Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 325 - Summer 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.
25,000 See our Medal Exhibition
“Tree Planting for Survival”, the Forestry Commission’s exhibit at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show attracted over 25,000 visitors to the stand and won an RHS Lindley medal. Mr Brian Hibberd, Research Communications Officer said it is proposed that Research Division should exhibit at next year’s show with the suggested subject of “Trees for Wildlife”.
Blueprint on Way Forward for Scots Forestry
The Chairman of the Forestry Commission Sir David Montgomery described the policy document “Forestry in Scotland” as balanced, positive and forward looking.
Co-operation is the Target Says Holmes
In his speech at the Royal Agricultural Show at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, George Holmes, Director General of The Forestry Commission was promoting a better understanding between foresters and conservationists and between foresters and farmers.
Picture: George Holmes.
A Special Note in Your Diary: George Holmes’ Functions
A number of functions are proposed to mark the retirement of Director General George Holmes.
Parliamentary Questions
A regular feature on a selection of parliamentary questions on forestry matters in the Commons and Lords since the last edition.
Conservancy Faces a Squirrel Onslaught
The grey squirrel is causing massive problems, according to RHA Jock Cockburn, Head Ranger and Wildlife Adviser in the Commission’s West England Conservancy.
Duke Opens Path for the Disabled
The Duke of Buccleuch officially opened a forest walk for the disabled at Salcey Forest.
Gwyn Francis Is Named Next Director General
Gwyn Francis is to be the next Director General of the Forestry Commission. He takes up his post on 10th November 1986, following the retirement of George Holmes.
Picture: Gwyn Francis.
The Challenge of Taking Over Forest Operations
David Foot, currently Director of the Harvesting and Marketing Division, has been appointed as a Forestry Commissioner in succession to Gwyn Francis.
Replacing Mr Foot will be Steven Quigley, currently Senior Principal, Harvesting and Marketing Division.
Picture: David Foot.
Commissioners Appointed by The Queen
The Queen has approved the appointment of Charles Woosnam as part-time Forestry Commissioner and the re-appointment of Captain W.F.E. Derick Forbes and James Forbes as part-time Forestry Commissioners.
Gatehouse of Fleet Centre
The refurbished Forestry Commission Centre at Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas District has been opened.
Picture: Mr A. Rowan performing the opening ceremony.
Ice-Man Cometh and His Name is Snowdon
Mr P. Cullum, Manager of Bellingham Workshops reports on the endeavours of staff member Michael Snowdon, a mobile mechanic, to re-fuel the emergency generator at Deadwater Radio Station every three days for the ten week period of near Arctic conditions during the winter.
It's Jaws!
One of Savernake Forest’s ancient beech trees, at around 230 years old, is falling into decline and resembles a crocodile.
Picture: The beech tree photographed by Jim McIntyre.
Commission Welcomes Report
The Commission has welcomed the report “Forestry: Britain’s Growing Resource” from the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED).
Visitor Trails Put Accent on Conservation
A conservation trail through an area of Special Scientific Interest in Salcey Forest near Northampton, and managed by the Commission was opened by Roger Tabor, Resident Naturalist with BBC TV East.
£45,000 Grant Funds Project
A £45,000 grant from the Forestry Commission is to fund a new research project of the ecology of broadleaved woodlands for pheasants, under the supervision of David Hill of the Game Conservancy.
Union in Farm Forestry Talks
At a meeting in Edinburgh between the Scottish NFU and senior representatives of the Forestry Commission, union representatives confirmed their strong resistance to privatisation.
Timber Topics: Sawlogs for the Future
John Oakley reports on the production of good quality sawlogs.
Picture: John Oakley.
OBE for Roger Lines
Roger Lines, Principal Scientific Officer, NRS has received the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Cabers for the Games
The Commission provided the props, Corsican pine, for the Highland “fling” at Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh during the Commonwealth Games.
Pact Signed on Sites of Interest
The Forestry Commission has reached agreement on a “Declaration of Intent” about the management of its 344 Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Seeds of Co-operation
Forestry Commission Director General George Holmes and Richard Steel, Director General of the Nature Conservancy Council signed a “Declaration of Intent” on the management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Picture: George Holmes, Richard Steel and Commissioner Gwyn Francis.
Meet our Super Scot
John Dell, ALA N(S) was a recent contestant in the BBC TV Quiz Super Scot.
