Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 351 - April 1991
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 and assisted by staff at Forest Research, Roslin. Brian Mahony has been instrumental in locating many missing editions and continues the searches to locate all the earlier publication numbers.
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 420 issues or publications were produced between January 1948 and the final issue in 2009. To read the full edition please see the PDF link below this text.
The Dumping of 400 cars
The Welsh daily newspaper Western Mail recently featured FOIV Jim Connell in an article which showed that in the past year about 400 cars were found by FC staff in the Morgannwyg Forest District. The vehicles had been stripped, abandoned or burned and were estimated to be worth over £1.2 million.
What The Future Holds
Hints on the new direction for the Forestry Commission were given by the Chairman, Raymond Johnstone, at the annual meeting of the Timber Growers’ United Kingdom in Edinburgh.
Timber! Rally Cry to Women Of The Corps
A reunion is planned for members of the Women’s Timber Corps of the Second World War.
Pictures: (1) Berta Winn in TC uniform in 1943. (2) Berta’s release certificate from the WTC, dated 13th August 1945.
Party Time at Roslin
Northern Research Station at Roslin will hold Open Days from 8th-10th May.
Planning for Cairngorms
Jim Atterson, North Scotland Conservator, has been appointed a member of the Cairngorm Working Party. Under the chairmanship of Magnus Magnusson, members will consider land and land related uses of the Cairngorms and will recommend an integrated management plan for the future.
Tree Thieves Hit Wales
About 7,400 young spruce trees ready to be planted were stolen from the Llanwynno Forest in the Cynon Valley. The theft set back the FC planting programme to replant 7.5 acres of the forest and would cost £1,000 to replace.
Axe Man Cometh to Speyside Park
Ian Grant, Chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board opened the Glenmore Forest Park Visitor Centre, Speyside after its complete refurbishment.
Pictures: (1) Ian Grant, Scottish Tourist Board Chairman and Raymond Johnstone, Forestry Commission Chairman, outside the Glenmore Visitor Centre. (2) Inside the Visitor Centre shop.
TUS Diary - Urgent Answers are Demanded
Kenny Murray says considerable concern over the division of responsibilities proposed for the Forestry Commission is not confined to our workers, as the reproduction of the Landworkers’ TGWU comments show. He asks some pertinent questions.
Pictures: (1) Kenny Murray. (2) Headlines from previous issues and publications.
Slasher Betty! The Wraps are Off at Ae Centre
The development of the computer training facilities at the Ae Management Training Centre. “Slasher Betty” refers to Betty Cowan, Administrative Officer, who has been at the venue the longest and was shown cutting through the red tape in the July issue of Slasher.
Picture: (1) Betty cutting through the red tape. (2) The Computer Training room filled. (3) The same room before the arrival of the trainees.
Wider Range of Trees Encouraged 'Down The Hill'
The prospect of more forestry and woodlands appearing on former agricultural land and around towns and cities does not mean the Government is running an anti-conifer campaign, Lord Strathclyde, Scottish Office Forestry Minister told a conference.
Comic Babes
Morgannwg FD staff took part in a “Guess the Baby” competition and raised £32 for Comic Relief. Menna Evans correctly named 22 of the 24 babies and received first prize from organiser Tracey Mahoney. Dave Ely-Brown, FOIV, won a special prize as Most Beautiful Baby!
Lang's Statement
Ian Lang, Scottish Secretary, announced the changes to the FC management structure on 6th March.
Feather in Commission's Cap - Somalia Honour for John Leefe
John Leefe, OBE of Stretton, Leicestershire has been awarded the Somalia Diploma of Honour for nature conservation.
Pictures: (1) John Leefe with the tankard presented to him on leaving Somalia in 1987. (2) John Leefe’s Diploma of Honour. (3) Notelets prepared by a Swiss artist to help ecology in Somalia.
Pedal Power Steps Up a Gear
Over 200 miles of waymarked cycle routes are to be established this summer by the FC in South West Scotland, following a review by John Taylor, a keen cyclist and retired forester.
TV Stars Back Operation Treelink
The beech trees of the Wycombe District Council owned Castlefield Wood, which were devastated in the January 1990 gales are being replaced. The local Rotary Club launched Operation Treelink 1990 with the support of the District Council. The Forestry Commission were represented on the Site Committee by Patrick Stephens, District Forester, Private Woodlands, who planned the planting scheme. Ten members of Chilterns FD staff including foresters, office staff, rangers and forest craftsmen helped to supervise the planting by children and local celebrities.
