Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 353 September 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.
Major Study Points the Way Forward - Expansion - by Team of 14
Up to a million hectares of land in Britain could be taken out of agriculture and used to create new woodlands and forests, according to a major study published by the Forestry Commission.
The Commission invited experts to write papers assessing the main factors bearing on decisions about the future direction of forestry expansion. Fourteen specialist authors, including economists, foresters, ecologists and biological scientists wrote about current knowledge. It is intended the paper will form the basis for discussions of the location and type of forestry that will meet the demands of society for wood products, jobs, recreation, amenity, wildlife conservation, carbon storage and the other uses and benefits supplied by forests and woodlands.
Picture: An example of one area of British woodlands improving landscapes.
Pete's Peaks
Pete Collin, Assistant Conservancy Mechanical Engineer at Inverness, recently celebrated his completion of climbing all 277 Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet, known as Munros. On the summit of Beinn Alligin in Torridon, Pete was presented with an inscribed slate and a bottle of champagne from his hillwalking FC colleagues. Also present were friends from the Inverness Mountaineering Club and Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. Unusually for a ‘Munro bagger’, Pete's first Munros were the inaccessible Pinnacle and Sgurr nan Gillean in the Cuillin of Skye six years ago.
After transferring from the Department of Transport in London to N(S) Conservancy five years ago, he was able to tackle the remaining Munros in earnest. One hundred and fifty of the summits were climbed alone and around 30 with a companion. Also under Pete's belt are all the mountains over 3,000 feet in England, Wales and Ireland. Apparently his future plans are to tackle the Munros by ski.
Picture: Pete Collin with FC hillwalking colleagues Jim Muir; Ray Cameron; Alan Duncan; Hugh Insley; Terry Confield; and Bryce Reynard.
Survey Shows Gaps in Recruiting
The staff ethnic origin survey has shown only one industrial and five non-industrials claim to be of ethnic minority origin, a representation of 0.1 per cent compared with a population representation of 4 per cent throughout the UK. Doug Goddard, Equal Opportunity Officer, said, “Even allowing for the fact that the Commission does not have offices in those parts of the country with the highest levels of ethnic minorities, our results are disappointing, all the more so given that the Civil Service as a whole has succeeded in attracting and recruiting ethnic minority applicants in proportion to their representation within the community.”
Appointment: David Hughes
Assistant Conservator, Wales, David M. Hughes has been appointed Chief Conservator of the Forest Authority National Office in Wales.
Anglian Survey
Owners of broadleaved woodlands in East Anglia are to get special advice and support in a new project announced by Forestry Minister Baroness Trumpington. A recent survey in Norfolk and Suffolk has shown that three-quarters of Woodlands there are in a state of neglect.
Pest Hunt
Help is required from local householders and woodland owners in the hunt for the serious tree pest, the Great Spruce Bark Beetle. Commission experts want people to allow access to their gardens and plantations to check spruce trees. They are appealing for information about other spruces in the area.
'Caper' Gives Eddie the Bird!
When Eddie McIntosh, a Civil Engineering Foreman, ventured too near to a courting capercailzie, while photographing it in a Perthshire forest, the bird spread its wings and charged, knocking him over. In a similar attack, Harvesting Foresters Mike Cheesewright and Mike Flinn had to retreat when a capercailzie prevented them carrying out a crop inspection. Malcolm Wield, Environment Forester for Perthshire FD, believes it is encouraging to hear that capercailzie feel confident and secure enough in our forests to establish their territory in such a positive way.
TUS Diary
Kenny Murray writes about his earlier concerns that the Forestry Commission was being prepared for Agency status and the fate of Forest Enterprise eventually was to be privatisation. He also writes about complements and the Special Complementing Committee, the Reorganisation Consultative Committee at HQ, welfare provision and posts in Wales and FC disposals.
Picture: Kenny Murray
Staff's Day of Action
Forestry Commission staff travelled to HQ from all over Britain to protest against proposed redundancies following reorganisation. The rally by members of NUCPS and CPSA marked the first strike action ever taken directly against the Commission and was planned to coincide with a scheduled Commissioners’ meeting. The proposed cuts of 158 jobs represent 8 per cent of the FC’s non-industrial staff. A statement from management side said a review conducted by management had resulted in agreement with the unions to set up five consultative committees to look at staffing levels.
