Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 260 - February/March 1970
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.
Opening Ceremony
The Rt. Hon. William Ross MBE, MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, is to declare the Forestry Commission's new Northern Research Station officially open on 8th May.
The Research Station with North-facing laboratory windows, is being moved from Sighthill, and lies at the foot of the Pentland Hills, about two miles from the Edinburgh City boundary.
Balfour-Browne Deer Trophy
Mr Peter Garthwaite, M.A. Conservator in charge of Forest Management until his recent retirement has been awarded the Balfour-Browne Deer Trophy for 1969, in recognition of his achievements in the management and conservation of deer in Great Britain.
The presentation was made by the Earl of Lonsdale, the first President of the British Deer Society, at the Society's Symposium on 28th February.
Promotions
Mr J.R. Pennell, S (W) is promoted to Technical Works Grade I (Area Civil Engineer).
Mrs I.M. Fleming, N (S) is promoted from Clerical Officer to Executive Officer.
Miss C.M. Frost, E (E) is promoted from Clerical Officer to Executive Officer.
Mr R. Murray, W (S) is promoted from Clerical Officer to Executive Officer.
Mr E.J.D. Wilkinson BEM, Show & Exhibition Unit, Information Branch is promoted to Chief Forester.
Mr D.M. Dymond, Forester, HQ (P&E) is promoted to Head Forester.
Mr A. Morrison, Forester, W (S) is promoted to Head Forester.
Mr D.E. Waugh, Forester, HQ (T.T.S.) is promoted to Head Forester.
Conifer Conference
The Royal Horticultural Society is organising a Conifer Conference in London from 5th to 10th October and in Edinburgh from 11th to 16th October.
Upgrading For F.A.C. Forestry Division
The F.A.O. is upgrading its Forestry and Forest Industries Division and re-naming it as the Forestry Department. The Forestry Department will include a Forest Resources Division and a Forest Industries and Trade Division.
Training Scheme for New Forest Workers
A new two-year training programme has been drawn up for new entrants in the private sector of forestry. Under a scheme introduced by the Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Industry Training Board, newcomers to forestry can get systematic training to craft level on estates and in forestry companies approved for the purpose.
The new Entrant Training Scheme in Forestry is the first of a series of similar schemes planned jointly by the industry and the Board for Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry. It has been approved by the Department of Employment and Productivity.
The two years of instruction provided in the Scheme follows outline training programmes drawn up by the Boards Forestry Training Advisor, Mr Esmond Harris.
The New Slasher
Production of the "new-look" Slasher are proceeding and the first issue should be distributed by early summer 1970.
Trada-70 Tour
The Timber Research and Development Association is going on tour this year with exhibitions in Glasgow, London, Cambridge, Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth, Southampton, Harrogate, Manchester, Liverpool, Belfast and Newcastle.
Thetford Forest's Million
In Thetford Forest, over one million hoppus feet was felled and converted in the quarter ending December 1969.
The Lady Mayor
Mr J. Chapman (Lyndhurst) tells us the wife of Frank Ironside, Cartographic Assistant at Lyndhurst, is to become Mayor of the City of Southampton. Mrs Ironside has been a councillor and alderman for sixteen years and this year, she is the City's Sherrif. Frank is designated "Sheriff's escort".
Bird Song For Europe
In November, the Golden Nightingale Trophy will be awarded at the Countryside 1970 Conference in London, for the winner of a recording of a bird's song or any sound made by an insect, amphibian, reptile, fish or mammal.
The "EBU Wildlife Tape Recording Competition" is organised by the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol for European Conservation Year 1970.
Essay Competition "The Future of Man's Environment"
The Soil Association is offering prizes of £50, £15 and £10 for winning essays by young writers on the subject "The Future of Man's Environment".
The competition is being run in collaboration with "Sixth Form Opinion", a magazine published by sixth formers.
The judges are Robert Waller, agricultural journalist, author, broadcaster and editor of the Soil Association's quarterly Journal; Dr Kenneth Mellanby, director of the Nature Conservancy's Monks Wood Experimental Station, chairman of the Soil Association's Research Advisory Committee and author of "Pesticides and Pollution"; and Miss Leslie Clapp, a sixth former who hopes to become a journalist.
Honour for Civil Engineer
Mr T.A. Murdock, Conservancy Civil Engineer, has been appointed a Justice of the Peace for the North Riding of Yorkshire.
