Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 355 - March 1992
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.
Journey's End
Ken Milsom and Keith Gliddon have concluded their walk along the Pennine Way and presented two cheques, each for £1,100 to the Forestry Commission Benevolent Fund and the Civil Service Benevolent Fund. FC Chairman, Raymond Johnstone, accepted the cheque on behalf of the FC Benevolent Fund. Ron Brown, now retired from the Commission, but still active with the CS Benevolent Fund said the Benevolent Funds play important roles in staff welfare.
Picture: Ken Milsom and Keith Gliddon presenting the cheques.
On the Map
Senior Cartographer Keith Ball was delighted to receive the British Cartographic Society’s trophy and medallion from their president Barbara Bond.
Picture: Keith Ball receiving the trophy and medallion from Barbara Bond.
How Other Half Lives
Staff will be encouraged to switch from the new Forest Authority to Forest Enterprise, and vice versa. Commissioner Roger Bradley outlines the aims of his new organisation. As part of a Government Department, the Forest Authority would implement Government forestry policy within the framework of legislation. It will set standards for the British forest industry as a whole, including the Forest Enterprise. The Forest Authority will also monitor Forest Enterprise’s performance in the same areas of operation as those which apply to the private sector and all Forest Enterprise planting and felling will require the prior approval of the Authority and be subject to consultations. The objectives are outlined.
Scotland's First Woodland Park
Abertay FD recruited youngsters to plant new trees on Kinnoull Hill, near Perth, to launch Scotland’s first Woodland Park. The woodlands are owned by Perth and Kinross District Council and managed by the Forestry Commission. Syd House, Abertay FDM, said the FC has always recognised the value of Kinnoull Hill to the people of Perth. A new guide map designed by PID’s Design and Interpretation team has been produced.
Picture: The first plantings on Kinnoull Hill.
Dean Reunion
It is hoped to organise a reunion in the autumn for students who were at the Dean FTS in the 1960s.
Leaving
Martin Doxey, CME, W(E) Conservancy has left to join the DTI in Leeds.
Big Drop in Health of Our Trees – Cold Facts of Hot Summers
Recent dry summers, accentuated in some areas by the heavy snows and strong winds of December 1990, are pinpointed for the damage caused to Britain’s trees. The FC’s Forest Monitoring Programme 1991 shows that of 9,000 trees across Britain, the proportion in the healthiest category dropped from 15 per cent in 1990 to 6 per cent in 1991. Dr John Innes, Project Leader at Alice Holt Research Station believes the results provide an indication of what might happen if summers in Britain become warmer due to the “greenhouse effect”. Director of Research, David Burdekin, explained that trees usually take some time to respond to droughts. Copies of “Forest Monitoring Programme 1991 Results” (Research Information Note 209) are available from Publications, Alice Holt.
… And Here's a Healthy Drive to Help Our Native Birch
The well-being of Britain's native birch is being given a boost with a major FC programme of initiatives to stimulate renewed interest in the species. Four new publications are in preparation: - The results of recent experiments to investigate the best methods of propagating birch and the alternative of direct sowing or encouraging natural regeneration on felled areas; A bulletin written for the FC by Dr John Rodwell, describing methods of establishing new native woodlands in order to develop the tree, shrub and other plant communities of semi natural woodlands; a leaflet giving practical advice on potential markets and end uses for birch; a bulletin on the wildlife value of birch in the uplands.
The Forestry Commissioner and head of the new Forestry Authority Roger Bradley was heartened by the enthusiasm shown at the Commercial Potential of Birch in Scotland conference in June for a revitalisation of birch.
Ronnie Williams, Executive Director of the Forestry Industry Committee of Great Britain, welcomed the FC initiative.
Graham Tuley, the FC’s Highland Woodland Advisor, will undertake a programme in Scotland giving advice on management and extension of native woodlands.
Ode to That Missing Slasher
An anonymous would-be poet in Wales Conservancy has bemoaned the late delivery of the Christmas edition of “Slasher” and the Editor’s response.
