Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 323 - Winter 1986
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.
Timber for York Minster – Three of the Best
The Forestry Commission is donating three oak trees to be used in the restoration of the York Minster roof. Roger Newland, Forest Operations Manager in the New Forest where the three trees were grown said “We have plenty of thirty-five foot trunks, but these beams have to be 40 feet long. The trees were planted in 1865 in Perrywood Haseley Inclosure and were felled on 22nd January.
Picture: One of three selected New Forest oaks for the £5 million York Minster restoration scheme.
Praise From the TV Prof!
Praise for the work of the Forestry Commission in moulding forests and landscapes into a worthwhile British heritage came from Professor David Bellamy when he presented prizes to winners of the national “Forests in Focus” competition for amateur photographers. Overall winner of the competition was Mrs Wyn Witherall, a former local government officer who is a freelance writer using the name Wyn Frances. Mrs Witherall, from Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, submitted an entry of three photos taken in the National Trust's Ashridge Park, Hertfordshire. In the special section for “Slasher” readers, the prize of a Pentax Auto-Focus camera went to Mr George Dey, who recently retired from the post of Forest District Manager, Inverness District.
Picture: “Slasher” section winner George Dey with David Bellamy.
Our Place in a Free Market
John Oakley, Marketing Officer, is beginning a regular feature providing information about timber markets and developments in the forest products industry. In this article he gives information and statistics and says the Commission cannot dictate prices because it operates in a free market economy, where imported wood and wood products are freely available at world market prices.
Picture: John Oakley, Marketing Officer.
Upland Forests 'At a Dynamic Stage'
Britain’s upland forests are now at a dynamic, transition stage as twentieth century plantations start to reach maturity, according to Alastair Rowan, Forestry Commission Director of Private Forestry and Services.
Head of Information
The new head of Public Information Division is Frazer Lindsay, who has been a Senior Information Officer at Scottish Information Office since 1975.
Picture: Frazer Lindsay.
Thetford Plan a Boost for Wildlife
The Commission has unveiled a plan to improve the landscaping and enhance wildlife conservation in the 20,000 hectare Thetford Forest, which straddles the Norfolk-Suffolk border. Over the past six years, the Commission has been drawing up a forest management plan for the future with special attention to wildlife conservation.
Roderick Hewitt, Conservator, East England, says there will be no change in the primary objective of timber production, but the review will identify feasible and economic courses of action to improve the design of the forest in the future for the benefit of landscape, wildlife conservation and the provision of game shooting.
Marketing Boss
David Foot, Forestry Commission Conservator, South Scotland, was appointed Director, Harvesting and Marketing Division, at Headquarters in Edinburgh.
Chief Land Agent
Richard Illingworth has been appointed Chief Land Agent of the Forestry Commission, in succession to John Gwynn, who has retired.
There's a Cash Target and it's £1 Million
The 100th anniversary of the Civil Service Benevolent Fund will be marked by the “Centenary appeal”, which has a target of £1,000,000 plus a substantial increase in membership. The Fund’s Chairman Sir Brian Cubbon has asked departments and associated fringe bodies to appoint an appeal co-ordinator. Details of a number of deserving cases receiving funds are given.
Bubbly Midlands Take the Honours
A case of champagne was awarded to the Forestry Commission, Midlands Forest District, in a national conservation competition. The Laurent Perrier Champagne Award for Game Conservation attracted over 30 entries. Leading prize winners were The Game Conservancy for Conservation and Management of red grouse in North England; Economic Forestry Ltd, for work with roe deer in Eskdalemuir; the Caddwyr Shooting Society in South Wales for the creation of a shoot.
City and Guilds Awards
Paul Davison from the Mechanical Engineering Workshop at Bellingham, won the City and Guilds Bronze Medal for excellent performance for Motor Vehicle Craft Studies at the Gateshead Technical College.
It's Christmas - So They Say
The new Sports & Social Club Hut at Alice Holt Research Station is nearing completion and the celebration has already started. A Ladies v Men hockey challenge ended in a draw.
A collection for the F.C. Benevolent Fund during the match raised £23.57.
Arnold Grayson was unable to attend in person, but he did attend as a cardboard replica and gave David Burdekin some hints on how to conduct a speech.
A cabaret arranged by Kate Fielding and her helpers was a great success with six Sugar Plum Fairies in white tights, tinsel and wings.
Pictures: The Sugar Plum Fairies Jim (Legs) Dewar, Steve Coldrick, Mark Potter, Andy Moffat, Calvin Booth and Ian Lumley.
Yes, We are Sailing
A new 36 foot fast cruising yacht has been purchased by the Civil Service Sailing Association. The yacht, the latest Sigma Model 362, is the actual vessel shown at the Earls Court Boat Show in January, where the CSSA was recruiting members. It will be used by the CSSA’s Channel Sailing division for introductory courses, training (from novices to skippers) and members’ charters.
