Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 337 - October 1988
The scanned images of the Slasher were produced by and courtesy of the Forest Research library staff based at Alice Holt, Surry, where some of 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.
Forest of Sculpture
The Forest of Dean gives much inspiration to artists with its glades, hilltops and disused rail lines and is well-placed to show off its man-made sculptures. More than a dozen artists have helped to adorn the walks. The second phase of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Project has taken shape, involving the commissioning of new pieces in materials indigenous to the area, such as stone, iron and wood. There are sculptures by Zadok Ben David (Deer), Peter Randall-Page (Cone and Vessel) and Cornelia Parker (Hanging Fire). Cornelia Parker and Sophie Ryder have been artists in residence and in conjunction with S.W. Arts have been introducing teachers and pupils to “Sculptures in the Forest” during their residency, which has just ended. The sculptures have been drawing many visitors to the forest, according to Mr J. Carter of FC Crown Offices at Coleford, Gloucestershire.
Pictures: (1) “Deer” by Zadok Ben David, consists of seven deer each with an emblem rising from its head, back or tail, relating to some aspect of secret animal or vegetable life in the forest. (2) Peter Randall-Page has carved complementary works “Cone and Vessel”, based on the forms of a pine cone and an acorn.
'We're Behind You' Pledge
A pledge that the Government “remains solidly behind the expansion of forestry” was made by Lord Sanderson of Bowden. As Minister at the Scottish Office responsible for agriculture, he was speaking at Southport. He said “Forestry has come under particular scrutiny because it is a major force for change in the countryside, and in order to achieve an increase in the forest area, we have to recognise the many interests which concern themselves with land use and the environment. I believe in this area we have to be proactive and not always reactive. “There will always be change in a healthy industry, but I hasten to assure you that the Government remains solidly behind the expansion of forestry. Our stated aim is to achieve some 33,000 hectares of new planting a year, with another 12,000 hectares under the Farm Woodland Scheme. We expect the bulk of this to be carried out by the private sector, but with the Commission continuing to play its part.”
Twelve Months After Great Windblow: Praise From Minister: Aid From Canada
Twelve months after the Great Gales, the clearing up is still going on and is on target. In Weald Forest District, staff were faced with 15,000 hectares of windblow to clear. More than 90,000 cubic metres – three times the annual cut – had been cleared by the end of September in Bedgebury Forest.
In his speech to woodland owners, Minister of Agriculture, John MacGregor, praised the Forestry Commission’s efforts and commended their advice to woodland owners. He gave special praise to two of the Forestry Commission’s publications, “Farm Woodland Planning” and “Farm Woodland Practice”.
Forestry Commission Chairman Sir David Montgomery and Weald Forester Paul Vickers were hosts to John MacGregor and a party of over 100 local woodland owners, who toured the forest. A delegation from the Canadian High Commission was there, too, and Mr MacGregor planted a tree after receiving it from Patrick MacAdam, Minister-Counsellor at the Canadian High Commission. Canada has presented 26 million conifer seeds and 40,000 young broadleaves of various species to the people of South-east England to aid regeneration. After the catastrophic gales during the night of 15/16 October 1987, it became apparent that we had lost the equivalent of about 4 million cubic metres of timber. To put this into perspective, the destruction of that one night was equivalent to 80% of the UK's annual domestic timber production. New machines are being bought and operators are being trained and diverted from other areas to help in the clear up operations.
Pictures: (1) Minister of Agriculture, John MacGregor and Patrick MacAdam, Canadian High Commission, plant a maple. (2) TGUK members hear about the extent of the damage at Bedgebury from Julian Evans.
Britain's No. 1 and No. 2
Duncan Gillies (Lorne, Argyll) and David Grieve (New Galloway) gained first and second places in the national tree-felling contest at the Forest of Ae. Duncan not only felled faster, but his high regard for safety also earned him the Safety Medal.
Picture: Winner Duncan Gillies and David Grieve (second), tree felling champions at the Forest of Ae.
Concern on Forest Sales
In his regular TUS column, Kenny Murray comments on a number of subjects, including holidays, the Communications Survey, GCHQ, amalgamation, car leasing and HQ – the paperless office.
Picture: Kenny Murray.
Quote of the Quarter
From a personnel notice, “The result of the board will not be announced until after all interviews are completed”.
