Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 304 - Summer 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.
Bowaters -The Effect On Forestry
Bowater UK Paper Company Ltd announced its intention to close its Ellesmere Port mill, which comes three months after the announcement of the Corpach mill closure. Dallas Mithen, Commissioner for Harvesting and Marketing answers questions on the effects of the closure.
Picture: Dallas Mithen.
Saved - By a Tin Of Paint
Head Forester Peter Clark was marking trees in a section of York Forest near Wheldrake when he ran short of marking paint. He walked to the nearby stores for another tin. He was returning to the trees when a tractor driver stopped him to discuss a problem. At that moment, there was a loud explosion and a ball of thick black smoke billowed up from the group of trees where Peter had been working minutes before! Peter and the tractor driver rushed to the spot to find a Jet Provost training plane from adjoining Elvington Airfield had crashed into the woods. The trees were ablaze and an RAF rescue team followed by the fire brigade and police were on the scene in minutes and smothered the flames. The pilot had ejected seconds before the crash and was picked up by helicopter unhurt in a nearby field. All that remained was the blackened ruin of the plane and 50 badly burned and broken trees.
Picture: The aftermath of the plane crash in York Forest.
Top Two At NCC
The Nature Conservancy Council has appointed Sir Ralph Verney Bt., KBE, DL, JP, a Forestry Commissioner since 1968, as Chairman and Mr Dick Steele, immediate past-President of the Institute of Foresters of Great Britain as Director General.
Princess Pays Surprise Visit
HRH Princess Alexandra, accompanied by her husband Angus Ogilvy, attended the Royal Highland Show. They were welcomed at the Forestry Commission marquee by Commissioner Captain David Bowser and West Scotland’s Conservation and Recreation Planning Officer Roger Hurst, who showed her around the exhibit. Princess Alexandra was introduced to Foresters Ian Embry and Peter Green of the Agricultural Show Unit, and at the Information Desk she signed the Visitors Book and chatted to Kay Beattie of Information Branch and her fiancé Gordon Inglis (E & T). Ian Embry set up a new record for a single sale of FC publications - £36 netted from one customer for forestry books.
Still Waiting
In response to Alex Pollock MP asking for a statement on the Government’s review of forestry policy, the Secretary of State said substantial progress has been made, but final decisions have not been made. A statement will be issued when discussions are complete.
Bronze Otter Unveiled
A life-size otter sculpture made of bronze has been erected on a rock in a pool in the Black Water of Dee in Galloway Forest Park. The sculpture was unveiled by Scots actor, Iain Cuthbertson during a small riverside ceremony to mark its completion. It was created by Penny Wheatley and financed jointly by the Forestry Commission and the Scottish Arts Council. Penny Wheatley also sculptured an otter for the Gavin Maxwell Otter Memorial at Port William overlooking Luce Bay.
Picture: Actor Iain Cuthbertson and sculptor Penny Wheatley with the new Galloway Park Statue.
Timber Exports Save Scottish Jobs
The Forestry Commission has accepted offers from Scandinavian companies for the export of over 100,000 tonnes of pulpwood a year for the next three years from Scottish Forests.
Anti-Nuclear Demonstrators Stage Sit-In
Victoria House N(W) Conservancy Office was peaceably occupied by “MADRYN”, a group of 20-25 protesters, including hill-farmers, shop keepers, housewives and retired people, against the Forestry Commission. The protest was called because permission had been granted to the Institute of Geological Sciences to enter Dyfi, Rheidol and Hafren Forests for surface reconnaissance as part of the Government’s research programme into the disposal of radioactive waste.
MADRYN is Mudiad Amddiffyn Dyfi Rhag Ysbwriel Niwcliar, which roughly translated, means the movement for the Protection of Dyfi (the River Dyfi) against Nuclear Wastes.
Picture: MADRYN protesters outside Victoria House.
