Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 270 - November/December 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.
Forestry Commissioners
Re-appointed part-time members of the Forestry Commission on the expiry of their terms of office are: -
Alderman Edward Gwynfryn Davies CBE, JP.
Major Sir Fiennes William Strang Steel Bt DL, JP.
Mr Ralph Bruce Verney JP.
Prince of Wales Awards 1971 Citations
Mr Donald Shaw, Forest Warden of Llanrwst and his men created walks in Gwydyr forest and published a guidebook for visitors. Boys and girls from the local outdoor education centre were involved in the work.
Chief Forester T.L. Jenkins directed work at the Tan-Y-Coed picnic place and forest trail, Corris, with boys and girls from a nearby Outward Bound school.
Mr Langshaw Rowland, North Wales Regional Advisory Committee also won an award. He is a pioneer forester in Wales and a gold medallist of the Royal Forestry Society for woodland management and wildlife conservation at Pendugwm Woodlands, Montgomeryshire.
The Commission's Rangers
At the World Exhibition of Hunting in Budapest, 5 roe, 6 red, 2 Sika and 1 Chinese water deer, all connected with the Commission, have gained medals. The Chinese Water deer and a Muntjac owned by Fred Courtier (New) were the only examples in the exhibition.
Chief Forester Fred Slatter, South Wales
Chief Forester Fred Slatter of Tair Onen, South Wales, has won the Edward John Memorial Cup, awarded at the annual Vale of Glamorgan show for the best trade exhibit, which was the Forestry Commission entry.
The Commission's Image
Some criticism and some plaudits from recent BBC TV programmes concerned with the Forestry Commission's operations. Recent programmes which have been reasonably fair and objective are Christopher Brasher's "Mountains of my Youth"; Richard Thomas's "Man Alive"; and John Kenyon's Farming units "Forestry: Have we been lumbered?".
The Pamphlet "Forestry: A Time to Re-think" produced by the Ramblers' Association was published on the day of the "Man Alive" programme. Unsupported critical opinions have been published, though a response by Commission Chairman Lord Taylor of Gryfe, issued to the Press has not been published in many newspapers, nor has the Forestry Committee for Great Britain's recently published and widely distributed "The Case for Forestry".
Safety
Cases illustrating the value of wearing Safety Helmets.
FC Benevolent Fund
The FC Benevolent Fund will be acknowledging all subscriptions, donations and covenants.
Field Guide to British Deer
The British Deer Society has produced a second edition of the Field Guide to British Deer. Several Forestry Commission colleagues have contributed to its revision. The publisher is Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Deer
The venison provided at the official luncheon during a visit by the Queen and Prince Philip to the Barrow Works of Vickers Ltd., to launch the Royal Navy's destroyer HMS Sheffield, included venison from Grizedale Forest. Mr Bill Grant, Chief Forester, Grizedale, was an old school friend of the District Manager responsible for the catering.
News From Abroad
Mr Peter Wood, who recently retired, is now visiting friends in the Argentine. He sends his regards to all his old friends from his days at Park End School in 1946-48 (under Mr Streets and Mr Edwardson) and at Oaksmoor, Elsham, Burwell and Markshall Forests.
New TRADA Regional Officer for Scotland
Mr Michael Knott has been appointed Scottish Regional Officer of the Timber Research and Development Association.
Resignations
Miss M. Rankin, Clerkess at Dunkeld Forest has resigned after almost 17 years service with the Commission.
Mr Paddy Heavener, Chief Forester, Coed-y-Brenin, North Wales has left the Commission prior to his move to Australia.
Retirements
Mr Gilbert Smith, Head Keeper, New Forest, has retired after 50 years service with the Commission.
Mr Stanley W. Rogers, District Officer, South West England, has retired after 25 years service with the Commission in North East, East and South West England.
Mr A. McLeman, Chief Forester, North Scotland area, has retired.
Mr J. MacLeod, Head Forester, North Scotland area, has retired.
Mr John Mackay, Head Forester, North Scotland area, has retired.
Mr John A. Ogilvie, the longest serving industrial employee in E (S) who joined the commission aged 14 in 1922, retired on 29th October after 49 years' service.
Mr Will Keiller has retired from his position in Tighnabruaich, West Scotland after 33 years with the Commission. He will be working with the well-known naturalist David Stephen, creating a wildlife centre for Cumbernauld New Town.
Mr Ken Mayhew, HEO, North Wales, has retired after 43 years service with the Commission.
Mr Fred A. Slatter, Chief Forester, Tair Onen, South Wales has retired after 25 years with the Commission.
Mr R.J. Jennings (Jack Jennings), Chief Forester, Crychan Forest, Wales, retired on 29th October after joining the Commission in 1933 as a Forest Worker.
Memorial Services
A memorial service for District Officer Mr Joe Huntly, who was tragically drowned, was held in Dunbar Parish Church on 19th September and attended by a large number of friends, family and Commission staff.
A memorial service was held on 29th September at the Vale of Glamorgan Church of Welsh St. Donats, near Cowbridge for Mr Wilfred D. Milsom, Forester, Llantrisant and Tair Onen, South Wales.
Presentations
On his last day of service in SE (E), well wishers gathered in the Verderers Hall at Lyndhurst on 5th November for a presentation to Mr D.A. Mithen, recently promoted to Senior Officer for Scotland and Conservator W (S).
