Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 253 - January/February 1969
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.
Obituaries
Sir William Ling Taylor, C.B.E., former Director General, has died.
Mr Frank F.C. Parsons, M.B.E, former Chief Forester, Wareham Forest SW (E), has died.
Mr W.G. Gray (Bill Gray), B.E.M., former Head Forester, Kennington Nursery, Oxford, has died aged 67.
Mr E. Simpson (Eddie Simpson), Stalker at Chillingham Forest NE (E) died after a sudden tragic accident.
Mr Jimmy O'Hara NW (E) Conservancy Office paper keeper, has died.
Mr Ronald Brown, C.O. London and Basingstoke has died.
The wife of Sir Arthur Gosling has died.
New Year Honours
Mr C.A.J. Barrington, Conservator SE (E) has been awarded an O.B.E.
Mr A. Rose, Head Forester, E (S) M.B.E. has been appointed an M.B.E.
Congratulations: Births
Congratulations to Mr & Mrs D. Furneaux on the birth of their daughter Suzanne.
Balfour-Browne Deer Trophy
Mr Gerald Springthorpe, Head Stalker at Cannock Chase NW (E) was awarded the Balfour-Browne Deer Trophy in the Deer Museum at Cannock Chase Forest Office.
Cowal District Dance
The Forestry Commission in Cowal held its Annual Dance in Dunoon on 13th December. Musical entertainment was provided by Frazer McGlynn's band and the piper was Mr Neil Campbell. Also Miss Grace Higgins and Miss Mary MacNicol who recently won gold medals for singing and dancing. The MC was Mr Jack Sallie, W (S) and the function was attended by 258 people including Mr & Mrs Stewart and Mr & Mrs Robbie from the Conservancy Office and Mr & Mrs Bill Sutherland and Mr & Mrs Iain Goodlet from Edinburgh.
West Scotland Conservancy Social Evening
Staff and friends enjoyed a social evening with District Officers and their wives on 10th December in the Carola Restaurant, Glasgow. Around 75 people attended and were welcomed by Mr G.G. Stewart, Conservator. Guests included recent retirees Miss I.L. Boyd, former Superintendent of Typists and Mr I. Gillespie, former District Officer. The organiser and MC was John Watson.
Lines Written After a Tool Check
Chief Forester R.J. Jennings S (W) has written a poem paying tribute to well used tools and their workers.
Longevity
Mr J.S. Chard, Conservator NW (E) sends a fact filled reply to Professor Harlow of the College of Forestry, Syracuse, New York, who was enquiring about the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, from which he has planted acorns.
An Attendance Challenge
John Keenleyside, Research Head Forester has completed 15 years service with perfect attendance.
Promotions
R.G. Braine, SW (E) promoted to Chief Forester.
W.A. Lockhart, N (S) promoted to Chief Forester.
J.J. Lee, SW (E) promoted to Chief Forester.
P.H. Ainsworth promoted to Head Forester.
G.C. Belton promoted to Head Forester.
T.E. Collier promoted to Head Forester.
C.E. Daniel promoted to Head Forester.
A.L. Davidson promoted to Head Forester.
R. Denman promoted to Head Forester.
A.A. Henderson promoted to Head Forester.
M. Hodgson promoted to Head Forester.
F.A.L. Hytch promoted to Head Forester.
D. Jones promoted to Head Forester.
J.N. Judge promoted to Head Forester.
R. MacDonald promoted to Head Forester.
D.F. McInnes promoted to Head Forester.
R.E. Marchant promoted to Head Forester.
J.J. Patience promoted to Head Forester.
L.O. Proudfoot promoted to Head Forester.
D.A.R. Rayner promoted to Head Forester.
G.W.M. Reid promoted to Head Forester.
D.L. Shaw promoted to Head Forester.
A.F. Thomas promoted to Head Forester.
J. Webster promoted to Head Forester.
J.M. Wiblin promoted to Head Forester.
J.M. Williams promoted to Head Forester.
P. Wood promoted to Head Forester.
J.P. Young promoted to Head Forester.
New Book: The Practical Guide to Ornamental Waterfowl and Exotic Garden Birds
Head Forester John Parker, E (E) and his wife Phyllis recount their experiences of 35 years in the management of many varieties of fowl. They explain the management of exotic birds including the Hawaian Ne Ne Goose, Rosybill, Chiloe wigeon, Pea fowl, Jungle fowl, pheasant and quail.
Calling All Wives
Mrs Jean Stewart, wife of George Stewart, Conservator W (S) wishes to create a recipe book of local and regional dishes and is appealing for recipes accompanied by an associated anecdote or tradition. As an example she gives an anecdote explaining the Newfoundland recipe Pork Toutens.
Resignations
Mr A.G. Little, Forester, Banchory H (P & E).
Mr C. Molloy, Spt of Works T.W.G. III, Thetford E (E).
Occasional Trees
Mr M.C. Shirley, D.O. Dorchester SW (E) provides an interesting note and challenge for readers. He cites three areas of tree planting which record important events or information.
At the Springfield Estate in the North Cotswolds near Chipping Campden, a nineteenth-century owner planted a group of woods, now known as Waterloo Woods, representing the disposition of forces before the Battle of Waterloo.
Also in the Cotswolds, at Rendcombe Estate near Cirencester, woods were planted about a hundred years ago to represent symbols which are significant in the Jewish Faith.
In Dorset, especially in the Bridport area, clumps of pines are planted on hill tops. According to local tradition, they are Plague Clumps which mark the burial places of black death victims.
A challenge to find the most motorway intensive district in the Commission. Buckinghamshire has been suggested but is being challenged by the Glos/Worcs/Herefordshire District.