Television personalities John Craven and Roy Castle supported the event by planting their own trees and signing autographs. Operation Treelink sold tubed seedlings to raise money for the Berkeley Reafforestation Trust, which raises money for re-afforestation projects in Nepal, Sudan and Ecuador.
Russians Visit Kielder
A group of Russians visited Kielder FD in February. James Ogilvie says their visit formed part of a larger tour of the UK forest industry, and delegates were shown a variety of harvesting sites, systems and equipment.
Picture: The party of Russians in Kielder with David Jardine, FC Harvesting Officer and John Charlton, H&M Team Leader (South).
Palace Call for Silver Student
Bruce Cochrane, now with the FC Workshop at Bellingham, has been named the country’s top student in his field. He completed the full-time course in Forestry Service Engineering at the Cumbria College of Agriculture and Forestry, Newton Rigg, Penrith, and won the Joe Rickerby Memorial Cup as best student, and two City & Guilds of London Institute silver medals to be presented at Buckingham Palance in July.
Stephen Wins New Bursary
Stephen Smith, an Aberdeen University student who is gaining practical experience in Newtown FD is the first recipient of a new Royal Forestry Society bursary.
Editor Roy Gregor Bids Farewell
Slasher Editor, Roy Gregor is leaving the Forestry Commission to take up a new post.
Doggone it … We're Having Great Fun!
The Kielder Forest Husky Rally was held on 16-17th February by the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain.
Pictures: (1) Event organiser Simon Luxmoore with a Husky and a Mountette. (2) Sue Timon from Honiton, Devon with her team preparing. (3) Sue Timon on the first leg of a 13-mile course to Scotland and back.
Doggone it …Here's the Reiver Rascals!
A re-enactment of the days of the Border reivers marked the opening of a new ramblers’ trail in Northumberland.
Pictures: (1) The Border Reivers from Kielder FD Office, John Tewson, Mike Strachan, Lindsay Bisset and Kay Wilson. (2) Bill Burlton of Kielder Office. (3) James Ogilvie and Mike Strachan find a spot of bother. (4) James Ogilvie, Mike Strachan, Lindsay Bisset and Bill Burlton with horse.
Cross Country Skiers
Cross country Skiers from all over the area are enjoying a new experience staged near East Kielder farm.
Picture: Cross country skiers of all ages at Kielder.
Nut Case in Thetford
Red squirrels are thriving on pickings from visitors to Thetford FD according to Anna Chylak.
Pictures: (1) Squirrel costume used for local events and to publicise the forest park. (2) . Sinclair Coghill of Moray FD, North Scotland sent a picture of the survivor of two young red squirrels, whose drey was unnoticed in a pine in a clearfell site. Contractor Kenneth Varney used milk substitute to rear the survivor.
Stability Around Corner
Martin Gale of Harvesting and Marketing Division, looks at imported wood products.
Valleys Forest is Welsh Idea
Plans to establish a “Valleys Forest” announced by the Secretary of State for Wales, David Hunt are aimed at improvement in environment and recreation facilities.
Trees for Carol Concert
Dolgellau FD provided two 40 ft Noble firs for stage decoration for the “Joy to the World” Carol Concert in the Albert Hall.
Neil Findlay, President of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society presented an inscribed silver tray to Dr Alan Hayes to mark his 14 years as editor of the Society’s journal “Scottish Forestry”.
Picture: Neil Findlay, Dr Alan Hayes, Guy Hilton and other members.
Lucky Mike France-bound
Mike Turner, FC Workshop Manager, England East, who won a motorcycle in a raffle earlier this year is planning a charity ride to France with his son Keith riding pillion. Sponsorship will benefit the Lavinia Norfolk Unit for the Physically Disabled and the Basingstoke unit of Muscular Dystrophy.
Picture: Mike Turner astride his vintage motorcycle.
Old Timers Look Back
‘Slasher’ articles in the January edition brought back memories for retirees Jack Low and Jack Jennings. An article on living vans reminded Jack Low of the vans which never moved as they would have fallen apart. He suggests the E.T. Jones mentioned in the old papers found in the van, refers to recently retired George Jones’ father, who was Chief Forester at Llanafon. Another name mentioned, R.H. Roberts, was a one time Head Forester at Cynwyd Forest. Jack believes the Villier engine spares book would come from the Forest fire-pump, he doesn’t remember the 948 ELM register, but it was likely to be that of a former Army lorry, probably a Bedford. Jack adds an interesting anecdote: “Well … the first FC flagpole for the first permanent site of the Royal Welsh Showground was a Douglas fir felled at Gwydyr, 135 ft. The flagpole was cleaned, dried and painted at 102 ft. It was taken by lorry with a Hiab crane by George Jones under police escort from Chirk Depot very late at night and through the early hours to the Builth Wells site. The Royal Welsh Committee, I understand, eventually objected to the size as the FC flag overlooked any other flag in the county.”
