Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 318 - Autumn 1984
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.
Acid Rain Conference: We Need To Know More On Damage Causes
More research into the causes of forest damage is needed, Dr Bill Binns of the Forestry Commission told an international conference, organised by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in Edinburgh.
Its Countdown To Big Changes: Efficiency Is The Aim Of This Facelift
To secure improvements in efficiency, major changes are to be made in the structure and organisation of the Forestry Commission at Headquarters and at Conservancy levels. This decision has been reached after consultation with the Commission’s staff and Trade Unions, the Regional Advisory Committees and the Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee.
Supersedes Bonanza Is £900,000
The Forestry Commission has secured its biggest ever harvest of seeds. Almost £900,000 of top quality seed is now in store and Douglas Clark, Seed and Plant Production Officer, reports a growing list of export orders.
Picture: The Alice Holt heater-blower.
Martyrs Stone Now In Museum
The Martyrs Stone, which was damaged last year by vandals at its former site at Caldons Campsite, Glentrool, has been repaired and placed in the care of Newton Stewart museum.
Civil Service Benevolent Fund - What We Can Do For You
The purpose of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund.
The Annual Meeting
Caroline Jones, Welfare Officer, reports on her attendance at the Civil Service Benevolent Fund annual general meeting in London.
Finance Chief Takes New Post
Derek Rutherford is the Forestry Commission’s new Commissioner for Administration and Finance, succeeding George Murray, who retires in October.
Picture: Derek Rutherford.
Philip Takes Top Award From 2000 In Study Contest
Philip Whitfield from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was the winner of a major educational competition, with a plan for a small forest plantation.
Picture: John Keenleyside, Chief Forester (Research), Newton Nursery, Elgin, and Philip Whitfield.
Trophy Ranger
Senior Ranger Alan Stewart’s name has been drawn in the CLA Game Fair to have a buck fully mounted on a trophy by taxidermist Allan Allison of Kinross.
The Dark Days Of War Remembered
To mark the fortieth anniversary of D-Day, several thousand people gathered at Mogshade Hill in the New Forest.
Managing Woods
The publication “Silviculture of Broadleaved Woodland” by Julian Evans (Forestry Commission Bulletin No 62), could become the standard reference for the cultivation of broadleaved woods in Britain.
Questions And Answers On The Review Report
Trade Union Secretary Ted Radford raises points with Forestry Commission Director General George Holmes.
Pictures: (1) Director General George Holmes. (2) Trade Union Side Secretary Ted Radford.
Dragon Flies Their Life And Times
Observations of the New Forest Odonata Study Group.
VIP For Forest
The Right Reverend Dr Fraser McLuskey, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, began his pastoral visit to Balquhidder Parish with a visit to Strathyre Forest.
Live Ammunition Found Near Culbin Forest: Danger! Beach Bomb Teams At Work
Bomb disposal experts are searching the beach adjoining the Forestry Commission’s Culbin Forest on the Moray Firth after the discovery of live ammunition left over from World War II exercises.
Picture: A Royal Engineer civilian team member searching for buried missiles.
Forestry Staff On The Ball With The Top Display
At their exhibit on the Broadlands Estate in Hampshire, Forestry Commission staff from SE(E) Conservancy demonstrated the humane control of wildlife.
Picture: Owner of Broadlands, Lord Romsey, with Conservator Ian Skinner and Deputy Surveyor Nicolas Banister.
Princely Award
The Forestry Commission’s contribution to the permanent exhibition at the new Offa’s Dyke Heritage Centre at Knighton, was recognised at a presentation ceremony, when the Centre won a 1983 Prince of Wales Award.
Picture: Peter Harrison, Harvesting & Marketing Head Forester at the Llandrindod Forest District, receives the certificate from Lord Gibson-Watt.
A Watery Grave
The passing of Inverliever into Loch Awe was “celebrated” when the old forest sign was ceremoniously dumped into Loch Awe by Senior Forest Worker Hamish MacDonald.
Picture: The ceremonial dumping of the sign.