Picture: Forestry Commission workers protest outside HQ.
Good idea! And it's in Line for New Award
A design for a guard for the new fleet of Akerman harvesters has won an award for £50 and is in line for another award. The South Scotland Staff Suggestion Committee said a staff member had devised a method of guarding vulnerable areas to reduce damage risk. If his design prevents lights being broken only once in the machine’s lifetime, then the guard will have paid for itself.
Two other awards have been made by the South Scotland Scheme. £25 has been paid for the suggestion for a payroll upgrade to calculate individual average earnings. £10 has gone to an employee for his development of the semi circular spade made locally, which has led to cost savings.
Birthday Tree Gift
The 200th anniversary of the Ordnance Survey was marked by the Forestry Commission with a commemorative tree. When Keith Ball from Forest Survey Branch, a major customer of the OS, heard of the anniversary, he suggested to the Deputy Surveyor of the New Forest, David Perry, that the gift of a tree would be a fitting gesture. The OS had lost a fine Cedar Atlantica from their office grounds at Maybush in Southampton in the 1990 storms and a replacement was chosen. Forestry Commissioner Ron Hancock presented the tree to Peter McMaster, Director General of the OS and the planting was carried out by the Duke of Richmond, whose ancestor was involved in the formation of the OS in 1791.
Oh! What a Lovely Walk - Two Intrepid Explorers Walking on the Pennine Way
An account of a sponsored walk of the 265 mile long Pennine Way undertaken by two explorers from HQ, Keith Gliddon and Ken Milsom. The article is based on extracts from Keith’s daily diaries.
Pictures: (1) Ken Milsom at the Old Nags Head, the official start of the Pennine Way walk. (2) Keith Gliddon points the way forward at a signpost.
Postbag
Juniper riddle: Maurice Nimmo writes about the Juniper riddle in the ‘Here & There’ section of the July ‘Slasher’. He believes there is another mystery about this species in the South of England. It grows well and is fairly common on the Wiltshire chalk downs, but stops abruptly along the Dorset border. Some botanists belief the Dorset chalk areas are too close to the sea, but does this not apply to sites in North Dorset just over the border from the Wiltshire boundary? Juniper thrives in very acid soils in the Lake District and Scotland, yet it also loves the alkaline sites on Chalk Downs.
Up the pole - and down: Jack Jennings remembers the flagpole mentioned by Jock Low in the April edition of ‘Slasher’. During his time at Crychan Forest in the 1960s, two forest workers were detailed to paint it before a visit by the Prince of Wales. A colleague rigged up a boatswain’s chair. The man with the paint was about 50 ft up when his mate holding the rope suddenly sneezed. For a moment he lost control of the rope and the man on the pole shot rapidly downwards! His mate regained control and the painter's neck was saved when he was pulled up with a mighty jerk three feet short of the turf. After regaining his breath (and wiping paint from his eyes and mouth), he naturally berated his mate, whose only retort was: “I told you to put your bl---y helmet on!”
Feely tree: Bert Dover says the Chilton Feely Tree (Latimus Boothensis) is not of French origin, as indicated in the April edition of ‘Slasher’. Research shows that the Feely Tree is native to the abandoned watercress swamps of the Chess Valley, Buckinghamshire. The hollow stems and feely holes evolved over aeons of time as nesting sites for a rare form of resin-coated duck. L. Boothensis was first recorded in 1990 on discovery by Alan Booth, the Chiltern plantsman.
Brighter Britain
Mabie Forest, four miles from the centre of Dumfries was visited by BBC presenter John Craven, who opened several new features. From 1800, woods were planted around Mabie House and the forest was acquired by the Forestry Commission in 1943. Valerie Shipp, Nithsdale FDM, said they were seeing an increased interest in the countryside and with the new facilities, they could cater for the whole family.