Jack Jennings writes some nostalgic lines about horses and hauliers: A rusty worn out horseshoe lying on the edge of a forest ride brought back memories of my youth in the woods and how times and methods are changing. The steady measured rhythm of the timber feller’s axe has been replaced with the ear shattering whine of the chainsaw; the tidy stacks of branch or cordwood built into several piles known by woodmen as ranks are seldom seen along the rides; and the grooved numbers on the base of every log have been replaced by a metal tag shot into the butt by a spring-loaded dispenser.
Artful or unscrupulous woodmen on piecework, if given the opportunity, would frequently stack the cordwood over the stump of a felled tree. This of course was a fraudulent practice because it contained short measure (the concealed stump occupying much space). Another crafty move was to build the rank as loosely as possible, with crooked or badly trimmed branches or mis-shapen limbs. I recall a timber merchant in the Forest of Dean taking one of his men to task on one occasion for slipshod work. “Look ‘yer ‘Arry, he said to a cutter, I dunna mind seein’ a weasel or a rabbit burrowin’ into they ‘eaps as you be a settin’ up, but when my old dog can crawl underneath and ‘ave a nap, I da reckon ‘tis about time as I got down to showin’ thee ‘ow ta do a decent bit a rankin.”
As a boy, I can remember the drivers and teams of horses, both dripping with mud, hauling their loads to the mill. Nowadays the horse has been replaced with a diesel engine and tractor with hydraulic hoist. Timber hauling or “tushin” as it was called, was slavery for both man and beast, and is one of the old woodland operations that I'm glad to see is finished.”
R.G. Roper, former EO, Dean, writes a poem about the lack of leavers from South West.
Two-Prong Plan to Save Birds
The Forestry Commission met national experts to plan help for the Nightjar whose numbers have rapidly declined over the past 100 years. Now there are less than 30 pairs left on Cannock Chase.
The Forestry Commission has also backed the Scottish Landowners’ Federation’s call for increased support for fundraising to save the Capercailzie.
Picture: Nightjar.
How Gwen Got a New Look
The Dallas Diet Competition for 1990 was won by Gwen Muldoon, M(S) Typing Pool Supervisor, who lost 4.5 stones over the year.
Picture: Slim Gwen Muldoon.
Jacob's Joyride
Peter Rawlinson, FOIV, H&M at Lyndhurst, New Forest, adapted a pedal Landrover in FC livery for his son Jacob.
Picture: Jacob in his FC Landrover.
New Forest Park
The Border Forest Park, Britain's largest Forest Park, was opened by radio presenter and former President of the Council for National Parks, Brian Redhead.
Any Prize Ideas?
The Daily Telegraph and National Westminster Bank have again joined forces in the search of inventive schemes for environmentally friendly technology.
A Boar and Beaus
Resident Grizedale sculptor Sally Matthews was the designer of a exhibit which went on show at the House of Commons.
Picture: The wild boar, Cupid’s bow and heart-shaped cut-outs.
Penny Finds The Rare Feely Tree Hides Some Secrets in Its Hollow
Penny Knock, Recreation Ranger in the Chilterns Forest District, uses a paper mache tree as an education aid for schoolchildren.
Picture: The hollow tree.
Tasty Dish
Jill Mackay spotted a cake at HQ when volunteers organised a “Bring and Buy” sale for the Blue Peter Romanian orphans appeal. Alison Prior, EO, Office Services, baked and decorated Blue Peter cakes and collected other goods to raffle. Over £1,006 was raised for the appeal. The generosity of the Scots was also demonstrated at NRS where a similar sale raised a total of over £400.
Pictures: (1) Blue Peter Bring and Buy cake. (2) NRS staff and cake.
12-Month Course
Following the successful introduction of the first Higher National Diploma in Forestry in Britain, the Scottish School of Forestry is to introduce another course from August - a one year full-time Scottish National Certificate in Forestry.
Leaving
Nobby Medhurst, Peter Collins and Francis Elliot have left the Commission after being made redundant following the sale of much of the old Shipbourne Forest. After the 1987 gale, they teamed up with the South Lakes Processor and worked long shifts to clear 35,500 square metres of windblown timber. They had a combined 86 years’ service with the Commission. A presentation was made by FD Manager Pat Dineen.
Picture: Nobby Medhurst, Peter Collins and Francis Elliot.