Picture: The Sigma 362.
Planting for the Big Year
As part of the International Year of the Forest, Aberfoyle Forest District, together with Stirling Conservation Volunteers, extended the broadleaf area around Cobleland caravan site by Aberfoyle.
Kielder Nests Put the Accent on Birds
Kielder Forest is at the centre of a major conservation project undertaken by the Forestry Commission to conserve the forest’s bird population. One thousand artificial nests will be sited at appropriate locations throughout the forest.
In planning the project, the Commission has received advice and help from members of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the British Trust for Ornithology and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, in addition to its own wildlife research staff and rangers.
Goldeneyes Scheme for Highlands
Tony Hinde, Conservation Forester with the North Scotland Conservancy has been involved recently with a scheme to encourage the unique Scandinavian duck, the goldeneye, to nest in the Highlands. There are currently 60 pairs of goldeneye nesting in the Highlands, most of them in boxes put up by the RSPB.
The Eye-Catchers
The Forest in Focus winners and their photographs.
Pictures: (1) Rev. John Bird; Sir David Montgomery, Forestry Commission Chairman; Professor David Bellamy; Wyn Frances; Laurie Moore of Pentax U.K. (2) Members of the Pentax Club at Westonbirt Arboretum.
Photographs by George Dey: (1) Autumn colours of birch and Scots pine reflected on Loch Beinn a’ Mheadoin, Glen Affric, Inverness-shire. (2) Birch decorated with snow at Inchbae, Ross-shire. (3) A party picnicking amongst the contrasting birch and Scots pin at Glen Affric.
Photographs by Wyn Frances: (1) Country atmosphere on the footpath to Little Goddesden, Ashridge Park, Hertfordshire. (2) The colourful landscape at Ashridge Park.
Photograph by John Watkins: Tree in Irchester, Northants.
Photograph by Rev. John Bird: Silhouette of trees at Lake Buttermere.
Honour for John Gwynn
In the New Year’s Honours List, John Gwynn, recently retired Chief Land Agent was awarded the CBE.
Awards for Bill King
Bill King, Harvesting Ganger at Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Dougles Forest District, has collected two accolades for his efforts in recent forestry examinations.
Earlier this year, Bill collected the “Duke of Buccleuch Memorial Trophy” the “Silver Slasher” for his outstanding work in Part II of the SCOTEC Certificate in Forestry Block Release. In November, he was awarded the best student prize for his SCOTEC Certificate of Forestry Part III Block Release.
On the Move in the East
The East England Conservancy Office has moved to Great Eastern House, Tenison Road, Cambridge. Lord Manners, Official Verderer of the New Forest, unveiled a plaque made from Suffolk Oak and planted a New Forest oak in the grounds at the official opening ceremony.
Derek Rutherford drew attention to the fact that the new enlarged East England Conservancy spans an area from Humberside to Sussex and Oxfordshire to Suffolk covering 20 counties, in which Peak Park, South Humberside and the Greater London Council areas are included.
Picture: Lord Manners and Conservator Roderic Hewitt watch Alasdair Horne, Operations Support Officer, prepare an oak tree for planting.
A.P.F. Status
The Association of Professional Foresters have changed certain rules of the Association and as a result, Forestry Commission employee members will now have full instead of only associate membership status and thus will have full voting rights.
Suggestion Box and Craftsmen Pick up £100 for a Novel Idea
Glendaruel Forest Craftsmen Ian Salisbury and Peter McLachlan were awarded £100 for their suggestion of using a “C” ring for speeding up the operation of tensioning spring steel fencing. Their idea had previously won an award of £35 from W(S) Committee. Forest District Manager, Bob Selmes presented the Central Committee award.
Picture: (1) Craftsmen Ian Salisbury and Peter McLachlan with Forest District Manager Bob Selmes. (2) The “C” ring.
Moving On
The departure of Mike Hough from Newtown Roads Wales for Dalby North England was marked by an informal gathering with the many friends he has made during his 12 years in the Conservancy.
Retired
Hugh Morris, District Forester H&M at Inverness Forest District, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission. Hugh began as a Forest Worker at Craig Phadrig Forest, near Inverness in 1947, and had postings throughout the North, including Chief Forester at Inchnacardoch and Glen Affric.
Willie Patience, N(S) Conservancy, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. Willie began as a Forest Worker in the Nursery at Millbuie and after several postings in the North, transferred to Culloden.
John Wilkinson, Road Foreman with Bellingham Engineers, has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission. Throughout this period, he worked in the Kielder and Falstone areas of the Border Forest.
William Edward Lillie has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission. He joined as a Forest Worker, then transferred to Engineering Division as a Driver in Bellingham.
