Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 330 - August 1987
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.
Snappy Winner from Barry
The winner of the photographic competition for this issue of “Slasher” is Barry Hearse from the HQ Drawing Office, who submitted a study of fungi in the forest.
Picture: The photograph of fungi by Barry Hearse.
Boffins on Call - Spotlight on Health of Trees
Forestry Commission scientists are now completing their annual survey of tree health. Starting in early August in North Scotland, the team moved on to Mid and South Scotland, then on to North England, Wales, the New Forest and West England. Led by Dr John Innes, it is the fourth annual survey of the health of Britain’s trees. The full results of the survey will be published towards the end of the year.
At the same time, a team of three (A. Wilson, D.A. Waddell and D.W.H. Durrant) are involved in experiments that should identify any of the tree species studied which are affected by air pollutants.
In response to dramatically increased public interest over the past year or so, the Commission has published a new free booklet “Acid Rain, Air Pollution and Forests”. For the more technically minded, the Commission has also published “Forestry Commission Bulletin No 70 – Air Pollution and Forestry”, which takes a detailed look at air pollution and the effects of acidification on the environment, and describes the research being undertaken by the Commission into the possible effects of air pollution on trees.
Concern for Jobs - Land Use Probe in Highlands
Lord Sanderson of Bowden, Minister of State at the Scottish Office, said there will be no Government decision on the future of forestry in Caithness and Sutherland until a land use report is prepared by Highland Regional Council and given full consideration.
Happy Days and a £25 Million Timber Contract
A contract worth over £25 million over ten years was formally concluded for the supply of pulpwood by the Forestry Commission to the new Finnish owned pulp and paper mill, currently under construction at Irvine in South Scotland. The Kymenne Corporation, parent company of Caledonian Paper PLC at Irvine, will run the mill, which should create or secure 1,000 jobs in the area, with almost as many again during the construction.
Picture: Signed copies of the contract are exchanged at Carron Valley in Aberfoyle Forest near Glasgow, by Jaakko Palsanen, Managing Director of Caledonian Paper PLC and David Foot, Forestry Commissioner responsible for forest operations.
Fish Ahoy! HQ Net a Victory
The six-man HQ team won the annual angling competition at Bakethin Reservoir, Kielder Forest. In the team were David Goldie, Doug Goddard, Roddie Burgess, Joe Russell, Keith McCulloch and Russell Anderson from NRS. David Goldie took the prize for the heaviest individual catch.
Pictures: The fishermen, the winning team and their catch.
David in Acorn Green
One of the Commission’s most imaginative landscaping and conservation projects was opened by TV botanist David Bellamy – on a small scale. David struggled through a “secret” gateway in Sherwood Forest to “Acorn Green”, a world of forest trails, secret walks and meeting places, all scaled-down in size for small children.
Pictures: David Bellamy with the young visitors to Acorn Green.
Yomper Dave Anderson First Back at Base
The fifth annual Coed y Brenin Yomp was held over a wide variety of terrain to the north of Dolgellau. Organised by the Forestry Commission’s Dolgellau Forest District – and with help from the Snowdonia National Park Wardens and Dolgellau Ambulance Service – more than 105 competitors walked, jogged, ran and scrambled over a course of about ten miles. Male competitors carried 25 lb backpacks, female competitors carried 15 lb. Competitors from a number of Forest Districts took part, the fastest entrant was Dave Anderson of the Forestry Commission’s Corris Forest District, with a time of 1 hour 50 minutes, 13 minutes faster than the second man home, Private Umpleby from 5th Airborne Brigade of the Parachute Regiment. Prizewinners included Dave Anderson, Forester at Corris Forest District, who won the 17-25 year old male class and was the fastest overall entrant. Pat Sherwood, who has run in all previous Yomps and has since moved from Wales Conservancy to West England, had an early morning start to drive from Bristol to enter. She won the veteran ladies class. The inter-FC Challenge Cup, held for the past two years by Afan Forest District, was won this year by Corris. A full list of 1987 prizewinners is included in the article.