John Craven was tempted to try out the Adventure Trail, an activity route set in deep undergrowth where children can climb through and across specially constructed child-sized “forest homes”. They can crawl in a spider’s web, creep into a squirrel’s drey, burrow into a badger’s set, or visit a tree house. Adults can enjoy the views from picnic tables scattered over the area.
John Craven also launched the opening of 200 miles of new waymarked forest cycle routes, which run through Dumfries and Galloway. The outcome of a detailed study conducted by John Taylor, a keen cyclist and retired forester, the initiative is the largest and most comprehensive cycling project developed in the UK. Exploiting the rare opportunities presented by the great forests of Galloway, six forest cycling centres are being launched. They span from Mabie Forest and the forest of Ae to Dalbeattie Forest and three centres in the Galloway Forest Park at Kirroughtree, Clatteringshaws and Glentrool.
Picture: John Craven tries out the new adventure trail in Mabie Forest.
Up the Pole
A Forwarder machine was used to place a 20 ft totem pole sculpture outside the West Downs Visitor Centre. Students from West Surrey College of Art and Design have created six sculptures from the natural materials they found in the forest. District Forester Ken Shuker said, “We want people to tell us what they want to see so we can work and enjoy the West Downs forest together. We particularly want to encourage local people to produce similar pieces that fit in with this landscape.”
Pictures: (1) Students at work on the totem carvings. (2) The Design students with the totem sculpture.
Border Moorland Plan
The maintenance and improvement of the conservation value of over 10,000 acres of heather moorland along the England-Scotland border was formally recognised by the signing of a management plan of the area at Kielder Castle in the Border Forest Park. The culmination of several years of effort, the Kielderhead management plan is also the product of a partnership between several organisations involved in nature conservation. The plan was drawn up by members of English Nature, Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland, Northumberland Trust and the Forestry Commission.
The Kielder area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, supports a rich variety of breeding birds (golden plover, dunlin, lapwing, oystercatchers, curlew and several species of raptors). Plant species (heather, cottongrass, crowberry and cloudberry) thrive. Altogether, there are more than 200 species of flowering plants, 150 species of mosses and liverworts, and 30 lichen species.
James Ogilvie, Kielder FDM, said. “When you consider the Kielder area has the largest man-made forest in Northern Europe, it's important we ensure a balance between trees and open ground. Kielderhead provides a marvellous habitat for moorland birds, plants and animals as well as enhancing diversity for wildlife within the Border Forest Park.”
Penny for Your Thoughts Penny!
Penny Knock donned a squirrel outfit at Marylebone railway station in London, to give travellers a taste of the country life. Chilterns FD staff set up a forestry display in the station to promote the Chiltern woods. Keith Wallis, District Forester, explained, “Wendover and Hodgemoor Woods are less than an hour away from Marylebone station and we set up this exhibition for a week to encourage people to enjoy the forests which are easily accessible and provide a great day out.” Penny Knock, the Recreation Ranger, was clearly visible dressed as a red squirrel, courtesy of Thetford FD. The Forest Fitness Trail in Wendover Woods is a popular attraction and one of the exercises was set up at Marylebone for people to test their fitness.
Pictures: (1) Penny Knock takes a breather in her squirrel outfit. (2) Squirrel Penny hands out guide maps. (3) Mark Prior and Penny at Marylebone.
Tony Reaches the Heights
Tony Waddell of Seed Trading Branch, Alice Holt, celebrated his 50th birthday in the same way he marked his 30th and 40th birthdays. He scaled a 100 ft Wellingtonia to fly a flag. It took him half an hour to climb the tree, which he admits was quite difficult as the branches droop.
Picture: Tony Waddell, with a flag above the top-most branches.
Alice Bears
Cuddly forest bears are available from Alice Holt Information Centre. Each bear is dressed in FC clothing, complete with logo and has its own name, Sid Spruce, Dougie Fir, Oscar Oak, Henry Hemlock, etc.
Picture: Muriel Ballard with cuddly bears.