Lochgilphead Annual Forestry Ball
On 27th February, 320 Forestry staff, friends and relations attended the most popular social event of the season in Mid-Argyll, the Lochgilphead Annual Forestry Ball. Fraser McGlynn's Radio and Recording Band provided the music and the M.C. was Donald Stewart.
Congratulations: Marriage
Congratulations to Richard Hambleton, D.O.II, on his marriage to Kathleen Edwardson on 17th January.
The bride's father, Tom Edwardson, formerly a Forestry Commission Officer, is now lecturing at the Forestry Institute, Oxford University.
Retirements
Peter F. Garthwaite, Conservator (F), HQ (B), retired in January.
G.I. MacKenzie (George MacKenzie), Conservator (F), E (S), retired after joining the Commission in 1935.
A. Jones, T.W.G.I. (Civil), NE (E), has retired.
Frank J. Johnston, B.E.M. Clerk of Works (T.W.G.III), S (S), retired after joining the Commission in 1947.
W. Fairbairn (Bill Fairbairn), Chief Forester, W (S), has retired after joining the Commission in 1926.
A.D. MacRae, Chief Forester S (S), retired after serving almost 45 years with the Commission.
Danny J. Urquhart, Chief Forester, E (S), retired on 31st December after joining the Commission in 1925.
Arthur Hughes, Head Forester, N (W), has retired after joining the Commission at Gwydyr in 1920.
Jack Hunter, Head Forester, S (S), has retired after joining the Commission in 1928.
L.D. Ingram, Head Forester, E (E), has retired.
Omri Jones, Head Forester, N (W), has retired from Aberhirnant Forest where he began working in 1948.
Idwal Lloyd, Head Forester, N (W), has retired after joining the Commission at Dovey Forest in 1930.
Angus McKay, Head Forester, W (S), has retired after joining the Commission in 1922.
R. McLean (Bob McLean), Head Forester, W (S), has retired after joining the Commission in 1931.
W.G. Milne (Willie Milne), Head Forester, E (S), has retired after 44 years' service with the Commission.
Ron G. Murray, Head Forester, W (S), has retired after 39 years' service to forestry.
Jim H. Royle, Head Forester, N (W), has retired after 43 years' service with the Commission.
J. Tait, Head Forester, NE (E), has retired.
J.B. Thow, Head Forester, E (S), retired on 31st December after serving the Commission since 1928.
D.C. Coutts (Dave Coutts), Forester, D (R), has retired after serving in forestry for nearly 48 years.
Ben A. Ewen, Forester, Bennachie, E (S), retired on 31st December after joining the Commission in 1926.
A. Gibson, Forester, N (S), has retired.
George Price, Forester, N (W), has retired after 36 years service with the Commission.
R.I. Roberts, Forester, N (W), has retired after 32 years' service with the Commission.
J.C. Russell, Forester, E (S), has retired after 43 service in forestry.
R.D. Wishart, Forester, D (R), has retired.
B.B. Smith (Bert Smith), Head Keeper, New/SE (E), has retired after joining the Commission in 1919.
T. England, Foreman, W (S), has retired.
J. McEachern, Foreman W (S), has retired.
W.J.J. Portlock, Asst. Conservator (E), NE (E), has retired.
E.S.V. Burton, D(F)O I, New/SE (E), has retired.
C.A. Bloor, Head Forester E (E), has retired.
Alwyn T.G. Gunter, Head Forester SW (E), retired on 7th February.
W.J. Humphries (Jim Humphries), Forester SW (E), has retired after joining the Commission in 1922.
N. Phipps, Foreman N (S), has retired.
H. Pickwell, E (E), has retired.
G.F. Beasley (Fred Beasley), Chief Forester, SW (E) has retired after joining the Commission in 1925.
J. Farquar, Chief Forester, D (R) has retired.
C.W. Redford, Chief Forester, E (E) has retired.
F.G. Green, Head Forester, New/SE has retired.
J. Jackson, Head Forester, W (S) has retired.
N. Morrison, Head Forester, W (S) has retired.
Jack Humby, Head Keeper, New/SE (E) has retired after 43 years' service with the Commission.
F. Usher, Forester, retired on 1st January, 1970 after 30 years' service with the Commission.
D.J. Davies, Head Forester, Private Woodlands, Kent, retired at the end of December.
C.A.J. Barrington CBE, Conservator, South East England, has retired after joining the Commission in 1936.
Mrs Dorothy Godfrey, Executive Officer, Woking Office retired on 19th December.
Tom England, Foreman, NE (E) retired in January after 38 years' service with the Commission.