Prisoners Assist With Bird Box Project
The success last year of the Penninghame Open Prison Bird Box Project, in conjunction with Penninghame Forest staff has encouraged the Officers and inmates of the prison to continue the survey this year. Head Forester Andrew Liddell asked the prison Governor for volunteers to erect 40 boxes made by the pupils of the Douglas Ewart High School.
Winners Receive Prizes At Tummel Centre
The children of Primary Three at East Wemyss School, Fife and Primary Seven at Langlands School, Forfar, were joint winners of the Tummel Forest Schools Project Competition and collected their prizes at the Forestry Commission’s Tummel Visitor Centre.
Picture: Chief Forester Hamish Park viewing the displays with some of the schoolchildren.
Record Price Paid
A record price of over £500 per kilo was paid for a special batch of Lodgepole Pine seeds, collected in Canada by an exploratory team from the Forestry Commission. The UK forest seed service is administered by the Forestry Commission.
Re-United
In the Spring edition of “Slasher”, an appeal was made for the whereabouts of Jack Buchanan and John Elder so that some 1948 postcards could be forwarded to them. They have been found, the postcards have been returned to them, and the two buddies have been re-united after loosing touch.
Ian Is Champion Fund-Raiser
Ian Watt, DFO at Llandovery, who is Chairman of the Dyfyd Wildlife Appeal, has raised £67,500 in two years for the West Wales Naturalist Trust. The appeal started in 1978 when two properties in Wales came up for sale. One was the estate belonging to Lord Dynevor containing 300 year old woodlands and a twelfth century castle. The other property was at Rhos Glyn yr Helyg.
Carnival Queen Jo
Carnival Queen Josephine Hollis, Specialist Typist with the Commission at Lyndhurst SE(E) was chosen from 14 contestants as this year’s Lyndhurst Carnival Queen.
Picture: Carnival Queen Josephine Hollis with dog.
Lord Gibson-Watt Lists FC’s Achievements
In his recent speech to the Royal Forestry Society, Lord Gibson-Watt made a number of references to the achievements of the Forestry Commission in the past 61 years.
Local Authorities To Assist In Dutch Elm Trials
Over 20 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales have been invited to co-operate with the Forestry Commission in extending trials of a possible treatment for elm trees infected with Dutch Elm Disease. The product used in this treatment will be “Ceratotect” known in the USA as “Arbotect 20 S” where it has been used with some success for the past two years, The French authorities also introduced the treatment in 1979.
Alistair Rowan Succeeds John James
Alistair Rowan has been appointed Conservator for North West England to succeed John James who is retiring in September.
The Slasher Poem By Muir Burns
A ditty on the contents of “Slasher” by Muir Burns.
Museum Seeks Help With Forest Exhibits
A plea by Fred Woodward, Depute Keeper of Natural History at Glasgow’s Museum and Art Gallery, to forestry staff to assist in the creation of a new Gallery displaying the Natural History of Scotland.
Machinery Demonstration At Coleford
One hundred of the world’s leading firms will be exhibiting their products at the National Forest and Timber Machinery Demonstration at Coleford.
John Gwynn Appointed Director (EMD)
John Gwynn, Conservator (Estates) since 1978, has been appointed Director (Estate Management Division) in succession to J.R. Booth who retired in June.
Richard Illingworth Promoted
Richard Illingworth, Principal Land Agent since 1978, has been appointed Conservator (Estates) at Headquarters.
Forestry Jargon - Thetford Style
Ronnie Hannant, a Harvesting Tractor Driver on the Bridgham Beat of Thetford Chase has compiled a humorous list of local definitions of Forestry Jargon.
Picture: Certificates commending the new Visitor Centre at Westonbirt were given by the Royal Institute of British Architects and presented by the Chairman of the Gloucester Branch, Mr G.A.J. Mathers, to Mr D.R. Johnston, Director (Research) Forestry Commission. Also with awards are Mr Andris Berzins, Mr M. Scarfe, architect, and Mr R.A. Palmer, the builder.
Nature News: Sound Management Ensures Good Conservation
An article by Paul Hill-Tout who believes conservation and forest management are not incompatible and can be combined with little compromise.