John Griffiths The Cue in NZ - So Far, So Close
John Griffiths, Forest Officer III at Llanwynno Forest District, has won the Welsh Civil Service Snooker Championship for the fourth consecutive year, but was beaten 3-2 in the semi-final of the National Finals at the Willie Thorne Club in Leicester.
John has recently returned from Invercargill, New Zealand, where he played in the World Amateur Snooker Championship, having qualified by reaching the final of the Welsh Championship. While in NZ, John visited the Southland Conservancy Office, and was escorted to Longwood Forest by Assistant Conservator John Simpkin, who, like himself, is a former student of Gwydyr Forester Training School. He said the growth rates attained by Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus are quite incredible.
Pictures: John Griffiths in New Zealand.
Down on the Farm - History on Move
Work on reclaiming the agricultural heritage of the Afan Valley is continuing, with gangs of workmen busy restoring two historic farms. The idea was the brainchild of David Parnall, Forester at Afan Forest District, who has obtained MSC approval for the scheme, which employs unemployed people via the Community Task Force. Last year the scheme undertook the clearing out of Drysiog Farm at Bryn, where a picnic and BBQ area has been provided and they also partially restored the magnificent Ty Maen Barn near the Afan Argoed Park which was built during the Napoleonic wars. Now work is under way at Argoed Farm and on Nantybar Farm, both farms whose history is woven into that of the valley. The Argoed Farm is ancient and the first written reference to it is from 1515. The last owner left in 1964 and it was left to fall into ruin. The last family moved from Nantybar Farm in 1939.
Picture: David Parnall holds a foundation stone from Nantybar Farm.
New Trail at Aberfoyle
A new forest trail through ancient oakwood at Aberfoyle was opened by Mr Walter Douglas, the Vice-Chairman of Central Region’s Education Committee. As part of its commitment to the European Year of the Environment, the Forestry Commission has created an Oak Coppice Trail starting at the David Marshall Lodge near Aberfoyle. The trail meanders through an area of oak wood where the system of coppicing has been introduced. Coppicing was practised in Aberfoyle from the 18th century until the time of the First World War.
And Another at Lochaweside
Mrs Rae Michie, MP for Argyll, opened a new Forestry Commission trail in Dalavich oak wood, Lochaweside, Argyll. After cutting through a birch tree “ribbon” with a small handsaw, she was accompanied on a guided walk by Peter Quelch, Forest District Manager for Loch Awe, and members of various organisations with interests in the Argyllshire countryside. The two-mile trail passes through the newly created 135 acre woodland reserve which is being developed by local Commission staff as their main contribution to the European Year of the Environment. Mrs Michie planted a young oak tree along the route.
Take a Look Round Lammermuir House
Lammermuir House is the new custom-built Civil Service Benevolent Fund home north of the border, which was opened by the Queen in July 1986. Accommodation is provided for 28 permanent residents and up to 10 convalescent guests. The 30 full and part-time staff are led by Matron Mrs Margaret Brave.
Picture: Lammermuir House.
New Office Opens at Weald Forest
Mick Dinning, Conservator E(E), welcomed local representatives and Forestry Commission personnel to the opening of the Weald Forest District Office in Bedgebury Pinetum and invited his predecessor, Rod Hewitt, to unveil the commemorative plaque. Pat Dineen, Forest District Manager, presented Rod Hewitt with a book on “The Weald”.
Pictures: (1) The new office at Weald Forest. (2) Rod Hewitt performs the opening ceremony. (3) The ceremonial planting of a Wild Service tree on either side of the main entrance driveway.
How to Restock and Have Success in the Bag
Although experience shows that foresters should be able to expect 90 per cent re-stocking success on most sites, actual survival rates are near to 65 per cent on average. This article gives details of the success and failure with an illustrative diagram.
Picture: Planting.