Presentations
Mr Ben Ewen, Forester, Bennachie, E (S), retirement presentation. He wishes to thank Mrs W. Smith (widow of the late Forest Trapper Walter Smith) for the "most beautiful tea" she provided for the gathering.
Danny Urquhart, Chief Forester, E (S), retirement presentation.
Frank Johnston, B.E.M. Clerk of Works (T.W.G.III), S (S), retirement presentation at Cargenholm Hotel, Dumfries.
Mr A.D. MacRae, Chief Forester S (S), a low key retirement presentation as per his request.
Angus McKay ("Angie" McKay), Head Forester, W (S), retirement presentation and dinner at the Woodside Hotel in Doune.
Ron Murray, Head Forester, W (S), retirement presentation.
Bob McLean, Head Forester, W (S), retirement presentation in the Cairnbaan Hotel.
Idwal Lloyd, Head Forester, N (W), retirement presentation at Ceinws.
George Price, Forester, N (W), retirement presentation.
Arthur Hughes, Head Forester, N (W), retirement presentation at Llangollen Forest on 12th December.
Omri Jones, Head Forester, N (W), retirement presentation at Llangollen Forest on 12th December.
Jim Royle, Head Forester, N (W), retirement presentation at Llangollen Forest on 12th December.
Mr J.B. Thow, Head Forester, E (S), retirement presentation with an informal gathering of friends and colleagues.
Bill Fairbairn, Chief Forester, W (S), retirement presentation and dinner at the Woodside Hotel in Doune.
Willie Milne, Head Forester, E (S), retirement presentation.
George MacKenzie, Conservator (F), E (S), retirement presentation dinner on 23rd December which George and many guests were unable to attend due to being unwell with influenza.
Dave Coutts (Dave Coutts), Forester, D (R), retirement presentation at a dinner and dance on 9th January arranged by the Inchnacardoch Conservancy staff.
Jim Humphries, Forester SW (E), retirement presentation and dinner on 5th February at the White Hart in Salisbury.
Fred Beasley, Chief Forester, SW (E) retirement presentation in Launceston.
Bert Smith, Head Keeper, New/SE (E), retirement presentation at the Verderers' Hall, Lyndhurst.
Jack Humby, Head Keeper, New/SE (E) retirement presentation at the Verderers' Hall, Lyndhurst.
Mr F. Usher, Forester, retirement presentation at the Queen Elizabeth Forest Office.
Mr D.J. Davies, Head Forester, Private Woodlands, Kent, retirement presentation on 9th December at Hemsted.
Mr C.A.J. Barrington CBE, Conservator, South East England, retirement presentation and lunch.
Mrs Dorothy Godfrey, Executive Officer, Woking Office, retirement sherry party.
Jack Green, Head Forester, New (E) retirement presentation at the Verderers' Hall, Lyndhurst.
R.I. Roberts, Forester, N (W), retirement presentation.
Peter F. Garthwaite, Conservator (F), HQ (B), retirement presentation at the Conservators' Conference, Northerwood, an informal occasion with the staff of Forest Management Division and a dinner with Assistant Conservators at Northerwood.
Jack Hunter, Head Forester, S (S), retirement presentation at a Moffat hotel.
Mr T. Bassey, Area Civil Engineer (Technical) who was recently transferred from Belling to Yorkshire, attended a farewell presentation and a gathering in the Black Bull Hotel, Bellingham. Also in attendance were Alderman Miss Kathleen Morrison-Bell, Council officials and friends in appreciation of his service to the Community as County Councillor, Rural Councillor, Parish Councillor, School Governor and School Manager over the past twelve years.
New Appointments
D.G. Pyatt, D(F)O I, D (R) Edinburgh, Return to duty after Study leave.
A. Powell, Head Forester, HQ (TTS) Gwydyr F.T.S., Return from Secondment.
Miss C.M. Ironside, T/A. E.O., D (R) Alice Holt.
J.N. Gibbs, T/SSO, D (R)
R.C. Boswell, T/Exp. Offr D (R)
The post of Principal Tree Physiologist (graded P.S.O.) at the Northern Research Station, Edinburgh, has been filled by Dr K.A. Longman, who was successful in a recent Civil Service Open Competition.
Transfers: January - March 1970
E.G. Richards, Conservator (F), from HQ (L) to Aberdeen E (S).
C.D. Begley, Asst. Conservator (F), from HQ (B) (E&T) to HQ (B) (F.M.) on promotion to Conservator (F).