Dai Morris, District Forester, Forest Management, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission at Ystwyth in 1947 and spent his career in Wales, serving at Betws y Coed, Hafren, Rheidol, Bechan and Carno, Brecon and Tywi.
Picture: Alistair Scott, Private Forestry and Environment Officer, with Dai Morris.
Phil Rowell, Surveyor Roads, Newtown, has retired after 19 years’ service with the Commission. He spent 8 years at HQ Basingstoke and the past 11 years at Newtown.
Picture: Phil Rowell with Tony Summers, Conservancy Civil Engineer, Wales.
Pryderi Jones, Coed y Brenin, North Wales, has retired. He joined the Commission aged 14 and left for War service in 1943 until demob in 1947, when he returned to the Commission at Coed y Brenin where he worked in the full range of forest operations. For the past 10 years, he has worked at the Forest’s Visitor Centre at Maesgwm.
Bryn Morgan, Civil Engineering Machine Operator, Llandovery Roads, has retired after 29 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Bryn Morgan; his wife; Mrs Moses, Clerical Officer in Llandovery; Mr D.C. David, Area Civil Engineer.
John Cook, Forest Craftsman, Aberfoyle Forest District, Scotland, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission. He started his working life on private estates, and went into active service during the War. His first job with the Commission was as a horse driver, then he worked on cable crane operations, and finally on forest management operations.
Monica Hopkin has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission in the typing pool, the past 10 years as Senior Superintendent.
Picture: Director General George Holmes with Monica Hopkin at her retirement presentation.
Idwal Roberts, Newtown FD, has retired after nearly 30 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Idwal Roberts and his wife Phyllis with Newtown Forest District Manager John Maisey.
Jim Blyth, Clerical Officer, Dumfries, has retired after nearly 40 years’ service with the Commission. Jim started work at the Glasgow Office in 1946, and had periods of duty in Edinburgh and London. He went to Dumfries as HEO in 1978.
Picture: Jim Blyth and John Ogilvie, Private Forestry & Environment Officer.
James Hatton, Forest Craftsman, Mull Forest District, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission, all spent on the island of Mull.
Picture: Forest District Manager Frank Sutherland presenting Jimmy Hatton with his Long Service certificate.
Jean Graham, Typist, has retired after 14 years’ service with the Commission at the Kilmun Office of Cowal Forest District.
Picture: Forest District Manager Bob Selmes and CO Margaret Robinson made the retirement presentation to Jean Graham.
Ted Jones has retired after nearly 20 years’ service with the Commission. He started work at the old Goror Forest and moved to Ceiriog, and finally to Ruthin Forest District. He has been a driver for 15 years with an excellent record.
Picture: Ted Jones presented with a Welsh slate clock/barometer by Stan Jones, on behalf of his colleagues.
Guy Gough, Forest Craftsman, North York Moors Forest District, has retired after 41 years’ service with the Commission, all spent at Wykeham Forest.
Donald McDougall has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission at the Old Drummond Hill Forest.
Percy Tilbury has retired after 33 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1952 with the duties of felling and extracting, with horse and tractor. He was also a part-time Ranger.
Moc Davies, Forest Craftsman, Tywi Forest, has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission, all in the same forest of Llandovery Forest District.
Alistair McDougall, Drummond Hill Forest, has retired after many years’ service with the Commission.
Campbell Walker, Drummond Hill Forest, has retired after many years’ service with the Commission.
Don Hoskins, Chief Forester, Crychan, Wales, has retired after over 40 years’ service with the Commission. He started his career in Tintern, then went to Crychan where he was largely responsible for developing the Crychan winch.
Obituaries
Alan Connell, former Conservator, South West England, who served with the Commission for over 50 years, has died. Alan joined the Commission in East Anglia in 1931, became a Conservator in 1946 and retired in 1968.
Jardine Currie, Superintendent of Works at East Roads, South Scotland, has died. He was a founder member of the Dumfries Office Curling Club.
Roy Roberts MBE, Senior Executive Officer at Headquarters, until his retirement in October 1983 has died. Well known in HQ and in Conservancies in his staff inspectorate role, Roy had been responsible for the purchase and installation of the furniture and fittings in the new Edinburgh HQ. He was awarded the MBE in 1976.
W.E. Stretch, who served with the Commission from 1950-1975 has died. He worked in all aspects of forest management work in Delamere Forest, before transferring to the Old Pale Nursery, where he spent 20 years, mainly as a Leading Ganger.
Jimmy Deacon, formerly at Glentress has died after a long service with the Commission.
Pim Boyle, formerly at Glentress has died after a long service with the Commission.
Duncan Henderson, retired Ranger at Lochgoilhead, has died aged 77.
Cliff Ball, Ganger at Abbots Moss Nursery, Delamere, for 19 years until his retirement in 1984 has died aged 66.
G. Brownbill, Forest Craftsman at South Lakes until his retirement, has died.
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