Wild Deer Plague Threat
There is the threat of a “plague” of deer in forests, according to speakers at a conference in Perth. Ian MacKenzie, Chairman of the Red Deer Commission, said the rapid growth of the wild deer population was being aggravated by the trend to bring forestry down the hill to low ground areas, and the moves to encourage the creation of farm woodlands. The need for a more professional approach to deer management was highlighted by Rod Leslie, Forestry Commission (formerly Wildlife and Conservation Officer, now PF&EO West England), who said our 300 Rangers shot 20,000 deer a year in the culling programme, worth around £1 million, but less than the expenditure on tree protection measures. He said our primary objective of management must be the protection of the tree crop.
On Guard
Theatricals in the woods, when Cheshire Forest District were hosts to the Theatre Workshop who go under the name of “Chester Drawers”. Events were set around the Robin Hood theme with action in various areas of the forest. More out-of-the-ordinary action in Delamere Forest Park where a local man has been granted a permit to operate a horse-drawn cart through the area from the Visitor Centre.
Picture: The Theatre Workshop staging a jousting event.
Importer Trapped
The Forestry Commission has prosecuted a timber importer with fines over £2,000 plus costs, at Newport, Gwent, under the Import and Export of Trees, Wood and Bark (Health) Order 1980. During a routine inspection of a shipment from British Columbia of 200 tonnes of unseasoned Canadian wood at Newport docks, FC Staff found extensive bark, despite an accompanying declaration that the bark had been removed. The bark is the habitat for bark beetles injurious to forest trees, and the fraudulent certificate seriously contravened import regulations. In this case the Douglas fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae), not previously recorded in this country, was discovered.
Sorry Chaps
Retirees who will be mentioned in the next edition of “Slasher” are Arthur Scott, 47 years at Rothbury; Ken Harding, Grader Driver from Civil Engineering E(E), with 44 years’ service; Bill Kitcher, Ganger, Lyndhurst with 44 years in the New Forest.
Postbag
Step forward, good-hearted gentlemen: Ian King from Vine Tree County Primary School in Crewe has taken schoolchildren on educational visits to Delamere, Grizedale, Kielder and Thornthwaite. He has been delighted with the forestry centres and the co-operation received. He gives special praise for the friendliness and good humour of the two gentlemen manning the Whinlatter Centre in Thornthwaite Forest.
Please give Jack a call: Gwyn Owen and his wife, called at the Civil Service Benevolent Fund Home in Cookham, Buckinghamshire, to see Jack Wilson, former Head Forester, who had charge of the Forest Heritage Collection. Gwyn gives Jack’s details. On retirement, Jack suffered a severe stroke and shortly afterwards, his wife died. As a result, he has spent the past four years at the Benevolent Fund Homes at Horsham and Cookham. Gwyn and his wife received a warm welcome at the home and stayed the night at the visitors’ bungalow, which enabled them to have two interesting sessions with Jack before leaving the following morning. Jack is very well cared for and held in high regard at the home and despite being confined to his wheelchair, Jack is very cheerful and alert. He is an avid reader and spends a lot of time sitting out in the grounds overlooking the Thames. However, Gwyn said he was saddened to learn that they were Jack’s first Forestry Commission visitors during his four years at the homes, and he has had no contact with the Commission, other than receiving “Slasher”. If any of Jack's former colleagues could spare a few minutes to drop him a letter or card, or better still, call on him when in the area, that would be greatly appreciated by Jack.
So Imaginative: Mrs M. Brown from Blackpool congratulates the FC on the “Magical Forest” at the Glasgow Garden Festival. She says it was so imaginative and would like to know about the music accompanying the video, and whether the sound-track is available to buy.
A note from the Editor says the specially composed sound track was untitled and is not on sale – yet.
Sporting: E.G. Parker, Chairman of the Forestry Commission’s Equal Opportunities Committee says the feature on Page 4 of the August issue of “Slasher” on the various activities with which FC staff are involved, was raised at a recent meeting of the Equal Opportunities Committee. The feeling was expressed that the tone of some of the comments made about female participants could be viewed as detrimental in a general sense to the cause of equal opportunities, although it was accepted that the tone of most of the article was jocular.
Thank You: Geoff Southgate from Bury St Edmunds wishes to thank his friends and colleagues who contributed to his retirement presentation.
