Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 314 - Summer 1983
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.
Forest In Middle Of Merseyside - Operation Facelift Is Underway
The Forestry Commission plan to turn 235 acres of derelict dockside land into the venue for Britain’s first International Garden Festival, which will be held in Liverpool from May to October 1984. Members of the Forest Design branch are mounting the Commission’s Festival exhibit.
Pastures New For Big Jim
Superintendent Forester Jim MacDonald has been transferred from Westonbirt Arboretum to Wymersley E(E). He is succeeded by Peter Gregory in a straight swap of posts.
Yomping Along In North Wales
About 70 people took part in a “yomp” through 13 miles of forest and open hill country in North Wales, all carrying a pack, marines style. Arranged by the Forestry Commission’s Dolgellau Office, Gwynedd, the entrants were split into three age groups. A medal was awarded to everyone who completed the course, with prizes presented by local MP Dafydd Ellis Thomas, to the fastest individuals and teams within the age groups.
Sports Club Back On Target
The Forestry Commission (Edinburgh) Sports and Social Club is in a healthier financial position, according to the report presented to the annual meeting by the Chairman, Gerald Perry.
1 Million Trees
Allan Stewart, Scottish Office Minister with responsibility for Home Affairs and the Environment, planted the millionth tree for the Central Scotland Woodlands Project in the village of Salsburgh.
Bid To Stamp Out Spruce Bark Beetle
Shropshire has been the hardest hit of the English counties by the ravages of the spruce bark beetle, but help from across the Atlantic has been received at Mortimer Forest, near Ludlow, in the centre of the outbreak. It is in the form of a mobile mechanical peeler which swiftly skims off the bark from felled spruce, thus destroying all beetle workings. Arthur Barlow, Marches District Officer, said the spruce bark beetle presented a widespread problem from Aberdovey to Shrewsbury, and the Forest of Dean to mid-Wales.
How The Germans Treat The Forest - Andy Takes A Busman's Holiday In The Dutchman's Alps
Andy Patmore, Ganger at Wymersley Forest, Northamptonshire, reports on a visit to the Sauerland area of Westphalia in Northern Germany, when he spent time with German Forester, Walter Schmitz, who manages 1,000 ha of forest on the hills above Brilon. The Sauerland is a heavily forested range of hills lying between Dortmund in the west and Kassel in the east and is nicknamed the Dutchman’s Alps as it is the nearest ski-ing resort for the Dutch during winter.
Picture: A picture from Andy’s fact-finding trip.
Take A Trip Down Memory Lane
In a picture of the 1951 entry to the old Lynford Hall Forestry School after presentation of their certificates are: Pat Marsh, Wilf Meek, Pete Gascoigne, Paul Collings, Alan Flint, Eric Rogers, Henry Smith, Ray Monk, Ted Baldwin, Rex Howell, Peter Kirby, Pete Davys, Dick Bird, Peter Daborn, Pete Pritchard, Neil Cochrane, Mike Whitlock, Charlie Hinds, Norman Fugler, Bill Tyler and Paul Winkworth.
Blast From The Past
Seven years ago this item appeared in “Slasher”. In view of the changing scene - and of course the Commission has not been untouched - John Brunton, Head Forester at Bardney thought it worth resurrecting.
So are the mighty fallen….
Anyone planning a spot of reorganising in the New Year would do well to take heed of what Roman Consul Caius Petronius wrote in his report: “We trained hard but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams we would be reorganised. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganising - and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress, while producing confusion, inefficiency and demoralisation!
…and we all know what happened to the Roman Empire!
New Editor
This is the last edition of “Slasher” by temporary editor, George Millar. The new editor will be Roy Gregor, a well-known journalist and broadcaster, particularly on agricultural topics
A New Life Ahead For This Graceful Orionia - Thanks To A Forester Called David
A new look and a new life lies ahead for the sailing ship Orionia, which was built in Spain 10 years ago and is owned by American Dr Hempsell. Much of the credit must go to the workers in the Forestry Commission’s S/W England Conservancy, notably Forester David Pedler, who became involved with the mast market 10 years ago with the then C/Forester Norman Hindley.
Pictures: (1) The Orionia in the early stages of refitting. (2) A mast is manoeuvred into position.
