Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 320 - Spring 1985
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.
Shotton Prepares for First Timber
Deliveries of timber in the new pulp mill at Shotton were due to start at the beginning of April and the mill will start production in May-June.
Experts Give Our Trees the All Clear: Forests Free Of European 'Curse'
Britain’s coniferous forests show no signs of damage by air pollution as has happened in West Germany.
Picture: Winter browning on Scots pine among Norway Spruce not yellowing.
Injunction on Tree Felling
The Forestry Commission obtained an injunction from the High Court on 8th March restraining Mr H.E. Hunt and his son Mr D. Hunt from felling any more trees at Longbrake Wood, Hasdor, near Alcester, Warwickshire.
Re-Organisation: Flexibility Teamwork - Keywords in Our New Look
Details of appointments and plans announced by the Commission as part of its re-organisation at Headquarters and Conservancy (regional office) levels.
Pictures: (1) Lorne District staff who visited Ardgenton District Office to see the new computer at work: Agnes Fogo, W.A. Mason, Di Cameron, Peter Ross, Ann MacLeod, Mary Forsyth and Mary Haggarty. (2) A flow chart of the roles of Commission staff.
We're in the Age of the Wonder Chip
The plans to introduce Distributed Processing Systems throughout the Commission have been making significant progress. The article outlines the latest position.
Picture: Richard Williamson with one of the new computers.
Survey Finds No Evidence of Acid Rain: Continental Damage Not Observed
A nationwide survey of tree health in Britain’s forests, with emphasis on air pollution damage has been completed by the Forestry Commission. Results of the first year’s observations show that of the trees surveyed, 6% of the spruces and 20% of Scots pine displayed an appreciable degree of crown thinning, well within the usual range of experience. There is no sign of the yellowing of needles which characterises the damage occurring in German forests. Further details are given of the survey results.
Grizedale Walk for £100,000 and We Can All Help in 1985
One of Grizedale Forest’s activities involving International Year of the Forest and International Youth Year will be a walk on 19th May to raise money for UNICEF.
The Forestry Commission is helping the campaign to raise awareness of the need to protect and enhance the world’s forest resources for the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
Picture: Participants in a previous UNICEF fund-raising walk at Grizedale at the half-way halt.
And It's Farewell From All of Us
A Farewell buffet dance was held in the Holburn Suite, Aberdeen to mark the pending closure of East Scotland Conservancy. Conservator George Taylor welcomed past and present staff, wives, friends and timber trade associates. Chief Forester Bill Brown who is now with the Research Establishment at Bush wrote a poem to commemorate the occasion.
Five Years of Change
Forestry Commission Chairman Sir David Montgomery gives a review of recent and future plans for the Commission.
Picture: Sir David Montgomery.
Timber’s Looking Good!
A favourable outlook for the wood products industry in Britain was predicted by Forestry Commission Director General George Holmes at the Timber Trading ‘85 Conference in London.
Looking for 'Mrs Potter'
A request for the whereabouts of Mrs Margaret Potter (nee Dallighan) who is mentioned in the estate of Andrew Robert Gordon.
Widows Cash - What You Need to Know
Details of retirement pension allowances and changes.
Fighting Jenny's War - In Sherwood
Sherwood was the location of filming for “Jenny’s War”, a mini series, based on a book by Jack Stoneleigh, and filmed by Harlech TV in association with Columbia Pictures. Brian White, Civil Engineer, used a Hanomag loader to clear a track and dig a hole. Jim Barraclough, Chief Forester, acted as location adviser. Proteus Army Camp at Ollerton was adapted as a PoW camp for four weeks filming.
Picture: Some of the actors in Jenny’s War taking a break.
Duke of Beaufort is Remembered
Westonbirt Arboretum Consultative Committee members commemorated the late Duke of Beaufort by planting Beech trees on the Downs near the entrance to the Arboretum. The trees were planted by Professor J.P.M. Brennan (Chairman); C.D. Bricknell; J. Workman; A.J. Grayson (Director Research); Alan Mitchell.
Picture: The tree planting near the entrance to Westonbirt Arboretum.