Harriers: Tom Baird, who was a Forester at Ardross from 1962-1970, says the photograph at the top of the front page of the “Slasher” edition 336 article “Ardross Harrier Watch”, includes himself, his wife and her friend.
Thanks For The Memory!: A batch of letters are printed from visitors to Galloway for the Fun Week. Comments included “a super week”, “enjoyable”, “delightful” and “an excellent way to motivate four teenage girls to walk every day”. The senders were: 18 month old Gregg Murray from Stockbridge, Edinburgh (may have been written on his behalf); George Kerr from Helensburgh; Elizabeth Lord from Warrington; the Elson Family from Rothbury, Northumberland; J.V.M. Jameson, Convenor of Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council.
Book Takes Wing
“The Complete Book of British Birds” is published jointly by the Automobile Association and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to mark the 1989 centenary of the RSPB.
Harvest Festival
Dolgellau FD, with the encouragement of the local Rector, arranged a forest harvest festival in October in the heart of Coed y Brenin. The local village of Llanfachreth houses past and present members of the Coed y Brenin staff, many of whom take an active part in the church. Arthur Wyn Jones, retired Forest Craftsman played the organ, while the lessons were read by retired Head Forester (Recreation) Reg Wheeler and retired Ganger Cyril Jones.
Award for Fred
Fred Currie, the Wildlife and Conservation Officer in East England, has received a Certificate of Merit from the RSPB.
Picture: Fred Currie receives a Certificate of Merit from John MacGregor, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The Stone Curlew
Ministry of Defence has joined forces with the RSPB to try and halt the decline of the scarce stone curlew which breeds on its land. It is one of Britain's rarest birds, there are now fewer than 150 breeding pairs compared with around 500 in 1976 and between 1,000 and 2,000 in 1930. They are mainly found in East Anglia and parts of Southern England. Concern at their falling numbers, particularly on MoD land in East Anglia, where the number of pairs has fallen from 22 in 1980 to just six this year, has prompted talks between MoD and RSPB to try to arrest the decline. The cause is blamed on changes in the management of land within military training areas.
Appointments
Norman Dannatt is to become Forestry Commission Conservator, East England, next March, succeeding Mick Dinning, who retires after 38 years’ service with the Forestry Commission and the Colonial Forestry Service. Mr Dannatt’s career includes service in England, Scotland and Wales. In 1985, he moved to the Commission’s East England Conservancy in Cambridge, where he held the posts of both Environment Officer and Assistant Conservator in charge of forest operations.
David Burdekin is to become Director of Research next April, succeeding Arthur Grayson, who retires after 35 years’ service. Mr Burdekin joined the Forestry Commission’s Alice Holt Research Station in 1964. After specialising in pathology research for some years, he became Chief Research Officer (South) in charge of Alice Holt station in 1981.
John Pollock, the former General Secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (the main teachers’ union north of the border), has been re-appointed a Part-time Forestry Commissioner for a further three-year term. He has served as a Part-time Forestry Commissioner since 1978.
Ronald Hancock FBIBA, ACII, has been appointed a Part-time member for three years.
Major Michael Strang Steel has been appointed a Part-time member for four years. He manages the family estate at Philiphaugh, Selkirk and is a Vice-convenor of the Scottish Landowners’ Federation and Chairman of their South-east Regional Committee.
Fun and Games
Champion Idea At Thetford: Alan Minter, champion boxer went to Thetford Forest to open a Trim Trail, which is a mile long and has exercise points. The Trim Trail was built by workers on a community service programme. FD Manager, Len Simpson said they wanted as many people as possible to come into the forest and use it.
Pictures: (1) The opening of the Thetford Forest Trim Trail. (2) Ken Clarke clears a hurdle. (3) Supt Gordon Wade jumps a hurdle.
There were many other activities throughout the country, including a raft race in Inverness.
The Forest Park in Galloway played host to “Forest Fun Galloway 88”, a ten day series of events aimed at bringing people into the park. Tim Weir, the author and broadcaster, officially opened the new Kirroughtree Visitors Centre and “Papy Ha” bird trail. Visitors could walk around a wall display and watch a short audio-visual presentation illustrating the history of forestry.
District offices arranged several events and competitions. Some of the most popular were the various fishing competitions.
The Teddy Bears picnic brought in bears of all shapes and sizes, and a Pied Piper led everyone to a “Magic Tree” which grew chocolate bars!