A Record Catch
Mr J. Chapman of Lyndhurst records the record catch of grey squirrels in the New Forest when Head Forester Fred Courtier gave his annual cage trapping demonstration to students of the Sparsholt College of Agriculture.
Competition
Pupils of Fairwater Junior School in Cwmbran were the runners-up in a national trees competition and won £100. Their entry, illustrating the theme of trees in aspects as varied as music and literature, is on show in the Natural History Museum.
The Magic Of A Forester's Paint Brush
Landscape painting is a hobby of Paul Barwick, Silviculture (S) Forester at Santon Downham. His paintings, based on the Breckland Region, will be on view at an exhibition in Norwich in September.
Pictures: Four of Paul Barwick’s paintings.
When a House is a Home
East Camghouran in Rannoch, Scotland, which welcomed visitors from 1974 until the autumn of last year, has ceased to function as a holiday house. There are many comments in the Visitors’ Book praising the house, and the colour of the water is often mentioned. The Shackels family of New Malden wrote “Marvellous holiday – Hope to return. Love your collapsible table, stuck it together again, should last a lifetime.” In the nationality column, they wrote “English by birth, Scottish by sentiment, Irish by blarney, Welsh by what’s left.”
Long Service
His 33 years with the Forestry Commission were recognised when Gordon Jeffrey was presented with a long service certificate at a ceremony at Stonehaugh.
Welcome To Conservator SW(E) John Fletcher
A warm welcome to John Fletcher, who has been the new Conservator SW(E) for over four months.
Take A Tip From These Safe Drivers
Seven drivers from the Forestry Commission, who are based in North Yorkshire, have been awarded medals and diplomas for safe driving in 1981. The recipients, who were presented with their awards by Chief Superintendent Dale of the Scarborough Police Division at a ceremony at the Commission’s District Office at Eastgate, Pickering, are: - R. Walton (Dalby); R. Hepworth (Wykeham); B. Hallam (Dalby); W.G. Simpson (Dalby); J.H. Tomlinson (Wykeham); W.H. Calvert (Wykeham); A. Hallsworth (Low Dalby).
Seven forestry workers at Hamsterley have also gained safe driving awards. They are Arnold Smith; Michael Kennedy; Tom Fletcher; Roy Brown; Doug Nelson; Joe Smith; Cecil Jacques.
Parliament Visit For The Unions
Members of the Forestry Commission Trade Unions recently met MPs in the House of Commons, on the disposals programme.
Picture: Ron Brown MBE (CSU); Reg Williams; Joe Meechan; Jean Thomson; Pat Ritch; Roger Herbert and MPs Dennis Canavan and Martin O’Neill.
John Retires - To The Rockies!
After his retirement, John Davies, Forestry Commission Conservator for Dumfries and Galloway, set out on a 100 mile trek across the Canadian Rockies to follow in the footsteps of 19th Century Scottish explorer and botanist David Douglas.
Picture on Page 1: John Davies.
Stout Men Who Gave Us Help In Times Of Crisis
Edgar Baird of Gander, Newfoundland, served in the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit, which was started in Newfoundland in November 1939. 3,400 men sailed from Canada to Britain, avoiding the Atlantic battles, to work in Scottish and English forests, producing the timber needed for the war effort. He gives details of the timber uses and also the part the men played in home defence.
Picture: Clement Atlee visits a Newfoundland foresters camp.
Poem: The Fruits Of Our Labours
A poem by Mrs Nancy MacKenzie of Edinburgh, widow of the late Alex MacKenzie.
On Show At 'The Highland’
The tiniest trees – grown in test tubes – and the biggest plough were on display at the Forestry Commission’s stand at the Royal Highland Show, held at Ingliston, near Edinburgh in June.
Prize Guy
The President of the British Deer Society, Lord Dulverton, issued a challenge to identify the species of tree in a photograph. Senior Ranger at Ringwood Forest, Vic Pardy, supplied the only correct answer, which was Taiwania Cryptomeriodes.
Prize Woman
Mrs Jacquie Harper, SW(E) Conservancy Drawing Office was awarded the first prize in the 1982 competition organised by the Society of Civil Service Authors, for the best short story of the year.
The Twins Who Control Water!
Identical concrete structures called Crump weirs have been installed in adjacent glens in the West of Scotland, from which information will be gathered on the effects of upland afforestation on water resources. The Loch Ard Engineers Road Squad undertook the work on behalf of the Institute of Hydrology with the Scottish Development Department acting as consultants. The sites chosen were the afforested glen at Kirkton and the unplanted glen at Monachyle.