Quiz Champs
The “Four at Night” Public Information Division quiz team won the final of the Headquarters Quiz in March. They were Jill Mackay (captain); Isobel Cameron; Howard Hart; and Robin Picton-Phillips. They beat a team from Business Systems Division, Gerry Kingham; Bronwen Jackson; Alistair Thomson; and Jim McKeen (captain).
Laurie in Chair at Alice Holt
The Alice Holt FC Retirement Association members attended a performance of The Forsyte Saga at Basingstoke in January. The members also attended a Bring and Buy Auction, with Laurie Tee as the auctioneer. The proceeds were given to Dr Julian Evans for “Tree Aid in Ethiopia”. At the AGM, Ron Brown stood down as Chairman and was succeeded by Laurie Tee. All other Committee members agreed to serve for another year. Bill Muddle showed a video of a recent visit to Singapore and Australia.
The Peninsula Group of the FC Retirement Association has 35 members spread over a scattered area of Cornwall, Devon and West Somerset. Last year they visited a National Trust property, held an outing in September and enjoyed Christmas lunch, film shows and talks on painting and gardening.
Retired
John Stoakley, Head of Northern Section of Entomology Branch, who retired in January after 34 years’ service with the Commission, is retaining his links with the industry as a consultant to the FC and the private forestry sector. He obtained his degree in Forestry at Oxford University in 1956, then joined the Commission as a District Officer, based at Cambridge, where he spent 5 years. After a brief move to Ruthin, he joined Entomology Branch in 1961. He spent time in Alice Holt, Dingwall and a year at Silwood Park to complete his MSc in Applied Entomology and moved to NRS in 1970.
Picture: John Stoakley with his wife Morna.
Tam McNeill, Lorry Driver at Aberfoyle, has retired from Loch Ard Engineers after 17 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Tam McNeill parking his vehicle for the last time.
Austin Watson, Forester, Nithsdale FD, has retired after 44 years’ service with the Commission in Scotland. He joined the Commission at Mabie, then after Benmore Forester School, he worked in every aspect of forestry and spent time at Alice Holt, Kirroughtree, Bareagle, Upper Nithsdale, Glentrool, Craik and Solway.
Picture: Austin Watson.
Lachie Macallister, Kintyre FD, Mobile Tractor Driver, Mid Scotland, has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission, following an accident at home. He worked on various types of ploughing tractors before changing to work on the Delta Scarifier, which meant travelling to North Scotland and Wales as well as Mid Scotland.
John Moffat (senior), Road Squad, Aberfoyle, has retired after 21 years’ service with the Commission.
Jim Ogilvie, Senior Ranger, Mearns, Kincardine, has retired after 45 years’ service with the Commission.
Diana Bain, CO, has retired after 15 years’ service with the Commission. She joined in 1975 as a Forest Clerkess at Culloden before moving to Conservancy Office as a CO in 1976. For the last four years, Diana has been in constant contact with Denmark, Belgium and France as the main link in licensed stalking, particularly in getting the necessary firearm clearances.
Ken Broad, District Forester, Private Woodlands, Somerset and South Devon FD, has retired from the Commission. He worked in South Wales and West England Conservancies, with a period also devoted to the South Wales coalfield study under Michael Brown. Following retirement from the Commission, Ken will take up a post with Oxfordshire Council, where he will be responsible for setting up a Woodland Advisory Organisation.
Brian Dean, Chief Forester, Grizedale, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission. He joined in 1957 after attending Gwydyr Forester Training School, and after spells at Swynnerton and Cannock. He was posted to Grizedale in 1965 and promoted to Head Forester there in 1972, followed in 1983 by promotion to Chief Forester and a posting to Kershope. After reorganisation in 1988 closed Kershope Office, Brian opted for a second term at Grizedale.
Norman Howgate, Ganger, Grizedale, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission. He joined after National Service in Malaya and two years in the local slate quarries. Norman will stay on at Grizedale, where he manages the bar at the Theatre in the Forest.
Selwyn Nickels, Forester, Morgannwg FD, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission at Tair Onen Nursery, Margam and Coed Caerdydd Forests, then had two years at Gwydyr Forester Training School, Capel Curig in 1954-1956. He has worked at Rheola, Cwm Ogwr, Michaelston, Margam and Morgannwg.
Picture: Selwyn Nickels and colleagues.
Doug Wathan, Tintern, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission, after joining at Irfon, employed on FM activities. He moved to Tintern in 1965, changing his skills to H&M jobs including tractor driving.
Charlie James, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission. He spent his time on various duties, but most of all enjoyed working with horses.
Picture: Charlie James receives his Long Service certificated from David Killer, CCE.
