Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 265 - December 1970/February 1971
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.
New Year Honours
Mr Hamish Maxwell, former Conservator, was awarded an O.B.E.
Mr Leonard Morgan, Chief Forester, Cannock, NW (E), has been appointed an M.B.E.
Mr Alan Mitchell, Silviculturist in Research at Alice Holt, was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour.
Mr Kenneth Clark, Head Ranger at Ae S (S), was awarded a B.E.M.
Mr John Jones, tractor driver, N (W), was awarded a B.E.M.
Mr Douglas McRobert, tractor driver, N (W), was awarded a B.E.M.
Note: Mr John Jones and Mr Douglas McRobert were rewarded for their praiseworthy and dangerous work in clearing high explosive missiles at Trawsfynydd, which was formerly an Army firing range.
Victoria Medal of Honour Award
The V.M.H. established by the Horticultural Society in 1897, was awarded to Alan Mitchell in recognition of his outstanding work since joining the Commission. He has written regularly in technical journals and the Press on trees and Natural History subjects. He is currently working on a Commission bulletin, a "Handbook of Conifers in the British Isles" and is publishing his first book "A Field Guide to Trees of Northern Europe".
British Junior Ski Champion
Alan Stewart aged 15 years, son of Mr G.G. Stewart, Commissioner for Forest and Estate Management is the new British Junior Ski Champion after his performance at Brand, Austria in January.
Christmas Tree Sales
A report on Christmas tree sales includes details of the Commission's experimentation of dipping trees in an alginate solution to inhibit needle-drop. A post-sales report indicated 90% of buyers were satisfied with their dipped tree.
Mr R.J. Hurst, D.F.O., Aberfoyle considers all of the preparations and requirements when selling Christmas trees to the public.
Show Season Starts
A list of shows and exhibitions the Forestry Commission's travelling show unit will attend around the country, including the Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Highland Show and the Royal National Eisteddfod.
Northerwood House Social Club Committee
Mr H. Gulliver, A. & F.C., Woking, has retired from the Committee. Miss Anne Frost, H.E.O. HQ (L), has completed her term of office and offered herself for re-election. Mr Dennis Boyd, S.E.O. HQ (B), has been duly nominated to fill the other vacancy.
Dean School Reunion
When the Dean Forester Training School closes this year, it is proposed to hold a reunion for old students in June 1971.
Pennine Way Survey
To help in the planning of their survey, the Countryside Commission would like to contact people who have walked the Pennine Way recently.
Hare Mortality
Information is requested to help an investigation into the causes of mortality in brown hares, which is proceeding at the Agricultural Research Council Institute for Research on Animal Diseases at Compton, Newbury, Berkshire.
Forestry Survey
The seventeenth annual report for the forest year 1968 on private forestry costs in England and Wales, is available from the Commonwealth Forestry Institute.
The average percentage of broadleaved planting in 1968 was 10%, compared with 12% over the five years to 1968. In the regions, hardwood planting was 25% in the East Midlands, while the east, north-west Midlands and north-east followed with 18%, 16% and 15% respectively.
Norway spruce continues to be the most popular of the species planted, and in 1968 was above the average for the previous five years at 24%.
Scotland's Living Landscape
The National Trust for Scotland have organised a series of lectures in Edinburgh and Glasgow under the heading 'Scotland's Living Landscape', to maintain the interest generated by European Conservation Year 1970. Also to cultivate the public's growing awareness to the need for conservation of the countryside.
Mr George G. Stewart, Commissioner for Forest and Estate Management, and Miss Silver Crowe, the Commission's landscape consultant and advisor, will speak in Edinburgh and Glasgow as part of the lecture programme. Other authorities on the countryside attending will be Dr J. Morton Boyd (the Nature Conservancy's new Director for Scotland, Mr. John Foster, Director of the Countryside Commission for Scotland and Viscount Arbuthnott, Vice-Convener of the Scottish Landowners' Federation.
Foresters and Voluntary Service Overseas
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, FAO are on record as saying that forestry will be a key factor in the fight against hunger.
Since 1965, the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) has recruited men from the Forestry Commission and sent them to forestry jobs in different parts of the developing world for periods of one or two years.