Back In Routine
The Queen has approved the re-appointment of Lord Gibson-Watt of the Wye as a part-time Forestry Commissioner for a further two years.
Identification Is Alan's Game
The Arboricultural Association’s award for 1984 has been presented to Alan F. Mitchell who retires in December from his post as Dendrologist with the Forestry Commission Research Division.
Introducing The Ghost Trees Of Terregles
Caterpillars of one of the species of small ermine moth (Yponomeuta evonymella) feed on the leaves of gean, the wild cherry tree.
Pictures: The effects of infestation by ermine moth caterpillars.
International Action Needed On The Future Of Forestry
In his keynote address to the International Forest Congress in Quebec in August, the Forestry Commission Director General George Holmes said determined efforts by international agencies such as FAO and The World and Regional Development Banks and also by national governments and politicians are essential to the future of world forestry.
Gathering In The Cones Harvest
In a busy season, 3,848 hectolitres of cones have been extracted of which 3,300 hectolitres was Sitka spruce. The remainder was Lodgepole pine, Hybrid larch and Corsican pine.
Picture: (1) Storeman Les Cumplin with a 10 kg can of Sitka spruce in the Stage Chamber. (2) Sitka spruce seed being separated from needles and rubbish on the cleaning machine. (3) Richard Napper and Nigel Keatley tip opened Sitka spruce cones into the drum kiln conveyor. (4) Manager Tony Wadell with the processed seed.
Foresters Wanted In Third World
Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) is appealing for degree or diploma holders to work in community forestry work in Third World countries.
Task Force To The Aid Of Visitors
A popular visitor spot in Wentwood Forest now has the added attraction of a specially built barbecue area, play area and viewing ramp for disabled visitors in wheelchairs, thanks to a scheme sponsored by the Manpower Services Commission.
A Silviculturist On An American Odyssey - Welcome To Little And Large Show
Roger Lines reports on the forestry during his visit to California.
Pictures: (1) Monterey cypress. (2) Redwood Mountain Grove. (3) & (4) General Grant – the Giant Sequoia standing 267 feet high.
Riddle Of Missing Marafun Clue
Organised by “The Sunday Post”, 1,200 competitors went on a “Marafun”, an eight-mile route through the Achray forest, in the Queen Elizabeth Park at Aberfoyle, answering clues about trees and wildlife. There is still a mystery surrounding one of the clues, which referred to a cherry tree that seemed to have disappeared.
Picture: “Marafun” competitors.
The Reluctant Raftman: A Helping Hand For Our Team
Principal District Officer for Kielder District, Arthur Barlow went along to watch the raft race on the North Tyne at Bellingham. But he became involved when he went to the aid of the Commission raft, HMS Conifer, which went aground.
Pictures: (1) Arthur Barlow wading in to help the refloat. (2) The crew Pat Brown, Josie Sanderson, Ann Armstrong, Muriel Giggal and Jan Barlow.
Victory In Nick Of Time
Heavy rain restricted the cricket match between the Forestry Commission and North East England Timber Merchants Association at Bellingham to 20 overs each. The Commission win was achieved with one over to spare.
The trophy was presented to the Captain Mr R. McIntosh by Mr P. Townson at the Riverdale Hall Hotel, Bellingham.
Forget L.A! It's The Other Olympics
The annual Sports Day organised by the FC Edinburgh Sports and Social Club attracted teams and supporters from HQ, Chapelhall, Glentress Forest Office, South and West Scotland Conservancies.
Pictures of the sports teams.
Warning Over Club's Future
A warning that the Forestry Commission (Edinburgh) Sports and Social Club could founder due to the lack of active support, according to Chairman Mr G. Perry.
£5,000 In Kitty To Conserve The Land
The Forestry Commission is to contribute £5,000 to the Farming and Wildlife Trust over the next five years to help finance conservation advice to farmers and landowners.
This Model's Ahead Of The Pack
The Forestry Commission’s North Scotland Conservancy decided not to compete in the exhibitor’s competition at the Black Isle Show at Muir of Ord because they have won so often in the past.