In addition to the forest park car trails and drives, Ranger work demonstrations and clay-pigeon shooting, barbecues were held throughout the week. The “Woodchoppers Ball” had live entertainment from three jazz bands. The finale was a fireworks display watched by over a thousand people of the shores of the Black Loch.
Pictures: (1) Making a splash on the River Ness in the raft are Alan Duncan, David Kidd, John Ireland and Steven Brown. (2) The bearded lads on the trail of the Lonesome Pine are David Kidd (FOIV), Inverness FD; Alan Duncan (HEO), Conservancy N (S); John Ireland (FOIV), Fort Augustus FD; Mike Hoban (FOIII) Inverness; Steve Brown (FOIV), Soil Survey, Inverness; George Wood (seated). (3) The FC’s winning tableau, a forest habitat on Culloden’s own timber lorry. (4) Newton Stewart District Manager Jim Hamilton and Tom Weir. (5) Jim Hamilton, Colin Brooks at the barbecue. (6) Some “pets” were larger than their owners at the Teddy Bears picnic.
On Yer Bikes
Bill Brown of Northern Research Station at Roslin, in Midlothian, raised money for Children in Need by joining a 750 mile cycle trip to France. He is also recognised as a hero by Lothian and Borders Police for as a special constable, he helped to disarm two men earlier this year. Bill took part in the sponsored cycle tour over a four day period and was joined by three regular police officers en route from Penicuik to the twin town of L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue in the South of France. Having cycled to Coldstream in the Borders, they then drove to Dover. The lads continued to cycle from Calais in relay to Troyes, Dijon, Lyons, until arriving at their destination with 750 miles cycling behind them. They expect to have raised at least £5,000.
At Kielder Water, more than 140 riders took on the challenge of a full circuit of the FC road network in August. They came from all parts of the country for the 25 mile event and a penny farthing and ancient bone shaker were among the exhibits there.
Pictures: The cyclists.
Forestry Wives Ride to Scots Title
District Foresters’ wives Cynn Ford and Anne Weir from Mull, entered the 25 mile open Scottish long distance riding championships. The event was held around Loch Fyne using mainly forest roads and tracks by permission of Loch Awe. The girls had trained during the summer, receiving support from horse enthusiast L.D. MacRae, FDM Mull. Their hard work was repaid when they crossed the finishing line together after a fast ride to find they had won. Mull’s other two entrants, D.M. Kiley Worthington and C. Rendall, who had entered the 100 miles two day class, were first and second, making it a clean sweep from Mull.
Gwent Forest District has opened what is believed to be the first purpose-built horse jumping circuit of its kind in Forestry Commission woodland. It is on the outskirts of Cardiff in Cefn Mabley Woods, and the circuit incorporates 12 fences of varying designs and heights, suitable for novices and experienced riders, together with a traditional riding route of 1½ miles overall distance. FDM David Parsons explains that in 1986 he was approached by a local organisation called SAFE (Safety and Facilities for Equestrians) who enquired into the possibility of an area for horse riding. There are few bridleways in the area and an increasing number of horse owners. The FC has provided recreational facilities for walkers and car drivers in its woodlands and although horse riding is permitted, there was an opportunity to add variety. CMCP (Caerphilly Mountain Community Project) task force carried out construction work and SAFE provided technical design guidance. The opening event was attended by over 100 riders.
David added “We have since opened a similar facility in the Wye Valley area at which Anne-Marie Taylor, a member of the GB Junior three-day event team “cut the tape”. Horse riding in Gwent is approaching the scale experienced by colleagues in parts of South-east England.
Picture: Horse riders at the opening event at Cefn Mabley Woods.
The Skill of Our Craftsmen … Winning Shapes in Forestry
At the national tree-felling contest in the Forest of Ae, Jim Elliott, Forest Worker, Glentor Quarry, Devon won the chainsaw carving contest.
At the now closed Glasgow Garden Festival, one of the star chainsaw performers of the many events organised for the Magical Forest exhibit was Peter Bowsher, Forester from Dornoch, North Scotland.
Pictures: (1) Jim Elliott with his crocodile carving. (2) Peter Bowsher creating a roe deer sculpture and surrounded by his hedgehog family and a watchful heron.