Graeme's Big Thanks
Graeme Rudd NE (E) Conservancy has benefited from a grant of £750 towards a new lightweight wheelchair from the Forestry Commission Benevolent Fund.
Voyage of Discovery Through New Zealand's Forests
Last year Mike Coutts, Principal Physiologist at NRS and David Paterson, Head of Forest Operations Branch, FMD, visited New Zealand to assess developments in plant production, plant handling, restocking practice and aerial fertilisation. David Paterson’s report gives the details.
Pictures: (1) Rip and bed equipment used in restocking. (2) A stand of Eucalyptus. (3) A strip structure at Eyrewell. (4) Root pruning before packing in cardboard. (5) 50 year-old Douglas fir at Kaingaroa.
Wildlife Rangers’ Handbook Full of Advice
The recently published Wildlife Rangers' Handbook is full of advice and has been welcomed by leading personalities in the world of nature and countryside conservation. It was produced by the Forestry Commission’s Conservator for North West England. The Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Rangers have been trained at Cannock Forest under the direction of Head Ranger Gerald Springthorpe BEM.
Have You Seen This Fungus?
The Pathology branch at Alice Holt are appealing for “Slasher” readers to collect samples of the pine rust fungus Peridermium pini, which is described in Forestry Commission Leaflet No. 49 “Resin top disease of Scots pine”.
Picture: Scots pine.
A Bright Idea for £100
A photograph of Ade Solowo-Coker, Work Study Forester, Thetford, receiving the first £100 staff suggestion award winners’ draw prize. His original award was for an idea he had when he was a forester at Hereford before transferring to Work Study Branch. His idea was for a leather leg pad containing heavy foam rubber, with elasticated straps fastened with Velcro, which protected a post hole borer operator’s leg from bruising.
Picture: Ade Solowo-Coker receiving his cheque from Rod Leslie, Work Study Officer at Thetford.
'Invent it' for Forest Award
Sustainable forestry is one of the target areas for this year's International Inventors’ Awards organised by the Swedish Inventors’ Association, the International Federation of Institutes for Advanced Study, the International Foundation For Science and the Salen Foundation.
Battle of the Beetle Hots Up
New measures are to be introduced in the campaign against the Great Spruce Bark Beetle (Dendroctonus micans) which was discovered for the first time in this country in August 1982.
A Complaint With Stile!
Martin Orrom, Assistant Conservator, South West England, has received a complaint with a photograph from Dr A.J. Ellen and Dr Magaret Thomson from Bedfordshire, the owners of two Old English Sheepdogs. The sheep proof styles in the Forest of Dean are proving to be very difficult obstacles for the Old English Sheepdogs to get over.
Picture: Dr Margaret Thomson and canine friends and the stile of Dean.
Birds of a Feather
Steve Petty, Wildlife Research Branch, Argyll, has some ideas on bird ecology and is looking for participants interested in producing a newsletter and giving talks about their work on the subject. Of particular interest is how Tawny owls adapt during the felling and restocking of sites, especially Glenbranter Forest, Argyll.
Pictures: (1) Tawny owls. (2) Felled and restocked sites at Glenbranter Forest, Argyll.
And Where They Stick Together!
The Forestry Commission is to participate in the national survey of heronries being undertaken throughout Britain and Northern Ireland during 1985 by the British Trust for Ornithology.
Albert Rules Canine Contest
Albert Phillips, a Skilled Forest Worker in Coed Sarnau, Llandrindod Forest District, has been showing dogs in competitions for 10 years, especially Jack Russell terriers. Three year old Ruler is Albert’s most successful dog to date.
Picture: Albert Phillips with his rosettes and Jack Russell terrier Ruler.
Sports News
Arctic weather conditions in the South of England during January and February enabled the Alice Holt Lunchtime Skating Club to meet for the first time since the winter of 1982. The tradition of skating on Lodge Pond at Alice Holt goes back to the early 1950s.
Picture: Deirdre Waddell and John Williams skating on the ice at Alice Holt.
Thousands of skiers headed for Glenisla in Angus Forest District to enjoy the facilities of 12 miles of cross country routes.