Tourist Boost for Arran - From FC
Community officials on the island of Arran celebrate another Forestry Commission development to boost their tourist industry. At the south end of the island, the FC team have improved a three mile track and provided new viewpoints at the spectacular Glenashdale Falls, under the supervision of Forest District Manager Kerr Robertson. The new footbridge at the top of the falls and the timber-railed footpath to a viewpoint lower down the valley were welcomed by tourists and island officials. Arran has recently been switched from Mid Scotland to South Scotland Conservancy and PF&EO John Ogilvie said the work is providing recreation facilities within the productive forests.
Pictures: The FC team on the new bridge and the new viewpoint.
Here's to the High Life
An article by North Scotland Conservation Forester Tony Hinde reports on three young ospreys in an artificial eyrie in the North Scotland Conservancy.
Pictures: (1) The artificial eyrie. (2) & (3) Roy Dennis ringing the birds.
Wordsearch
A Wordsearch Challenge with answers on Page 12 of “Slasher”.
Here Come the Rangers - A Field Day for Shooters
Nessie wasn’t in attendance when Rangers from all over North Scotland Conservancy gathered at Farigaig Forest on Loch Ness side for their seventh Shoot and Field Day. Competition was keen at the full bore range and a clay pigeon shoot simulated overhead birds and bolting rabbits. There was a terrier race with dogs chasing a fox tail lure through the field. “Spadger” MacDonald won the Terrier Tankard. Other winners were Rifle: 1 Ally Cameron, Inverness – 81/90 (Challenge Shield); 2 Ted Munro, Speyside – 80; 3 Steve Irvine, Mull – 78. Gun: 1 Peter Mackay, E. Ross – 40/40 (‘Highland Lodges’ Salver); 2 Kenny MacIntosh, E. Ross – 37; 3 Ian MacGillivray, Inverness – 34; 3 Jim Ogilvie, Kincardine – 34.
Pictures: (1) Chris MacDonald and friend. (2) David MacDonald with “Spadger”. (3) The competition was intense.
Chainsaw Bob is the Star at Chiltern
Bob Swinford (Northants Forest District) demonstrated the art of chainsaw sculpture during the second Open Day arranged by Chilterns Forest District at Wendover Woods near Aylesbury. His sculptures were auctioned at the end of the day. Over 2,000 visitors attended the Open Day and interest was shown in the static displays, a local bodger making besom brooms, a wildlife diorama and many other displays.
Picture: Chainsaw sculpture.
Showtime Winners all at The Royal Highland Show
The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland announced the winners of its Scottish Woods and Forest Awards at The Royal Highland Show in Ingliston, Edinburgh. Winner of the John Kennedy Trophy was Fassfern, with 1200ha of 10-40 year conifers described by the judges as “a pioneering effort in all the aims to which awards are directed”. The trophy was presented by FC Director General Gwyn Francis. FC’s Aberfoyle District also gained a commendation.
At the same event, former DG George Holmes presented a prize associated with the 1987 Forestry Commission Essay Competition to Aberdeen University student John Townend. Ms Brioney Penn, Dunbarney, Perthshire received her cheque for third prize.
Pictures: (1) Gwyn Francis with Ian Reid and Peter Ford of Aberfoyle District. (2) DG George Holmes presenting the essay cheque to Ms Penn.
Timber Gets a Chance to Shine
A joint presentation by the Forest Districts of Gwent and Somerset and South Devon was made in the Forestry Section of The Royal Bath and West Show. Working from a design by Chief Forester Roland Liddell of Gwent Forest District, Head Forester Alistair Fraser, assisted by Forester Tony Swinburn of Somerset and South Devon Forest District, directed the construction of pergolas, gazebos and trellis work, which was carried out by Barry and Nick, Forest Management staff at Brendon. Tintern staff Ron, John, Dave and Con assembled a play fort and slide.
Picture: Part of the exhibit by FC Forest Districts.
Search is on for Talent in the Arts
The time limit and categories of the Forestry Commission Arts Awards competition have been extended. The categories are Oil paintings, Water colours, Wood turnery and carving, Jewellery and Other arts.
