Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 331 - October 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.
“Slasher” Reader John is 100
Director General Gwyn Francis and Angus Forest District Manager Robbie Adam visited Blairgowrie, Perthshire to mark the 100th birthday of John McEwen OBE, whose career in forestry began in 1905 at the Earl of Seafield’s Cullen estate. In 1908 John started a two year course at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, followed by two years in Glasgow parks and a spell in contracting. He joined the Forestry Commission soon after its formation in 1919 in the then Aberdeen Division and in 1922 organised the Workers Trade Union (incorporated in the TGWU).
Picture: John McEwen discusses the latest issue of “Slasher” with Gwyn Francis and Robbie Adam.
Forest Owners Urged to be Cautious - Group to Act After the Big Storm
Forestry Commission staff in South East England are involved in a mammoth clear-up operation following the October gale that caused damage in many forests and woodlands. To co-ordinate action, the Commission has set up an emergency Forest Windblow Action Group involving the timber trade and the private sector. It has been stressed that the vast majority of blown timber can be salvaged and marketed. Private woodland owners and local authorities have been advised against “cowboy” operators offering instant removal services. There is a buoyant market for British timber and there is no need for anyone to ruin a good stem by rushing to sell it for firewood.
The Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent suffered a loss of 25 per cent of its specimen trees and a further 10 per cent may have to be felled at a later date. The pinetum research plots were virtually destroyed.
The Kent town of Sevenoaks has accepted a Forestry Commission offer to replant the six of its seven oak trees that were blown down in the gale.
Pictures: (1) John Bryant, who has worked at Bedgebury for 30 years. (2) Devastation in Suffolk.
Photo Winner
Richard Wood, Lochaber Forester, has won the latest “Slasher” photo competition.
Picture: Richard Wood won the photographic competition with this picture of a spider’s web.
Battle Against Spruce Bark Beetle
The discovery of the great spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans more than five years ago in Shropshire, caused not only a great deal of consternation in forestry circles, but also an unprecedented control operation. D micans arrived in Britain with a well established reputation in Europe for killing plantation spruce, particularly Sitka, our most widely planted and important tree species. Immediate measures to identify all affected trees by exhaustive surveys followed by their felling, debarking and spraying undoubtedly reduced the pest population dramatically. However, it could not hope to eradicate this already well established and widespread insect, as D micans breeds underground in roots and stumps. Infested trees were inevitably overlooked.
It is hoped a natural predator Rhizophagus grandis might be an effective weapon in the fight against D micans. Entomologists from the USSR reported successful biological control of D micans and a programme to introduce the predator beetle is ongoing in France where D micans is causing serious damage to spruce plantations in the Massif Centrale Region. This work is conducted by a Belgian entomologist Dr Gregoire, and he was contracted to examine the possibilities of using Rhizophagus in Britain. He brought 200 pairs of the predator to Britain and gave advice on artificial rearing methods. Details are given of the effects of this programme.
Picture: The predator Rhizophagus feed upon the larvae of D micans.
A Picture to Stir a Few Memories
The old Beddgelert 5 x 5 Latin square species experiment of the 1920s has recently been a casualty of a reconstruction of the landscape in the forest. The top ten plots are being removed along with other trees and no restocking will be done.
Picture: The Beddgelert-Caernarfon road by the Beddgelert Campsite entrance in July 1987.
A 'Town' Valley for the Future
Organised by the Forestry Commission and other local people, more than 300 people attended the launch of a town forest area with a viewpoint over Loch Arber valley. The Provost of Dumfries Ken Cameron declared the area open. Mr G. Cowie, Conservator for South Scotland welcomed members of the public to the area. Tagged Galloway trout were released into the loch, 400 pigeons were released and hundreds of butterflies provided by the Edinburgh Butterfly Farm were also released. The first broadleaved trees were planted for the project which will see the area converted to a forest over a 30 year period.
Pictures: (1) The Provost Ken Cameron. (2) The tree planting.
When There's Room for Education - Deerwatch by Richard Prior
Hugh Insley reviews the eighth book by Richard Prior, who worked as a Ranger and later Head Ranger in the old South West England Conservancy.
Golfers are to the Fore
The annual Forestry Commission Golf Championships were held at Ladybank Golf Club in Fife. The results over the two days were: -
Sutherland Cup (Stableford) – Winner A. Lyon (HQ) 38 points, runner-up D. Douglas M(S) 36 points BIH.
Open Championship (Best Nett Score) – Winner L. MacRae N(S) 70 BIH, runner-up D. Douglas M(S) 70.
Tom’s Tankard (Best Scratch Score) – Winner D. Douglas M(S) 76, runner-up S. Stables M(S) 79.
