Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 297 - Summer 1978
The scanned images of the Slasher were produced by and courtesy of the Forest Research library staff based at Alice Holt, Surry, where the original copies are 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 2009.
Slasher Magazine Summary Below : Publication No. 297 - Summer 1978
Survival Plan For New Forest
Details of a survival plan for the New Forest are given in a Statement of Future Strategy by the New Forest Technical Review Group, which has been approved by Commissioners.
Pictures: (1) Holland’s Wood Campsite where New Forest ponies are pleased to share their surroundings with holidaymakers. (2) Picnicking at Longslade Bottom now a car free zone. The unsightly mass of cars, caravans and tents has now given way to animals grazing undisturbed.
Research On Show
The Northern Research Station Silvicultural Section arranged and displayed the Forestry Commission exhibit at the Royal Meteorological Society Exhibition in Bracknell College, Berkshire. The Commission stand was organised by J. Hunt, Research Head Forester, Northern Research Station, Roslin, and Geoff Brunsden from the New Zealand Forest Research at Rotarua.
Open Days
Three Open Days for parties of schoolchildren, invited guests and the general public were held at the Forest Research Station, Alice Holt Lodge in July. There were approximately 5,000 visitors.
Hundredth Whitley Council Meeting
A report of the 100th meeting of the Forestry Commission Whitley Council, held at Headquarters on 29th June 1978.
Picture: Members of the 100th meeting of the Forestry Commission Whitley Council.
Apologies to Sir Richard
Due to illness, Sir Richard Cotterell was unable to attend the opening of the new Westonbirt Visitor Pavilion as reported in the last edition of Slasher. David Johnston, Director of Research and Development deputised for him. In addition to those previous reported, David Moir and the Estates Management Division played a key role in the development of the centre.
What’s in a name?
Aptly named staff at Grizedale Forest are Head Forester Dean, Forester Birch and Forester Wood. Information Branch staff include Head David Rooke, Deputy Hazel Pottinger and Press Officer Nigel Hawk-ins.
New Commissioners
John Denton Pollock and Denis Raymond Hicklin, OBE, have been appointed Part-time Forestry Commissioners. They succeed The Lord Donnet of Balgay, CBE, JP, and Christopher George Arnot Latham, FCA, who will be retiring in September,
Authority Bashing?
A photograph of a light-hearted ceremony to celebrate the restoration of the stocks, in the grounds of Wroxhall Parish School. Mr C. Evans, Chairman of Wroxhall Parish Council tested the effectiveness of the restoration, aided by Forester J. Hill and Arden Forest staff. Chief Forester Jack Wilson asked Forester J. Hill to write a few notes on the Forestry Commission which were put in a sealed bottle and buried beneath the stocks.
The Day Thirteen Hundred Schoolchildren Visited Coed Taf
Thirteen hundred schoolchildren from areas including Wales, Hertfordshire and East London visited
Coed Taf Forest in South Wales on 14th July 1978. The visit to the forest and Brecon Beacons National Park was organised by David Evans, District Officer, Eric Treweeks, Head Forester, and Dave Corner, Forester, and the staff at Coed Taf Forest.
Pictures: (1) Forester Nick Voye, St Gwynno Forest leads a school party through the forest. (2) Judging by their expressions, these children found plenty to wonder at in the forest. (3) Time for a breather between demonstrations for Chainsawyers Des Hopkins (left) and Ieuan Probert, Talybont Forest. (4) Egwad Davies of the Brechfa Sign Unit shows his skills. (5) Caer Preece, Coed Taf Forest, puts his Holder tractor through its paces. (6) Forester Dave Williams, Mynydd Du explaining the thinning competition to pupils. (7) Don Jones, Ranger, Crychan Forest answering questions from Ystradfellte Primary School pupils.
Aerial Attack On Pine Beauty Moth
A report on the success of the recent aerial spraying of plantations in North Scotland's Naver, Helmsdale, Shin and Rumster Forests, which are being attacked by a pine beauty moth infestation.
The Forestry Commission team involved in the operation were “Chris” Christie, Asst Conservator N(S); Ernie Michie, District Officer; Geoff Reid (H/F Naver Forest); Hamish MacDonald, Forester, Naver; Dermot Bevan, Principal Entomologist, AH; John Stoakley, Entomologist (North); Stuart Heritage, Entomologist; David Barbour, Entomologist; Ray Harrison, Mech. Engineer; Jock Bain, Mobile Mechanic; Brian Pirie, Radio Technician and Forest Workers from Naver Forest: Willie Robert McKenzie; Angus A. MacKay; Adam Henderson; Robert Anderson; Alastair Tait; Murdo MacKay; Robert Rowantree; Archie MacFarlane; Moir Longmuir; Ronald Mackay.