A New-Look Welcome in the Valley
Garwnant Visitor Centre set amid spectacular scenery overlooking the Llwyn Onn reservoir, north of Merthyr Tydfil was re-opened by BBC Wales personality Roy Noble on 18th June 1991, following a year of extensive refurbishment. Alun James, Morgannwg FDM, said, “Garwnant has always been a popular attraction. The Centre now includes a new tearoom and forecourt, and a great deal of work has gone into improving the surroundings. Inside the Centre, we have an audio-visual display and ‘classroom’ for schools and other groups.”
A heron is prominently featured on the new logo, designed by the FC Design and Interpretation team. The bird has a long association with the area, which contains a number of reservoirs. A heronry is situated in surrounding forests.
Picture: John Morgan, Conservator, with Craig Paddle, Justin Evans, Jonathan Vizzard of Fitzalan High School, Cardiff, who were presented with the Garwnant Wayfaring Challenge Trophy by BBC’s Roy Noble.
Radcot Rules the Weeds
English Forestry Minister, Baroness Trumpington, visited FC research plots in a working farmer’s fields at Radcot Bridge Farm near Oxford. The Baroness opened the joint Forestry Commission/private sector event ‘Profitable Farming, Practical Conservation.’ She toured the farm on an open tractor and trailer and examined FC research plots in detail. W(E) Conservator Roger Busby played host while Alice Holt Silv (S) Project Leader, David Williamson filled in the technical details of his team's work at the farm.
The FC has about two hectares of research plots at the Farm and is working with a herbicide firm, Willmot Industries, and with Tilhill Economic Forestry, to produce practical solutions to problems associated with establishing farm woodlands on arable land or improved grassland.
The plots are divided into a number of distinct areas which typify woodlands planted for a number of farm objectives: -
Game Spinney: A practical demonstration of how to lay out a commercial woodland and designed to be attractive to game birds. The spinney demonstrates how to gain a commercial return on a woodland planted for a most popular objective – game cover – on the farm. The farmer could gain financially with shooting and timber.
Herbicide Screen: Herbicides already exist to control arable weeds in agricultural crops. To achieve good weed control in woodland plantings, some herbicides must be used. This plot examines what these products do to tree and hedge saplings.
Ground Flora: Management plots show the importance of active management of farm woodlands.
Strip Weed and Mow: The cheapest practical option, offering good tree establishment due to weeds being controlled by regular mowing.
Strip Weed and Kale: Offers good tree establishment due to weed control but also provides a woodland of use as game cover. A clear contender for shooting enterprises very early after initial planting. The kale excludes the weeds.
Bare Ground: The so-called ‘scorched earth’ policy is an option farmers may be tempted to use. But it looks awful, brings problems of soil erosion, demands a high pesticide input, and leads to nitrate leaching into ground water.
Strip Weed and Grass/Wild Flowers: Best all-round option, giving good tree establishment due to weed control by a herb rich sward of wildflowers under the trees. Most attractive and has considerable conservation interest.
Picture: Baroness Trumpington among the wildflowers of Radcot.
The Excellence of Grizedale
Baroness Trumpington attended the Open Day at Grizedale Forest, where she said: “Access to woodlands is something which this Government encourages.”
Pictures: (1) Grizedale staff keep their new T-shirts dry in the main marquee. (2) Baroness Trumpington raises a smile and her umbrella at Grizedale.
Butterflies Safe
Foresters and butterfly experts have joined forces to protect three rare species of butterfly. The FC and Lincolnshire’s branch of Butterfly Conservation have established a butterfly sanctuary at Twyford Wood, near Colsterworth to protect the Dingy skipper, Grizzled skipper and Green hairstreak. Only fifty years ago, the species were a common sight in Lincolnshire, but have declined because their natural habitat is fast disappearing.
Good Sports of NRS Make Their Mark Again
The Northern Research Station, Roslin, team were overall winners of the annual FC Sports Day held at Muirhouse, Edinburgh.
Five teams from NRS and HQ took part in eight sports ranging from mixed football to hockey, bowling and putting. Graeme Coulthard (Finance C), took a nasty tumble on the hockey field and dislocated a kneecap. Alison Prior organised the contest.