Team Championship – Winners North Scotland, represented by L. MacRae, L. MacCallum, A. Garman.
Speak to Us
The results of the Forestry Commission staff communications survey.
Minet Award Judges
The national team of judges for the Minet Award for Forestry and Woodland Management being held in Wales, are setting out to visit the three finalists for the Dulverton Flagon Award.
Picture: Sir Derek Barber, Chairman, Countryside Commission; Robert Gray, President, Institute of Chartered Foresters; Dick Steele, Director General, Nature Conservancy Council; Sir David Montgomery, Chairman, Forestry Commission; Bill Radcliffe, Welsh Representative, Farming and Wildlife Trust; Roger Carr, Chairman, Countryside Commission for Scotland.
Having a Good Look-See at a Joint Project
During a visit to Northern Research Station, Forestry Commissioners were brought up to date on a joint project between Silviculture (N) and Physiology Branch, which is looking at the practice of planting next to a stump of an upland restocking site, and whether it causes abnormal root growth likely to affect subsequent stability. The root systems of the stumps and of the trees which have been planted next to them have been excavated for examination.
Picture: Viewing and discussing the project.
Charity Sky-Jump
Michael Payne from Blairadam Stores and his friend John Leslie are doing a parachute jump in aid of Cancer Research and Spina Bifida charities. So far, Michael has raised more than £1,600.
Picture: Michael Payne and John Leslie before their parachute jump.
Competition Deadline
Details of the Forestry Commission/Slasher arts competition.
Vote of Confidence for “Slasher”
According to the recent staff communications survey, more staff find “Slasher” a useful source of information than any other form of written communication. Only verbal communication is more important to a large number of people. Of the staff surveyed, nearly 70 per cent find “Slasher” ‘useful’ and nearly 80 per cent felt it is “well produced”.
Companies Merge
The sawmilling companies of A. & R. Brownlie, Earlston, Berwickshire, and Thomas Smith and Sons, Kikoswald, Ayrshire, have merged to form a £50M turnover group with plans to seek a full listing on the Stock Exchange. The new group has announced plans to build a sawmill on a 30 acre site in Carlisle. The group’s total sawn timber production will amount to 250,000 cubic metres a year.
Call of the Hounds
Hound trails organised by Forester George Bruce and his family from Ennerdale, North Lakes Forest District raised £204 for the Forestry Commission Benevolent Fund. Hound trails draw support throughout Cumbria and at the August event ten bookmakers were in attendance to take bets on the ten mile race.
Picture: The hounds are ready to run.
There's a Plan: It's Called Enjoy the Country
Operation Skylark, a summer holiday playscheme for 8-12 year olds is based at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling. It is jointly run by Stirling District Council Countryside Rangers, Scottish Conservation Projects and the Museum. Started in 1982, its principle aims are to encourage children to enjoy, use and care for the countryside. When Aberfoyle Forest District were approached to provide a day’s activities, Peter Ford, Head Forester, Environment, and John Brommage, QEFP Warden, planned various games and activities in Blackhill Forest, behind Bridge of Allan.
Picture: The children taking part in the activities.
All the Fun of the Carnival
The Wales Conservancy float at the Aberystwyth Carnival demonstrating the latest techniques in tree surgery, were runners-up in the Humorous Section.
Picture: Duncan Sykes; John Mullett; Sue Leather; Margaret Taylor; Chris Nixon; Mike Over; Gary Hopkins; Petra Lewis; Gwen Thomas and Lynn Buffery.
Sponsored Cycle Run
Eight members of N(S) staff took part in a sponsored cycle ride over a distance of 30 miles. Braving the wet weather, they raised £112 for the Northern Counties Institute for the Blind (Mini-bus Appeal) and they received commemorative medallions.
Picture: The eight members of N(S) staff in the sponsored cycle ride.
Kielder Hosts Music Festival
The second Kielder Festival of traditional folk music and fell running in the forest was organised and sponsored by Kielder Forest District with support from the English Tourist Board. Taking part were Kathryn Tickell, Bob Fox, Joe Hutton, Willy Taylor, Black Donald, Amos and Rocks and Ian MacDonald attracted good support with the concerts and ceilidhs sold out. The 20 mile fell race and Yomp (with 20 lb pack) with a 4,000 ft rise and fall through the Forest and Kielderhead Moor attracted 70 competitors.
Pictures: (1) Fiddler Willie Taylor conducts a workshop at Kielder. (2) A chaffinch was among the visitors. (3) Musicians entertain the visitors.