Pictures: Skiers at Glenisla in Angus Forest District.
Philip Rowell, Surveyor, Newton Roads shoots Full bore Rifle for Hampshire and the Civil Service and he went to British Columbia and Ottawa as Adjutant of the Great Britain Team. He helped to win international matches at Heels in Vancouver Island and at Ottawa and achieved second place in individual events. He won the “British Hundred” Roll Challenge Cup, awarded for the aggregate of six shoots throughout the year.
Huw George Evans, Clerical Officer, Harvesting & Marketing Section, Aberystwyth, plays for Aberystwyth Town Football Club as sweeper and had earned the title of Aberystwyth Town Supporters’ Footballer of the year.
John McGough, Administration & Finance Officer, Aberystwyth Conservancy Office, has been winning every round of the Aberystwyth Individual Table Tennis League.
Members of the Alice Holt staff met at Frensham Common to participate in the 4th Frensham Ponds Fun Run in aid of the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. The team gained first prize in the Social Club category.
Picture: The Alice Holt team members with a magnum of champagne.
For the third year in succession, a rink from Dumfries, representing the Dumfries and Area Civil Service Sports Association have won the Scottish Civil Service Bowling Championship. The latest success was at Titwood Bowling Club in Glasgow. Members are Jim Byth, Dumfries Conservancy Office, Billy Gordon, Nithsdale District, Alan Young, retired Chief Forester and John Carruthers, Head Forester, Lockerbie District.
Arwel Thomas, Cartographic Draughtsman, Aberystwyth Drawing Office, spends his leisure time playing pool. He has won the Welsh Civil Service Singles Pool Championship and with his pool partner Pete Jones of the DHSS, has won the Welsh Civil Service Doubles Pool Championship for the past two years.
Postbag
A letter from Richard Toleman, West Scotland Conservancy, with a comment on Kielder photographs in the Winter edition of “Slasher”. Richard says “On page 3, you describe the acquisition of the collection of photographs of Kielder and there are two photographs depicting the extent of afforestation. The upper picture claims to be “before the Second World War”, the lower “today”. Yet today's photograph shows an apparent Inter-City rail link between Kielder and Deadwater. British Rail officials were mystified when I attempted to book a ticket. More confusion was caused when I presented my rail warrant for the journey. Could this be the Marie Celeste of British Rail? Have local staff, as rail enthusiasts, rebuilt the line? Will the public be told?”
R. Jackson of Perth, also spotted the error. According to Mr Jackson, the line was closed in 1958.
Honours
Finlay MacRae, Forest District Manager for Easter Ross, was awarded the MBE.
Stan Cator, Crane Operator, FC Brandon Depot was awarded the BEM.
Resignations/Leaving
Farewell presentations were made to Ms Dawn Connor, Part Time Forest Clerk, Economic Forestry Group and Mrs Mair Hughes, Part Time Forest Clerk, Aeron Forest Office, who left due to the reorganisation of the forest district structure.
Picture: Forester C.E.G. Lewes presents flowers to Mrs Mair Hughes.
Jim Milne, E.O. East Scotland Conservancy Office, has transferred to the VAT Department after 20 years’ service with the Commission.
Retired
Alan Mitchell, Dendrologist, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission, all spent with Research Division at Alice Holt Lodge. His early years were spent with Genetics Branch, but later he concentrated on measurement of growth of specimen trees in arboreta and gardens. He wrote more than 80 books and technical papers, including official Forestry Commission publications such as “Know Your Broadleaves” and “Know Your Conifers”, now being re-published, and privately published books on tree identification, of which “A Field Guide to Trees of Britain and Northern Europe” is the best known and most successful.
Picture: Alan Mitchell.
Pat French, Workshop Manager, Balnacoul, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. Starting at Monaughty in 1940 with the Home Grown Timber Production, then four years’ Army service, Pat has looked after the mechanical well-being of the northern part of East (S) Conservancy ever since. He took over the new Balnacoul Workshop in 1974 and was promoted to PTO IV.
Picture: CME Bill Falconer with Pat French and colleagues.