Retirement Association
Retirement Association reports from Breckland, Edinburgh HQ, Alice Holt and Mid-Wales.
Bert Dover requests action on the 1990 AGM motion forwarded to HQ, proposing pensioners might be granted concessions at FC leisure facilities where charges apply.
Crossword Winners
The Christmas Crossword winners drawn were Evelyne Leckie, Finance B, HQ; Ann McLeod, Lorne FD; L. Simpson, Thetford.
Tree Aid Nets £3500
A group of N(E) employees have raised over £3,500 for Tree Aid. Campaign organisers James Ogilvie and Liz McIntosh co-ordinated fund-raising events. John Fletcher of Tree Aid, thanked the fund-raisers and explained that the charity was started by foresters concerned at the plight of Africa’s poorest countries.
Picture: John Fletcher (Director Tree Aid); Liz McIntosh and James Ogilvie (campaign organisers); John Tewson (Kielder); Paul Burke and Jo O’Hara (Grizedale); Peter Garson (N. Lakes); Julia Wright (York); Ian Laidlaw (Durham); Philip Morton (North York Moors).
Hair Today … And Gone Tomorrow
Wales Conservancy raised £4,000 for “Children in Need” when Mike Over, Arwel Thomas, Keith Jones and Kevin Jenkins organised a sponsored beard grown. Each achieved 20mm. Hairs were sold on the final morning at 50p a pluck with a pair of tweezers.
Picture: Mike Over, Arwel Thomas and Kevin Jenkins with their beards.
Gordon Makes Odd Finds
Conservation Forester Gordon Simpson, MBE, shares some humorous wordplay and discoveries during his work in Durham FD.
Maude Lets the Cat Out of the Bag
In his TUS Diary, Kenny Murray said Francis Maude, a Treasury Minister, let the cat out of the bag when he replied to a question from Frank Dobson, MP. Mr Dobson had asked for the estimated receipts from privatisation in 1991/92. Mr Maude estimated the Forestry Commission privatisation income to be £16 million, which is the first time the FC “disposals” or “rationisation” has been called “privatisation”.
Other subjects in the TUS Diary are a reference to Frances MacFarlane prospective SNP candidate for the Western Isles being appointed as Junior Minister with Responsibilities for Rural Affairs in the SNP Scottish cabinet-in-waiting; Forestry Commission departments; Enterprise’s newsletter “Feedback” and the hope the newsletter will not replace formal Team Briefings; “Part time” Forestry Commissioners.
New Trophy
Didier Auriol was presented with a new FC shield by John Morgan, Conservator Wales. The shield for the best driver in the Welsh forest stages of the Lombard RAC Rally, was designed by Barry Hearse, Design Branch, HQ and was produced at Maesgwm sign unit, Coed y Brenin.
Golden Gallery
In map design, environmental friendliness and film making, the FC has played a major winning role. FC cartographers won the British Cartographic Society’s top award for map design in 1991 and were highly commended in the John Bartholomew 1991 map competition.
The map productions were: -
Galloway Forest Park – Cartography by Fiona MacFarlane, Diane Dalzell of Dumfries.
Glenmore Forest Park – by Linda Swanson, Iain Messider of Inverness.
Knapdale and Kilmichael Forests and Argyll Forest Park - both by Howard Davies, Helen Stirling of Glasgow.
Coed y Brenin FP – by Mike Over of Aberystwyth.
Grizedale FP – by Jim Henderson, Rab Beck of Forest Surveys Drawing Office, HQ.
Thetford FP and Chiltern Woodlands – both by the team of Martyn Potton, Leslie Bennet, Pandora Povey, Jeff Sharpe of Cambridge.
The PA Consulting Group “Golden Leaf” award for responsible environmental management went to Strathrory Forest, Easter Ross. Bob Dunsmore said forest management at Strathrory was ahead of its time.
In film-making, “Forest by Design” produced by the Central Office of Information for the Forestry Commission, which was shot in Kielder Forest, received the bronze award in the public relations category of the annual IVCA awards, and also a Judges’ Citation.