Areas of Lodgepole pine planted by the Forestry Commission which may be at risk: - North(S) 35,000 hectares; East(S) 15,000 hectares; South(S) 12,500 hectares; West(S) 6,500 hectares; NE(E) 8,000 hectares.
Pictures: (1) Aerial picture of the spraying gives an idea of the extent of the infested area. (2) The early larval stages showing the caterpillars feeding on newly developing pine shoots. (3) The adult Pine Beauty Moth (Panolis flammea). (4) Head Forester Geoff Reid under pressure in Operation Control Room at Naver Forest Office. (5) The dead plantations of the Rimsdale block – “a gruesome brown blot on the Sutherland landscape.” (6) Entomologist David Barbour examines dead larvae which have dropped from trees after spraying.
Capercailzie Goes To School
George Francey, Chief Forester, Inverliever Forest, reports that a hen capercailzie has taken up residence in the primary school playground in Dalavich, Loch Aweside, for three weeks in May every year since 1973.
Picture: Eleven year old Gordon Gauld making friends with the capercailzie in Dalavich school playground.
Herring Gull Goes To Office
MacTavish, a herring gull and his partner are rearing three youngsters on a ledge outside an Inverness Conservancy Office window.
Faith Healer Dewi Turton
Faith healer Dewi Turton of Cardiff believes he can cure elms of Dutch elm disease by the "laying on of hands" on the trunk of a diseased tree.
Picture: Dewi Turton.
Hundredth HGTAC Meeting
During the hundredth Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee (HGTAC) meeting, Sir Goronwy Daniel was presented with a gavel carved out of 100 year old walnut wood from Elversley churchyard. The craftsman was Brian Leemans from Bramshill.
Royal Garden Party
Royal Garden Parties in July were attended by Arthur Damerell, Principal, London Office; John James, Conservator, North Wales; Dr Don Phillips, Senior Principal Scientific Officer, Research.
Strathyre Opens With A Chop!
Scottish Tourist Board chairman Robin McLellan opened the new forest information centre at Strathyre by using an axe to cut the tape.
Picture: Mr McLellan ready to chop the tape and William Wolfe, Chairman of the Scottish National Party and Chairman of the West of Scotland Regional Advisory Committee.
Tom Meets The Duke
E.J.D. Wilkinson BEM (Tom Wilkinson), Chief Forester, met the Duke of Wellington at the Royal Bath and West Show.
Picture: Tom Wilkinson and the Duke of Wellington.
Postbag
Letter from A.H. Denny (British Nuclear Fuel Ltd), on Radio Active Waste.
Letter from Jack Jennings, retired Chief Forester, on deer in Norfolk forests.
Thanks from E.G. Richards on his farewell dinner and presentation.
Letter from Don Tyre (ex-Slasher printer), praising Slasher.
Honour
Trevor Owen Williams, Forest Craftsman, Coed y Brenin, until his retirement after 51 years' service, was awarded the British Empire Medal.
What Will We Do With The Drunken Wood Ants?
Jack Davies, Head Forester, Ringwood Forest, South East England, reports on drunken wood ants and wonders if they suffered from hangovers.
Resignation
Jack Tarran, Head Forester, Rothbury, who has served the Forestry Commission for 30 years has left for a post with the National Trust and is responsible for the management of the Trust’s Cragside woodlands.
Retired
Eunice Gallon, the Commission’s first lady Ganger, has retired. She started working as a Land Girl in the North Tyne in 1947 and married Harry Gallon, a tractor man with the Road Squad at Kielder. She returned to work with the part time brashing gang, then became more involved with the harvesting side, marking and measuring, being her main job. When Adam Steel retired in 1969, Eunice became a Ganger.
Picture: Forester D. Brown presentation for Eunice.
Tony Cunningham, Head Forester, Glencoe, West Scotland, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission. Starting Commission service in 1946, he left Benmore Forester Training School in 1949 for posts in Barcaldine, Loch Ard, Lock Eck, Leapmoor, Corlarach, Benmore and Glencoe.
Murdo Shaw, Head Ranger for N(S) has retired after 41 years’ service with the Commission.
Winnie MacDonald, EO, Supply & Engineering section, Inverness, has retired after 29 years’ service with the Commission.
Arthur Thomas, Castle O'er Forest, South Scotland, has retired. He was a gold medal student at Benmore in 1953, with further service at Carrick and Cairn Edward.
James Wallace, Devilla Forest, Clackmannanshire has retired after joining the Commission in 1927, aged 14. He has served the Commission for 51 years, mainly at Tulliallan Forest (now called Devilla Forest), Clackmannanshire.
John Jones who joined the Commission at Edgarhope (now Lammermuir) in South Scotland in 1928 has retired.
William Thomson, is retiring after joining the Commission at Glentress Forest, near Peebles, in 1929 at the age of 14. He moved to Eshieldshope in 1938 and transferred to Elibank, South Scotland, in 1945.
