Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 250 - October 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.
Commissioners
The Queen has approved the re-appointment of Alderman Edward Gwynfryn Davies J.P.; Major Sir Fiennes William Strang Steel Bt. D.L. ; and the Lord Taylor of Gryfe as part-time members of the Forestry Commission.
Her Majesty has also approved the appointment of Ralph Bruce Verney D.L., J.P. as part-time Commissioner in place of the Earl of Carlisle who completed his term of appointment.
A biographical note for Mr Ralph Verney is included.
Commissioners' Tour in N.W.(E)
A report on the Commissioners' visits in N.W. (E) on 22nd and 23rd October.
The visits were conducted and aided by Mr J.S.R. Chard, Conservator, N.W. (E); Mr J.R. Fletcher, District Officer; Mr E. Waddelove, Head Forester; Mr T.J. Attenborough, Forester; Mr C.A. Bollend, Forester; Mr J.R. MacMillan, Head Forester; Mr G.D. Springthorpe, Head Stalker; Mr P.A.W. Overell, District Officer; Mr L.G. Morgan, Chief Forester; Mr D. Hall, Head Forester; Mr D.W. Astell, Forester; Mr W.H.S. Tyler, Forester; Mr G.H. McGowan, Forester; Mr J.M. Charlton, Trainee Forester; Mr W.J. Raven, Land Agent; Mr D. Grant, Harvesting and Marketing Officer; Mr P.M. Legard, Forest Management Officer; and Mr L.A. Chaplin, A. & F.O.
The areas visited were the Old Pale Nursery, where many varieties of hardwood are raised for planting beside the M6 Motorway; Delamere Forest; Two planting sites on the M6 Motorway; Walton's Wood M6 planting site; Cannock Forest; the Deer Museum at the Forest Centre; and High Seat, a popular feature for naturalists and country lovers.
Civil Service Tribute
A tribute for the work done by civil servants by the Governor of the Bank of England, who ends with this quote from Peter de Blois, Archdeacon of Bath in the 12th century "I do not condemn the life of civil servants, who even if they cannot have leisure for prayer and contemplation, are nevertheless occupied in the public good and often perform works of salvation".
Another First Prize at Basingstoke Carnival
After winning the First Prize in their class last year, Basingstoke's Sylvatica Sports & Social Club celebrated with another First Prize win for their float in the Basingstoke Carnival.
This year, their theme was based on the National Anti-Litter Campaign, with particular emphasis on the avoidance of litter in the forest.
One hundred and fifty floats joined the two mile long procession and the crowds numbered many thousands, despite the dismal weather.
Congratulations are due to: -
The Committee - Julia Holmes; Brian Donovan; Trevor Hall; and Bob Weddell.
On the float - Jackie Hallam; Lynn Florey; Josephine Noyce; Penny Taylor; Sheila Williams; and Alan Lee.
Also, driver Fred Wenman, and Forester Pearce of Micheldever who supplied the basic material for dressing the float.
Letter Received from Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse
Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse, the Commission's recently retired Director General, gives an account of his current work in Taiwan as Project Manager for the development of forestry and forest industries.
A Champion
John Lamont, a skilled production worker in Benmore Forest, W (S) has become the British Singles Bowling Champion. Following his victory in the Scottish Championships, he won the British title at Bourneville, Birmingham, defeating the Welsh champion 21 - 11, and in the final against the Irish champion, he won by 21 shots to 10.
Now, John has the opportunity of representing Scotland in the Empire Games. If he continues his winning streak, the World Championship beckons. Instead of the more popular composition bowls, John uses wooden bowls, made 23 years ago by the Glasgow firm of Thomas Taylor. The timber used, Lignum Vitae, is imported from San Domingo in the West Indies.
Expo '69 Photographs Required
The Recreation and Wild Life exhibit at the Jubilee Exhibition in Edinburgh has generated an appeal for photographs of the Commission's picnic sites and camp sites showing the recreation facilities so far established.
Retirements
Mr Robin Drummond MBE, Assistant Conservator, Aberystwyth retired after 40 years service to forestry.
Mr B.H. King, Head Forester, Hursley Forest SE (E) has retired after 42 years service.
Mr Jim Watson, Forester, Clocaenog Forest N (W) has retired after 30 years service.
Mr Harry Adams, Head Forester, E (E) has retired after 50 years of forestry service in England and Africa.
Mr F.J. Williams, Head Forester, S (W) has retired after joining the Commission in 1941.
Mr D.L. MacKellar, Chief Clerk of Works, Cairnbaan, W (S) has retired after serving 21 years with the Commission.
Presentations
Mr Robin Drummond MBE, retirement presentation in the Skinners' Arms, Aberystwyth.
Mr B.H. King, Head Forester, Hursley Forest SE (E), retirement presentation.
