Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 303 - Spring 1980
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.
Forestry Decision Expected
The Government are expected to make a statement on forestry policy this summer following their discussions on the future of the industry.
Lords Favour Expansion
The future of British forestry was discussed in a House of Lords debate on 26th March.
Prospects For New Industry
Import savings and the creation of new jobs could be expected from processing the forecast yields of small diameter roundwood and sawmill residues from British forests up to the mid 1990s.
Chairman's Thanks
The Chairman has expressed his thanks in a letter for the additional work put in during the recent extreme fire danger situation. He has also written letters of thanks to the Fire Brigade, Army, Royal Air Force and the Press.
Pulp Mill Blow
The announcement on 29th April by Consolidated Bathurst and Wiggins Teape to close the pulp mill at Fort William, means the termination after October of the contract with the FC and private forestry to supply about 250,000 tonnes annually of pulpwood.
Elibank Office On The Move
The Elibank forest office unit was moved under escorted by Lothian and Border Police and Strathclyde Police to be sited by the new enlarged Clydesdale forest unit. Henry Collin, Clerk of Works, directed the operation.
Picture: Elibank office move.
Harry Raises £100 For Charity
After seeing the disturbing news reports of the plight of Cambodian and Vietnamese Boat People, Harry Schneider organised an exhibition in Liddesdale of Arts and Crafts by local people in aid of the refugees. The exhibition was an outstanding success and over £100 was raised.
Picture: Harry at the exhibition with David Steel, the local MP who gave his support to the event.
Ladies Plant Forest Bower
Lord Plymouth opened the new Forest Office complex at Mortimer Forest, near Ludlow on 11th April. Also invited were a group of ladies who had given support to the Forestry Commission to plant commemorative trees in a ladies’ bower, which will form part of the surroundings of the office.
Hill Rescue In Cowal
An elderly Chinese lady was saved from the effects of exposure by James Kay and James Murray of the Cowal Engineers Road Squad. As she was not suitably dressed for hill walking, they tried unsuccessfully to dissuade her, so Jimmy Murray followed her while Jimmy Kay headed for the local police station. She had reached the open hill when light was fading and the Police caught up with her and persuaded her to return home. She was in a state of mental confusion and thought she was walking home to her village in Hong Kong.
Queen Honours FC Staff
Three Forestry Commission employees were awarded honours in the 1980 New Year Honours List.
Conservator for North West England, Mr John H. James received the OBE, a tribute to his 30 years’ service with the Commission. A number of senior staff including the Director General have served under him in the past and a large number of foresters owe their introduction and subsequent love of forestry to his enthusiastic encouragement when he was the Commission's Chief Education Officer.
Mrs Elsie Brooks, recently retired Forest Craftswoman who has worked at the Commission’s Delamere Forest since she was 15 years old, has been awarded the British Empire Medal. She cycled seven miles to work and seven miles back each day, even through the hard winters of 1947, 1962 and 1978 and she matched the efforts of her male colleagues and tackled most tasks except felling.
Picture: Mrs Elsie Brooks, BEM.
Leading Research Worker Mr A.G.R. Legge, who has been involved with forest research in the Morayshire area for over 40 years, received the British Empire Medal. He played an important part in early experiments in tree planting on the poor upland heaths of East Scotland, notably at the major pioneer research area at Teindland Forest in Morayshire. He was also involved in experimental work in forest nursery practice at Newton Nursery near Elgin.
Mr P.A. Hutt, Head Forester at Tavistock Woodlands Estate received the MBE. He devised the “Bradford Plan” for continuous cover forestry, a significant contribution to British forestry.
Spare Our Blushes
In the House of Lords debate on “Forestry Strategy in Britain” on 26th March 1980, the Earl of Lonsdale, President of the Association of Professional Foresters, displayed a copy of “Slasher” and complemented the Forestry Commission staff members which numbered 8323, and also the magazine “Slasher”, though he said it was an unfortunate name which might be more appropriate for 10 Downing Street.