Timber Topics
A report by John Oakley on auction prices, with tables for Sawlog prices at auction and Standing sales prices at auction.
Pictures: (1) John Oakley. (2) A stack of P38 Douglas fir sawlogs awaiting transport.
Graham Does the Cuckoo Waltz
Graham Palmer, a Midlands Forest District worker, recently came across an abandoned nest containing a cuckoo chick without feathers or friends during a felling operation. He cared for the chick at home and at work, feeding it at two-hourly intervals with broken worms and caterpillars. Now, the chick is feathered and large. Once he is fully fledged, it is hoped the chick will fly and resume a normal cuckoo life.
Picture: Graham Palmer and cuckoo fledgling.
Food on the Fire
Over 150 past and present members of Dolgellau Forest District and their families from Coed y Brenin and Penllyn Forest enjoyed a forest barbecue. The food was prepared by Katherine Sherrington, Sylvia Johnson, Gwenda Hughes, Julie Coghill and Lily Parker. A collection was made and donated to Dolgellau Hospital’s League of Friends.
Merit Award
The Commission has received an Award of Merit in the Northumbrian Section of the “Britain in Bloom” competition. The award went to Wooler Common which consists of 50 hectares of P1980 conifers on higher ground with mixed conifers and broadleaves on lower ground. There are also two small ponds.
Chicks Vigil
A vigil by wardens in Thetford Forest has been rewarded by the hatching of a brood of goshawk chicks, the first brood to hatch in four years. In the same forest, red-backed shrikes, one of Britain’s rarest breeding birds, have returned to nest.
Two of the Best
Forestry Commission Craftsmen Brian Havil of Bellever, Dartmoor and Alan White of Haldon, Exeter, won first and second prizes at the annual tree felling competition of the Devon County Show Forestry Committee.
Gerald's Honour
Gerald Haggett, a butterfly expert at Attleborough, who joined the Commission in 1944 and was appointed District Forester FM, Thetford in 1984, was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Minister on Tour
Picture: Lord Sanderson of Bowden, Minister of State, with Revell McKeand during a visit to Aberfoyle, part of his tour to study all aspects of forestry.
Kielder Yomp and Run
Full coverage of the Kielder Festival will be in the next issue of “Slasher”.
Pictures: (1) Winners of the Kielder Yomp and Fell Run. (2) Mike Sanderson, Forester at Kielder, came third in the Veterans Section of the Fell Race.
Our Raft Racers
“Conifer”, the York Conservancy Office raft from Dalby Forest participated in another York Raft race, joining the 80 other entrants. The raft was crewed by Kate Blakesley, Sally Train and Gillian Watson over the one and a half mile course on the River Ouse in aid of RNLI funds.
Question Time
Forestry questions and responses in the House of Commons.
Postbag
A letter of thanks from Mary Haggarty to well wishers and for the gifts received on her transfer from the Forestry Commission to the Ministry of Defence, due to the amalgamation of Cowal and Ardgartan Forest Districts.
Lindley Medal
The Arboricultural Association has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Silver Gilt Lindley Medal for their stand within the Scientific section of The 1987 Chelsea Flower Show, with its depiction of the internal workings of a tree. The display evolved from an idea by Dr Tom Hall, Superintendent of the Oxford University Parks, and editor of the Arboricultural Journal.
Farm Forestry Boost from Woodlands Plan
The proposed Farm Woodland Scheme, with the suggested annual payments scheme to bridge the gap between planting and revenue, will stimulate interest in farm forestry. According to Director General Gwyn Francis, it will create the conditions to realise the long-held aim of integrating farming and forestry, which is a feature of land use in many European countries. Speaking at the Royal Show in Warwickshire, he hoped the new Farm Woodlands Scheme, while providing the means for new planting, will also stimulate interest in managing existing woodlands. Mr John Aldhous, Director of the Forestry Commission’s Silvicultural Division said “We anticipate a huge additional demand for beech and oak seed and it is preferable for these two species to be collected only from registered stands of trees. Our first choice is to collect British oak and beech seed from British Woodland, rather than import”.
