Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 273 - May/June 1972
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.
Government Review of Forestry Policy
Details are given of the Government's review of the forestry policy to ensure it remains attuned to the economic, social and political changes which have taken place since forestry was reviewed in depth in 1943. Also, a consultative document and the response from the Forestry Commission.
Birthday Honour
Mr Hedley Mills, blacksmith at Thetford has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Commonwealth Forestry
Mr J.A. Dickson, Director General, was elected Chairman of the Commonwealth Forestry Association at their 50th annual meeting in May 1972.
New President of R.F.S.
Mr P.F. Garthwaite, former Conservator, Forest Management, Basingstoke, now a private forestry consultant and wildlife specialist, has been appointed President of the Royal Forestry Society of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. He succeeds Mr Richard Hamersley.
Design Award
The Commission's new Santon Downham District Office E (E), has received a Civic Trust design commendation.
First Scenic Forest Drive in Wales
The first forest drive in Wales was opened in Ebbw Forest by Mr David Gibson Watt, Minister of State, Welsh Office on 19th May 1972. It is the joint venture by the Forestry Commission and the Countryside Commission with the co-operation of Monmouthshire County Council, the District Councils of Abercarn and Risca, and the RAC and AA.
Guests at the opening included several MPs, Mr John Cripps, Chairman of the Countryside Commission, Mr G.G. Stewart, Commissioner for Forest and Estate Management and Chief Forester Owen Rees, who presented the Minister of State with a slasher to cut the opening tape.
The 100 or so guests and press drove the seven miles of forest mountain road at Cwmcarn, eight miles north of Newport, Monmouthshire, which rises through 600 feet of varying forest and hill farm scenery with views of the Brecon Beacons and Bristol Channel.
In the first six weeks of the opening, 3,000 cars went on the drive at 30p a time.
This is the fourth forest drive, similar drives in Yorkshire and Durham are extremely popular.
Use and viability of creating more forest drives will be studied by researchers. Much will depend on controlling vandalism.
Dutch Elm Disease
The first edition of an Elm Newsletter prepared by Forest Management has been issued by the Information Branch to local authorities and the Press. It is aimed at keeping interested parties informed of the latest news and developments of the Dutch Elm disease. Researchers at Alice Holt are working on a preventative injection of the fungicide benomyl.
Mr L.J. Clarke, a member of the British Light Aviation Centre has suggested encouraging private pilots to work with local authorities in identifying Dutch Elm disease from the air.
Retirements
Mr Ken Reid, Forester, East Scotland, retired in March 1972. He went to the Benmore Forest School in 1939. After service with H.G.T.P.D,. he rejoined the Commission in 1945, serving at Faskally, Fonab and Allean.
Mr D.W. Kitcher of Ladycross Beat, SE (E), has retired after 32 years' service with the Commission. According to a Lyndhurst correspondent, at one time there were 18 Kitchers working on the same beat in the New Forest.
Mr Alex Maclean, Head Forester, North Scotland Conservancy, has retired.
Mr Hugh Macrae, Head Forester, North Scotland Conservancy, has retired.
Mr George Small, Head Forester, North Scotland Conservancy, has retired.
Miss S.J. Reid, a Clerical Officer in the North Scotland Conservancy Office since transferring from the Ministry of Food in 1953, has retired.
Presentations
Mr Ken Reid, Forester, East Scotland retirement presentation at Queen's View, Tummel.
Outgoing Chief Engineer, South Scotland, Mr E.H. MacMillen toured the Conservancy with his successor Mr E.F. Granfield at the beginning of June. At a get-together of engineering and mechanical staff at the King's Arms, Castle Douglas, Mr MacMillen was presented with an inscribed silver tankard.
Mr D.W. Kitcher of Ladycross Beat, SE (E), retirement and long-service presentation.
Mr Alex Maclean, Head Forester, North Scotland Conservancy, retirement presentation.
Mr Hugh Macrae, Head Forester, North Scotland Conservancy, retirement presentation and farewell dinner at Invershin Hotel.
Mr George Small, Head Forester, North Scotland Conservancy, retirement presentation and farewell dinner at Invershin Hotel.
Miss S.J. Reid, Clerical Officer in the North Scotland Conservancy Office, retirement presentation.
Obituaries
Mr Herbert Arthur Turner, Assistant Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security died in May 1972 aged 60. He was previously Secretary and Establishment Officer for the Forestry Commission.
Mr Ken J. Dawson, Head Forester of Redesdale NE (E), has died suddenly aged 46.
H.A. Turner Tributes
Many tributes to Mr Herbert Turner refer to the respect and affection held for him during his 15 years with the Forestry Commission.
Tributes refer to his unique sense of humour and an example is given of an end of year celebration with a mock promotion board saga created by Norman Stutter in 1959. It was such a success that Mr Turner and Mr G.D. Palmer concocted and issued a humorous "Establishment Notice" with appointments and transfers of staff to remote locations.
Books: Gould In Our Forests
A book review of "Discovering Forests of Central England" by Jack Gould. Though the book is unconnected to the Forestry Commission's own range of guide books, the author acknowledges the assistance of the officials of the Forestry Commission. The book is published by Shire Publications Ltd.
