Pinus radiata, which is more successful than other varieties. Complete brashing is done, and just before the first thinning, high pruning is carried out to a height of about 18 feet on approximately 120 stems per acre. First thinning is done at 15 years, the produce going for pulpwood, and the second thinning is done at 20 years, the produce going for pulpwood, boxwood and sawlogs. The M.A.I. is around 300 cubic feet per acre.
While on a motoring holiday up in Queensland, I passed through some magnificent natural stands of Eucalyptus in the North East of N.S.W. These stands had received silvicultural treatment, which consisted of cutting out the stunted and deformed stems, leaving a splendid crop of clean, straight, well-formed stems, about 80 to 100 feet in height. This is in contrast to other parts of the territory, where one can motor for mile after mile and see nothing but hundreds of thousands of acres of useless misshapen Eucalyptus.
The countryside is never without colour. At present the golden wattle shows up brilliantly, both in populated areas and throughout the bushland. We have been in Australia for nearly a year but I still cannot get used to the fact that in the garden one can grow two crops per year of most vegetables. Already we have oranges, grapefruit and lemons growing in our garden. Tomatoes also grow very well outside.
Agricultural Accidents
Three people were killed by overturning tractors on the farms of England and Wales in 1967. Thirty people have already lost their lives in the same way in the first eight months of 1968. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food believe that when the Agriculture (Tractor Cabs) Regulations become fully operative and tractors are fitted with safety cabs, this toll of violent death will be substantially reduced, but that is some years hence.
Many accidents are caused by attempts to operate tractors and machinery on steep slopes, or by driving too fast in adverse conditions.
Squibbet
An article attempting to define a squibbet with a suggestion by Mr F.H. Bennet (ex HQ) of London.
Scottish Champion
John Lamont, a skilled worker on production at Benmore, is the new Scottish singles bowling champion. He won the title at Queen's Park, Glasgow in July, and went on in mid-September to Birmingham, where he met the Welsh Champion in the first round of the National Championships.
Welsh Enterprise
Full marks to Cardiff Civil Defence Association. The July edition of their magazine Dragon's Breath contains a copy of the Forestry Commission booklet "Concerning Forest Fires" as part of a series of free fire-prevention leaflets issued by various organisations.
A Poem for Trees and Men by R.J. Jennings
When marking thinnings in a wood
And studying a stem,
One day the thought occurred to me
That trees resemble men.
They stand like old acquaintances,
Upright, good hearted, sound,
Matured with age, and straight in form,
Feet firmly on the ground.
With head in air though weak on top
Some have been nursed from youth,
While others, bearing marks and scars,
Are bristly, rude and rough.
I see some smooth and hollow,
Defective, double-forked
So weak they sway, which every way,
There seems to be support.
So like my friends, I treat them,
Without the slightest doubt,
I keep good-hearted straight ones,
But cut the others out.
R.J. Jennings.
The Wild Ones
Quote from the quarterly newsletter of the Forest Research Institute & College, Dehra Dun, India: "Children's Day celebrations. To celebrate the Children's Day on 14th November a film show was arranged on Wild Life".
A Birmingham man was recently fined £2 at Halesowen Magistrate's Court for stealing three saplings worth three shillings, which had been planted by the Forestry Commission on the bank of the M5 Motorway. In court, he said he "…. thought they had grown wild". The man was fined a further £3 for walking on the Motorway.
Researcher Award
Mr Henry Murray Peddie Stocks, Research Worker Grade I, at the Central Scottish Research Unit at Tulliallan, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Birthday Honours List, has been presented with his medal by John Williams, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Fife. The Ceremony took place at Tulliallan Police College on Friday 13th September.
Representatives of the Forestry Commission Research Division; colleagues; Mrs E Johnson; and Councillor Tom Ramsey, representing the local Old People's Association, were present, among other friends and relations. Henry Stocks has served with the Forestry Commission for over 45 years, the last 21 of which have been spent with the Research Division.
The Changing Forest
The film "The Changing Forest" sponsored by National Benzole will go on general release through the Rank circuit.
Sixteenth Century '007'
In his recently published book "John Dee", Richard Deacon relates the story which concerns the Forest of Dean and a sixteenth century 'master spy'. Dr John Dee was an Elizabethan alchemist and astrologer, using Extra Sensory Perception and the occult to accomplish some remarkable feats of intelligence.