Angus Maxwell, Forest District Manager, Llandovery, has retired. He started his forestry career with the Lothian Estate in 1936. After six years in Scotland at Twig Lees, Ae and Mabie, Angus was transferred to North Wales in 1955, where he worked at Ystwyth, Gwydyr and Radnor before moving to South Wales. From 1971-1983, he was Chief Forester in charge of Crychan.
Bert Bignell, Head Forester in charge at Irfon, has retired. He joined the Forestry Commission in 1946 at Findon. Bert attended the Forestry School at Dean from 1948-1950, then served at Aultsigh and Glen Righ in Scotland before being posted to Wark in Northumberland in 1954. He went to Launde, Leicester 1958-1969, Kershope 1969-1974, Rheola, South Wales from 1974-1979 and finally to Irfon.
John Leslie, Private Woodlands Officer, South East England, planted an oak at Bramshill Forest to mark his retirement after 17 years as a District Officer. John joined the Commission in the Forest of Dean in 1951, moved to Chester in 1954 and to the New Forest in 1960, then in 1964 he took over the Durham District and finally went to South East England in 1968.
Alistair Crawford, Chief Forester, Leanachan Forest, Lochaber Forest District, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Alistair Crawford with Mrs Crawford, friends and colleagues.
Ian Ritchie, Leading Civil Engineering Assistant, Newton Stewart, South Scotland, has retired after 17 years’ service with the Commission, all spent at Newton Stewart.
Roy Jones, Head Forester, Llandrindod Forest District, has retired after joining the Commission in 1951 at Glenloy, North Scotland as a Forest Worker. He went to Gwydyr School in 1952 and became a Ganger, Assistant Forester, Forester and in 1980 became Head Forester at Coed Sarnau Forest.
Norman Johnston, P&TOI, Chapelhall Workshops, has retired after 7 years’ service with the Commission. He served at Kielder before moving to Chapelhall Workshops.
Picture: Norman Johnston with Mr R. Hay, Chief Engineer.
Ken Hughes, Forest Craftsman, Ruthin Forest District, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission at Goror Forest in 1949, spending most of his early years as a Tractor Driver at the Nursery.
Picture: Conservator Mr D.Y.M. Robertson presented Ken Hughes with a Long Service certificate.
John Henderson, Forest District Manager, Aberystwyth Forest District, has retired after joining the Commission in the Carmarthen District in 1955.
Picture: John Clarke, the present Forest District Manager with John Henderson.
Brian Maxwell, Surveyor, Gwydyr, has retired after 18 years’ service with the Commission as a Surveyor, originally at Coed y Brenin and latterly at Gwydyr.
Picture: Brian Maxwell with Mr D.M. Hughes, Assistant Conservator H&M and Mr K. Lewis, Foreman.
Will Thompson, Dozer Driver, Roads Department, has retired after joining the Commission in 1935 at Coed y Brenin on ground preparation. After War service, Will returned to the Commission and was transferred to the Roads Department in 1948 as a Dumper Driver, later an Angle Dozer, then a Dozer Driver until his retirement.
Picture: Will is presented with a Long Service Certificate by the Conservator Mr D.Y.M. Robertson.
Mr I.D. Hughes (Ike Hughes), Angle-Dozer Operator, Roads Department, has retired after joining the Commission’s Roads Department in 1951 as a Dumper Driver.
Picture: Area Civil Engineer Mr D.J. Killer presented Ike Hughes with a Long Service Certificate.
Cathie MacMillan, Clerical Assistant, West Argyll Engineers, Lochgilphead, has retired after originally joining the Commission in 1942 at Minard, working mainly in the Nursery. After a short break in 1949, she rejoined as Forest Clerkess in Minard, then moved to Achaglachgach Forest where she worked for many years for the late Donald McCallum. In 1974, a year after Donald McCallum’s retirement, Cathie transferred to West Argyll Engineers at Lochgilphead, where she remained until her retirement.
Alex Humphrey, Forester, Exeter, SW(E), has retired. He spent his forestry career in South West England after attending Dean FTS.