Golden Birds Of The Far Mountains - And The Man Who Watches Over Them
Richard Wood of Invergarry, Inverness-shire, is an expert on Golden Eagles. For many years, he has been associated with the Nature Conservancy and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, carrying out studies into the Golden Eagle and its breeding habits in West Inverness-shire. He wrote this article on “Experiences with Golden Eagles”.
Pictures: (1) A semi-wild Sparrowhawk. (2) A semi-wild Peregrine Falcon. (3) A Golden Eagle with his owner, who holds a Grade One Bird of Prey licence and lives in the flatlands of Cambridge. (4) A six-week old Golden Eagle in Glen Garry. (5) A Golden Eagle, which was stolen from an eyrie in Sutherland, but when traced, it was too late to return the bird to the eyrie.
Danger! Be On The Lookout For Squirrel.
An appeal by the Forestry Commission to forest and woodland owners to be on the alert for an increase in grey squirrel numbers. They damage and often destroy trees by stripping off the bark from the trunk. Bark stripping takes place during May, June and July and the Commission say that squirrel control should have been undertaken in and around vulnerable woods immediately before and during this period.
The Hunter
Mr M.B. Reaney, Area Civil Engineer, South Wales Conservancy, has told Slasher that on a recent visit to Kenya, he met Mr R.J. Prickett, who was once a Forester in North West England. Now he is “The Hunter” at Treetops, the world famous lodge near Nyeri in the Aberdare National Park.
A New Life In The Sunshine
Voluntary Services Overseas are renewing their appeal for skilled foresters to serve overseas. Richard Bennett of VSO’s agricultural desk points out “The forestry resources of the Third World are becoming rapidly depleted”.
It's Pedal-Power - New Trail For The Cyclists
The first Forest Cycle Trail in Scotland was opened, giving a 10-mile long cycle trail through Achray Forest, Aberfoyle. The route starts at the Braeval Car Park entrance on the A81 outside Aberfoyle and runs through Achray Forest, past Loch Drunkie and Loch Achray, then joins the Duke’s Pass at the foot of the Trossachs. It will be open from 10am – 6pm, from Easter until the end of September.
Good Luck
Good wishes for the future of Paul Callum who was the Foreman Mechanic at Halwill Repair Depot and has now transferred on promotion to NW(E) and will be working in the Lake District.
'Ade' Settles Down To Forest Life
Adewole Henry Christian Solowo-Coker – or “Ade” for short has been appointed as a Forester after a two-year probationary period in Hereford Forest.
Picture: Ade with Mrs Linda Mason, the Forest Clerk.
Green Light For 'Lake' Plan
The Forestry Commission have reached full agreement with the Lake District Special Planning Board over planting proposals for the Grassguards area of Dunnerdale.
Watch Those Slips!
Mr M.B. Reaney, Civil Engineer, South Wales, gives a warning on the threat of landslips in the vales of South Wales. He says the stability of slopes, which were over steepened in the Ice Age and draped with clayed superficial deposits, can be easily upset. Afforestation is recognised as a possible remedial measure. But not any tree will do. Conifers are unlikely to be effective as they are relatively shallow rooted, so their drying effect is superficial. A quick growing deep-rooted evergreen tree which takes up a lot of moisture, like the Eucalyptus could be the answer. Some E. gunnii and E. nitida were planted on five landslip sites in May 1982 and so far, except for a sheep attack, the survival rate and growth are promising.
Prince On Conservation
The Prince of Wales addressed representatives of many associated organisations, when he launched the Conservation and Development Programme for the UK, in London on 8th June.
Pet Aims For Tomorrow
Singer Petula Clark was in West Sussex in May to lend her support to the “Trees for Tomorrow” campaign aimed at restoring some of the greenery destroyed by Dutch Elm disease. The project backed by the local council, was launched at Goodwood House, the home of the Duke of Richmond.
Bird's Eye View For Disabled
With financial assistance from the New Forest Association, the Forestry Commission’s deer observation platform at Bolderwood in the New Forest has been modified to accommodate wheelchair users, allowing disabled visitors to see wild deer at close quarters in the fields where they have been accustomed to graze for many years.