Picture: Water-powered sawmill built by Conservation Head Forester Tony Hinde.
Billy's Top Corner
Billy Day’s Corner in six hectares of Duncan Wood in Sherwood Forest has won two major awards in the woodlands competition run by the Royal Agricultural Society of England.
Pictures: (1) View of Bill Day’s Corner. (2) Sherwood Forest District Manager Hugh Insley and Chief Forester Jim Barraclough with the Longhurst Trophy.
Yomping's The Name Of The Game
60 men, women and children took part in a yomp at Coed-y-Brenin and raised over £250 for neuromuscular research.
Picture: Gerwyn James and Paul Jarman (sponsored yompers) and Reg Wheeler (retired Recreation Head Forester).
Moving On
Dick Elliott, Forest Craftsman, Harwood Forest, Rothbury Forest District, has left after 33 years’ service with the Commission, to become a drainage contractor at Harwood.
George Wilbert, Rothbury Forest District, has left after 30 years’ service with the Commission, mostly spent in the Border Forests, including Kielder.
George Tait (Doad to his friends), Rothbury Forest District, was the first worker to be employed at Kidland Forest, and also the last worker, because of redundancy. He was a gamekeeper for many years.
Retired
Jim Walsh, Head Forester, Hereford Forest, SW(E) has retired after starting his forestry career in 1947. He spent two years at Dartington Woodlands before entering Dean Forestry Training School in 1949, then was posted to Bodmin. Further postings were to Halwill and Hartland. Jim took charge of Hereford Forest in 1975.
George Charvill, Ranger, Sherwood, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission.
Jim Farenden, Forest Craftsman, Sherwood, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission.
Jack Brown, Forest Craftsman, Sherwood, has retired after 33 years’ service with the Commission.
Eric Westgarth-Taylor, Forest Craftsman, Sherwood, has retired after 29 years’ service with the Commission.
Norman Fowler, York Forest District, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. After training at the Dean FTS, he spent a number of years in Northumberland before returning to Yorkshire for the last 17 years.
Jim Gould, Head Forester, Private Woodlands, Northamptonshire, has retired.
Jack Trussell, Forester, Motorways, Cambridge, has retired.
Stan Law, Head Forester in charge of Bramfield for many years, has retired.
Jimmy McRorie, Head Forester, Tulliallan Nursery, E(S), has retired after 44 years’ service with the Commission. Jimmy went to Benmore FTS in 1942 and worked in various forests in W(S). He was posted to Tulliallan Nursery 15 years ago.
Bob Baird, Chief Forester at Kirroughtree Forest, S(S), for the past 12 years, has retired after 49 years in forestry work. He has worked in Skipton, Harrogate and Wycombe Forest, Scarborough. He worked on private estates before joining the Commission.
Branko Vuleta, Machine Operator, West Roads Department, has retired. He joined the Commission in 1954 as a Forest Worker. He became a Dumper Driver for Dalry Roads in 1961 and progressed through all of the civil engineering plant to become one of the most respected machine operators.
Picture: Bob Brown, the Area Civil Engineer and Branko Vuleta.
Sandy McIntosh, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. His duties included the organisation and running of the Forestry Commission Sign Unit and the Joinery Workshop, where he designed picnic furniture and toilet blocks. The date of Sandy’s retirement has been extended on six occasions.
Picture: Sandy McIntosh, his wife and colleagues.
Ron Hunt, Manager, St Hilary Workshop, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission in South Wales. He joined the Commission in 1949 as a Mobile Mechanic and became Workshop Manager at St Hilary in 1978.
Eric Treweeks has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission. He started work in 1947 as an FWTS trainee and after attending Dean FTS in 1949-1951, he served at Talybont, Brechfa, and Geytre before taking charge of Draethen Forest in 1968. He moved to Coed Taf Fawr in 1973 remaining in charge until the formation of the Brecon Forest District in 1983. Eric has been responsible for the Garwnant Visitor Centre from the outset.