Bellingham Workshop Will Meet All Foreseeable Needs
A new mechanical workshop specially designed to meet all foreseeable needs in handling modern forest vehicles and harvesting machinery, was opened at Bellingham on 22nd April. Conservator Tony Spencer gave a welcoming speech and sixty guests had a guided tour, which ended with a buffet tea provided by Office Clerks Ann Telfer, Glennis Telfer, Kathy Wylie and Pat Brown.
Col. R.A. Barnett, Chairman of the Northumberland County Council, who officially opened the workshop was presented with an inlaid wooden chess board, which had been made by workshop manager Norman Johnston in his spare time.
Picture: Mechanic Barrie Flynn sets the ignition timing on an FC van, watched by apprentice Michael Snowden and mechanics Michael Purvis and Andrew Hind.
City And Guilds Awards For South Scotland Men
Two South Scotland staff members have achieved great success attending City & Guilds courses at Inverness Technical College.
Forest Worker Tom Heron from Bennan, was awarded the class prize for the Stage I courses and Forest Craftsman Ken Whittaker of Penninghame was awarded the Duke of Buccleuch Memorial Trophy as the most outstanding forestry student of the year and has also received class prizes for the various stages.
Two Hamlets United By New Kielder Bridge
Kielder Village in Northumberland, which was divided into the two hamlets of Butteryhaugh and Castle Drive by the fast flowing River North Tyne has received a new bridge. The New Tyne Bridge was officially opened by County Surveyor Basil Arthur after being introduced by North East England Conservator Tony Spencer.
Picture: The new Kielder Bridge spanning the River North Tyne.
Staff Side Campaign For Forestry
The Staff Side of the Forestry Commission Whitley Council is concerned that national economic pressures threaten to reduce the nation’s investment in forestry for future generations.
Horse Routes Open - Willie Rides Again
Borders Regional Council opened two horse riding routes in Craik Forest, one route being four miles, the other nine miles. Twenty horses turned up for the Grand Opening including Forestry Commission Surveyor Willie Fergie and his trusty steed “Beery Bob”.
Brisk Bidding Raises £250,000
Gross income of over £250,000 was raised at the Forestry Commission sale of vehicles, machinery and equipment which was held at Derby on 17th April 1980.
Pensioners Marry
Forestry Commission pensioners Mr J.P. Lenman who was Deputy Controller of Finance in London has married Miss Phyllis Drew, who was HEO in the Finance Department.
New Editor
The new editor of “Slasher” is Gordon MacNeill, who has joined Information Branch from Scottish Television, where he was Press and Publicity Officer.
Robert's a Jolly Good Feller!
Robert Muir, one of the H&M team at Panninghame Forest, chopped and hacked his way into third place in a National Tree Felling Contest on the Blair Atholl Estate, Perthshire.
Ode to Grizedale
A poem written by a visitor to Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.
Fishing For Trout
The Fishing season got away to a brisk start at Carrick this year with customers queuing at Senior Ranger Robin Heaney’s door early in the morning of Saturday 15th March. All five boats on Loch Bradan and the boat on Loch Skelloch were soon away with full complements of anglers, keen to make the most of an idyllic Spring day. Happiest man of the day was Mr Paulin of Prestwick who safely netted a three quarter pound fish that carried a “Sunday Post” tag, thus winning a £5 prize and a bottle of “Pipers”.
Fishing for Wales
Peter Wyn Rees Bevan, Forest Craftsman, Ystwyth Forest, has been selected with eleven other anglers to represent Wales at the International Fly Fishing Contest at Loch Leven, Scotland on 24th August 1980.
Benevolent Fund
The Annual Report of the Forestry Commission Benevolent Fund.
EEC Heads Meet at HQ
Delegates to the 35th meeting of Heads of EEC Forest Services met at the Edinburgh Headquarters of the Forestry Commission in April.
Picture: In the middle of the photograph of delegates is Dr Fred Hummel, soon to retire as Head of the EEC Commission’s Forestry and Environment Division.
Peter Shoots To The Top
Peter Mackay, Ranger I Black Isle Forest N(S) was selected as a member of the Scottish team in the International Clay Pigeon Shoot, held in Ashbourne near Dublin. The team, which consists of 30 guns, were placed in third position, with Peter second in the Scottish score line.