Picture: The Duke of Burgundy Fritillary butterfly.
Chapelhall Workshops Given New Look
During a visit to the Forestry Commission’s Central Engineering Workshops at Chapelhall, Chairman Sir David Montgomery praised the new workshops, equipment and the skill of the staff in handling the variety of mechanical problems. Bill Anderson, Plant and Transport Manager at Headquarters is responsible for the administration of Chapelhall. The general office is under the administration of Office Manager, Andrew McKenzie. Betty Matthews and May Reilly operate the manual stock control system in the Stores Office.
Pictures: (1) Some of the 4,000 items held in the Stores. Storeman Duncan Hamilton is at one of the bins and Storeman Willian Patterson is pulling the trolley. (2) The Fitters carry out their tasks in the Workshop Section. (3) Fitter Brendan Grant uses his welding torch on a Rock Drilling Rig. (4) Chairman Sir David Montgomery learns the facts at first hand from Foreman Peter Anderson. Bolting an engine to its stand are Fitters Amedeo Angiolini and John Kasper. (5) A wide range of heavy machinery is lined up for overhaul and repair. (6) Works Manager Jimmy Thomson who began his FC career as a Fitter at Blair Atholl in 1952.
50 Items For Hire In Central Pool Fleet
In addition to workshop responsibilities, Chapelhall also operates the Forestry Commission’s Central Pool Fleet of around 50 items including Dozers, Excavators, Tractors, Ploughs, Skiddars and Harvesters.
Field Trials For Prototype Skidder
Picture: A prototype Skidder at Chapelhall is based on a Bray T100 tractor.
BEM Presentation
Fred Legge, Leading Research Worker at Newton Research Nursery has received a British Empire Medal, presented by Captain Ian Tennant, Lord Lieutenant of Moray, as The Queen’s representative.
Picture: Fred Legge receiving the British Empire Medal from Captain Ian Tennant.
Ally's Dream Comes True
A childhood dream of owning a pony has come true for Blairadam Forest Storeman Ally Knoll who started breeding Arabs in 1964 and has seven prize specimens in his Kelty paddocks.
Picture: Andy Knoll with two year old Cumbrian Nareth, a fifteen hands high stallion who recently won First Prize at the Fife Horse Show.
Success of Welsh Open Days
Open Days held in two Welsh forests were successful, drawing large crowds to see the Forestry Commission staff at work.
The first of the Open Days was at Penllyn Forest near Bala, Gwynedd in the SE corner of the Snowdonia National Park. Timed to coincide with school half-term, the event attracted 390 people of all ages. Head Forester Chris Griffiths welcomed the visitors to the Forest Centre where a pictorial display of forestry in North Wales had been prepared by Head Forester Reg Wheeler. Forest Clerk Mrs Hughes and Bob Jones did a good trade selling literature, Dai Evans was in action at the forge, branding a wooden plaque souvenir. Mechanic Bob Valler answered questions on forest machinery. There were minibus tours by Glyn Rowlands, Bob Jones, Lenny Pullen, Eric Jones and volunteers from local outdoor centres.
Despite the inclement weather, the Open Days held at St Gwynno were a great success, attracting almost 2,000 visitors. Fifteen hundred schoolchildren in 50 parties from all over South Wales were taken on guided tours to see timber felling, extraction, loading, conversion, peeling, splitting and stake making by forest craftsman in the woods. Ranger Allan Bath compiled a wildlife quiz and the Mid Glamorgan CC display caravan received many visitors. Four hundred visitors drove along the four and a half mile forest drive specially opened for the weekend.
Pictures: (1) Bob Roberts explaining a Parkgate plough to visitors. (2) Jeff Morgan cross cuts sawlogs watched by a group led by Davis Parsons, DFO Gwent.