How We are Helping in the Valleys of South Wales
Thousands of trees are being planted on former colliery tip lands in a new venture between British Coal and the Forestry Commission. Gwent Head Forester John Roberts said “We were first approached by British Coal last year. Our first job was at Abertillery Roseheyworth tip, where we planted 5 hectares of broadleaved trees at 2m spacings and these are now growing well.” John gives further details of the plantings.
Picture: Planting trees on former colliery tip lands.
Putting on the Style at West Midlands Show
Mounting the Forestry Commission exhibit at the annual West Midlands Show falls to the Marches Forest District with assistance from the Midlands Forest District ranger staff. This year, the theme chosen was “Forestry, the Year 2000” with the emphasis of the exhibit on the non-timber benefits of forestry. The exhibits were designed to demonstrate that recreation, conservation and landscape design plays an important part in the role of forestry in the U.K. There was also a Private Woodlands section. 5,800 visitors passed through the exhibit with a generally favourable response from the public.
Picture: The exhibition team were Senior Ranger John Speed; Ranger Tim Creed; Ranger Mark Frost; Private Woodlands FOII John Waite; Ranger Peter Hobson; Ranger John Montgomery; Plant Health Forester Roger Wilson; Ranger Simon Luton; FOIII i/c West Midlands Show Jeremy Gissop; Ranger Dave Clements; FOIV David Bell.
Duncan and David are Among the Prize Winners
Forestry Commission workers Duncan Gillies and David Grieve were among the top prize-winners at the 1987 Royal Scottish Forestry Society National Tree Felling contest at the FC Dalbeattie Forest. Duncan, from Taynuilt, Argyll, who was last year’s winner, came second in the competition to self-employed Alistair Ferguson from Aberfoyle, and was also the winner of the Forestry Commission Safety Medal. David from New Galloway, Castle Douglas, who was the winner in 1985, came third. In the Chainsaw Carving competition, FC worker James Potts, Stonehaugh, Wark, came third.
Pictures: (1) Duncan Gillies. (2) The competitors at work.
Collection for Seoul Olympics
Permission has been granted for the Forestry Commission to support the Civil Service Sports Council collection in aid of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.
On Target
North York Moors won the Yorkshire Challenge Shield for target shooting. The competition between York FD office staff, Conservancy Office and North York Moors FD took place at Malton R&P Club in September. The highest individual scores were Charles Critchley 91 and Christina Tracey 74.
40,000 Jobs from Forestry
The fifth in a new series of Forest Facts leaflets - Forestry and Rural Employment - published by the Forestry Commission, describes the outcome of a recent countrywide survey carried out by the Commission, in conjunction with representatives of the private sector, which shows that almost 40,000 people earn their living from British forestry and the timber-related industries it supports.
The other four leaflets in the “Forest Facts” series cover forestry policy, the organisation and objectives of the Forestry Commission, the Commission’s policies on conservation, and timber production in Britain. Also published is the 1987 edition of the handy pocket sized “Forestry Facts and Figures” leaflet which gives, at a glance, a wealth of up-to-date statistics about forestry in Britain.
Cottages for that Holiday
Five miles north of Dunoon, Argyll, are two newly renovated Forestry Commission holiday homes, which are available this season for holiday bookings.
Riding Routes
Three new horse-riding routes are being created within Gwent Forest District – much to the delight of former Welsh National Opera singer Gerald Davies. In his retirement, he is helping Hilary Forster, British Horse Society Development Officer for Wales, to map out 10, 15 and 20 mile routes through the Abercarn Forest, near Risca. FDM David Parsons and HF John Roberts are keen to see more responsible riders making use of the forest where the FC have provided a large horsebox park plus hitching rails and a picnic-cum-BBQ site. Further south in Gwent, Tony Edwards has been supervising the planting, clearing and tidying of tracks with clearly marked horseshoe posts.
Top Campsite Award
The Forestry Commission’s Spiers House Campsite in North Yorkshire, has won the Automobile Association Regional Campsite of the Year Award.
Open Day
Over 700 visitors went to Glenbranter in Cowal Forest District to attend a Forest Open day in August. Indoors and outdoors, there was a wide range of displays covering many aspects of local forest practise, with a one and three quarter mile route through the forest.
Timber Topics - Forecast of Production '87
In his regular news column, John Oakley reports on the review of the conifer production forecasts for the state and private forests. The reviews are carried out every five years and the forecast covers a period of 20 years ahead. Regular reviews allow forecasts to be updated to take account of the latest information on the growing stock, and other factors that influence the potential yield such as yield class, thinning regimes and rotation lengths.