Production Increases - But New Planting Is Down
Weather and land shortage hits planting targets.
Details of the revision of future programmes, the Commission’s finances, state of the wood market, Oak wilt, recreation, wood production outlook in Britain and the situation with private estates.
Pine Martens in Galloway
Pine Martens from the North of Scotland have been re-introduced into the Galloway Forest Park after an absence of nearly 100 years.
Picture: Pine Marten.
8,000 Will Visit His Garden
George Stewart, retired Commissioner for Forest and Estate Management has become the National Trust for Scotland’s representative at Branklyn, Perthshire, which has been described as the finest two acre garden in Britain.
Picture: George Stewart with a rare species of Rhododendron in his garden.
Wind Of Change Blows Finlay £250
Eighteen staff suggestions were considered by the Central Staff Suggestion Committee recently and £430 was awarded to those whose ideas will be put into practice. The largest award of £250 went to tractor driver Finlay MacLean for his suggestion of a blower fan in the operator’s cab to dispel midges.
Picture: Finlay MacLean shows his fan to Bob Cathie, Conservator, North Scotland.
Where Are They Now?
An appeal for the whereabouts of Jack Buchanan and John Elder. The inside walls of the old Bothy at Forest Gate, Invergarry, have been stripped and some postcards received by these gentlemen in 1948 have surfaced and Chief Forester Fred McAllan wishes to redirect them.
Best Article Of The Year
An article written by Forest Officer Findlay MacRae of Dingwall, North Scotland, for “State Service”, the journal of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants, was judged to be the best published by the journal in 1979. Finlay was presented with the Herbert Memorial School Trophy by John Sim, the Institution’s Chairman.
Snooker Champ
Forester John Griffiths, St Gwynno, has won another valuable prize at snooker. In the Pontins Open Snooker Championship in Prestatyn, he reached the last 16 out of a total entry of 540, winning a Continental holiday for two.
Off On Their Own Business
Hilda Jones, EO, and Stewart Jones, HEO, South Wales Conservancy have left the Forestry Commission to go into business on their own account in the Forest of Dean. They joined the Commission in the Dean Office, Hilda in 1945 and Stewart in 1950, and transferred to Aberystwyth in 1973 when Stewart was promoted to HEO. They went to Edinburgh in 1974 and returned to Wales in 1976.
Retired
Willie Halket, Building Handyman, Fochabers Estate Depot has retired. He produced most of the picnic furniture which adorns the forests from Kielder to the far north of Scotland.
Picture: Willie Halket at his retirement presentation.
Fred Donald, District Officer in charge of Perthshire District since 1965 has retired after 29 years’ service. He went to Glentress Forestry School and then to Aberdeen University.
Bob Duguid, Bennachie Forest Squad has retired.
Willie Leslie, Bennachie Forest Squad has retired.
James Robertson, Forest Craftsman, Eden Forest, has retired after 32 years’ service.
Gordon Rowland has retired as Head Forester at Matlock. He started work with his father who was a Ganger in the Forest of Dean. He worked for the Forestry Commission for the next 45 years. Gordon was seconded to the Home Timber Department during the War years and met his wife when she was training with the Women’s Timber Corps.
Tom Attenborough, Forester, Shropshire Hills Forest, has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission.
Len Jones, Forester, Shropshire Hills Forest, has retired. He was there long enough to extract the early thinnings of the first trees he had planted.
Mr W.J. Raven, Principal Land Agent at Chester has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission.
Mr A.R. Taggart, Clerical Officer NW(E), Chester, has retired.
Desmond Cousins, Chief Forester, Westonbirt, has retired after 41 years with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1938 as a Forest Worker at Fort Augustus and spent several years with Research in the Forest of Dean. He was appointed Head Forester responsible for Silviculture Research in SW England and South Wales.
Picture: Director General George Holmes and Des Cousins.