George MacMillan, Head Forester, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. He joined in 1946 as a Forest Worker in Dyfi Orris and after training at the Dean FTS, he served at Dyfi Bryncynfil and Llanover before taking charge of Brecon Forest in 1958, a post he held until the re-organisation last year. Since then, he had been in charge of standing sales in the Brecon FD.
Sam Ellis, Driver and Part-Time Ranger, Ceiriog Forest, has retired after joining the Commission in 1951 at the (then) Llangollen Forest, which later merged to form part of Ceiriog Forest.
Picture: Sam Ellis and Forest District Manager Mr N.H. Clayden.
Mr O.G. Griffiths, Head Forester, Ruthin District, has retired after 48 years’ service with the Commission, almost entirely at N(W).
Picture: OG Griffiths and Mrs Griffiths at the presentation with Forest District Manager Mr N.H. Clayden.
Frank Farrelly, Head Forester, has retired after long service with the Commission in N(W), especially his years as PW Head Forester in the Ruthin District.
Picture: Frank Farrelly and his wife Monica at the presentation.
Mr D.G. Jones (David Jones), Craftsman, Clocaenog Forest, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission. He has recently worked in the stake production yard at Clocaenog.
Picture: David Jones with his Long Service Certificate.
Mr I.H. Thomas (Henry Thomas), Craftsman, Elwy Forest, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission. He has recently worked on motorway planting.
Picture: Henry Thomas with his Long Service certificate.
Duncan Grant, Chief Forester, Ratagan, North Scotland, has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission. He started his career as a Forest Worker at Glenbrittle in Skye during the War years. After Forestry School, he was posted to Mull, returning to Skye to take charge of the Dunvegan section. Periods of duty followed at Glenrigh, Queens, Ashnashellach as Regional Training Officer in North Scotland, and finally as Chief Forester at Ratagan.
Cecil Saunders, Brightling, SE(E), has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission.
Alf Peter has retired after 29 years’ service with the Commission. He began his career with the Duke of Buccleuch Estates and in 1955 joined Kershope Forest, transferring to Whitelee Forest in 1972. He also served as Beat Steward until his retirement.
Peter Awbrey, Head Forester, Challock Forest, has retired. He joined the Commission after Army Service in Africa and spent his forestry career in SE(E).
Picture: Peter Awbrey with his wife, colleagues, retired Foresters and friends.
Obituaries
Jack Marshall, former Head Forester, Ampleforth, has died. He joined the Commission in 1930 as a Forest Worker and worked in Hamsterley, Wark, Weardale and Ampleforth, before retiring from the Commission in 1974 and joining Durham County Council, for five years, turning reclaimed mining sites into woodland areas.
Isobel Inglis, former Forest Clerkess at Lammermuir Forest for eight years until 1983, has died.
Morag McIntyre, wife of Head Forester Colin McIntyre, Newton Stewart Forest District, has died.
Jimmy Wilson, Chief Forester, Fife Forest District has died. He served with the Commission for 38 years. He went to Benmore Forester Training School and worked at Dunkeld and Drummond Hill Forests, and Ochil Forest (formerly Blairadam) where he worked for the last 13 years.
William Anderson (Bill Anderson), Transport Engineer, Edinburgh, has died aged 60. He had 32 years’ service with the Commission after joining in 1952 and serving in Edinburgh and London. His roles were Mechanical Engineer, Directorate Mechanical Engineer, Plant and Transport Manager and Transport Engineer.
Joseph Pearce (Joe Pearce), Head Forester, Newton Stewart Forest District, has died. He joined the Commission in 1950 as a Juvenile Forest Worker in Cleveland. Following National Service, he returned to Cleveland in 1954 and became a student at Faskally. He was appointed Assistant Forester at Kirroughtree in 1958 and transferred to Brennan in 1963. He became a Forester at Bennan and was promoted to Head Forester at Edgarhope in 1971, and was then transferred to Arecleoch Forest in 1974 and moved to Newton Stewart this year.