Xmas £150
During the 1986 Christmas Tree sales at Wentwood, Gwent Forest District, refreshments sold in aid of “Save the Children Fund” raised £150, through the combined efforts of David Parsons, Forest District Manager, Mrs Parsons and residents from the nearby village of Llanvaches.
£37,000 Drive
Steve Howells, Foreman at Sherwood Forest District, helped to raise £37,000 for the Spastics Society by taking part in a 1,200-mile endurance drive.
Trail Designed for Disabled
The first trails in East Anglian for the handicapped and disabled were opened in the Commission’s Rendlesham Forest, East Suffolk, by Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC. The trails are 400m and 800m. Ipswich and Saxmundham Round Table raised funds for the project and pupils from the Thomas Wolsey School for handicapped children in Ipswich have sown wild flower seeds, planted shrubs and made bird and bat boxes fixed to trees around the trail.
Picture: Visitors on the newly opened trail in Rendlesham Forest.
Late News – Holiday Cottages
Two Forestry Commission holiday cottages, formerly estate workers’ homes, on the banks of the River Massan, Argyll, have become available this season for booking. Their opening brings the number of Forestry Commission holiday homes around the country to twenty five in addition to four log cabin sites.
Survey
Staff at Exeter University will undertake a survey of pine marten in England and Wales. Biologist Dr Paul Chanin and field researcher Rob Strachan will study factors affecting the survival of pine marten – “one of the rarest mammals south of the border with Scotland where it is beginning to recover from persecution”.
Golf Win
Ten employees from Cowal FD enjoyed their first district golf competition at Blairmore and Strone Golf Club. The winner by one stroke was Forest Craftsman Jim Gallagher, with Forest Craftsman Scott Turner coming second.
John McKenzie's Kilt is a Delight
John McKenzie received the Longhurst Trophy from the Princess Royal at the Royal Show. The trophy was awarded to Dalby Forest for the best section of 40-year-plus conifers.
Pictures: (1) John McKenzie receiving the Longhurst Trophy from the Princess Royal. (2) John McKenzie with the Longhurst Trophy.
One Man and His Pal Open a Wildlife Hide
Gerald Springthorpe, former Forestry Commission Senior Ranger accompanied his friend TV personality naturalist Phil Drabble, when he opened the first wildlife hide in Wales. Before the opening ceremony, they joined a group from local organisations in a tour of the Coed y Brenin Forest, guided by project co-ordinator, Dolgellau District Manager Mark Yorke, and project advisor, conservation Head Forester Fred Currie. The hide is built in a small meadow. Local staff under the management of Paul Sherrington have created a small pond nearby to encourage ducks, dragonflies and bats.
Picture: Phil Drabble, Gerald Springthorpe and visitors to the hide.
Forest Park Status at Lovely Grizedale
Grizedale Forest, near Hawkshead in the Lake District, is one of three new Forest Parks in Britain. The others are at Delamere, on Merseyside, and in the North Yorkshire Moors, which is to be called North Riding Forest Park. The announcement was made following a ceremony at Grizedale, at which an extended and modernised visitor centre was opened by Lord Whitelaw, Lord President of the Council. A Cumbrian slate plaque was unveiled before 100 invited guests. A Forest Fair for the public attracted hundreds of visitors to see a falconry display, a wood turner, a basket maker and a new playground designed by one of the forest’s resident sculptors Andy Frost. Catering for the day was prepared and served by the ladies of the Satterthwaite Village Institute. Guided walks kept the District staff busy which all demonstrated the need for an interpretive centre to cater for the thousands of visitors who drop in on John Voysey and his team.
Pictures: (1) Lord Whitelaw at Grizedale. (2) Maria Robles with her harp. (3) Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre sign. (4) Former North England Conservators at the celebrations: Richard Chard, Tony Spencer, John “Jumbo” James, Alistair Rowan and Alan Rix.
