Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 322 - Autumn 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.
Finns Set Sights on Scotland
Kaukas, a leading Finnish forest products company is investigating the feasibility of investing in an integrated pulp and paper mill in Scotland. They were first approached two years ago by the Scottish Forest Products Development Group, of which the Forestry Commission is a member.
Warning Sounds About World Forests
After two weeks of deliberation, close to 200 delegates from 30 countries attending the 12th Commonwealth Forestry Conference in Victoria, BC, Canada, have concluded that the depletion of forest resources in many parts of the world is a threat to the well-being, and often the survival, of large parts of the world's population. A list of the recommendations is included in the article.
Picture: Director General George Holmes speaking at the Twelfth Commonwealth Forestry Conference.
Special Study of our Beech Trees
Commission plant pathologists have been keeping special watch over the health of Britain’s beech woodlands this year and as yet the study has revealed no prima facie evidence for pollution damage.
Forestry Research Helps Cut Britain's Import Bill
A report on the BA conference, where Mr David Seal, Chief Research Officer at the Forestry Commission Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, said technology developed by the Forestry Commission in afforestation of infertile and unproductive upland areas has been one of the outstanding contributions of research and experimentation to modern forestry practice both in Britain and overseas.
Younger Pops in for a Chat
Picture: Secretary of State for Scotland, George Younger on a visit to FC headquarters. He visited the Information Division with Chairman Sir David Montgomery and Commissioner Derek Rutherford and is pictured talking to recent recruit Suzanne Meikle (CA) while Drew Walker (EO) works on planning foreign visits.
Commission Meeting Leisure Targets
At the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Glasgow, Mr Richard Toleman, Private Forestry and Environment Officer of the Forestry Commission Mid-Scotland Conservancy, said Britain's Woodlands are playing a major role in meeting the growing demand for recreational facilities in the countryside, and will be expected to absorb even more people seeking ways of utilising leisure time.
On Target
In a .22 rifle shooting competition held between N(E) Conservancy Office and North York Moors Forest District, North York Moors won by 1080 points to 994. The highest individual scores were: -
Ladies: 1st Miss C.R. Tracey (NYM) 79; 2nd Miss E. Stopani (York) 78; 3rd Miss J.S. Wright (York) 77.
Men: 1st Mr C.R. Griffin (NYM) 86; 2nd Mr J. MacKenzie (NYM) 84; 3rd Mr K. Dacker (York) 83.
Here's How to Pick Up a Super Camera
As part of its campaign to increase public awareness that 1985 is “International Year Of The Forest”, the Forestry Commission has combined with “Amateur Photographer” magazine and Pentax in a special forest photographic competition with prizes worth more than £2,000.
Commonwealth Report: The Future and its Priorities
A report on the Twelfth Commonwealth Forestry Conference in Victoria, BC, Canada, in September 1985 which was attended by 190 participants from 30 Commonwealth countries.
Roger's Pipe Dream Come True
In his retirement, Roger Larson, former Head of Conservation and Recreation Branch has embarked on his own Conservation Plan involving the reclamation of eight acres of rough pastureland at Glendarroch, Ardrishaig, Argyll.
Picture: Roger Larson on his plot.
Leisure Theme Earns Trophy
The Forestry Commission’s stand at an exhibition celebrating 100 years of the Scottish Office was awarded the Tibbenham Challenge Trophy for showing initiative and originality. Mr Gerry Haggett, Chief Forester in charge of the stand said it provided details of the activities that can be enjoyed in forests in addition to information on the forests’ seasons and growing and maintaining trees.
Picture: The Queen visiting the Forestry Commission’s stand.
Recognition and Reward
Former Head Forester Mr J. Webster congratulated Ade Solowo-Coker on his award of £100 for designing a protective pad for users of post-hole borers, as reported in the Spring 1985 edition of “Slasher”.
Top Honour for Commission DG
FC Director General Mr George Holmes has received a top honour from the University College of North Wales.
Ethiopia's Struggle to Survive and Forests Play Part in the Battle
Dick Richards, former Conservator, E(E), writes about his assignment, requested by BESO, to look into the re-structuring of Ethiopia’s woodworking industries.