During 1585, while in Prague, Dr Dee heard through one of his fellow occultists that a party of Frenchmen in the pay of Philip of Spain, were to undertake a mission with the object of preventing the English from building any more ships. Dr Dee followed up the matter with the Spirit World. He sent a message from Prague to London with a record of a conversation with his pal in the spirit world whose name was Madimi, who had said "I see a risk of fire - great fire". Dr Dee asked "What is the significance of the three years and the nine men?" and was told the "Nine are the Guardians of the R.F.D. They must act against fire by the Creatures of the Scorpion".
Queen Elizabeth's advisers deciphered the message as follows: The Royal Forest of Dean was the principle source of timber for the Navy (R.F.D.) and the Nine Men were the Committee of Foresters, soon to start their triennial visitation. The party of enemy agents intended to set fire to the forest, and so completely upset the Navy's ship-building programme.
The prediction proved to be accurate. The Verderers were alerted; the Spanish saboteurs were caught with plans of their dirty work in their possession, and so the danger was averted. Dr Dee carried on with his "Spiritual Intelligence" work, adding astrological prediction as a method of psychological warfare against the promised Armada, and successfully predicted the subsequent downfall of the Spanish ambition.
The Adams Family
Mr E. Wynne Jones, former Deputy Surveyor, New Forest gave details of the number of years Mr James Adams - formerly of Forest of Dean - and his five sons have clocked up in the Crown's forest service.
James Adams, the father, commenced work aged 12 in the Forest of Dean and retired when he was 68.
His five sons went to Parkend Forestry School.
Bill started work aged 14, but shortly before the outbreak of the 1914/18 war, after seven years in the Dean, went to East Africa, where he subsequently died.
Jimmy, when he retired in 1959, was Head Forester in the New Forest, having completed 51 years' service from the age of 14. He now resides in Dibder Parlieu.
Isaac can claim 49 years' service. He was head Forester at Mortimer when he retired in 1958.
Charlie served much of his time with the Commission in South Wales, and had completed 50 years' service when he retired in 1965.
Harry started work aged 14 and served for seven years in the Dean prior to emigrating to East Africa. He returned to the Commission in 1941, and is now serving at Thetford. He is due to retire this year and will be able to claim 34 years' service.
It will be seen that James, Jimmy, Isaac and Charlie had an aggregate of 206 years' service - a remarkable record. Equally remarkable is the total of 247 years' service for one family of foresters.
Nuffield Fellowships
Nominations are invited for the Government's two Nuffield Fellowships to be awarded in 1969.
In the Forestry Commission, this means professional, scientific and technical officers, aged under 50.
Suspension of the Forester Training Scheme
The Commission will no longer accept individuals for training as foresters at the three existing training establishments. Students currently undergoing training and candidates who are to be interviewed for the training scheme this year, have been informed that only a proportion of those men who successfully complete the course will be offered employment by the Commission. The arrangements for the preliminary examination in February 1969 are also cancelled.
Congratulations: Marriage
Congratulations to Martin Abrahams of the Publications Department at London HQ and Miss Janis Rabstaff on their marriage at Bayswater Synagogue.
London Office Trip to The Chilterns
At least 60 lads and lasses from London headquarters went on the staff outings to the Chilterns on September the 4th and 19th. The parties were met by D.O. Mr D. Small at "The Puffins", Beaconsfield, and following refreshments, went on to visit Hodgemoor Wood, where they saw landscaping and tree planting on the most motorway-concentrated district in the Commission.
Following lunch at the Nags Head, near Christmas Common, the group went on a tour of the ancient Queens Wood, Watlington. Then tea at Watlington Forest Office prior to the ride back to London.
Wales Flagpole
The Welsh League of Youth has been presented with a flagpole by the Commission, (North Wales Conservancy), which now stands at the lakeside camp at Glanllyn, Bala. Senior Officer for Wales, Mr John Zehetmayr performed the handing-over ceremony accompanied by the Conservator, North Wales, Mr. John James. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales proposes to visit Glanllyn following his investiture at Caernarvon next July.
Retirements
Mr Charles Alan Connell, Conservator of Forests for South West England has retired.
Mr D.L. McKellar, Chief Clerk of Works, Cairnbaan, Lochgilphead has retired after 21 years with the Commission.
Mr George Murray, Head Forester, Glenlivet has retired after 44 years service.
Mr F.J. Williams, Head Forester has retired after joining the Commission in 1941 as a Forest Worker.
Mr Jack Parkinson, Forester, South (Scotland) Conservancy has retired.
Mr John Bleaker Fell, Head Forester, Scotland North Conservancy has retired after joining the Commission in 1926.
Mr Frank Stobie (Dick Stobie), Head Forester, Scotland North Conservancy has retired after joining the Commission in 1936.
Mr R.G. Sanzen-Baker, Deputy Surveyor, Dean has retired.