The Train Now Arriving In Ronnie's Garden
William Ronald Lewis, Forest Worker from Ynysbwl has a model railway running round his garden. He set up the layout over a year ago, and having proved it could withstand the British climate, he has extended it to 300 yards of track. It runs on a 12 volt battery system and Mr Lewis makes the trains, signal boxes and accessories. Derailments are rare and only occur when one of his cats stands on the track or when a worm crawls onto the rails.
Picture: Mr Lewis with his garden railway.
It's The Same The Whole World Over
An article by John Wright of the Victorian Forest Commission, in the Australian forestry newsletter “Treez” states that Australia's 650,000 hectares of radiata pine plantations are both a major source of wood and a target for increased public criticism. He concludes the public should be informed that the foresters’ intentions and policies are reasonable and honest and their practices sound.
Chinese Foresters On Tour
A delegation of forestry experts from China toured British forestry interests. They visited the Commission headquarters in Edinburgh, Alice Holt Lodge, the Northern Research Station at Roslyn, the forests of Eskdalemuir, Ae, Bennan, Thornthwaite, Grizedale and Westonbirt Arboretum.
Picture: Geneticist Dr Alan Fletcher explains British tree breeding programmes at NRS, to the Chinese delegation.
Postbag
A letter from R.K. Howard, Hereford Forest, a qualified first-aider, advises rubber constrictive bandages be removed from first aid kits. They were originally intended to stop excessive bleeding, but in untrained hands, they could cause harm. Also, zinc oxide plasters should be discontinued because many people have suffered a skin reaction to them.
Stamp collectors Alison Rae, Rosalind Bull and Kay Beattie are hoping to add to their collections of British stamps, which they intend to sell, with the proceeds going to the FC Benevolent Fund. Any unsold stamps will be forwarded to the Cancer Research Fund Office.
Retired
Bob Griffiths MBE, Head Forester, Newborough Forest, Anglesey, North Wales, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission, and was responsible for establishing the forest. When Bob arrived at Newborough in 1946, the area consisted of 1,700 acres of moving sand dunes, littered with high explosives, but no trees.
Picture: Bob Griffiths and Roger Bradley with colleagues.
John Inglis, Conservancy Mechanical Engineer, Bristol, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Bert Swinyard, Leading Ganger, Coleford, South West England, has retired after 27 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission at the Dean Nursery and transferred to Speech House Walk, as a Ganger after the Nursery closed. He moved to Coleford in 1971.
Jim Freeman, Head Forester, Private Woodland duties, Dean District, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission.
Bill Clarkson, Area Civil Engineer, Huntly, Scotland, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission. His service was concentrated in two Conservancies, South(S) and East(S), with his final 13 years based at Huntly.
Dick Sanderson, Forest Craftsman, Banchory Forest, Scotland, has retired after 24 years’ service with the Commission. At Banchory Forest, he started as a Senior Ranger, then became a Forest Craftsman.
Bill Bibby, Cranborne, South West England, has retired. He worked in Pershore, Cranborne Chase and Hereford, where he spent 8 years before moving back to Cranborne in 1972, where he remained until his retirement.
Sid Haines, Messenger in the Commission’s Bristol Office has retired. He is featured in a recently published book about HMS Barham, on which he served during his 12 years in the Royal Navy.
Mr R. Newman, Forest Craftsman, Bedgebury, South East England, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He was a regular award winning driver for safety.
Cliff Blott, HEO, North East England, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission. He started work as a CO in 1937 when the office was based at Chopwell Wood.
Wilf Dodsworth, Forest Clerk (Higher Grade), Dalby, has retired after 33 years’ service with the Commission at Dalby. Wilf planted a tree in Dalby Village.
Tom MacBeath, A&FO, Inverness Conservancy Office, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1946 as a Clerical Officer in the Director for Scotland’s Office in Edinburgh, moving to Inverness in 1954 as HEO. He was appointed A&FO in 1967.
Picture: Tom MacBeath at his retirement presentation.
Jack Sizer, Clerical Officer, East England Conservancy, has retired after 18 years’ service with the Commission.
Ken Netherwood, Clerical Officer, East England Conservancy, has retired after 18 years’ service with the Commission.