Pictures: (1) Diane Dalzell and Fiona MacFarlane from South Scotland with the Galloway Forest Park map. (2) Howard Davies, Mid Scotland, produced the Argyll FP and Knapdale & Kilmichael maps with Helen Stirling. (3) Linda Swanson and Iain Messider of Inverness with their Glenmore FP map. (4) Mike Over of Aberystwyth with the Coed y Brenin FP production. (5) Jim Henderson and Rab Beck of Drawing Office HQ and their Grizedale FP map. (6) Bob Dunsmore receiving the Golden Leaf Award from John Gilmour of PA.
Test Your Memories
A quiz to test your memory.
Away With Loads of Bull!
Chrissie Maher, Campaign Director at the Plain English Campaign, is promoting its skills through a one-year “Plain English Diploma Course” to help writers to avoid being awarded the dreaded “Golden Bulls” award.
Ifor and the Hill O' Steel
The Royal National Eisteddford held near Mold, included the outline of Moel Famau in its logo, a steel copy of which was displayed on the FC Eisteddford picnic site.
Picture: Ifor Peters, (Forestry Commission); the Mayor and Mayoress of Delyn; Councillor and Mrs Mike Doran; John Dilworth (the makers J.R. & A. Jones); David Main (Forestry Commission).
The Beauty of Wood
Environmental sculptor Valerie Pragnell, based in Glasgow has produced a number of works using FC timber. At a recent exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, Valerie's work “Douglas Rising 1890-1990” made the striking centrepiece. Her sculpture was produced from a Douglas fir 51 inches in diameter.
Picture: Valerie Pragnell’s “Douglas Rising 1890-1990” sculpture.
The Pace of Man v. Horse
Following a friendly debate between riding stables staff and the Calvert Trust outdoor educational centre instructors, it was claimed one of the instructors Rob Paget could outrun any of the stable’s horses over 20 miles.
The hilly course through forest tracks in Kielder was a testing challenge. The result was close, but Rob finished second, four minutes after the horse and rider in an overall time of 2 hours 10 minutes. The event raised over £450 for Leukaemia Research.
Picture: Runner Rob Paget and horse and rider.
The Tops!
Praise by a customer in Suffolk, who says the Forestry Commission do a better job than Woodland Departments in the Council Planning Departments at County Council, District Council, English Heritage Countryside Commission etc.
At Your Service …
For the third successive year, Management Matters is organising a search to find the best examples of customer service in the Civil Service by teams, individuals, and by those serving the public or those serving colleagues.
Bravo!
The Forestry Commission personnel booklet “Role of the Sexual Harassment Contact Officer” has been receiving favourable comment among other Civil Service departments and agencies since it was produced last year.
Editor Wanted
The Royal Forestry Society is looking for a successor to Dr Bill Wright, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Forestry who retires next October.
Initiative in the Valleys
David Hunt, Secretary of State for Wales, launched the “Valleys Forest Initiative” in Cardiff, which is “a positive drive to develop further the public benefits achievable from our forests”. The initiative aims to focus attention on the recreational and environmental benefits, and also to encourage public involvement in forest development.
David Evans, Morgannwg FD, is Project Director and some of the first projects to get under way include Rhondda Gateway Project; Forest Park at Afan Argoed in the Afan Valley, north of Port Talbot and an information centre in partnership with West Glamorgan County Council; Briton Ferry Woodland Park in partnership with Neath Borough Council; Rhondda Trim Trail Project with advice and support from Mid Glamorgan Health Service Authority to promote health care; Valleys Forest Activity leaflet describing a series of events and activities during 1992.
Picture: Welsh Secretary David Hunt with Conservator John Morgan and David Evans of Morgannwg.
The Energy of Mercia
The Forest of Mercia is a lead project in the “Forest for the Community” programme, initiated by the Countryside Commission and Forestry Commission, with an aim to create a multi-purpose forest on the urban fringe environment of Southern Staffordshire.
Appointment
David Robertson has been seconded to the West Fife Woodlands Initiative as a Woodland Coordinator to encourage the establishment of trees and woodlands.