Ted Watts, BEM, Westonbirt, has retired after over 50 years’ service at the Arboretum. He was invited to plant a Sorbus aria “Lutescens” adjacent to the Visitor Centre, which will carry a commemorative plaque in his honour.
Josh Elmer has retired after 28 years at Savernake Forest.
George Sheen has retired after 27 years at Savernake Forest.
Denis Payne, Senior Ranger, has retired from Savernake Forest.
Cyril Hitchens, Wareham Forest, has retired after 33 years’ service.
George Newman, Wareham Forest, has retired after 33 years’ service.
Percy Wareham, Wareham Forest, has retired after 27 years’ service.
William Harper has retired after 29 years’ service at Wyre Forest.
Peter Barnett, Savernake Forest, has retired.
Wilfred Courtier, Ganger, H&M, Dartmoor Forest, has left after nearly 30 years’ service.
Eileen Ashton has left after 6 years as Forest Clerk.
Harold Palmer has retired after 40 years’ service at Quantock Forest.
Melville Davis has left Hereford Forest after 30 years’ service.
Dick Wase has left Mendip Forest after 30 years’ service.
Norman Kelly has left Egglesford Forest after 32 years’ service.
William Western has left Egglesford Forest after 33 years’ service.
George Starling has left Egglesford Forest after 14 years’ service.
Jim Larcombe has left Neroche Forest after 19 years’ service.
Frank Larcombe has left Neroche Forest after 22 years’ service.
John Perkins, Conservancy Civil Engineer, has retired.
Edna Thomas, District Office Typist has left after joining the Commission in 1971.
George Meek, The Dean, has retired after 42 years’ service.
Arthur Tye, The Dean, has retired after 34 years’ service.
Bernard Coates, Christchurch Camp Site Warden, has retired after 45 years' service with the Commission.
Gurnos Roberts, The Dean, has retired after 50 years' service with the Commission.
Gwen Clerk, The Dean, has retired after 30 years' service with the Commission.
Hector Jarrett, The Dean, has retired after 53 years' service with the Commission.
Fred Phelps, The Dean, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission.
Bernard Hughes, Assistant Conservator, Bristol, has retired. He was a District Officer in Cornwall from 1959 – 1965 and went to Bristol in 1972.
Norman Brown, Assistant Conservator (Forest Management), West Scotland Conservatory, has retired. He joined the Commission in 1950 in South Scotland Conservancy, until his promotion and transfer to Glasgow in 1973.
Alexander Drummond (Eck) has retired after starting work at Achrey in 1932 aged 16.
Hugh McFadyen, Kilmichael, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission.
Donald MacLellan, Kilmichael, has retired.
Peter Mackellar, Glenbranter Depot, has retired.
Lawrence Kennedy, Ganger, Whitelee Forest, has retired after 14 years’ service with the Commission.
Eric Fletcher, Forest Worker, has retired after 41 years’ service at Cropton Forest.
Dick Barker, Ganger, has retired after 42 years’ service at Slaley Forest.
John Terry, Kielder Estate, has retired after 29 years’ service with the Commission.
John Milner, Ganger, Osmotherley Forest, has retired after 34 years’ service in the Boltby section of Cleveland Woods.
Alec Arundale, Forest Craftsman, has retired after 20 years’ service at Cropton.
John Tait, Mechanic, Kielder Repair Depot, has retired after long service with the Commission.
Arthur Grimwood, Kielder Repair Depot, has retired after long service with the Commission.
Tom Wallace, Thrunton Forest, Rothbury District, has retired after 26 years’ service at Kidland and Thrunton.
Margaret Jackson, Forest Clerk, has left after 23 years’ service at Thrunton.
Ann Scott, Forest Clerk, has left after working at Chillingham and then Thrunton.
John Campbell, Leading Ganger at Mull Forest has retired after 32 years’ with the Forestry Commission.
Picture: John Campbell.
James Tandy, Ganger, Mull Forest, has retired after joining the Forestry Commission in 1956 and worked in Mull Forest until he retired.
Picture: James Tandy.
Morag Bruce has retired after 25 years’ service as a Clerkess at Leanachan Forest Office.