Busy People
Mr W.S. Stott, Head Forester SW (E) lists the many roles taken on by his wife Mrs Hilda M. Stott. She is commissioned as Justice of the peace for the Devonshire county of Honiton and Ottery St Mary; a member of the Honiton Borough Council; a member of the East Devon Water Board. She is also involved in supporting parents' movements of the Scouts Association; the work of the British Legion; education and politics and works part-time with the Devon County Welfare Department. She recently qualified as an Associate of the International Dance Teachers Association (Old Time Branch) in company with her husband and runs an Old Time Dance Club in Honiton.
New Appointments
Mr R.I. Ashworth, D (E) O II, Aberfoyle W (S)
Mr R.J. Matheson, Head Stalker, Ardross N (S) (promotion from Stalker - Industrial Grade)
Mr M. Shaw, Head Stalker, Black Isle N (S) (on promotion from Stalker - Industrial Grade)
Mr J.F. Frisken, T.W.G. III (Mech), Rosefield S (S) (promotion from Foreman Mech-Industrial Grade)
Mr D.B. Pittendreigh, T.W.G. III (Mech), West Tullos E (S) (prom. from Foreman Mech-Industrial Grade)
Mr W.J. Rosher, T.W.G. III (Mech), Thetford E (E) (promotion from Foreman Mech-Industrial Grade)
Mr R. Williams T.W.G. III (Mech), Kielder NE (E) (promotion from Foreman Mech-Industrial Grade)
Retirements
Mr I. Gillespie, District Officer, W (S) has retired after 29 years' service with the Commission.
Mr W.Y. Kemp (Bill Kemp), Forester, Cushnie E (S) has retired.
Mr E.W. Mills, Forester, Savernake SW (E) has retired.
Mr C.L. Turner, E.O., HQ (B) has retired.
Mr W.F. Skene (Willie Skene), Forester, Delgaty E (S) has retired after joining the Commission in 1932.
Mr Frank Shinn, Forester, E (E) has retired after 36 years' service with the Commission.
Mr J.G. Chalmers (Jack Chalmers), Forester, Dartmoor has retired after 44 years on Dartmoor.
Mr Sam Anderson, Foreman at Keillour, E (S) has retired after joining the Commission in 1938.
Tributes
Frank F.C. Parsons, M.B.E. funeral tributes. A substantial fund has accumulated from donations by former colleagues and friends, which will be used for a memorial for his own research plot "Parson's Pleasure" at Wareham.
Presentations
Mr I. Gillespie, District Officer, W (S) retirement presentation at the Loch Gair Hotel, Argyll.
Mr W.Y. Kemp, Forester, Cushnie E (S) retirement presentation of a standard lamp from his colleagues.
Mr W.F. Skene, Forester, Delgaty E (S) retirement presentation of a "spy-glass" from his colleagues.
Mr J.G. Chalmers Forester, Dartmoor, retirement presentation at a gathering of foresters and forest workers.
Mr Sam Anderson, Foreman at Keillour, E (S) retirement presentation.
Transfers
I.A.D. Grant, D(F)O I from Inverness N (S) to Kielder NE (E)
D.J. Perry, D(F)O I from Kielder NE (E) to Thetford E (E)
J.S.P. Sale, D(F)O II from Carlisle NW (E) to Dolgellau N (W)
E.J. Acott, Head Forester from Fineshade E (E) to Hazelborough E (E)
A. Biggar, Head Forester from Glenerrochty E (S) to Edensmuir E (S)
T.G.M. Jones, Head Forester from Breidden N (W) to Ruthin N (W)
G. Roberts, Head Forester from Hazelborough E (E) to Rockingham E (E)
G.B. Thow, Head Forester from Inglismaldie E (S) to Rosarie E (S)
J.T. Webster, Head Forester from Dunwich E (E) Wendover E (E)
J. Bain, Forester from Edensmuir E (S) to Tentsmuir E (S)
J.G. Jones, Forester from Alice Holt HQ (P & E) to Gwydyr HQ (P & E)
P.B. Lane, Forester from Hazelborough E (E) to Thetford E (E)
J. Livingstone, Forester from Fleet S (S) to Fleet HQ (P & E)
A.J. Maisey, Forester from Dolgellau HQ (P & E) to Rheidol N (W)
A.C. Miller, Forester from Thetford E (E) to Santon Downham E (E)
T.R. Moules, Forester from Cropton HQ (P & E) to Slaley NE (E)
A. McBurnie, Forester from Ae S (S) to Greskine S (S)
R. Schofield, Forester from Kesteven E (E) to Rockingham E (E)
M. Tinsley, Forester from Apethorpe E (E) to Wensum I E (E)
F.G.O. Thom, Forester from Fort Augustus HQ (P & E) to Inshriach HQ (P & E)
K.E. Wallis, Forester from Nagshead SW (E) to Dean HQ E (S)
M.H. Webb, Forester from Alice Holt HQ (P & E) to Alice Holt D (R)
M. R. Wigzell, Forester from Dolgellau HQ (P & E) to Gwydyr HQ (P & E)
J. Allingham, C.E.A. from Fort Augustus N (S) to Cairnbaan W (S) (on promotion to L.C.E.A.)
G.V. Hawes, C.E.A. from Cairnbaan W (S) to Aberfoyle W (S)
W.O. Wittering, S.E.O. from Olney W/S to Alice Holt W/S
Windblow Clearance
While visiting the Aberfoyle District Office to discuss the financial trends, Mr T.A. Robbie, Assistant Conservator, Harvesting and Marketing, W (S) noticed a copy of the Financial Times lying unread in the office. Glancing through the Company News he was shattered to read the headline citing Aberfoyle Plantation's Net Loss of £70,900. His relief was noticeable when he read the words "Aberfoyle Plantations (tea)".