Pictures: Some of the many faces of Ethiopia.
Retired FC Staff Can Find a Challenging Task Abroad
Details of opportunities for retired FC staff abroad with the British Executive Service Overseas scheme.
Adventure in Deepest Africa
David Henderson-Howat gives an insight into the lives of the Swazi people he met during his assignment as Forest Manager of Shiselweni Forest, a Commonwealth Development Corporation project in Southern Swaziland.
Picture: A worker in Swaziland.
Yorkshire Show Display by FC
At the 128th Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate in July, Mr J.A. Spencer, Conservator N(E) welcomed Mrs Peggy Fenner, Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, to the Forestry Commission display area. An unusual exhibit on the Commission stand was a demonstration of foam firefighting equipment. Other exhibits included the great spruce bark beetle with information on other pests and diseases affecting Britain's trees. Guided tours proved popular with the general public and school parties.
Sika Deer and the Problem of Expansion
Sika deer were introduced to Great Britain from the Far East about 100 years ago and were subsequently translocated to many estates in England and Scotland. Many deer escaped and free living populations were established. The Expansion of Sika deer poses a threat to the genetic conservation of our native Red deer. The problems were the subject of a recent lecture to the British Association for the Advancement Of Science by Philip Radcliffe of the Wildlife Research Branch. A population of deer in the Lake District has hybridised to such an extent that it is now considered to be composed entirely of hybrid Red and Sika deer, with a similar population of hybrids in County Wicklow, Ireland.
Pictures: (1) A hybrid Red and Sika hind. (2) Red stags gather among the rocks and bracken. (3) A lively Sika stag. (4) Tree showing damage done by Sika deer. (5) The magnificent sight of a Red stag. (6) A Sika stag steps from the trees. (7) A Red and Sika hybrid female.
Open Day was a Success
As part of the International Year of The Forest, Aberfoyle Forest District held an Open Day which attracted 200 to 250 people who took 22 tours. Chief Forest J. McLean’s son played the pipes at Strathyre.
Royal Green Light
The Queen has approved the re-appointment for additional terms of two part-time Forestry Commissioners, John D. Pollock and Geordie O. Hutchison.
Third Time Lucky for a Feller Called Dave
At the Royal Scottish Forestry Society competition, David Grieve, who has worked for the Forestry Commission for 14 years and at present works in Bennan Forest, won the National Tree Felling Contest at Dalbeattie Forest in South West Scotland. He received the RSFS Trophy, the Economic Forestry Group Cup, the Oregon Rose Bowl, a Husqvarna 154 saw, safety clothing, boots and a tankard. Runner up was Donald McLennan from Mull. Ernest Michie, FDM Castle Douglas, selected the competition site and organised the grassed catering areas, car parks and stewarding.
Pictures: (1) McLennan’s tree about to go down. (2) David Grieve with the spoils. (3) Donald McLennan with medal.
Camping Capers at the Carnival
Staff from the Wales Conservancy Office won third prize with the Aberystwyth Carnival float for the Most Humorous Tableau.
Picture: Participants Gary Hopkins, Kay Williams, Sarah Poley, Susan Fuge and Sue Leather. Handing out FC leaflets were Margaret Taylor and Petra Lewis.
David Has Lions in His Garden
There have been a number of sightings of “large cats” from Neath to Bryn. David Parnall, Recreation Forester, Afan District, has taken plaster casts of two sets of paw prints found in his garden in Bryn. He estimates the weight of the two animals is 25 kilos and 20 kilos and believes the animals may have been bought as exotic pets and illegally released when they became too difficult to handle.
Picture: David Parnall with plaster casts of big cat paw prints.
Keeping in Touch Thanks to Hi-Tech in the Forest
D.J. Amer, Chief Forester writes about radio communications in the Scottish forests.
Derek's in Good Company
The Arboricultural Association’s award for outstanding services to arboriculture has been presented to Derek Patch, Head of the Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service at Alice Holt Lodge. Previous recipients have included Hugh Insley and Alan Mitchell.
Picture: Derek Patch with the Arboricultural Association’s award.
French Connection
Continuing the French connection with a message from Francis Rinville, Directeur des Forets.