Answer Is: Fill It In
The Wildlife branch requests foresters fill in the Mammal / Bird / Damage questionnaire when it is distributed every 5 years. 2,000 questionnaires will be analysed by staff at the Forest Research Station at Alice Holt.
Report's Focus On Disposals - Aim Is To Reduce Call On Public Funds
The Forestry Commission gave further details of their approach to the disposals programme and the market response, in the annual report of the Forestry Commission. There were also other points in the report on fires, land acquisition, manpower reductions and the management of property.
Unions Reject Wage Offer
The offer by the Forestry Commission to increase forestry workers’ pay by four per cent has been rejected by the Trade Union Side of the Forestry Commission Joint Industrial Council.
Butterfly Beauty Preserved
Roger Sutton, the Recorder of the British Butterfly Conservation Society says the Forestry Commission saved three nationally valuable habitats for butterflies from destruction. He recommends an arrangement his Society has with the South West Conservancy which will help the survival of the Marsh Fritillary, Duke of Burgundy, Wood White and the Pearl-bordered Fritillary with many others, not quite so rare.
Pictures: (1) Marsh Fritillary. (2) Wood White. (3) Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Here's What It's Like In a Marathon
HEO’s Bruce Inglis (Audit), Bill McLaughlin (Finance) and Senior Cartographer Keith Ball (Field Study) faced challenges beforehand in addition to running in the London Marathon. Their pick-up bus failed to rendezvous with them, so they had to resort to London Underground and British Rail to arrive just in time.
The Accent On Pictures
The mountain ridge at the head of Ebbw and Sirhowy Valleys has suffered the depredation of the coal mining and the iron and steel industries. The Blaenau Gwent BC, Gwent CC, Welsh Development Agency and Forestry Commission are jointly involved in a 50 ha afforestation scheme for the area. Children from 19 schools each planted a young broadleaf tree.
Picture: Children from Willowtown School.
David Nash, a former Forestry Commission employee at Grizedale Forest E(NW), and now recognised as an “artist in wood” uses unseasoned, windblown timber to provide him with inspiration for his work.
Picture: David Nash with his table at Edinburgh’s Fruitmarket Gallery.
The problem of tracks coming off Rolba Bombi cross-country vehicles in adverse weather conditions has been virtually solved at Inver Workshop, Dunkeld, with the help and advice of CME E(Scot). The solution is to extend the track frames and also fitting idler sprockets to the rear.
Picture: A Rolba Bombi cross-country vehicle.
Special Day
A commemorative planting to mark the retirement of John Davies, Conservator S (Scot) was held at Bennan Forest on 14th June.
Come On, Join In And Live
A nationwide campaign launched by the Sports Council is aiming to persuade retirees to swap their carpet slippers for plimsolls and to quit their firesides for the hillsides.
Another Award
“Slasher” has won another award. The Certificate of Merit was given by the British Association of Industrial Editors for a story by Charles Greenlees of Ratagan Forest, N. Scotland, on “Finns, Forests and Freedom”.
Chain Saw Event
The world championship for loggers working with the chain saw, is to be held in Finland this year and will be centred on the town of Mikkeli.
Janet Is a Top Girl
Fifteen year old Sheffield schoolgirl Janet Bower has won the overall prize for a project on the Forestry Commission in the nationwide BTA Study card competition.
The Queen Honours Foresters
Mr Dallas Mithen, Commissioner in charge of harvesting, marketing, engineering and research at the Forestry Commission since 1971 was made a CB in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
E.J.M. Davies, Conservator for South Scotland, was awarded the OBE.
E.G. Owen, HEO, was awarded the MBE.
W.R. Start, Forest Manager, was awarded the MBE.
F.A. Cornell, Forest Craftsman, received the BEM.
J. Fettis, Warden, Wadsworth Wood, Doncaster, received the BEM.
Mr O. Jones, N(Wales), was awarded the BEM in the New Year Honours.
Retired
Denis Mills retired from Wyre Forest after over 40 years’ service. He joined aged 14 and apart from a short spell with HGTPD and four years’ service with the Army during the War, he spend the remainder of his career with the Commission.
Donald Wilcox, Savernake Forest SW(E), has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission, all spent at Savernake. He joined the Commission in 1941 and his job was in the Nursery. His next job was to lead the horses, which were hired to plough and harrow the ground and to pull timber. When mechanisation arrived, Donald became accustomed to the Allen Scythere and Clifford rotavator.