A Rare Honour for David Parnall
David Parnall, Afan Forest District Forester has received a rare honour from the Council for the Protection for Rural Wales. Until his retirement, David was Recreation Forester at Afan and the special award was made for initiating work on restoring historic farm buildings in the Afan Valley area. The restoration projects which included three 15th century farm buildings and a 17th century corn barn, used labour funded by the Manpower Services Commission, and materials provided by the Forestry Commission as sponsors.
In Memory of Jimmy
A special trophy for curlers will mark the memory of the late Jimmy Paterson, who was Ploughing Manager in South Scotland before his death. As Jimmy was an enthusiastic member of the South Scotland Curling Club, it was suggested a Jimmy Paterson Curling Trophy would be appropriate and Mrs Paterson was happy with the idea, feeling Jimmy would have been honoured by it.
Moving on
Rod Leslie has left as Environmental Officer at HQ to take up his new post as PF and EO, West England.
Picture: Rod Leslie with his colleagues.
Art Ideas Wanted
The Forestry Commission Art Competition, which proved successful last year, will be staged again in the Spring of next year.
Impressions of an Impresario
Andy Gallacher recalls a phone call last January which turned his occasionally busy, but peaceful life in retirement upside down. Duncan Campbell, former Head of Environment Branch asked if Andy would take on the unpaid job of organising events for the Commission’s Magical Forest exhibit at the Glasgow Garden Festival. He agreed and a brainstorming session followed with Richard Broadhurst and Simon Bell producing a long list of ideas. Placement assistant Jim Thomson did some early spadework. Many people helped with the project, especially Mike Locke. Andy gives details of the exhibit construction and events, all achieved on a very small budget.
Pictures: (1) Bill Blake receives a Gold Medal on behalf of the Forestry Commission for the best outdoor exhibit at the Glasgow Garden Festival. Making the presentation was Lord Aberconway, President of the Royal Horticultural Society. (2) The award for the best innovative exhibit at the Glasgow Garden Festival goes to Simon Bell, Bob James and Carol Anderson. With them is the much acclaimed Ancient Forester.
Retired
Arthur Frankland, the Poet of the forests, whose retirement after 33 years’ service with the Commission, was reported in the last issue of “Slasher”, has written a poem “The Ranger’s Lament” on his work and the wish that creatures would also retire.
Brothers John Leach and Gerald Leach, Forest Craftsmen, Ruthin Forest District, have retired after over 76 years’ service for the Commission between them. During that time, they saw 12 Area Supervisors, 9 District Officers and they worked in 6 forests without having to move home. They established plantations for the Welsh Office on trunk roads throughout Clwyd. They requested money raised for their retirement gift to be donated to the Bodelwyddan Resource Centre for Disabled People.
Picture: Brothers John and Gerald Leach with foreman Ifor Peters BEM.
Tom Thomas, has retired after joining the Commission at Aeron Forest in 1957. He transferred to Tywi Forest in 1969. He has been involved in planting operations and a wide variety of forest management work. Tom is the third generation of the Thomas family involved in forestry activities in the area. His grandfather originally sold some of the land, that was to become Aeron Forest, to the Forestry Commission, and his father planted the first trees in Aeron Forest.
Picture: Tom Thomas with Robert Donaldson, Llandovery Forest District.
Tom Griffiths, has retired after 43 years’ service with the Commission. Tom joined the Commission just before the War, and after serving with the RAF, he returned to the Commission and worked on ploughing, planting and general duties for 20 years. He has been with the Roads Department for 22 years as Lorry Driver, Excavator Operator and latterly Vib-roller Operator.
Picture: Tom Griffiths with T.P. Summers, Conservancy Civil Engineer.
Dilwyn Groves (Dil Groves), FM Squad, Afan District, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1954 at the former Michaelstone Forest, as an H&M Worker. He remembers starting thinning operations in 1956 with an axe and bowsaw.
Picture: Dil Groves with Newys Owen and FDM Peter Hughes.
Frank Chambers, has retired after 39 years’ service with the Commission, mostly spent in South Wales, and included the old Crychan, Mynydd Du, Margam and Brecon Forests, with the last 15 years in Gwent. He spent many years in the old Ebbw Forest.
Alun Thomas, Corris Forest District, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Alun Thomas with his Long Service certificate for 34 years at Dyfi Forest.