Mr Gilbert Smith, Head Keeper, New Forest, retirement presentation in the Verderers Hall, Lyndhurst.
Mr Stanley W. Rogers, District Officer, retirement presentation.
Mr A. McLeman, Chief Forester, retirement presentation at the Torlundy District Office followed by a dinner and social evening in the Alexandria Hotel, Fort William.
Mr J. MacLeod, Head Forester, retirement presentation at the Torlundy District Office followed by a dinner and social evening in the Alexandria Hotel, Fort William.
Miss M. Rankin, Clerkess at Dunkeld Forest was presented with a clock at a ceremony to mark her resignation prior to her forthcoming marriage.
Mr Will Keiller retirement presentation by his friends in Tighnabruaich and in the Commission.
Mr Ken Mayhew, HEO, North Wales, retirement presentation at the Marine Hotel, Aberystwyth.
Mr Paddy Heavener, Chief Forester, Coed-y-Brenin, resignation presentation and barbecue at Maesgwm Centre, Coed-y-Brenin.
Mr Fred A. Slatter, Chief Forester, Tair Onen, S (W) retirement presentation at the Bear Hotel, Cowbridge.
Mr R.J. Jennings (Jack Jennings), Chief Forester, Crychan Forest, Wales, retirement presentation at the Trout Inn, Beulah on 27th September.
Thanks
Philip Gough, the last Education Officer of the Dean School, retired on 1st October 1971 after completing 42 years' service with the Forestry Commission. He wishes to thank everyone who contributed to his retirement presentation of an inscribed Omega watch and for the cheque presented to his wife.
Obituaries
The sudden death has been announced of Mr John Q. Williamson, lately Director of Management Services, one-time Education and Training Officer, Deputy Surveyor of the Dean, Senior Officer, Wales and Conservator South Wales died on 7th November in Santiago de Chile.
Mr E.J. Tucker, who had been with the Commission since 1928 and retired from Corvedale in 1966 at the age of 60 years, died on 14th October 1971.
Mr Walter Watson MBE, retired Chief Clerk for the New Forest Surveyorship at Lyndhurst in 1969 has died.
Mr W.F. Skene, Forester-in-Charge at Delgaty E (S) until retiring three years ago, died on 17th October.
Mr Wilfred D. Milsom, Forester, Llantrisant and Tair Onen, South Wales, has died aged 59 years.
A Coincidence
Mr Danny Morgan, retired Chief Forester, Cymer Forest tells the story of his daughter Janet Hopkin's meeting with former Commission employee Alan Oram and his family on a remote island off mainland Fiji. Janet was on a world tour with the Welsh Women's Hockey Team.
Number of Shopping Days to Christmas
On 28th September, Slebech Forest, South Wales, sold five Christmas to a local firm. Will there be any needles left by Christmas?
Dutch Elm Disease Survey
Mr M.D. Whitlock recalls a visit to a farm to request permission to inspect elm for signs of Dutch Elm Disease. The owner agreed to show him his elms and they boarded a small truck. The owner's dog joined them on their journey along narrow winding lanes at breakneck speed. The experience reminded him of R.L. Stevenson's poem "From a Railway Carriage":
Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
And charging along like troops in a battle,
All through the meadows the horses and cattle;
All of the sites of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain.
Mr M.A. Colley recalls a visit to a property with a magnificent flight of marble steps, a massive porticoed entrance with marbled figures standing in a palatial hall. After explaining his business to the "Gentleman's Gentleman", he was instructed to step inside. When he asked if it would be alright to enter with his gumboots, it was agreed that he should remain outside.
Pickering District Sponsored Walk
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first plantings in the Pickering District, a sponsored walk was suggested.
The route was a 15 mile waymarked forest trail and 350 sponsored walkers completed the course. This was despite some being ill-equipped to tackle the terrain; kinky boots, sandals, overcoats, suitcases and even a push-chair were encountered. But there were no mishaps and a total of over £1,000 has been raised for the various causes.
New Kielder Bridge Opened
On 5th October 1971, the new bridge below Kielder Castle was opened. It replaced an old timber bowstring girder bridge, which was not strong enough to sustain the heavy loads of timber which will cross it en route to the pulp mills.
Mr G. Godwin, Conservator, invited Mrs M. Young to open the new bridge, both as a member of the Kielder Parish Council and as Clerk to the Superintendent of Works.
Thetford Forest Red Deer
Three Red Deer heads shot by members of the St Herbert's Club between 1957 and 1959 were entered in the International Hunting Exhibition in Budapest, each gaining a gold medal, reports Mr Biggs, one of the shots in 1957/59.
Forestry Commission Golfing Society The Sutherland Cup
The 1971 Eighteen Hole Stroke Handicap Competition for the Sunderland Cup at the Carmarthen Golf Club's course at Rhydymarchog, Carmarthen, on 23rd September was organised by the North and South Wales Conservancies.
Of the 13 contestants, only 5 completed the full round.
Just after the ultimate winner, Dick Stumbles tapped in his final putt on the 18th green for a net 74, a torrential downpour occurred.
The runner-up was Islwyn Oliver (net 77) and third was Brian Maxwell (net 78). Mr J.H. James, Conservator N (W) and Mr J.J. Lee were the only other competitors to finish the round.
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