J.L. Davidson, Asst. Conservator (F) from HQ (Edin) to HQ (L) on promotion to Conservator (F).
J.F. Goodwin, D(F)O I from Dean F.T.S. HQ (E&T) to HQ (B) HQ (E&T) on promotion to Asst Conservator (F)
T.H. Kipling, D(F)O I from Ashford, New/SE (E) to Four Marks, New/SE (E)
W.I. Waters, D(F)O I from Dovey, N (W) to Ashford, New/SE (E)
F. Roberts, D(F)O II from Fochabers, E (S) to Minstead, New/SE (E)
T. Bassey, T.W.G.I (Civil) from Bellingham, NE (E) to Northallerton, NE (E)
J. McClory, Senior Clerk of Works (T.W.G.II) Dunkeld, E (S) to Glentress W (S)
R. Raisborough, Clerk of Works (T.W.G.III) Kilmun, W (S) to Dunkeld E (S)
B. Cooper, Head Forester from Ae S (S) to Greskine S (S)
F.A. Courtier, Head Forester from New Forest HQ (E&T) to Lyndhurst New/SE (E)
P.W.W. Daborn, Head Forester from Kennington D (R) to Alice Holt D (R)
A. Powell, Head Forester from Gwydyr F.T.S. HQ (E&T) to Gwydyr HQ (TTS)
H.G. Caister, Forester from Kennington D (R) to Alice Holt D (R)
A.C. Hansford, Forester from Wareham D (R) to Princes Risborough D (R)
L.H. Hunt, Forester from Wensum II E (E) to Santon Downham E (E)
R.S. Rouse, Forester from Wild Life E (E) to West Tofts E (E)
J.D. Snowden, Forester from Santon Downham E (E) to Wensum II E (E)
D.B. Redfern, S.S.O. from D (R) Alice Holt to D (R) Edinburgh
W. Martin, T.W.G.I. (Mech) N (W), transfer to M.P.B.W.
G.F. D'A Savage, D(F)O I, from Gwydyr F.T.S. HQ (E&T) to Llanrwst N (W)
J.R. Pennell, T.W.G. II (Civil), from Pencoed S (W) to Bristol SW (E) on promotion to T.W.G.I. (Civil)
H.J. Collin, Clerk of Works (T.W.G. III), from Edinburgh HQ (O/S) to Fort William N (S)
I.R. Campbell, Head Forester, from Thetford E (E) to Yardley E (E)
R.A. Lancaster, Head Forester, from Brandon HQ (T.T.S.) to Special unpaid leave to East Africa
J. Webster, Head Forester, from Coed Sarnau HQ (T.T.S.) to Oakamoor HQ (T.T.S.)
D.A.T. Douglas, Forester, from Fochabers HQ (P&E) to Newton HQ (P&E)
B.G. Hibberd, Forester, from Greskine S (S) to Forest of Ae S (S) on promotion to Head Forester
G.A. Hobbs, Forester, from West Tofts E (E) to Brandon E (E) on promotion to Head Forester
D.R.M. Humphreys, Forester, from Gwydyr N (W) to Coed Sarnau N (W)
J.R. McKinley, Forester, from Dean Parkend SW (E) to Dean HQ (P&E)
T.E. Radford, Forester, from Alice Holt D (R) to Roslyn D (R)
B.A. Roebuck, Forester, from Mundford E (E) to Didlington E (E) on promotion to Head Forester
B. Walbank, D(F)O I, from Gwydyr N (W) to Princes Risborough E (E)
H. MacDougall, T.W.G. III, from Bacaldine W (S) to Kilmun W (S)
H.O. Armstrong, Chief Forester, from Castle O'er S (S) to Devilla W (S)
R.G. Braine, Head Forester, from Dartmoor SW (E) to Halwill SW (E) on promotion to Chief Forester
D.J. Jones, T/Head Forester, from HQ(TTS) duty in N(W) to HQ(TTS) duty in SW(E) on sub prom to Hd For.
T.I. Scott, Head Forester, from Wykeham NE (E) to Glendevon E (S) on promotion to Head Forester
R.E. Young, Head Forester, from Castle O'er S (S) to Devilla W (S) on promotion to Chief Forester
I.G. Carolan, Forester, from Dundeugh D (R) to Alice Holt D (R)
E.B. Cordery, Forester, from Wareham SW (E) to Alice Holt HQ (P&E)
E.A. Crofts, Forester, from Wyre SW (E) to Thetford E (E)
B.F. Edwards, Forester, from Neroche SW (E) to HQ (L) (ASU)
E.G. Hibberd, Forester, from Mendip SW (E) to Wyre SW (E) on promotion to Chief Forester
D.I. Robson, Forester, from Creebridge S (S) to Glentress S (S)
Obituaries
Mr E.S.B. Chapman, D.O.I. with Work Study Branch, Edinburgh until his retirement on health grounds in 1968, has died aged 43.