Picture: The NRS victors Mo Donnelly; Linda Arbuckle; Kirsty Venner; Elaine Bell Jack; Alistair Hendry; Chris Smith; Ewan Alexander; Derek Nelson; and George Prior.
Phoenix Signals a Start
Agriculture Minister John Gummer signalled the rebirth of Rendlesham Forest Suffolk, when he unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of a Phoenix Trail. The forest, which was almost destroyed in the Great Storm of 1987, has now been cleared of the debris from more than one million trees lost in only two hours. The replacement planting programme of more than four million trees is now underway.
The Phoenix Trail, a five kilometre way marked route through the forest, marks the beginning of its restoration and will be a permanent feature of the forest as it slowly grows to maturity. Bob Hands, Suffolk FDM says “The trail is the first of a series of new public facilities planned for the future. We have organised guided walks and a number of special events including a nightjar watch and a bat box workshop.”
Picture: John Gummer with the Phoenix Trail plaque.
Rab’s Top Student
Rab Beck, Cartographer, FSDO, has been named top student of his year.
Picture: Rab Beck receiving the first-year prize for his Scotvec topographic studies course at Glasgow School of Building from Mrs Pignatelli, wife of Strathclyde's Director of Education.
On Yer Bikes
Twenty cyclists from N(E) Conservancy Office at York visited Kielder Dam where FDM James Ogilvie led them on an eight mile cycle tour. Later Brian Long guided the party on a tour of Kielder Castle and the Information Centre.
Picture: The N(E) Conservancy cyclists on their visit to Kielder.
Join the Club
Membership of the Civil Service Club allows an overnight stay in the heart of London for £28.
Gordon McReddie Honoured
Gordon McReddie, Head Ranger at Kielder, has been elected an honorary life member of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. It is in recognition of “his enormous contribution to the extremely worthwhile success of the BASC/FC Roe Management Scheme at Spadeadam Forest in Cumbria since its inception in 1984.”
Picture: Gordon McReddie.
Director Wanted
The RSFS are looking for someone to take on the new position as Director of the Society to take office in May 1982 on retirement of the present secretary.
Broadleaf Talks
Various speakers are involved in a symposium organised by the SCI Agriculture Group and the Royal Forestry Society of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to be held in Belgrave Square, London, on November 19. The subject: Broadleaf trees - potential for lowland production.
Benefits for All as Society Ups Dues
Changes directly affecting the general membership of the Post Office and Civil Service Sanatorium Society were adopted at the annual conference held in Scarborough.
Tour Date
A Retirement Association outing will be a conducted tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Dawyck on 16th October.
Honours Ceremonies
Phemie MacKinnon, Administrative Officer, Strontian Office, Argyll, N(S), who joined the Commission in 1964 as a Forest Worker at Polloch, Glenhurich, to undertake various tasks on woodland maintenance, has received a BEM. In addition to her work with the Commission, she is involved with community activities and charities.
Picture: Phemie MacKinnon receives her BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire, watched by Jim Atterson, Conservator N(S).
Cliff Fennell, Forest Craftsman, New Forest, who joined the Commission 50 years ago and has represented the Commission on local and national TV and radio, has received the BEM. He demonstrates his crafts to hundreds of visitors to the New Forest and talks about his job with visitors from the Summer School for the Blind. He has developed a wide range of techniques to explain his work by means of touch, smell and sound.
Picture: Cliff Fennell receives his BEM from Lt. Colonel Sir James Scott, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, at a ceremony in the Verderers’ Court, Lyndhurst.
Albert Edwards, Forest Worker, Llanrwst FD, Wales, was presented with his medal by R.E. Meuric Rees, Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd at a ceremony in the Pritchard Jones Institute, Newborough.
Picture: Albert Edward was accompanied by his wife, daughter and Conservator John Morgan when he received his medal from the Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd.
Staff Appointments
Marcus Sangster has joined the Forestry Commission at HQ as Community Forestry Officer, to oversee the Commission’s involvement in Community Forest projects throughout Britain.
Picture: Community Forest Officer Marcus Sangster accompanying Prince Charles at this year’s Royal Show.