Neville Pauley, Executive Officer, East England Conservancy, has retired after joining the Commission in 1950. He also served at HQ.
Don Fitzjohn, Forest Craftsman, Apethorpe Section of Rockingham Forest, has retired after joining the Commission in 1936.
Gordon Johnson, Forest Craftsman, Lavenham Forest, Suffolk, has retired after 24 years’ service with the Commission at Lavenham Forest.
J.R. Booth (Dick Booth), Director, EMD, has retired after 17 years’ service with the Forestry Commission. He joined as a Conservator in 1963.
Picture: Dick Booth and his successor John Gwynn.
Evan Jones, Craftsman, Margam Forest, Wales, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission at Margam. He joined when the forest was formed in 1938 and was known as Michaelston Forest. He was called up for Army service in 1943 and returned to the Afan Valley in 1948. He designed and made tables, chairs and other recreational furniture, many of which enhance the Afan Argoed Country Park. He constructed the log cabin which dominated the 1969 Jubilee Show site at Margam and it remains in use today by the South Glamorgan Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
Fred Hill, Ganger, Margam Forest, Wales, has retired after 27 years’ service with the Commission at Margam. He joined the Commission in 1953.
Dai Cooper, Forest Craftsman, Margam Forest, Wales, has retired after 20 years’ service with the Commission, almost entirely at Margam. He was a long serving beat steward for the NUAAW.
Jimmy Grieve, Forester, Fleet Forest, has retired after 44 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the work force at Fleet Forest aged 16 and collected acorns, which provided for the establishment of the Fleet oakwoods. After War service, he returned to Fleet as a Tractor Driver and became a Ganger in 1948, and later became a Foreman and finally a Forester in 1965.
Ernie Jones, Head Forester, NW(E), has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission.
Mr R.L. Jones, Forest Craftsman, Shropshire Hills, NW(E), has retired.
Mr H. Sleath, Forest Craftsman, Launde, NW(E), has retired.
Mr L.E. Cornes, Forest Craftsman, Mortimer, NW(E), has retired.
Mr J. McFarlane, Forest Craftsman, Sherwood, NW(E), has retired.
Mr J.P. Newton, Forest Craftsman, Sherwood, NW(E), has retired.
Mr W.C. Chapman, Forest Craftsman, Greystoke, NW(E), has retired.
Mrs P.E. Morgan, Higher Grade Forest Clerk, Sherwood, NW(E), has retired.
Mr R. Thwaites, Leading Ganger, Thornthwait, NW(E), has retired.
Mr W. Turner, Forest Clerk, Thornthwaite, NW(E), has retired.
Allan Mcleary, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission. He started with the Commission at the Forest of Ae, Dumfries, and served 4 years before moving to Kilgrammie, Dailly, attached to Tairlaw Forest, until the amalgamation of the forests to form Carrick.
Davy MacRobert, Forest Craftsman, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. He started in the Nursery at Fleet, had 7 years Army Service and spent the remainder of his time with the Commission at Kirroughtree.
Mr S.C. Simcox, Forest Craftsman, NW(E), has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission.
Mr J.F. Morgan, Conservancy Civil Engineer, NW(E), has retired.
Picture: Mr & Mrs Morgan.
Obituaries
Ted Beverley, Forester, Lincolnshire, until his retirement 15 years ago, has died.
David Campbell, Ganger, Drummond Hill Forest from 1946 until his retirement last year, has died.
Fred Everitt, retired Forester of Puddletown, Dorset has died. He joined the Commission in 1921 after War service in France. He moved to Puddletown in 1952 and remained there until his retirement in 1959.
Douglas Mackay (Mac Mackay), District Officer at Norfolk until his retirement in 1972 has died.
Colonel G. Edward H. Philbrick (Col. Ted Philbrick), former Conservancy Civil Engineer, who retired in 1964, has died aged 78.
Walter Wiskeard, former Forest Craftsman, Tywi, who retired last year after 42 years’ service, has died.