Mr John Webster, Divisional Land Agent, West Scotland Conservancy until his retirement in 1952 has died at the age of 81.
Mr Jock Calder, Head Forester, Carron Valley Forest until his retirement in 1963 has died.
Mr Herbert Trodd who commenced work with the Commission at Buriton Forest (now Queen Elizabeth Forest) in 1929, died in March. He was the father of Head Forester Ken Trodd.
Mr H.R. Flowers (Dick Flowers), who was an H.E.O. in the Secretariat until his retirement in 1962, has died.
Way Out!
Mr John White, Research Head Forester, Wykham Nursery N.E. (E) believes forest road signs would be helpful and even a "Way Out" sign would be appreciated by visitors.
Resignations
I.G. Hall, Forester, New/SE (E), retirement.
A.D.K. Hardie, D(F)O II on secondment, resignation (approved employment).
M.J.C. Graham, Forester HQ (W/S), resignation.
W.C. Edwards, Clerk of Works III, S (W) resignation.
Staff Commencing or Returning from Service or Visits Overseas
J.G. Grevatt, D(F)O I F.A.O. - E.C.E. Seminar - Electronic Data Processing in Forestry, Vienna, Austria. 12th-16th January 1970.
Mr G.G. Stewart, Commissioner. European Conservation Conference Strasbourg, France. 9th - 12th February 1970.
D.R. Johnston, Conservator (F), Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest and Forest Products Statistics, Geneva, Switzerland. 16th - 20th March 1970.
Fungus
Mr Gordon Simpson, Forest Warden at Pickering, N.E. (E), has been trying to identify an orange gelatinous, translucent fungus which was growing on dead pine lop and top in Wykeham Forest.
Timber Measurements
Having had problems locally with timber measurement, Mr H. Serle, District Officer, E (E) finds solace in an extract from Pepys writings dated 3rd August 1663.
Can You Beat It?
Forester J.P. Davys of Chiddingfold Forest, S.E. (E) has measured two Western hemlocks planted in the forest last year. One has grown 29 inches and the other 30 inches during their first year.
"Foreigner" From Mid Wales
A Forester from Mid-Wales purchased a train ticket from a vending machine in Piccadilly, London. On arrival at Euston Underground Station, a West Indian ticket collector said the ticket was for the previous day. The Forester offered to pay again, but the ticket collector said "Oh, push off, I believe you. I can tell you're a foreigner, same as me".
Demande Et Response
Mr Jack Jennings of Tirabad, Llangammarch Wells relates a circular telephone conversation about stakes.
Farm Safety
115 people were killed on farms in England and Wales in 1969, one more than in 1968. The main cause of the fatalities continued to be overturning tractors, with 32 in 1969 and the same number in the previous year.
Super Tree Harvest
An Australian group has developed a tree harvesting machine which, it is claimed, can take hold of a tree up to 14 inches diameter at the butt, snip it off at ground level, then shear off the branches and the top, all in about 40 seconds. The equipment has been mounted on a four wheel transporter and the unit weighs about 10 tons. It has been developed by the Forestry and Timber Bureau of the Department of National Development, A.P.M. Forests Pty. Ltd., and R.L. Windsor & Sons Pty. Ltd., the Brisbane engineering firm.
Hardwood Production
An extract from T.T.J. dated 14th February 1970 with a statement on timber production and use by Geoffrey L. Venables, Director of Henry Venables Ltd. Stafford, after attending the Institute of Wood Sciences in Manchester on 4th February.
Paper Industry's Record Output
According to the British Paper and Board Makers' Association, which represents 99 per cent of U.K. production, output from British mills last year amounted to 4,815,000 tons, an increase of 6 per cent over the previous year. Statistics for usage are compared.
Industrial Staff Special Leave
The attention of Industrial Staff is drawn to Establishments Memorandum HO 792 issued on 28th January which sets out regulations whereby paid or unpaid special leave may be granted for Public/Trade Union and Voluntary Emergency Rescue Service duties.
Pensions
Details of retirement ages and payments.
Sports
Comments on the Basingstoke versus London Football match as seen from the male and female points of view.