Good Lord Deliver Us - Hansard
The Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair suggested a prayer to be recited by car drivers before they start each journey:
From domineering driving, from the vanity of power and the infection of speed,
good Lord deliver us.
From carelessness and indifference, from the demon of impatience and the tyranny of time,
good Lord deliver us.
From ignorance and ungraciousness, from harsh judgement and the flood of invective,
good Lord deliver us.
From inattention and monotony, from the delusion of drink and the obscurity of fatigue,
good Lord deliver us.
Grant us, good Lord, a divine courtesy to all. Awake in us an abiding care for the slowness of age and the rashness of youth. Let our vehicles become instruments of thy purpose, bringing happiness to all who travel with us and leaving no man weeping at our passing. This we beg in Christ's name. Amen.
The Birds
From Lyndhurst comes a curious tale. A road in Maresfield Forest, mid-Sussex, which was recently resurfaced with waste material from local gypsum mines, is being vigorously attacked by flocks of magpies and crows, making large holes.
Can ornithologists provide an answer? The only suggestion so far has come from District Officer J.D. Cameron, who asks if the birds were used as extras by Alfred Hitchcock in his film "The Birds" and their contracts have not yet expired.
A Fight in the Forest
While returning home from Aberhirnant Forest, North Wales, Foresters D. Goodbody, J.L. Read and R.J. Rogers of Field Surveys Branch, Dolgellau witnessed a fight between a stoat and a red squirrel. The Foresters were surprised because the creatures are not normally known to be enemies and wondered if anyone else has seen a similar conflict.
Amateur Football Selection
Congratulations to David Whitney, Clerical Officer at Aberystwyth on his selection to play for Wales in the Amateur Football International against England. The match was played at Hendon on the 5th December 1970. England won 3 - 0, but despite this setback, David figured prominently in the game. He is also a regular member of the Aberystwyth Town team, where he is following the tradition started by his father.
Officers with Other Hats
Mr R.M. Rutherford, Land Agent N (W), has been appointed Commanding Officer (designate) of the Cardiganshire Cadet Force, with the rank of Major.
Conservancy land agent. Mr R.P. Illingworth holds the rank of Captain in the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers. This raises the question as to who calls who "Sir" and when!
Presentation at Final Meeting
The staff of Wareham Forest, together with the foresters and representatives of the staff of Blandford, Charmouth and Poorstock Forests met at Wareham on the 18th December 1970 for the last meeting of the Dorchester district which is now split between Somerset and Wiltshire.
Countryside Festival 1971
The Wester Ross Tourist Organisation have announced details of the Countryside Festival to be held in the area from 17th - 29th May 1971.
Calling All Artists
Mr Dennis Boyd, HQ (B) is requesting original sketches, illustrations and designs which will be considered for the Forestry Commission's Christmas cards.
Search for a Symbol
Ian Ashworth, D.E.O. and Roger Hurst, D.F.O. have decided on a symbol to show on signposts and guides, instead of always using the full name for the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
They decided on a simple sketch of the shape of Ben Lomond, which was outlined by Roger Hurst and enhanced by Bob Watson, Surveyor Aberfoyle Roads Branch.
Honour
Mr B.W.J. Cutcliffe of the Bristol Office has been appointed as a Serving Brother of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
Transfer
Mr Cyril Lewis, Savernake Forest transferred to Cannock Chase on promotion to Chief Forester.
Retirements
Mr Harry Hansford of London Headquarters has retired.
Mr John M. Massie of Scotland has retired.
Mr Len Morgan, Chief Forester, Cannock Forest, North West England has retired.
Mr George H. Scott, Forester, Cropton, North East England has retired.
Mr Charles Kirby, Clerk of Works, Low Dalby, North East England retired at the end of December after 36 years with the Commission.
Mr Bill Harbin, Head Forester, Wynard Park, North East England retired on 31st December.
Mr John Cumming, Head Forester, Jervaulx Forest, Masham, Yorkshire has retired after 33 years service with the Commission.
Mr W.H. Marston, Head Forester, Santon Downham, Thetford has retired after commencing work with the Commission in 1926.