Table 1 shows the Forecast of Average Annual Potential Cut of Conifer Roundwood in Britain by Five-Year Periods 1987-2006: Forestry Commission Forests and Private Woodlands.
Table 2 shows the Forecast of Average Annual Potential Cut of Conifer Roundwood 1987-1991: Forestry Commission Forests and Private Woodlands.
Table 3 shows the Forecast of Average Annual Potential Cut of Conifer Roundwood 1992-1996: Forestry Commission Forests and Private Woodlands.
Picture: John Oakley.
Bumper Crowds and We're Prize Guys!
The Royal Welsh Show attracted another bumper crowd and one of the most popular areas was the picnic area with children’s play equipment. The FC/ADAS exhibit was awarded a Bronze Medal and the Young Foresters Quiz gained a Silver Medal.
Picture: The FC/ADAS picnic area and children’s play equipment at the Royal Welsh Show.
The Black Wood of Rannoch
Details of one of Scotland’s still relatively undisturbed ancient forests – The Black Wood of Rannoch – which is featured in a new Forestry Commission leaflet as part of its contribution to European Year of the Environment.
Project Welcomed
Shotton Paper Company which is owned by the Finnish United Paper Mills (UPM), has confirmed that it is to build a second newsprint machine at their mill in North Wales. The estimated cost is £120 million and the project is to be completed before 1990.
Come on in, The Garden Festival is Going to be Fun
Some details of the Glasgow Garden Festival on a 100 acre site adjoining Princes Dock, which is coming up in April 1988, and a form for volunteer manning of the FC exhibit.
The Message is Trees, Trees and Don't Forget More Trees
The Tree Council’s National Tree Week (28th November to 6th December) is to draw attention to the continuing need for more trees. It encourages all organisations and individuals who care for the environment to plant more trees during the planting season which begins in November.
As an example, the National Trust and the Runnymede Borough Council is replanting the hillside behind the Magna Carta Memorial at Runnymede with oaks and other broadleaved trees, which will ensure an even finer setting for the Memorial when the millenary of Magna Carta is reached in the year 2215. The Queen is to plant a tree to initiate the programme on 7th December 1987.
Picture: Bill Grant, John Voysey and sculptor David Kemp with the “Ancient Forester” sculpture.
Postbag
A letter from Bill Start, ex Area Civil Engineer, says a recent issue of “Slasher” revived memories of personalities and projects, particularly the awards given to projects with which he was associated – Puck’s Glen Walk, Achray Wayfaring and Orienteering, Strathyre Visitors Centre etc. Bill suggests the Glasgow Garden Festival next year would be a good opportunity for a reunion of staff past and present.
A letter from Mr J. Dewar, Chief Forest Surveys Officer, giving more background information on the data gathered for the Tree Health article in the last issue of “Slasher”.
The Tape is Cut and the Trail Opens
Mrs Rae Michie, MP for Argyll, opened a new Forestry Commission trail in Dalavich Oak Wood, Argyll, by cutting through a birch “ribbon” with a small handsaw. She was then accompanied on a guided walk by Peter Quelch, Forest District Manager for Loch Awe, and members of various organisations of interest in the Argyllshire countryside. The two mile trail passes through the newly created 135 acre woodland reserve.
Pictures: (1) Rae Michie cuts a birch tree “ribbon” to open the new trail in Dalavich Oak Wood. (2) Staff from Loch Awe and Kintyre FD enjoyed an educational outing at Dalavich.
Big Hearts, Big Money for Charity
Staff at Brandon Depot in East England together with friends and relatives, organised a 10 mile sponsored run, which netted £1,120 for the Scanner Appeal for the West Suffolk Hospital at Bury St Edmunds.
Two weeks after the race, Brandon Machine Operators Bob Birch and Colin Rands, who ran in the 10 mile race, walked the 52 mile Peddars Way long distance footpath in about 17 hours. They were two out of the three who finished within 24 hours, and raised £500 for Leukaemia Research.
Other competitive events at the Brandon Depot include darts, snooker, angling, five-a-side football. They currently hold the Thetford Raft Race Trophy.
Each year, the Pit Prop Trophy is awarded to the winners of a cricket match between the Forest and the Depot. This will now become the Martin Sayers Memorial Trophy as a tribute to Martin, lately Chief Forester F/M in the Suffolk Forest District, who died suddenly in June.
New Course
A new wayfaring course has been opened at the FC’s Kirkhill Forest on the outskirts of Aberdeen. In the past ten years, the original routes proved so popular for family outings and for training in map reading for schools that they became worn out. The new course involved Grampian Orienteers with help from Aberdeen Education Trust.