Pictures: (1) A postcard issued by his department to mark the International Year of the Forest. (2) While visiting the forest of Reno Valdieu, John Everard supplies a picture of a tree that goes with the plaque that gives the tree’s vital statistics.
Day Out for the Unfit, Lame and Geriatric
John Watson’s humorous description of the Office Educational Outing from Glasgow to the Cowal Forest District, to enjoy the hospitality provided by District Manager Bob Selmes and his team.
Memo to Isobel: Belt Up!
Sound advice for Information Division Photographer, Isobel Cameron, while she was covering a demonstration on the use of helicopters in forest fire control.
Pictures: (1) Isobel Cameron on board. (2) The helicopter demonstrating forest fire control.
Nature Study Class 'in the Wild'
Berkshire schoolchildren can follow nature study “in the wild” with nature trails laid out by the Forestry Commission in Ashley Hill Woods, near Burchetts Green, Maidenhead.
Liaison Meeting No. 80
A celebratory lunch marked the 80th meeting of the South Wales and South West England Timber Marketing Liaison Committee in Gwent in October, followed by a ceremonial tree planting by the Committee's chairman the Rt. Hon the Earl Bathurst.
Retired
David Seal, Principal Silviculturist (N) and Chief Research Officer, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission, including service as a District Officer at Drumsheugh Gardens, Assistant Conservator at Inverness before becoming Principal Silviculturist (N) and Chief Research Officer (N) for the past 11 years.
Picture: (1) Mr & Mrs Seal planting a tree. (2) Mr & Mrs Seal with the retirement presentation of a desk.
Mike Wilson, Head Forester, Private Woodlands, Wiltshire, has retired after 39 years’ service with the Commission. Previously, he worked at several forests in Somerset, Devon and Dorset.
Miss Helga Lane, Typist, Salisbury District Office, has retired after 20 years’ service with the Commission.
John Piper, Conservancy Land Agent at Bristol for 15 years (previously at Cardiff and York), has retired.
Geoff Keighley, Forest Officer, has retired after 9 years at the Conservancy which he joined from being Safety Officer at Headquarters.
Tony Curtis, Torridge, has retired. He joined the Forestry Commission in 1951 and spent the past 20 years on chainsaw work, thinning and clear felling.
Mr J. Johns, Craftsman, Torridge, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission.
Brian Angel, Torridge, has retired after 18 years’ service with the Commission.
Evald Teivas, Ganger, Wareham Forest has retired after joining the Commission in 1953. He left Estonia in 1944 when the Russians took over the country and came to Britain via Germany.
Mr R. Vallis, Savernake Forest has retired after joining the Forestry Commission in 1947. He has worked on motorway planting since 1969.
Peter Cumming, Mobile Plough Operator, who has worked all over West Scotland, has retired after 50 years’ service with the Commission. He started working as a boy at Inverliever and went on to become a Mobile Plough Operator.
Picture: Peter Cumming.
Miss Janet Clark, CO, Speyside, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission
Picture: Jim Webster presenting Janet Clark with her retirement gifts, surrounded by friends and colleagues.
Robert David Roberts (Robin Roberts), Cynwyd Forest, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission at Cynwyd Forest.
Picture: Brothers Celyn, Robin and Caradog Roberts pictured on the day of Robin Roberts’ retirement.
Charles MacMahon, PCE at HQ has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission, working in North Scotland, South Scotland, Wales, Basingstoke and Edinburgh.
David Keens, known as “Mr Dalton Forest” because he was the first forester in charge there when it started in 1951, has retired. Later, Dalton Forest absorbed Lindale Forest and became a 1,600 ha forest, most of it on Carboniferous limestone.
George Lamb, Grizedale, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission at Grizedale. He worked mainly with the felling gang. In recent years, George worked in the sawmill, making specialised timber constructions and picnic furniture.
Derek Jones, Cheshire Forest District, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission at Delamere Forest.
Jim Roscoe, South Lakes Forest District, Bowland, has retired after 26 years’ service with the Commission at Bowland. He is a self-taught drystone wall builder and built the Forestry Commission’s walls at the Liverpool Garden Exhibition in 1984.