Richard Parker (Dick Parker), Forest Management, Dolgellau, a long serving member of the Commission, has retired.
Dai Owen, Forest Management, Dolgellau, a long serving member of the Commission, has retired.
Gwilym Davies, Forest Craftsman, Brechfa, has retired after 28 years’ service with the Commission.
Paul Kurowski, Forest Craftsman, Brechfa, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission with the former Teifi Forest team in 1956.
Dai Lewis, Forest Craftsman, Brechfa, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Dai Lewis.
Lewis Lewis, Coed y Rhaiadr Beat, Rheola, has retired after 27 years’ service with the Commission.
Selwyn Morgan, Coed y Rhaiadr Beat, Rheola, has retired after 28 years’ service with the Commission.
Stephen Duffy, Coed y Rhaiadr Beat, Rheola, has retired after over 10 years’ service with the Commission.
Michael Williams, Coed y Rhaiadr Beat, Rheola, has retired after over 10 years’ service with the Commission.
Terrence Smith, Coed y Rhaiadr Beat, Rheola, has retired after over 10 years’ service with the Commission.
Fred Courtier, Head Forester (Wildlife), East England, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission. He studied forestry at Dartington Hall and the Dean School and joined the Commission in 1952, in charge of a new section at Alice Holt, studying woodland mammals. He became Game Warden in 1960 and trained FC staff in deer management. From 1970, he worked in the New Forest, South East England and East England. Fred attended conferences and seminars and gave lectures and received the Balfour-Browne Trophy for outstanding services to deer, as recorded in the last issue of “Slasher”. He was the last of those who habitually slid down the banisters at Queen’s House, to the alarm of less intrepid spectators.
Picture: Fred Courtier and his wife Heather with Norman Dannatt, Assistant Conservator.
Les Tyson, Forest Craftsman, North York Moors, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission. He joined as a lad on the old Broxa Forest and spent time in the Broxa Nursery, where he developed his skills as a transplant lifter and lining out expert, which prepared him for his time in the nursery on North York Moors at Wykeham. He has developed quite a reputation for his wood carving skills. He uses hardwoods like mahogany and oak for his decorative wood carving.
Picture: Les Tyson.
Bert Tomlinson, Forest Craftsman, North York Moors, has retired after 33 years’ service with the Commission, working in the Bickley and Wykeham areas of North York Moors.
Rod Stern, Conservancy Conservation Officer for E(E), has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission. He spent his early days in Aberystwyth and Dovey.
Picture: Rod Stern and wife Vanessa.
Gordon Joyce, has retired after nearly 25 years’ service with the Commission, mostly spent on forest management duties at the Old Bentley (Salisbury) Forest. He is the last of a 12-strong workforce of 25 years ago.
Picture: Gordon Joyce, wife Joan and Wilts & Avon District Manager Bob Budden.
Alan Dunning, Chief Forester, Dorset FD, has retired after over 35 years’ service with the Commission, spent in areas including the New Forest, Scotland and Dorset.
Pictures: (1) Alan Dunning and wife Eileen. (2) Alan Dunning, and his grand-daughter Anna, presenting Alan’s wife Eileen with flowers.
Vilnis Grant, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission, mainly in what are now Kielder and Rothbury Forest Districts. A meticulous worker, Vilnis sometimes took so much equipment on site that he was once asked by his chainman where the hay was as, since he was being treated like a horse, he assumed he was being fed like one too!
Gerry Perry, EO, Personnel Salaries Section, HQ, has retired after 17 years’ service with the Commission. He served as SEO and Grade 7 in Basingstoke, then Edinburgh before reverting to EO in 1985. Gerry was involved in many HQ sports and social events, including a spell as Chairman of the Sports and Social Club.
Picture: Gerry Perry and his “laid back” approach with the girls from the Personnel Division.
Obituaries
Roy Taylor, former Forest Worker, Cilgwyn Forest, has died. He joined the Commission in 1927 and retired in 1982 after 34 years’ service. Employed mainly at the old Cilgwyn Forest as a Forest Worker, he was also Beat Steward and Safety Representative for Crychan Forest for many years.
Ian Hope, Forest Craftsman, Kershope, Kielder, has died aged 59. He started work in 1952 and became skilled in all aspects of forest work. During the last few years, he led the marketing and measuring team at Kershope.