Deer Hunting
It has been revealed in the House of Lords that 3000 letters have been sent to the Forestry Commission calling on them to end deer hunting in the New Forest. Graham Searle, Chairman of the New Forest Protection Council is writing to the PM about the matter.
Snooker
At Pockets in Edinburgh, the HQ team retained the snooker trophy with a 10-5 victory over the lads from NRS. Ronnie Lee was named “Player of the Match”.
Bellamy Backs our Policies
David Bellamy, the crusading conservationist spoke in praise of the Commission at two recent functions.
Kielder Out in Front
Commission Chairman Sir David Montgomery attended the opening of the Forestry Commission’s Kielder Forest Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Kielder Castle, Northumberland.
Pictures: (1) Tyne Tees TV star Bill Steel with the Commission’s Alistair Rowan and Rod Leslie. (2) Gathering for the Kielder Open Day. (3) Bill Steel with children during the Kielder Jubilee Day.
How Staff Can Help Sow the Seeds of Future Success of Broadleaves
Douglas Clark of the Silviculture Division at HQ in Edinburgh and Tony Waddell at Alice Holt are spearheading the drive to collect seeds from good quality home sources especially broadleaved seeds.
Picture: Tony Waddell.
Your Chance to Cash in on the Bright Idea
Successful applicants are offered cash to undertake research into a new business development.
Swimmer Tony Sets Pace With Two Medals
Wales Conservancy Civil Engineer Tony Summers has won two gold medals at the Sun Life Welsh Masters which took place at the National Sports Centre in Cardiff.
Picture: Tony Summers
Golfers Pick Up Cup
The nine-member Forestry Commission golf team from Forest District regained the Bowaters Challenge Cup after six years.
Crossword
A crossword compiled by Brian Hibberd with answers on Page 11 of this edition of “Slasher”.
Felling Contest
The 1986 National Tree Felling Contest will be held at Dalbeattie Forest, South Scotland on 6th September.
Praise for FC
In its reports on the International Year of the Forest, the EEC’s Committee on Co-ordination of Forestry Policies praised the Forestry Commission.
Balloon Protest
The Forestry Commission complained to the organisers of the Great Southern Balloon Race after some balloons landed in the New Forest. A Commission spokesman said a by-law exists prohibiting any kind of flying craft which could cause livestock and wildlife to panic.
Charity Runners
Julia Wright, Phillipa Cheetham, Sue Fisher, Debby Clough and Bruce Inglis from the York Conservancy Office all took part in the Sport Aid “Run the World” on 25th May. They raised £175.50 for Aid for Africa.
UK Trees are in Good Health
The results of the most recent Forestry Commission surveys of woodlands show that Britain’s trees are in good health, but air pollution can never be ruled out as a contributory cause of localised damage to trees. The results of surveys carried out in 1985 are published in “Forest Health and Air Pollution” and “Beech Health Study”.
British Mills Increase Market Share
The 1985 Sawmill Survey shows that sawn softwood production rose to 1.4 million cubic metres, representing 18 per cent of the total sawn softwood consumed in Great Britain.
Not a Patch on Derek
Derek Patch gave a talk on ideal planting stock during the “Tree type and shelters” demonstration at the Open Days on 24th and 25th June at the Westonbirt Arboretum.
Picture: Derek Patch.
1000 Trees for Rhondda
Over a thousand trees will appear in the Rhondda this year. The Forestry Commission has offered Rhondda Council 25 copper beeches and 100 oak transplants.
COSLA Report
The Highland Regional Council’s Planning Committee has accepted a COSLA report on the future of forestry.
Ship of The Line and Our Colours are Nailed to the Mast
The Commission received a request from Timber Supplies Ltd. of Peterborough to supply trees for three ships’ main masts for the Spanish schooner “Pascual Flores”. Built towards the end of the first World War, the ship had a starring role in the television series “Onedin Line”. Suitable trees were located in The Forest of Dean, with the felling and extraction carried out by Commission gang Roy Sladen, felling, Gerry Davis, assisting, and Phillip Adams extracting.
Pictures: (1) Felling. (2) Extraction.
Ship of The Line and it's Pongy Down the River
Commission employees Norman Trollope, Bruce Inglis and Martin Finlayson ran the gauntlet of a shower of eggs, flour, water and other objects during the annual RNLI raft race on the River Ouse at York on 7th June. They won the Mechanical Class and raised £45 from their sponsors.
Picture: The RNLI raft race on the River Ouse.