Gordon Drew, Tractor Driver and Chainsaw Gang Member, Exeter, SW(E), has retired.
Charlie Neal, Bodmin Forest, SW(E), has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission, which included research at Croft Pascoe.
Jack Massey, Forest Officer, Bristol, has retired after spending 10 years in Fort William before moving to SE(E) in 1962, then to SW(E) in 1971.
Jenkin Davies, Mobile Mechanic, Chirk, has retired.
Mr R.I. Ellis, Forest Craftsman, Gwydyr Forest, Llanwrst Forest District has retired after nearly 30 years’ service with the Commission, mostly spent in Gwydyr Forest.
Mr G.L. Foulkes, Forest Craftsman, Corris Forest District has retired.
Mr E.M. Lloyd, Excavator Operator, Roads Department, has retired after joining the Commission in 1940 as an Office Clerk at Coed y Brenin. After War service, he returned to the Commission as a member of the Ploughing Team, later transferring to the Roads Department.
Bill Hann, Head Storeman, Chirk Workshop has retired.
Mr D.E. McRobert BEM, Ploughing Tractor Operator, Chirk, North Wales, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission as a Ploughing Tractor Operator. He was transferred from Scotland to North Wales and was based at Chirk with a team of 12 plough tractors. Mr McRobert was awarded a BEM for ploughing Army firing ranges at Trawsfynydd, during which live bombs were uncovered and blown up by the Army team.
Obituaries
David Aneurin Jones MBE, former EO, Harvesting and Marketing Section has died. Nye joined the Commission aged 15 in 1940 as a Forest Clerk in Dyfi Forest, also undertaking Forest Worker duties. In 1967, he transferred to the Harvesting and Marketing Section in the North Wales Conservancy at Aberystwyth. He was promoted to EO in 1972 and retired last year.
Robert Henry Lloyd Griffiths (known as Bob Hermon), former Craftsman/carpenter has died aged 64. He worked for the Commission for 40 years until his retirement in 1982.
Glyn Rowlands, employed on Forest Management duties in Penllyn Forest, has died aged 58. He joined the Commission in 1959 at Glanllyn Forest, which later became Penllyn.
Sidney George Leathers, former Clerical Officer, Aberystwyth, has died. He started working for the Commission in 1965 in the Shrewsbury Office and moved to Aberystwyth when the Shrewsbury Office closed in 1966. He retired in 1977.
Mr T.R. Morgan (Tommy Morgan), has died aged 96. He entered the Dean School in 1905 and spent most of his career as a Forester on the Nagshead / Parkhill walks of the forest. He retired at the age of 60.
Mervyn Williams, Forest Craftsman at Llandovery Forest District has died aged 58. He served with the Forestry Commission at Crychan for 28 years.
Mrs A.N. Curry, former Typist at Kielder Forest, has died. She joined the Commission in 1950 and worked as Secretary of the District Offices until her retirement in 1969.
Peter Binks, who was CO in the Finance Section at York Conservancy Office, has died. He joined the Commission in 1980.
Mr J.R. Price, A&FO Alice Holt, has died. He joined the Commission in 1954 in the Shrewsbury Office, moved to York in 1964 as an EO and to Basingstoke as an HEO in 1972. He was instrumental in setting up the computerised financial control system. He moved to Edinburgh HQ in 1974 and was promoted to SEO in 1981 and to Principal in 1982, taking up A&FO duties at Alice Holt in 1983.
David Percy, retired Head Forester, SW(E), died in March aged 62. He joined the Commission in 1948 as a Forest Worker in SE(E) and went to Glentress Forester Training School. David returned to SE(E) as Foreman and Forester, moving to Work Study in 1965 and was promoted to Head Forester. He moved to SW(E) in 1973 and his last nine years of service were spent on private woodlands.
Mr A.C. Lauritus, Leading Civil Engineering Assistant in South Wales, who served with the Commission for 27 years until his retirement in 1976, has died. Originally from Latvia, he joined the Commission in 1940 as a Draughtsman and after 13 years in charge of the Cardiff Drawing Office, transferred to the Engineering side in 1962 as Civil Engineering Assistant.