Rachel Anderson has been appointed as District Forester for recreation and amenity at South Downs.
Ian Butterfield, an ecology graduate, has been appointed as a Ranger (Education and Recreation) at South Downs.
An appointment for Dr J.E. Cottrell at RD NRS, Grade SO.
Staff Movements
A.W. Stevenson (FOI) from N(S) Inverness to N(S) Inverness FD.
S.J. Petty (FOII) from RD Alice Holt - promotion in situ to FOI.
P. Charlesworth (FOIII) from Wales, SE Wales FD to HQ Forest Surveys on promotion to FOII.
C. Fleming (FOIII) from RD NRS - promotion in situ to FOII.
M.C. Fletcher (FOIII) from E(E) South Downs FD to E(E) South Downs FD on promotion to FOII.
J.C. Proudfoot (FOIII) from HQ Forest Surveys o/s Alice Holt to RD Alice Holt.
B.C. Sewell (FOIII) from HO Education and Training Branch o/s Dyfi to M(S) Perthshire FD.
Miss I.M. Tarwinska (FOIII) from M(S) Perthshire FD to HQ Education and Training Branch o/s Ae.
K.C. Smith (FOIV) from N(E) Kielder FD to Wales Newtown FD.
P.D. Burke (SRII) from N(E) South Lakes FD to N(E) South Lakes FD on promotion to HR.
D.J. Stephen (SEO) from HQ Finance C to Wales Aberystwyth.
Dr R. Harmer (SSO) from RD Alice Holt - promotion in situ to Grade 7.
Miss T.J. Houston (SO) from RD Alice Holt to promotion in situ to HSO.
P. Crow (ASO) from RD Alice Holt to promotion in situ to SO.
C. McEvoy (ASO) from RD NRS to promotion in situ to SO.
T.J. Porter (ASO) from RD Alice Holt to promotion in situ to SO.
Retired
Joe Powell, Senior Foreman, Llandovery Roads, Wales, has retired after 25 years’ service with the Commission in the Civil Engineering Department.
Picture: Joe Powell receives his Long Service certificate from Conservancy Civil Engineer David Killer.
Brian Marshall, Forest Craftsman, Wales, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. During his early career, Brian was employed on forest management, and harvesting and marketing duties. For the last 13 years he was warden at the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre.
Verney Hamer, Ganger, Ceredigion FD, Wales, has retired after 33 years’ service with the Commission. A former FC lorry driver, Verney was the last member of the old Tarenig gang employed on forest management duties.
Picture: Verney Hamer.
Gwyn Thomas Jones (Gwyn Jones), Wales, has retired after 29 years’ service with the Commission, mainly in Mid Wales. Before Forester Training School at Gwydyr in 1964-66, Gwyn worked on pre-school practical work in Dyfi Forest. He was a Forester at Coed y Brenin, Lake Vyrnwy, Clocaenog and from 1982 he worked at Aeron, which was amalgamated on two occasions to the present Ceredigion FD.
Don Kearl, Forest Craftsman. New Forest, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission. He travelled daily to work in the New Forest from his home in Lymington on his moped.
Picture: Don Kearl receives his Long Service certificate from Forest Operations Manager, Roger Newland.
Martin White, Lothian and Tweed FD, Scotland, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He spent much of his time in the Glentress area. He is an accomplished artist.
Picture: Martin White receives his Long Service certificate from FDM Roger Muhl.
Bob Gibson, Ganger, Lothian and Tweed FD, Scotland, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission. He began his career with the Commission at Cardrona Forest and he lived at Kirkburn for 30 years. Latterly during long service as a Ganger, he spent much of his time on harvesting.
Picture: Bob Gibson and his wife with District Forester Ted Radford.
Jimmy Milne, SRI, Perthshire FD, Scotland, has retired after 33 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: Jimmy Milne presented with his Long Service certificate by FDM Charlie Taylor.
Betty Wilson, AO, Aberfoyle FD, Scotland, has retired after 26 years’ service with the Commission, starting in the old Loch Ard Forest.