David (17) Fires a Shot for Safety
An idea by David Whittingham, a 17 year old schoolboy of Trent College, Nottinghamshire is to turn a cattle stunner gun into a tree injector for killing highly destructive insects. He was inspired during a visit to Papua New Guinea. Gun makers are considering his invention for commercial development.
Policy Under Microscope
A statement from “Wildlife Link” questions “the fundamental purposes and objectives of forestry policy and the mechanism”.
Holmes Answers Tree Aid Action Call
Commission Director General George Holmes has accepted an invitation to become a Patron of “Tree Aid – A Call for Action”, against the continuing human and ecological crisis in Africa.
Talks at High Level
Sir Derek Barber, Chairman of the Countryside Commission, had talks at the Royal Show at Stoneleigh with Frans Andriessen, Vice President for Agricultural and Forestry Policy.
A Wood in Memory of Morley Penistan
The Spring issue of “Slasher” announced the death of Morley Penistan who, after his retirement as Conservator, East England in 1974, continued his lifelong interest in conservation and ornithology, through his work with the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation.
The Trust has decided to commemorate Morley's work by acquiring and managing a beech wood. This is the 54 acre Frith Wood near Painswick, which is designated as an SSSI. The wood belongs to a member of a well known Gloucestershire family, who were friends of Morley. They have offered it to the Trust on advantageous terms. The Trust needs £20,000 to complete the acquisition and invited Commission staff to contribute. The Commission also intends to make a contribution.
Retired
Roger Lines OBE, Research Division, NRS, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Roger and his wife Jane, planting a commemorative tree (Pinus peuce) in the grounds of NRS.
George Howieson, leading Research Worker (Supervisor), has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission. He began as a Forest Worker at Loch Eck in 1955 and after a short time at Tulliallan, he spent 29 years with Research Division, Silviculture (North), as a Research Worker at Bush Outstation.
Picture: George Howieson receives his Long Service certificate from Dr Alan Low, Principal Silviculturist (North).
Will Evans, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission. Will joined the Commission in 1949 as a Forest Worker at Hafren and Twymyn until 1963, when he moved to Newtown Roads Depot, working as an operator on graders, angledozers and diggers.
Picture: Will Evans and Spencer Davies, Area Engineer, Newtown.
Dennis Davies, Forest Craftsman and Ganger, Irfon Forest, Wales, has retired after over 31 years’ service with the Commission. He was also the Beat Steward and Forest Workers’ Safety Representative.
Ken Kerr, Tractor Driver, Mabie Forest, Nithsdale, has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Ken Kerr.
Bobby MacDonald, Ganger, Mabie Forest, Nithsdale, has retired after joining the Commission in 1947. He has been involved with planting on all Commission areas South of Dumfries to the Solway Coast.
Picture: Bobby MacDonald with Mr G.G. Taylor, Conservator, South Scotland.
Mrs Gladys Coupland, who joined the Commission at Ae Forest in 1955 as a Forest Worker, has retired. She left forest work in 1972 and immediately rejoined as the Cleaner at the Forest Office and Management Training Centre, where she stayed until her retirement in May. Gladys was the first resident of Ae Village, moving there in 1949 with her late husband Bill, another long serving Commission member, who died in 1977.
Picture: Gladys Coupland.
Geoff Waygood, Chief Forester, Dean, has retired after starting his career with the Commission in South Wales, then going to Benmore FTS in 1942. After War service, he returned to S(W) as a Forester. He went to Dean in 1961.
John Peach, Forester, Dartmoor Forest, has retired. He attended Dean FTS 1949-1951, then went to S(W), before moving to a private estate in 1952. John returned to the Forestry Commission in Cornwall in 1959, becoming an Assistant Forester. In 1961 he moved to Mendip, Somerset, where he became a Forester and moved to Dartmoor Forest in 1975.
Mike James, Forester, Bodmin, Cornwall and North Devon Forest District, has retired. He went to Dean FTS 1952-1954, subsequently becoming Assistant Forester at Neroche. Mike stayed in the then SW(E) for the rest of his career, moving to Dymock and Hereford, where he became a Forester.
John Mackenzie, Head Forester, Marches Forest District, has retired after going to Glentress and Benmore FTS, then to Scotland in 1951, Cannock Forest in 1953, remaining in the old NW(E) for the remainder of his career.
Ron MacDonald Head Forester, Marches Forest District, has retired after going to Dean and Benmore FTS, then Kershope before National Service. He returned to the Commission for brief stays in Somerset and the New Forest, settling in the NE(E) in 1950 and moving to NW(E) in 1957, where he stayed until retirement.