Mr Jim Watson, Forester, Clocaenog Forest N (W) retirement presentation.
Twice a Deputy Surveyor
Recently retired Mr Alan Connell held the post of Deputy Surveyor of Dean twice, first when serving in the England Directorate (then at Bristol) just after the war, secondly during his last few months of service when the amalgamation of the Dean with SW (E) made him Conservator SW (E) and Deputy Surveyor of the Dean. On both occasions, the role of Deputy Surveyor was unpaid.
Promotions
Mr A.S. Grayson promotion to Assistant Conservator (Forest).
Mr J. Altingham promotion to Leading Civil Engineering Assistant.
Mr R.R.T. White-Cooper promotion to Leading Civil Engineering Assistant.
Mr N. Banster promotion to Assistant Conservator.
Mr A.P. MacKay promotion to Assistant Conservator.
Mr A.A. Rowan promotion to Assistant Conservator.
Mr A. Smellie promotion to Head Forester.
Mr E.C. Treweeks promotion to Head Forester.
New Appointments
Mr J.R.H. Dixon, D(F)O II, New Forest appointed through open competition.
Mr R.C.B. Johnstone, D(F)O II, E (E) appointed through open competition.
Mr T.M. Scott, D(F)O II, SD (R) appointed on return from secondment to Fiji.
Mr G.F. Moysey, Forester, SW (E) appointed on return from V.S.O.
Mr A.R. MacLure, Tr. Forester, N (S) appointed on return from V.S.O.
Dr D.B. Redfern, appointed Sen. Scientific Officer D (R) Alice Holt.
Resignations
Mr R.M. Sidaway, D(F)O II, SW (E) on special leave for 1 year at Yale University.
Mr C.A. Rickets, Forester, SW (E) transferred to University of Oxford.
Mr B.E. Newton, Civil Eng. Asst, N (S)
Mr C.S. Cook, E.O., HQ (B)
Transfers
B.W. Holtam, Asst Conservator from London HQ (H&M) to Edinburgh D (R). Transfer on promotion to Conservator.
N. Banister, D(F)O I from Taunton SW (E) to Aberystwyth N (W) Tr. on promotion to Asst Conservator
A.F. MacKay, D(F)O I from Dingwall N (S) to London HQ (H&M) Tr. on promotion to Asst Conservator
A.A. Rowan, D(F)O I from Fort Augustus HQ (W/S) to London HQ (H&M) Tr. on prom. to Asst Conservator
J.D. Cameron, D(F)O I from Neath S (W) to Uckfield SE (E)
A. Hartley, Head Forester from Knaresborough NE (E) to York P.W. NE (E)
J.R. Henderson, Head Forester from Friston SE (E) to Hursley SE (E)
M.R. Aldridge, Forester from Slebech S (W) to Glendaruel W (S)
E.W. Cauell, Forester from Wensum I E (E) to Mundford E (E)
S.E.V. Christmas, Forester from Broomy (New) to Brightstone (New)
J. Davidson, Forester from Millbuie HQ (P&E) to Fochabers HQ (P&E)
D.G. Evans, Forester from Brechfa S (W) to St Gwyno S (W)
C.R. Fruen, Forester from Mendip HQ (T.T.S.) to Brendon SW (E)
P.W. Jones, Forester from Gwydyr N (W) to Clocaenog N (W)
D.F. McCallum, Forester from Whitelee W (S) to Garelochhead W (S)
W.A. Mason, Forester from Garelochhead W (S) to Kilmory HQ (T.T.S.)
A. Smellie, Forester from Cumbernauld W (S) to Whitelee W (S) Tr. prom. to Head Forester Achray W (S)
B.S. Thompson, Forester from Gwydyr F.T.S. HQ (E&T) to Achray W (S)
W. Thomson, Forester from Edinburgh HQ (P&E) to Fochabers HQ (P&E)
E.C. Treweeks, Forester from Goytre S (W) to Draethen S (W) Tr. on promotion to Head Forester
P. Clapham, Trainee Forester from Bere SE (E) to London HQ (O&M)
J.Mc. MacDonald, Trainee Forester from Glentrool S (S) to Newcastleton S (S)
J.W. Rees, Trainee Forester from Achray W (S) to Ardgarten W (S)
Staff Returning from Overseas
Assistant Conservator Rowan, on a visit to Swedish Logging Research Foundation 2nd - 20th September.
T.G. Queen, Forester and K. Davidson, Civil Engineer on visit to Demonstration and explanation of new planting methods - Northern Ireland 16th - 20th September.
Congratulations: Marriages
There have been six staff weddings at Aberystwyth during the past few months. Congratulations to Richard Rutherford, Derek Baylis, Barbara Griffiths (formerly Powell), Joanne Lloyd-Evans (formerly Jones), Dylis Jones (formerly Evans) and Frank Bridle.