Educational Outing
Twenty seven Conservancy Office staff gathered at Grizedale for their “educational outing” and were greeted with the news that Grizedale had become a Forest Park. The South Lakes Forest District staff laid on an informative tour.
Picture: Staff on the educational tour of Grizedale.
Royal Visit Marks 150 Years of Great Yorkshire Show
The Duchess of Kent, accompanied by Julian Hall, the Show’s Forestry Steward, visited the Forestry Commission pavilion at the 150th Great Yorkshire Show.
Picture: The Duchess of Kent with Julian Hall at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Shropshire Agricultural Long Service Medal
Jim Chelmick, Forest Craftsman, Marches Forest District, who retired recently after 46 years’ service with the Commission, was presented with a Shropshire Agricultural Society Long Service Medal at the West Midlands Show. It is believed to be the first time an FC employee has received such an award.
Retired
Charlie Collins, Lorry Driver, Somerset and South Devon, has retired after driving for the Forestry Commission for nearly 35 years. He was the first driver in SW(E) to have a mechanical loader.
Reg Furse from the old Brendon Forest, has retired after 28 years’ service with the Commission, mostly on forest management in the Brendon Hills, but since the reorganisation, over a much wider area.
Jim Griffiths from the old Brendon Forest, has retired after 26 years’ service with the Commission, mostly on harvesting on Brendon and Quantock.
Walter Cooke has retired after joining the Commission in 1939, draining and planting in the Wauchope Forest, before serving with the Royal Engineers in the War from 1942 and returning to the Commission in 1947. Since then he has worked for the Estates Department. During those 40 years, he has seen the building of three forest villages at Kielder, Byrness and Stonehaugh. Then the flooding of his family home at Whickhope when Kielder Water was created.
Alan McBurnie, Head Forester, Nithsdale Forest District, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Alan McBurnie by the Ae Forest Plough Museum sign.
Harry Barron, Conservancy Mechanical Engineer, South Scotland, has retired after 37 years’ service, the last 10 of which were with the Forestry Commission.
Picture: Roger Hay with Harry Barron.
Harvey Hall (Bunt Hall), Foreman Mechanic Grade I, Castlemain Repair Depot W(E), has retired after 39 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Harvey Hall receiving his Long Service certificate.
Chris Harris, Mechanic Grade I, Castlemain Repair Depot W(E), has retired after 15 years’ service with the Commission.
Mrs Val Jones, Llanwynno FD, who was one of the nursery girls in the old Tair Onen Nursery, has retired after joining the Commission in 1952. After five years, Val left to get married, but was invited to return in 1978.
Picture: Mike Lawson makes the presentation to Val Jones.
John Davies, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1950 as a Forest Worker in Mathrafal, Hafren and Dyfnant Forests until 1954, when he worked with the Roads Department as a Lorry Driver in the Newtown area.
Picture: Kath Knight and Denise Morgan with John Davies.
Les Baylis, Forester, Rheola Forest District, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Les Baylis and his wife Bet at the retirement presentation.
Jim Barraclough, Sherwood District Forester, H&M, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He spent time in each of the four English conservancies as well as South Wales and South Scotland. Starting in Kent as a Forest Worker, Jim trained as a Forester at Thetford and his first posting was to Mortimer. After a spell at Matlock, he joined Work Study and served at Kielder, Ae and Thetford, then Chopwell and to Cymer on promotion to Chief Forester. He moved to Sherwood in 1975 and is the last Chief Forester of Sherwood Forest.
Picture: Jim with a Tomy Bobby Badger Playset!
Gerry Haggett, District Forester FM, Thetford, has retired after 43 years’ service with the Commission. Gerry spent 20 years at Alice Holt on sample plots and then field surveys covering England and Wales. He moved to Bardney, East England in 1972 and his last eight years have been at Thetford. He is a Fellow of The Royal Entomological Society.
Jim Powell, Forest Craftsman, Marches Forest District, has retired.