George Robertson has retired from Achnashellach after 18 years’ service with the Forestry Commission.
Donald Nicolson has retired after serving the Commission on the island of Raasay since 1949.
Jonathan MacLeod, Forest Craftsman, has retired after being a member of the North Skye squad since 1955.
Malcolm Munro (Mackie Munro), who planted the first tree at Lairg has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission.
Alun Evans, Chief Forester, retired after 48 years’ service with the Forestry Commission in Wales.
Picture: Alun Evans with Forest Clerks Margaret Guard and Denise Watkins.
Ron King, Ganger, Coed Preseli, Wales, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission.
Jim Edwards, Forest Craftsman, Coed Preseli, Wales, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission.
Glyndwr Jones Williams, Ganger, Tywi Forest, Wales, has retired after 24 years’ service with the Commission.
Alice Phillips, Clerical Officer in the Conservancy Office, has retired after 19 years’ service with the Commission.
Bryan Curtis, Forest Craftsman, Crychan, Wales, has retired after 26 years’ service with the Commission.
Don Hunt, Forest Craftsman, Crychan, Wales, has retired after 22 years’ service with the Commission.
Tudor Morgan Davies, Ganger, Tywi, Wales, has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission.
Trevor Studley, Head Forester, Llanddowror, Wales, has retired after 33 years’ service with the Commission. He arrived at Llanddowror in 1953 and started the forest from scratch.
Tommy Thomas, Forest Craftsman, Coed Preseli, Wales, has retired after 26 years’ service with the Commission.
Walter Whiskerd, Senior Forest Worker at Caeo, Wales, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission. He worked at Crychan, then Cilgwyn and planted the first trees in Tywi Forest.
Picture: Walter Whiskerd, Mrs Whiskerd, Ian Watt, District Officer and John Jones, Head Forester at Caeo.
Mike Long, MBE, MC, District Officer, Moffat, South Scotland, has retired after 43 years’ service.
Edward McLeod (Mac McLeod), Chief Forester, Newcastleton, South Scotland, has retired.
Jim Irving has retired after 33 years’ service with the Commission, mainly as a Lorry Driver at the Dalbeattie end of Solway Forest. Jim and his dog, who sat in the lorry cab, were well known throughout the area.
Peter MacKenzie, Forester, Clydesdale Forest, has retired.
Tom Tochrane, Forest Craftsman, Moffat Forest, has retired after 30 years’ service.
Dougie McNaught, Head Forester, Craik Forest has retired after starting as a Worker in 1940, He worked in Solway and Arecleoch before spending his last 14 years at Craik.
Peter Figg of Wauchope has retired after 26 years’ service with the Commission. He was a student at Faskally before moving to Carrick, Solway, Castle O’er, and finally to Wauchope.
Joe Marsh, Ganger, Santon Downham, East England and his wife Dot Marsh, District Office Clerk, Thetford, have retired after over 61 years joint service with the Forestry Commission.
Maurice Wilkinson, Ganger, Wensum, East England, has retired.
Sid Mayes, Forest Craftsman, Kings Forest, East England, has retired after 44 years’ service.
George Catton, Lorry Driver, Kings Forest, East England, has retired after 36 years’ service.
Barbara Maher, has retired after joining the Forestry Commission in 1939 as a Clerical Officer in the Office of the Assistant Commissioner for England and Wales, which was located in Bristol. She has spent the majority of her service in Estate Management and Private Woodlands administration, with the last 7 years in the N(W) Conservancy Office, Aberystwyth.
Mr A.B. Harrison, Higher Grade Clerk, has retired after 33 years’ service at Gwydyr, Wales.
Mr D. Roberts (Dai Bach), Gwydyr, Wales, began work on the Forest beat in 1944 and became a ‘dozer operator in 1951.
Mr J. Ellis, Ganger, Beddgelert Forest, Wales, has retired.
Mr R.P. Roberts, Ganger, Beddgelert Forest, Wales, has retired.
Mr H.R. Humphreys, Ranger, Beddgelert Forest, Wales, has retired.