Picture: Betty Wilson and husband Ronald with FDM Kevin Wilkinson, AO Rhoda Keenan and AO Cathie Galbraith.
Bill Bartholomew, Nursery Manager, Wykeham, has retired after nearly 42 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission at Benmore in 1948, then spent two years in the Navy, before going to the Forester Training School at Glentress. Posts in Sherwood and Grizedale followed. In 1962, he transferred to the old NE(E) Conservancy, where he remained for the rest of his career, first at Kielder, and subsequently in the North York Moors area. In 1972, he settled at Wykeham Nursery.
Picture: Bill Bartholomew with Wykeham colleagues.
Fred Menzies, Ganger, Strathyre, Scotland, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission. His range of skills and abilities have been praised as the key quality for forest craftsmen.
Picture: Fred Menzies with his wife and grandson and FDM Kevin Wilkinson.
Donald Morrison, Forest Craftsman, Glenelg, Wester Ross FD, Scotland, has retired after 49 years’ service with the Commission. Before becoming a Forest Craftsman, Don had been a chainsaw operator and a winch operator for many years. His father Angus also worked for the Commission at Glenelg as a Ganger.
Picture: Donald Morrison and his wife Mary with Conservator Jim Atterson, Grant MacIntosh (DF operations, Wester Ross), and Ron Johnstone, FDM.
Jimmy McNaughton, Forest Worker, Buchan FD, Scotland, has retired after 44 years’ service with the Commission in the Bennachie area, starting in 1947 with the Road Squad, then transferring to forest work. He was a member of the Planting Squad and helped in planting a large area of Bennachie and Oyne. In latter years, he marked a lot of these trees for thinning.
Picture: Jim McNaughton, receiving his Long Service certificate from Sandy Calder, watched by Brian Stanger, Bennachie, and Jim Findlay, Huntly.
Tommy MacKellar, Ganger and Beat Steward, Lorne FD, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He started with the FM Squad in Asknish Forest in 1951 before graduating to the West Scotland Ploughing Team for the next 27 years. Over 10,000 ha was put to the plough by Tommy with his TD9 and County Tractors in all forests, from Saddel and Glenrickard in the west to Garadhban and Devilla in the east. Since 1978, Tommy has been Ganger in Barcaldine Forest and latterly Lorne FD on the FM function.
Picture: Tommy MacKellar and his wife Violet.
Dicky Tyson, Thornthwaite, England, has retired after 44 years’ service with the Commission, working on all aspects of the forest.
Frank Cox, South Downs FD, England, has retired after 41 years’ service with the Commission in various forests of the Arundel Beat. After the storm of 1987, he helped clear and replant areas he had planted as a young man. Latterly, he has been guiding many trainees.
Picture: FDM Jack Nicholson presents Frank Cox with his Long Service certificate.
David Catchpole, South Downs FD, England, has retired after 35 years’ service with the Commission, mainly in the woods that make up what is now the Hursley Beat.
Picture: District Forester Colin Shanks presents David Catchpole with his Long Service certificate.
Peter Lane, former Head Forester at Rockingham, England, then latterly FOII in Work Study at Santon Downham, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission.
Gordon Richards, Halwill, South West England, has retired after nearly 40 years’ service with the Commission.
Ken Roscoe, A&FO, North Scotland, has retired after 39 years’ service with the Commission. He spent almost half of his career with the Commission in N(S), the remainder in Aberystwyth, York and HQ.
Picture: Ken Roscoe with his wife Margaret.
Obituaries
Bob Fife, who retired from Mendip Forest SW(E) in November 1975, died on 9th July, aged 76. Following training at Lynford, Bob was Forester-in-Charge, Fernworthy, Dartmoor; PW Forester, Somerset; SW(E), Training Forester; and finally Head Forester, Mendip.
Basil Jackson, Ranger, Bramfield, Hertfordshire for 18 years until his retirement in 1978.
Sidney George King, died at his home in Northampton on 7th August, 15 years after retirement. He had nearly 30 years’ service in forestry, including periods at Lynford Hall; Sheringham; Great Hockham; Thetford Chase; and private woodlands.