Retired
A.E. Batten (Ted Batten), has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission in the Forest of Dean. Ted started work for the Estates Branch in 1940 and after War service, he returned to the forest helping to maintain the large number of Forestry Commission properties.
Henry Cartwright, has retired after 50 years’ service with the Commission. He started work as a casual at Cascob Nursery, Radnor, in 1936 but was laid off after two months and restarted at the beginning of the plant-lifting season in 1937. He worked at Radnor until War service in 1942. Following demob, he returned to Radnor and worked on all aspects of forest work.
Picture: Henry Cartwright receiving his Long Service certificate.
Dennis Goodbody, Forester, Forest Survey Branch, Aberystwyth, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission in North Wales.
Picture: Dennis Goodbody at his retirement presentation.
Peter Grant, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission. He comes from a family of wel-known deer stalkers and estate gamekeepers.
Picture: Peter Grant and friends.
Ian MacKenzie, Loch Awe Forest District, has retired after long service with the Commission.
Charlie Mitchell, Loch Awe Forest District, has retired after long service with the Commission.
Alex McCormich, Loch Awe Forest District, has retired after long service with the Commission.
Jim Hamilton, FDM, Corris, has retired.
Picture: Jim Hamilton at his retirement presentation with a Suffolk ewe.
Harry Marshall, Ganger, Llanwynno Forest District, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1956 at St Gwynno, initially on extraction, then as a driver and on chainsaw maintenance.
Picture: Harry Marshall receiving his Long Service certificate.
Pat Armstrong, Forester in charge at Whitelee Forest, Ayrshire and Arran Forest District, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission. Much of his career was spent in the old East and West Scotland Conservancies.
Andy Liddell, Head Forester, Lothian and Tweed District office, has retired after long service with the Commission. He started in the Fife area of East Scotland, then spent the rest of his career in South Scotland, mostly in the Tweed Valley.
Henry Collin, Clerk of Works, Lothian and Tweed District office, has retired after long service with the Commission. He worked in North Scotland, North East England and the eastern half of South Scotland Conservancy.
Wendy Lampard, Personal Secretary, has retired after joining the Forestry Commission Research Station at Alice Holt in 1948, with a short break in service for the birth of her daughter, Hazel. Originally a shorthand typist, and having worked for seven of the nine directors (Research), she became Personal Secretary to George Holmes in 1969 and has since been PA to David Johnston and Arnold Grayson.
Ron Addie, Forest Craftsman, Tintern Forest, has retired after 46 years’ service with the Commission.
Ray Simms, Forest Craftsman, Tintern Forest, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Ray Simms, Roy Lewis and Ron Addie.
Wyndham Davies, Forest Craftsman, Tintern Forest, has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Wyndham Davies.
O.N. Blatchford (Noel Blatchford), Alice Holt, has retired from the Commission.
Picture: Director (R&D) A.J. Grayson presents Noel Blatchford with retirement gifts.
Dei Evans (Full pelt Evans), Ruthin Forest District, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission. He received his nickname “full pelt” after giving fellow worker Eric Foulkes a lift home on his motorbike which was not fitted with footrests, but had a steel bar poking through the frame. As they cornered, sparks came off the bar and Eric asked Dei what was happening. Unperturbed, Dei shouted back “Fear not Foulkes” and went full pelt down the road. A shaken Eric told and retold this story, hence the nickname.
Picture: Dei Evans at his retirement presentation with fellow worker Gerald Leach.
Obituaries
Finlay McNichol, retired Chief Forester, died in August 1986. He attended Benmore Forestry School, then spent short spells in many forests in South Scotland.
Joseph Liddell, former Utilisation Officer, New Forest, has died aged 83. After training in Durham and Yorkshire, he entered Parkend FTS in 1927. From 1929 to 1939, he worked in the Lake District and was then seconded to the Board of Trade’s Timber Production unit in Wales, West Midlands and the Marches until 1946.
Mr A.R. Tribe has died. He saw service at Mortimer and Delamere after attending the Dean School in 1950. Subsequently, he took up an appointment with the Government of Somalia and retired after many years as Head Game Warden in Malawi.
Stanley Aston has died. He attended the Dean School in 1934-1936, and served at Dovey, Brecon, prior to taking up an appointment in Kenya, After returning to the U.K. he spent some time with the Economic Forestry Group.
Billy Morris, retired Forest Ranger, E(E) West Downs, has died aged 74. He joined the Commission as a Forest Worker and apart from four years War service, he completed 42 years service with the Commission, the last 19 years as a Forest Ranger.
Mr J. Watson, former Forester at Clocaenog, has died aged 78.
Hamish Paul who worked in N(S) Conservancy office from 1962-1983 has died.
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