Tropical Forests
The book "Tropical Forest and its Environment" by Dr K.A. Longman, senior physiologist at Northern Research Station, and Mr J. Jenik of Prague, is nearing completion.
Safety
Between 1969-1971, Forestry Commission workers had 1,700 reportable accidents, including two fatalities. Based on 1971 figures, most accidents occurred after 2.30pm. Strain is the most common injury followed by cuts and bruises, with the back and then the hand, the parts most injured.
Heading the list of "contributory agents" is the terrain, followed by chain saws, hooks and trees.
Tree-Seat
Commissioner Mr Ralph Verney was interested to see a reference in the April issue of Slasher to his thatched tree-seat at Botolph Claydon. He says the oak tree was first thatched and provided with a seat in about 1900 and had a new coating thatch about 15 years ago.
Big Land Sale
The Commission have auctioned 31 building sites for a total of £41,000 (£10,000 per hectare) in Lochgilphead, Argyll.
The Plague - In Ducks
An outbreak of duck plague (virus enteritis) in wild birds in Hertfordshire has been confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture. Similar cases are under investigation in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. No deaths have been reported. Symptoms include listlessness, drooping wings and disinclination to move or take to water.
News From TRADA
A farm building design sponsorship group known as TRADAFARM has been formed with a membership of over 75 firms. The aim is to offer farmers a wide range of timber farm structures.
Mr Christopher Latham has been elected Chairman of TRADA after being Vice-Chairman for the past two years. Joint Managing Director of James Latham Ltd., he is also Treasurer of the Commonwealth Forestry Association.
Scots Timber on Show
Planners, architects and land agents were among those who attended an open day at Speymouth Forest E (S) on 5th May 1972. The aim was to show the many uses of Scottish timber.
Golf
Notice of the Open Golf Competition at Oswestry in September 1972.
Twenty three players played for The Fotheringham Trophy at the Dumfries and County Golf Club on 2nd June 1972. The winner was Mr W. McIntosh with a net score of 70.
Puffing Billy
The demise of the railways' era of steam is no loss to the forester.
In the long hot summer of 1959, railways caused 2,262 fires in our forests. This represented 90 per cent of total fires that year.
Last year, there were 600 fires, and in just one case, the railways were suspected, and that merely burned a small patch of unplanted land at Ebbw, S (W).
Conifer Masts For Tall Ships
When there was an appeal for timber of the right size, clear felling was taking place at Bark Rack in Reddings Inclosure, part of Highmeadow Woods in the Dean. The trees were Douglas Fir, 100-130 feet tall and the first conifer crop planted on the red sandstone soil, which previously carried aged oak and other broadleaves. On inspecting the handiwork of fellers John Sterrett and Gordon Lewis, an order was placed for three masts and 13 spars. They are being used in the conversion of the historic schooner, "Roy", a Baltic trader, built in 1919 on the German Baltic coast. Originally it had two masts and no engine. A 100hp two-stroke diesel was added in the 1930s and about 15 years ago, the masts were removed and it was used as a motor coaster carrying metal from Denmark to factories in Sweden. Now "Roy" will be used for holiday charters.
The Old Oaks of Bark Rack
A SW (E) correspondent writes: "It is interesting to look back about 50 years to when the old oaks were felled and their bark stripped for tanning. The bark was racked to aid drying and then the logs were extracted from Bark Rack to railway sidings at Hadnock. They would then have been sold probably to a local mill for sawing and ultimate use for a variety of purposes.
Avocets, Ospreys and Snowy Owls
A report from the RSPB. By the end of April 1972, 41 Avocets' nests were known at Havergate, with more expected. Ospreys have returned to Loch Garten and are sitting on eggs. The Lake District golden eagles are near hatching date. Snowy owls of Fetlar are on territory. Good numbers of ruffs and black-tailed godwits are at Ouse washes. And at Arne, the Dartford warbler situation looks promising.
Moroccan-Style Fan Mail
A letter received by the Forestry Commission, Isle of Wight, from Morocco requested information and brochures on Parkhurst Forest.
Mr Urquhart's Bequest
The late Mr James McDonald Urquhart, who worked at the Commission's Newton Nursery, Elgin, Scotland, until retiring in 1968, has left a bequest to Anderson's old people's home in Elgin. The legacy was gratefully received.
Golden Celebration
Ganger Mr J.H. Boyle of Glentress, is the first person in S (S) to complete 50 years service with the Commission. His wife retired a year ago as clerkess at Glentress Forest Office after 38 years' service.
A Fishy Affair
Two angling outings to Black Esk Reservoir were enjoyed by the South Scotland Conservancy Office staff in May and June. The heaviest catch on both occasions was by Mr B.H. Struthers. The heaviest fish on the May trip was landed by Mr J. Paterson and in June by Mr A.E. Hart.
Art Exhibition in Peebles
Three Conservancy staff members held an art exhibition at Peebles in April 1972. Tom Findlay, Conservancy Land Agent, Ian Goodlet, D.O. I, Peebles, and John McClory, Estate Clerk of Works, Peebles.
There was one invited work by Conservator Mr John Davies.
About 30 oil paintings, water colours and oil pastels were on display and 13 pictures were sold.