Jock Masson, Forwarder Driver, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission. He joined at Fetteresso in 1955 when 1,000 acre planting programmes were the norm. His first Head Forester was Davie Anderson (now retired). As Fetteresso amalgamated with Drumtochty (which eventually joined up with Banchory to form Kincardine), Jock was an important link.
Ned Oliver, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the FM side based in Redesdale, then transferred to the Engineers at Redesdale and also worked in Kielder FD as a Plant Operator and with the bridge/maintenance gangs.
Ron Ruston, Tractor Driver, Wykeham Nursery, has retired after almost 50 years’ service with the Commission covering many different jobs. Latterly, he was in charge of the weather station at the nursery, which records for Bracknell Weather Centre.
Eric Hildred, North Lincs FD, has retired after 29 years’ service with the Commission. He was one of the last of the industrial work force remaining from the old Laughton Forest, East England.
Mick Harrington, North Lincs FD, has retired after 28 years’ service with the Commission. He was one of the last of the industrial work force remaining from the old Bardney Forest, East England.
Isaac Elliott, Rothbury FD, has retired after 39 years’ service with the Commission. A former KOSB, he joined the Commission based at Harwood Forest and has worked on timber harvesting and latterly on forest management duties.
Wilf Nicholas, Ganger, Delamere Nursery, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission. As a full time lorry driver, he visited most FC locations.
Obituaries
Harry Adams, the last of the Adams brothers forestry dynasty who have figured prominently in ‘Slasher’ died on 21st February, aged 87. He was born in the Forest of Dean, his father and grandfather were both foresters. Harry went to the Dean Forester Training School and served with the Colonial Services in Uganda where he was responsible for the draining and afforestation of malarial mosquito infested land around Kampala. Returning home, he spent much of his career in East England, at Laughton Forest, Lincolnshire and Brandon Park.
Charley Adams, Head Forester, brother of Harry Adams, died on 21st January, aged 88. He served with the Commission for over 51 years, starting work in the Dean aged 13, and retiring in 1967. He attended the Dean Forestry Training school, then on completion of his training, was sent to Devon to begin his career as an ex-school Ganger. In 1935, he went to South Wales to establish a forest at Penllegaer, near Swansea. In 1937, he was sent to establish St Gwynno’s forest overlooking the Rhondda and Taff valleys where he remained until the outbreak of war. After service in other areas, Charley went to Hafren Forest in Mid Wales, where he remained until returning to South Wales at Margam Forest in 1960.
David Marshall, Forester and long-time friend of Harry Adams, died in January, aged 79. He spent his whole career with the Commission, with the exception of the War years, when he was promoted to District Officer and was seconded to the Timber Corps.
Ian MacRae, Chief Forester, Glenbranter, until his retirement in 1971, has died aged 78.
Ian McKenzie, former Chief Forester, remembered for his valiant efforts in organising the clearance of the 1968 windblow damage, has died aged 89. He retired from Inverliever Forest in Loch Awe FD in 1970.
Bill Elger, formerly of Aberfoyle FD, died in November as the result of a car accident in Balquidder. He retired in 1985.
John Hamilton (Jock Hamilton), Head Forester, Leapmoor Forest, has died. He retired early from the Commission in 1971 and was forestry advisor for Renfrew District Council for 12 years and was a member of the Royal Observer Corps.
Edd Grigor, former Head Forester, Glenisla Forest E(S), has died. He joined the Commission at Drumtochty Forest in 1928. In the late 1940s he was transferred to take charge of a large treeless area in Glenisla, now part of Abertay FD. On retirement as Head Forester in 1971, he left 3,500 hectares of plantation in Glenisla, which is a monument to his hard work and determination.
David Watt MBE, who had 44 years’ service with the Commission, has died aged 90. He became Head Forester at Monaughty after World War II.
Valdemars Blankenburgs ("Blanks"), Surveyor, North East England, died on 18th February, just a few days before his 83rd birthday. A respected member of the local community, he will be remembered for his love of the North Tyne Valley.
Ernest Milner, has died aged 76. He joined the Commission at Osmotherley as a Ganger, and remained in North York Moors until retirement.
Thomas Edwardson, who was a DC with the Forestry Commission after World War II until 1952, before he became a lecturer at Oxford University, has died aged 80. He served in Glasgow and the Forest of Dean.
Hugh's Wood in Kintyre has been named in memory of Hugh McMillan, Ganger, aged 63, who died at work in November in Carradale Forest, Kintyre FD. Miss Paula Thomas, District Forester, Kintyre, implemented the planting of the wood to mark Hugh’s life and work.