Eric Roberts, Ruthin Forest District, has retired after over 22 years’ service with the Commission at Cynwyd Forest. He was employed on timber extraction by horse until 1982. His record during that time was 98 tons of pulpwood in one week. Later, Eric switched to a tractor and winch until 1984 when he embarked on forest management duties.
Picture: Eric Roberts in an early group photograph with colleagues and horse.
Ronnie Lewis, Llanwynno Forest District, has retired after 47 years’ service with the Commission. The man who was there at the start of Ronnie’s service, retired Head Forester Charlie Adams, now aged 85 attended Ronnie’s retirement presentation. Ronnie regaled the gathering with many stories of the early days, including these two. He acted as “pay guard”, not as now sitting in a vehicle, but trotting alongside a pony-mounted Forester and carrying a pick handle. The first mobile fire-fighting outfit consisted of an old trailer with six milk churns attached and a Hathaway pump, which had to be pulled and pushed to fires.
Picture: Ronnie Lewis at his retirement gathering to which he and his wife Jess were transported in a Rolls Royce, provided and driven by Keith Nash.
John Tisdall, Wareham, West England Conservancy, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. After leaving Dean School in 1953, he became a Ganger in Bentley Woods (latterly part of Salisbury Forest, and now part of Wilts & Avon FD). He left for a spell at Foremark and Sherwood, returning to become Beat Forester at Lynford SW (E), transferring to Wareham in 1971, where he has remained.
Picture: John Tisdall at his retirement presentation.
Ken Trodd, Chief Forester (FM), Chilterns FD, has retired after 43 years’ service with the Commission, broken by War service. Ken worked in SE(E) and at Kielder before moving to the Chilterns in 1982.
Picture : Ken Trodd at his retirement presentation in Wendover.
Les Davies, Civil Engineer, has retired after 17 years’ service with the Commission, all spent in East England.
Horace Cooper, member of the Mark and Tariff team, Rheola, has retired after 27 years’ service with the Commission.
Dave Corner, Forester, Rheola, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission, mainly in the industrial valleys of South Wales.
Gordon Smith, Forest Craftsman, North York Moors Forest District, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission.
Sheila Johnston, Loch Awe FD, has retired after joining the Commission as a Forest Clerkess at Kilmichael in 1962, and latterly serving as a Clerical Officer at Lochgilphead.
Mrs June Redknap, Administrative Officer, Conservancy Office, York, has retired after over 20 years’ service with the Commission. She joined the Commission at Alice Holt in 1966 and moved to York in 1968. She spent time in all of the sections at York, and will be remembered for her work on the annual reports and the library.
Jackie Davies, Corris Forest District, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Jackie Davies with Head Forester Ron Stokes.
Dr Gwyn Owen has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Dr Gwyn Owen with his Long Service certificate.
Obituaries
Percy Hunter has died. He was in charge of the administration of Northern Research affairs 1953-1977, which spanned the establishment of NRS.
Arthur Reed Wilson, former Forest Craftsman at Rievaulx has died. He retired in 1977 after 21 years’ service with the Commission.
William Pickavance, former Ganger at Redesdale has died. He retired in 1986 after 50 years’ service with the Commission.
Alexander Rose MBE, a leading forester and pioneer in forestry machinery has died aged 81. He joined the Commission in 1923, working at Heldon and Newton in Morayshire and retired in 1969.
Ian MacIntyre, Skilled Forest Worker, Loch Awe FD, has died. He joined the Commission in Eredine Forest in 1959.
Benny Kinnaird, former Chief Clerk at West Scotland Conservancy Office has died aged 89.
Joe Metcalfe, former Forester at Thrunton, has died. He attended Glentress Forester Training School in 1946 and worked at Thornthwaite, Redesdale, Dalby and Rothbury Forests. He retired in 1977 after 30 years’ service with the Commission.
Reg Hills, has died aged 82. He had 20 years’ service with the Commission. Reg was renowned for taking part in the 24 mile walk round Thetford Chase.