Mr G.E. Griffiths, Forest Craftsman, Beddgelert Forest, Wales, has retired.
Mr R. Jones, Forest Craftsman, Beddgelert Forest, Wales, has retired.
Mr R.M. Roberts, Forest Craftsman, Beddgelert Forest, Wales, has retired.
Mr D.J. Williams, Forest Craftsman, Beddgelert Forest, Wales, has retired.
Meirion Pugh, Leading Ganger, Hafren, Wales, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Mal Bennett, Ganger, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Aneurin Davies, Forest Craftsman, Ceiriog, Wales, has retired after 27 years’ service with the Commission.
John Davies, Forest Craftsman, Ceiriog, Wales, has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission.
Meirion Evans, Forest Craftsman, Ceiriog, Wales, has retired after 28 years’ service, which included working at Llangollen Forest, Maelor Nursery and on the Wrexham to Chester Bypasses.
Harry Davies, Tractor Driver, Ystwyth Forest, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Harry Davies received his Long Service Certificate from District Officer John Henderson.
Frank Roberts, Grader Operator, Llanrwst, Wales, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Ron George, Ceri Forest, Wales, has retired after working in Ceri Forest for 32 years.
Llewellyn Pierce, Forest Craftsman, Gwydyr, Wales, has retired after 33 years’ service at Gwydyr Forest.
Obituaries
James Allan, former Head Forester who worked at Kemnay Forest, Aberdeenshire and Edensmuir Forest, Fife, has died. He was a County Councillor in Aberdeenshire for many years and was Provost of Ladybank, Fife.
Mrs Hetty Ambury-Evans, Forest Clerk, Coleford Office, has died.
Walter Borthwick, Forest Craftsman, Rannoch Forest, has died.
Samuel Burgham, former Forest Craftsman, Forest of Dean, who retired in 1969 has died.
Fred Duncalf, Forest Craftsman, Hambledon, who helped to establish woods around Rievaulx and Helmsley has died aged 47.
Dan Evans, former Forest Clerk, Dyfi Forest, has died. He joined the Commission in 1947 and became Forest Clerk 15 years later.
William Harris, former Forest Craftsman, Ampthill Forest, has died.
Miss Fanny Higgs, Parkend, Forest of Dean, who had a long association with the Office of Woods and the Forestry Commission has died. She succeeded her mother as Keeper of the Pound in Parkend, in which foresters impounded the notorious trespassing Forest of Dean sheep. She was employed as a cleaner at Whitemead Park.
Joe Hird, former Forester, North-East Conservancy, has died aged 79. He retired in 1965 after completing 30 years’ service at the Stang in North Yorkshire.
David Gwilym Jones, former Forest Craftsman, Caeo, has died. He served for 13 years with the Commission.
Bryan Latham CBE, MM, MA, Forestry Commissioner 1957-1963 has died aged 84.
Andrew MacLean, West Scotland Research Branch, Kilmun and previously a Ganger and highly skilled Winch Operator in Benmore Forest, where he had worked since 1952, has died.
Alex Marshall, Forester, Deer Museum, Clatteringshaws has died. He joined the Commission in 1949, became a Forester in 1960 and a Wild Life Forester in Galloway. He helped develop the Talnotry Goat Museum in 1971.
Willie Milne, former Head Forester, Culbin Forest has died. He served at Durris, Bin and Blackhall Forests before moving to Culbin in 1947.
Thomas Morgan, Skilled Forest Worker at Caeo Forest for 24 years until his retirement in 1971, has died.
John Neilson, Forest Craftsman, Dalbeattie section of Solway Forest has died aged 58. He served with the Commission for 31 years.
Ken Price, Foreman Mechanic, Rheola Repair Depot has died. He served with the Commission for 24 years.
John Sommers, Plant Operator, SE England, has died. He served with the Commission for 31 years.
Harry Tyreman, Forest Craftsman, Hambleton (Ampleforth), has died aged 54.
Gwilyn Dan Williams, Forest Craftsman, Brechfa, has died aged 41. He served with the Commission for 21 years.