Duncan MacDonald, Skilled Forest Worker, Eredine Forest, Argyll, Scotland, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission at Inverliever Forest in Argyll in 1937, and served at the Home Grown Timber Production Department, returning to Inverliever in 1945 for seven years, then went to Eredine Forest, Argyll as a horseman, and in 1970 became a Skilled Forest Worker.
Frank Forrest Thomson, has retired after 37 years’ service to the forestry and timber industry. He joined the war-time Home Grown Timber Production Department in the Ballater area in 1941 and transferred to the Forestry Commission at Allcailleach Forest, Aberdeenshire as a horseman in 1945. From the time the last horse was sold in 1963, he became involved in general forest work.
Alexander Walker (Sandy Walker), Huntly Forest, Aberdeenshire has retired after 46 years’ service with the Commission. He worked in the Kemps Hills area of Clashindarroch Forest (now part of Huntly Forest), Bin, Dufftown, Archiestown (now Craigellachie Forest), Balliesward Nursery at Clashindarroch and saw the amalgamation of Gartly Moor and Bin to make Huntly Forest.
Picture: Receiving their Long Service certificates from John Mackie are Sandy Walker, Frank Thomson, Duncan MacDonald, William Thomson, John Jones and James Wallace.
Andy Birrell, EO, Private Woodlands section of N(S) Conservancy has retired after 28 years’ service with the Commission.
Dora Littlewood, District Clerk/Typist in the Gwydyr District of N(W), has retired after 36 years’ service in forestry, the last 30 years being with the Commission.
Miss C.M. Edwards (Kitty Edwards), Establishment Section, has retired after joining the Commission in 1974. She has spent over 31 years with the Civil Service.
Ralph Wainwright, Head Forester, Ceiriog, North Wales has retired. In 1946, he went to the Foresters’ Training School in Gwydyr for a two year course and was awarded the title “Best man of his year”. In 1965, he became Head Forester and served in several forests in North Wales, arriving at Ceiriog in 1976.
Harry Armstrong, Chief Forester, Devilla, East Scotland, has retired after 43 years’ service with the Commission. He spent his early days in Kielder and other Border forests and is known for his expertise as a nurseryman.
Walter Legg, Ganger, Banchory Forest, East Scotland, has retired aged 58 after 31 years’ service with the Commission. Walter was the only one of four brothers still working. They all worked at the Durris Section of the forest.
Victor Masson, Forester, Craigellachie, East Scotland, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission, spending time in Research at Fort Augustus, Allerstan, and Mobie. Also four years at Training Branch. Most of his service has been in forests in East Scotland.
Tom Gurney, Forest Worker, Mortimer Forest, North West England, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission at Mortimer Forest.
Bill Wright, Forest Craftsman, Challock, South East England, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1928 as a “sleugh” boy at Inverlael Forest, near Ullapool, Scotland, then moved to Kent in 1929 in private service, and joined the Commission at Lyminge Forest in 1946, where he remained until his retirement.
Gordon Forbes, Research Head Forester, Kielder has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission, 28 years of which were spent at Kielder with the R&D Division. He was trained at Glentress Forester Training School.
Obituaries
Fred Coleman, former Ganger, Bedgebury Forest, who commenced as a Forest Worker in 1926 and retired in 1970 has died.
D. Edwin Davies, former Head Forester, Brechfa Forest has died aged 80. He served the Commission for over 40 years in Brechfa Forest, and was released during the war to be an Instructor with the Timber Supply Department.
Leslie Jenkins, Forestry Commission Chairman from 1965-1971 has died aged 68.
B.H. King former Head Forester, South East England Conservancy, has died. He started work with the Commission in 1926 as a Forest Worker. He worked in South Wales, South East England and in Silviculture at Micheldever. He retired in 1968.
David Griffith Pierce, Forest Craftsman, Gwydyr Forest, has died aged 57. He joined the Commission in 1936 and had worked at Gwydyr since then, except for the war years, part of which he spent as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese.
Alistair Stuart, formerly at Inverliever Forest, has died after only 18 months of retirement. He joined the Commission in 1932 at Erdine and became a Ganger. During the war years, he saw military service in the Far East. Post-war, he was the first Isachsen winch operator and headed the Inverliever team in the larger 500 ha planting programmes.
George Bodley Ryle, who joined the Commission in 1924 and was Director Wales 1954-1958, Director England 1958-1963 and Deputy Director General 1963-1965 has died aged 75. When he officially retired, he became the Commission’s Appointed Verderer of the New Forest until last year. He was the author of the book “Forest Service”, a history of the Forestry Commission from 1919-1965.
George Taylor, former Forester, Dean has died aged 77. He retired in 1966.
Harold Swinyard, former Conservancy Mechanical Engineer, East Scotland, has died. He joined the Commission in 1962 and retired in 1973.