Fred Strawbridge, Head Forester, Cornwall, has retired. He went to Lynford FTS 1948-1950, then worked in E(E) as Ganger, Foreman and Forester. Fred was seconded to the Seychelles Forestry Service in 1958 and returned in 1961 to Somerset. He became Head Forester in 1961, then moved to Cornwall in 1975.
Tony Joslin, Deputy Surveyor and Forest District Manager of the Dean and Three Counties Forest District has retired. Tony started as District Officer in East (E), then went to Dean FTS as an instructor.
Ron Rumbelow, Forest Management, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission in the York District.
Don Luciani, Gwent District, has retired after 21 years’ service with the Commission.
Ken Davies, has retired after 28 years’ service with the Commission as a leading member of the Production Gang at Wentwood.
Ernie Rigg, North Lakes Forest District, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission. Most of his time has been spent on harvesting Thornthwaite.
Frank Thompson, Border Forest, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission.
Dick Buckingham, Forestry Worker, Ringwood Forest, has retired after 39 years’ service with the Commission at Ringwood Forest.
Robert Vallis, Savernake, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. He has been involved in motorway duties during the past 12 years.
William Sprules, Ganger, Savernake, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission. He has been involved in motorway duties during the past 12 years.
Picture: Robert Vallis and William Sprules.
Fred Ball, Forest Craftsman, Cornwall and North Devon, has retired after nearly 30 years’ service with the Commission.
Charles Vinnicome, Forest Craftsman, Somerset and South Devon (Dartmoor), has retired after nearly 29 years’ service with the Commission.
Jack Davies, Roads Depot, has retired after joining the Commission in 1941 as a Forest Worker. In 1943 he worked as a Lorry Driver with the Roads Depot until the late 1950s. He was a Beat Steward with the TGWU for a number of years.
Picture: Jack Davies and Mr T.P. Summers.
Caerini Roberts, Skilled Forest Worker, has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission at Clocaenog Forest (Ruthin Forest District). For the past 13 years, he has worked at the Brynhyfryd Conversion Depot.
Picture: Caerini Roberts and Glyn Davies.
Trebor Morris, Mobile Ploughman, Beddgelert, Llanrwst Forest District, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Trebor Morris and his colleagues.
Roy Dean, Recreation Forester, has retired. Early in his career, he worked on the establishment of Talybont Forest, before moving to Wentwood, then joining Research and Development based at Knighton. Ron was appointed Recreation Forester for the Aberystwyth District in 1975, and became known to thousands of forest visitors through his contribution to the development and operation of the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre over a period of 10 years. He was stationed at Conservancy Office and had begun working on the refurbishment of the Maesgwm Centre before his retirement.
Picture: Roy Dean with Reg Wheeler, retired Recreation Head Forester.
Mr T.I. Bowen (Irfon Bowen), Radnor, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. He started work at Crychan in 1948 and transferred to Radnor in 1951.
Iorrie Bowen, JCB Driver, Neath Roads, has retired after 29 years’ service with the Commission. He spent most of his time on forest operations, driving navvies and ploughing tractors in South Wales. He joined Neath Roads as a JCB Driver in 1976.
Glyndwr Williams, has retired after joining the Commission at Pembrey Forest in 1961. During his career, he worked on general forest duties, including tractor driving on harvesting work, doing extraction, and since 1974, doing Department of Transport work on the M4 Motorway.
Obituaries
Duncan Macleod, former PW Officer and DO North Scotland, Dingwall District Office, has died in his 80th year. He was a remarkable maker of violins and a talented composer of Scottish fiddle music. While in hospital, he composed a march entitled “The Patriarch’s Farewell” to win for the third time, the composer’s trophy and medal at this year’s Angus Fiddle Festival.
Miss Phyllis Davies has died aged 76. She joined the Commission in 1974 as a Clerical Officer, where she was mostly involved with finance. She retired in 1974, having spent all of her career in the Conservancy Office at Aberystwyth.
Laurence Stanger, former Mobile Plant Operative, Eastern Conservancy, has died. He retired in 1978.
Danny MacDonald, has died aged 89. His long career with the Commission started in 1920. He served in many forests in the old North Scotland Conservancy and had charge of Inchnacardoch Forest for 11 years before moving to take over the Black Isle Forest in 1960.