Mr V.B. Hall, Head Forester, King's Forest, Thetford has retired. He started his career with the Commission in 1923 as a worker at Lynford.
Mr A.L. Mitchell, Head Forester on private woodlands duties for the Commission in Norfolk retired on New Year's Day 1971 after 40 years' service in E (E).
Mr Peter Bowman, Head Forester on private woodlands duties for the Commission in South Devon retired on New Year's Day. He joined the Commission in 1946 as Foreman at Wyre Forest.
Mr George Innes, Forester, Craigshannoch, Midmar retired on 8th December after 22 years at Midmar. He began working on Lord Cawdor's estate in 1927 and attended Benmore Forestry School from 1930-1932.
Mr George Gilbert, Head Forester, Durris Forest, East Scotland has retired.
Mr Daniel Marnoch, Head Forester, Alltcailleach Forest, East Scotland has retired.
Mr Jack Slater, Forester, Ae, South Scotland retired on 1st January.
Mr W.H. Mackay, Chief Forester at Fleet Forest, South Scotland retired at the end of December.
Mr C.W. Parley, Forester-in-Charge at Bennan Forest since 1947 after service at Ae and Castle O'er, retired in September.
Mr Michael McNulty, Chief Forester, Wareham has retired.
Mr D.M. Cameron, Forester-in-Charge at Dundeugh Forest for 16 years following inspectorate work on private estates in Ayrshire and service at Kirroughtree and Lauriston Forests, retired in December.
Presentations
Mr Harry Hansford, London Headquarters retirement.
Mr John M. Massie of Scotland retirement presentation at 28 Drumsheugh Gardens on Christmas Eve.
Mr Len Morgan, Chief Forester, Cannock Forest, retirement presentation at Slitting Mill Village Hall on 9th December.
Mr George H. Scott, Forester, Cropton, retirement presentation in Thornton Dale.
Mr Charles Kirby, Clerk of Works, Low Dalby retirement presentation at a local hostelry.
Mr Bill Harbin, Head Forester, Wynard Park, retirement presentation.
Mr John Cumming, Head Forester, Jervaulx Forest, Yorkshire, retirement presentation at the King's Head Hotel, Masham on 5th February.
Mr W.H. Marston, Head Forester, Santon Downham, Thetford retirement presentation in Santon Downham District Office on 18th December.
Mr V.B. Hall, Head Forester, King's Forest, Thetford retirement presentation in Santon Downham District Office on 18th December.
Mr A.L. Mitchell, Head Forester in Norfolk retirement presentation at the White Lion Hotel, Holt on 17th December.
Mr Cyril Lewis of Savernake Forest relocation presentation and dinner at the Ailesbury Arms, Marlborough on 2nd December.
Mr Peter Bowman, Head Forester in South Devon retirement presentation.
Mr George Innes, Forester, Craigshannoch, Midmar retirement presentation in the Banchory District Office.
Mr George Gilbert, Head Forester, Durris Forest retirement presentation in the Banchory District Office, Aberdeenshire.
Mr Daniel Marnoch, Head Forester, Alltcailleach Forest retirement presentation in the Banchory District Office, Aberdeenshire.
Mr Jack Slater, Forester, Ae, South Scotland retirement presentation at the Annandale Hotel, Moffat.
Mr W.H. Mackay, Chief Forester at Fleet Forest, South Scotland retirement presentation at the Murray Arms Hotel, Gatehouse of Fleet on 8th January.
Mr Michael McNulty, Chief Forester, Wareham, retirement presentation.
Mr M.C. Shirley, District Officer, Dorchester, presentation on temporary leaving the Commission for two years' secondment in Nepal.
A joint retirement celebration dinner for Mr C.W. Parley and Mr D.M. Cameron was held in the Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms Hotel, Thornhill on 8th January. A retirement presentation was made to Mr Parley and a presentation was made to Mr Cameron at the Dalry District Office on the 8th January.
Obituaries
Mr W. Connor, Foreman Mechanic, Clipstone Repair Bay, North West England, died on 30th October 1970.
Mr J.M. Kennedy whose service with the Commission was all in East Scotland, died on 20th October 1969.
Download Large Version (1.2MB)
Groups: Forestry Commission staff magazines