Gordon Parsons, Savernake Forest, SW(E), has retired after 26 years’ service with the Commission at what was originally Bentley Forest. He was involved in a vast weeding and clearing programme over 2,000 acres in Salisbury Forest. He saw Bentley amalgamate with Salisbury, Salisbury with Cranborne Chase and finally Cranborne Chase with Savernake.
George MacKenzie, Ganger, Dunkeld Forest, has retired after joining the Commission in 1935 as a part-time worker until he was called up for War service in 1939. After being demobbed in 1946, he returned to Newton as a Forest Worker. On promotion to Ganger, he was transferred to Ledmore. In 1970, Ledmore was absorbed by amalgamation and George continued his service at Dunkeld Forest.
Picture: George MacKenzie at his retirement presentation with his colleagues.
Ian Ferguson, Ganger, Carron Valley, W(S), has retired after joining the Commission in 1937 at Barcaldine Forest. He transferred to Carron Valley in 1962. Apart from his War service, Ian has had 45 years continuous service at the two forests.
Jimmy Blair, Forest Craftsman, Carron Valley, W(S), has retired, after spending the last 25 years of his working life at the Garshelloch section of Carron Valley Forest. He joined the Commission in 1958 before Garshelloch was amalgamated with Strathyre, then Carron Valley.
Andrew Mair, Research Head Forester, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1947 and later, served with the Research Division at Newton and Tulliallan before moving to Benmore in 1955 as Research Head Forester (West Scotland). On his last day before retirement, he planted two golden yew trees in Kilmun Arboretum.
Picture: Andrew Mair unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion of his retirement.
Frank Henderson, A&FO, Glasgow Office, has retired. He worked for the Commission at Inverness and Shrewsbury.
Bertie Lampert, Ringwood Forest, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1944 at Ferndown Nursery and transferred to forestry work when the Nursery closed.
James Scott (Jamie Scott), Head Forester, Inshriach Forest, has retired. His career was spent mainly in the North Conservancy, where he served in Strathnairn, Farigaig, Rumster and, for the past 18 years, at Inshriach Forest.
Tom Doyle, full time official with the General and Municipal Workers’ Union has retired. He represented his union on the Commission’s Industrial and Trade Council. Tom was presented with a carving of a squirrel which was carved by Mr C.J. King, Head Forester at the Alice Holt Research Station.
Obituaries
Alex MacKenzie, former Mensuration Officer, Scotland, who retired in 1971, has died aged 77. He attended the Forester Training School at Beauly and joined the Research Branch of the Forestry Commission.
Frank Foley, Principal, Organisation and Methods Branch, has died aged 53. He joined the Commission’s Scottish Directorate Office in Edinburgh as a CO in 1947. On his return from National Service, he worked in Glasgow in the West Scotland Conservancy Office until 1959, when he moved to Inverness as EO. He was promoted to HEO in Savile Row Headquarters in 1966 and became SEO in 1972. Frank returned to Edinburgh in 1975 and four years later, on promotion to Principal, became Head of the Organisation and Methods Branch.
Gwilym Lloyd, formerly at Coed y Brenin, has died. Before his retirement in 1981, he was a key figure in the North Wales ploughing team, operating his wide-track county tractor and Cuthbertson plough over peat bogs.
Jack Eaton, Ranger has died aged 59. He joined the Commission 34 years ago as a General Worker in the Nurseries at Broxa and Langdale, tractor driving for most of the time. He was a Ganger between 1969-1971, then became a Senior Forest Ranger. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he was involved in creating forest walks, especially the 14-mile Blue Man walk from Reasty Bank car park to the Cayley Arms, Allerston.
Joseph Preston (Joe Preston), former HEO, has died. He joined the Commission in 1947 as an EO, and worked for many of his later years as an HEO in the Superannuation Branch. He retired in 1967.
Iain McNicol, former Head Forester, Fearnoch Forest, has died aged 73. He joined the Commission at Barcaldine in 1925 and retired in 1970.
Duncan MacKellar, former Clerk of Works, Cairnbaan, West Scotland, for over 20 years has died aged 79. He retired in 1968.
John Moody, former Forest Craftsman, Carron Valley Forest, has died aged 64. He joined the Commission in 1955 and retired in 1980.