Mr A.I. Davies, Chief Forester, N (W) has retired.
Mr W. Garner, Head Forester, NW (E) has retired.
Mr C.J.A.M. Murray, Head Forester, E (S) has retired.
Mr D. Healey, P.I.O. (P/T), HQ (L) has retired.
Terminations
Mr P.J. Bennett, D(F)O II, N (W).
Mr D.M. McEwan, W.G. 'Main' Grade, W (S) to Stirling County Council.
Presentations
Mr Charles Alan Connell, Conservator, SW (E) retirement presentation in the Bristol Office on 19th September.
Mr Frank Parsons MBE, retirement presentation at Wareham Forest.
Mr D.L. McKellar, Chief Clerk of Works, Cairnbaan, Lochgilphead, retirement presentation at a ceilidh in Lochgilphead on 29th August.
Mr George Murray, Head Forester, Glenlivet, retirement presentation at the top of an 1,866 ft peak overlooking Glenlivet Forest.
Mr F.J. Williams, Head Forester, retirement presentation near Draethen Forest.
Mr Jack Parkinson, Forester, South (Scotland) Conservancy, retirement presentation.
Mr John Bleaker Fell, Head Forester, Scotland North Conservancy, retirement presentation at Affric Hotel, Inverness.
Mr Frank Stobie (Dick Stobie), Head Forester, Scotland North Conservancy, retirement presentation at Affric Hotel, Inverness.
Obituary
Forester Mr R.W. Campbell, Leanachan, who joined the Commission in 1925 and retired in 1966 has died.
Transfers
Mr R.M. Hewitt, Assistant Conservator from London SE (E)/New to Lyndhurst SE (E)/New.
Mr M. Dinning, D(F)O I from Uckfield SE (E) to Neath S (W).
Mr J.M. Hamilton, D(F)O II from Ruthin N (W) to Llanwrst N (W).
Mr R.T. Hurzt, D(F)O II from Kendall NW (E) to Aberfoyle W (S).
Mr M. Lofthouse, D(F)O II from Northampton E (E) to Aylsham E (E).
Mr J.S.P. Sale, D(F)O II from Dolgellau N (W) to Carlisle NW (E) Temporary Transfer.
Mr D.M.B. Yorke, D(F)O II from Lyndhurst SE (E) New to Kendall NW (E).
Mr R.G. Aitkin, Head Forester from Rosarie E (S) to Fetteresso E (S).
Mr A.H. Brown, Head Forester from HQ (I.T.S.) to Tintern South S (W).
Mr G.L. McBain, Head Forester from Feteresso E (S) to Glenlivet E (S).
Mr W. Brown, Forester from Ae D (R) to Mabie D (R).
Mr J. Dickinson, Forester from Dean HQ (P & E) to Alice Holt HQ (P & E).
Mr G. Drennan-Smith, Forester from Drumtochty E (S) to Blackcraig E (S).
Mr K.A.S. Gabriel, Forester from Mabie D (R) to Wykeham D (R).
Mr J.T. Hill, Forester from HQ (A.S.U.) to NW (E).
Mr W.D.C. Henderson, Forester from Loch Ard W (S) to Fearnoch W (S).
Mr J.R.A. Niles, Forester from Dean F.T.S. HQ (E & T) to Bristol SW (E).
Mr J.L. Williams, Forester from North Brewhasm HQ (P&E) to Dean HQ (P&E).
Mr J. Foote, Clerk of Works from Stamford E (E) to Santon Downham E (E) Tr Prom to Snr Clerk of Works.
Mr W. Holmes, Clerk of Works from Santon Downham E (E) to Cairnbaan W (S) Tr Prom to Chief C l of Wks
Mr P.A. Merker, H.E.O. from N (W) to HQ (L) on promotion to S.E.O.
Miss S.B. Page, E.O. from HQ (B) to D (R) Alice Holt.
Thanks
Thanks from Mr Charles Alan Connell for the retirement gift and good wishes.
Staff Movements
Mr J.F. Norton, S.E.O. from Staff Inspection to Estates HQ (B).
Mr C.W. Simmonds on promotion to S.E.O. from Education & Training HQ (B) to Staff Inspection HQ (B).
Mr A.A. Butt on promotion to H.E.O. from Conservancy South West (E) to Education & Training HQ (B).
Staff on Overseas Visits
Mr B.J.W. Greig, Forester (Research) - I.U.F.R.O Third International Conference on Fomes annosus in Denmark.
Mr D. Bevan, Principal Scientific Officer - 13th International Congress of Entomology in Russia.