Gwilym Davies, Ruthin Forest District, has retired after 13 years’ service with the Commission at Ruthin. He covered most aspects of forest work, including harvesting where he was part of a forwarder team.
Tom Jones, Forest Management, Ruthin Forest District, has retired after 12 years’ service with the Commission at Ruthin, all spent on forest management.
Bob Cathie, Conservator (NS), has retired.
Picture: Bob Cathie at his retirement presentation.
Ron Robson, Silviculture (North) Chief Forester in Wales, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission, mostly spent on Silvicultural research in upland forests.
Picture: David Seal, Chief Research Officer (North) with Ron Robson and his wife Blanche.
Tom Moules, Head Forester, Private Woodlands and Plant Health, York Forest District, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission, all in North East England.
Picture: Tom Moules with Conservator Tony Spencer.
Jim Allan, Head Forester, Kirkhill, Scotland, has retired after joining the Commission at Glenbranter in 1951.
George Stewart, Head Forester, Alltcailleach, Scotland, has retired after joining the Commission at Durris in 1948.
Picture: Jim Allan and George Stewart with Forest District staff.
John McHarrie, Forest Worker, Glentrool, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission as a Forest Worker. He joined the Commission in 1949 at Kirroughtree and after a three-year break for dairy farming, he returned to the Commission in 1966 at Carsphairn, moving back to Glentrool in 1978.
Picture: Colleagues surrounding John McHarrie being presented with a barometer and a painting by Forester Angus Tait.
Duncan Campbell, District Forester, Private Woodlands, Lothian and Tweed, has retired after 44 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Duncan Campbell.
Hugh Jones, Forest Craftsman, Irfon Forest, has retired after nearly 28 years’ service with the Commission at Irfon Forest.
Picture: Hugh Jones with Dai Morris, District Forester FM.
Jim Petrie, Tractor Driver, Kincardine Forest District has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission, mainly on harvesting. He began in 1954 using his own horse to extract thinnings at Blackhall. For a farewell gift, one of Jim’s workmates (Jim Taylor) came up with the idea of a collie to help him on his croft, and Jim was delighted to receive his new “assistant” Queen.
Picture: Jim Petrie receiving collie Queen from Head Forester Sandy Walker and colleagues.
Obituaries
Judy Rowe BSc. Dip.Cons., MIBiol., Head of the Wildlife Branch at Alice Holt and a leading authority on wildlife management has died. Born in 1938, Judy had a long career with the Commission, joining the Entomology Branch in 1961 as Head of the Mammal Sub-section. She was appointed Head of the newly established Wildlife Branch in 1973.
Picture: Judy Rowe ready with her binoculars.
Vernon John, Forest Craftsman, Brechfa Forest District, has died aged 63. He joined the Pembrey Forest squad on leaving school. Soon afterwards, he left to become a Colliery Electrician at nearby Pontyberem, but returned to forestry in 1961 and served with the Commission for 24 years.
David Giggal, Head Forester (FM), Kielder, has died aged 45. After Forestry School training, David was posted to the Chirdon beat of Wark Forest in 1962, and returned to Wark in 1976 after a period in Yorkshire.
Ken Elderwick, former Manager, Chirk Mechanical Depot, has died aged 65.
Harold John Pound, former Forest Worker in Radnor Forest, has died aged 86. He joined the Commission in 1926 and was involved in establishing Radnor Forest. Much of his working life was spent with horses, extracting thousands of cubic metres of timber, especially during the early post-war years. During this period, the hills of Cwmygerwyn would echo with his voice giving instructions to Lofty, a powerful black mare.
Stanley Edwards, former Chief Land Agent for England and Wales, has died aged 84. He joined the Commission in 1936 and was responsible for the designing and building of many FC cottages and smallholdings. He retired in 1960.
Harold Bowe, Tractor Driver at Thornthwaite Forest for 39 years has died.
Jack Trussell, former Forester who retired last year, has died aged 64.
Jim Walsh, former Head Forester at Hereford Forest (Dean and Three Counties), has died two years after retirement.
Len Nicholls, former Chief Conservator of Forests in Nigeria, who joined Charmouth Forest as a Forest Worker aged 60, then became Forest Clerk, has died in his 95th year.