Picture: David Robertson
New Wood
The FC has bought more than 100 acres at Brigstock near Corby, Northamptonshire, to create a new wood. The former British Steel land, once part of the ancient Rockingham Forest, is thought to be the first piece of lowland to be bought in Britain for twenty years for tree planting. FDM Keith Wilson says it is intended to plant oak and other broadleaf trees.
Drive to Boost Ancient Trade
Forests in South-East England hope jobs and the environment will benefit from plans to aid ailing woodland industries. The FC fears large areas of the South-East countryside are in danger of neglect because of the collapse of the ancient coppice industry which dates back to the Middle Ages.
On Yer Trolley!
Cwmcarn Forest Drive was opened to a local school, Newbridge Comprehensive, for their “Tour de Barlwm Trolley Addicts Rally” in aid of Children in Need, raising over £800.
Picture: The Trolley Addicts Rally.
Bid to Save Old Lime
Native small leaved lime trees in Silk Wood, part of the Westonbirt Arboretum, are to be re-coppiced as part of the management conservation project to ensure their survival and good health. According to Oliver Rackham and Donald Piggott, leading specialists of management of lime in woodlands, the trees to be cut originated naturally on the spot about 2,000 years ago. The species is believed to have been present in the wood for over 6,000 years. An exceptional lifespan attributed to repeated cutting of stems back to ground level and allowing natural regeneration. Lime wood has traditionally been used for carving and the inner bark for rope making.
Villain Barry Takes Centre Stage
Barry Lamacraft takes a bow after nine performances to packed houses in an amateur dramatic society’s production of “Little Red Riding Hood”. Back stage, Mrs Murphy and Mrs Wonnacott basked in the gales of laughter at their script gags. Their husbands are respectively Forester in Charge of the Beat and a Ganger, both on Dartmoor.
Picture: Barry Lamacraft and other members of the cast of “Little Red Riding Hood”.
Puzzle of the Crosses
A letter from Keith Wallis of Chilterns FD reveals a mystery that surrounds a wartime tragedy. When John Stafford joined the Commission as a forester at Watlington beat, Chilterns FD, he was shown a small wooden cross with a red poppy nailed to a Cherry Tree in Cowleaze Wood. The cross carried a date and seven names, with the number of an RAF squadron. A letter to Archive staff of the RAF Museum at Hendon revealed that on 31st March 1944, a Halifax Mark III Bomber returning from an operational sortie had crashed, killing all seven crew. Bad weather and low cloud was the most likely cause. In fact six other accidents occurred that night.
Have a Laugh …
A anonymous writer in Conservancy West (E) asks “Have you heard the one about the multi-millionaire who had three sons. He asked them what they wanted for Christmas. The first said he would like a boat, so his father bought him the Onassis Shipping Line. The second son said he would like a train set, so his father bought him British Rail. When the third son said he would like a cowboy outfit, his father bought him the Forestry Commission”.
Peter on Target
North Scotland Conservancy held a Rangers Shoot and Field Day at the FC range at Farigaig, Inverness FD, with Peter MacKay of Easter Ross securing a major double victory. The results were: -
Rifle: 1. Peter MacKay (Easter Ross); 2. Eddie Fraser (Inverness); 3. Jimmy Johnstone (Moray).
Shotgun: 1. Peter MacKay (Easter Ross); 2. Sandy Ferguson (Lochaber); 3. Sandy MacArthur (Easter Ross).
Terrier Race: 1. Kenny MacIntosh (Easter Ross); 2. Jeff Dymond (Fort Augustus); 3. Sandy Anderson (Moray).
Picture: Peter MacKay receives the trophy for the rifle shoot from Maureen Lavin.
Ah … Those Were Good Old Days!
Veteran Jim Clark, from Holbeach, Spalding, Lincs. recalls the General Strike of 1926, and how miners were given employment by the FC. He writes: The General Strike lasted only a few days but the miners decided to stay out as their wages were to be reduced and another half hour put on their working hours.
The Government ordered the FC to provide work for as many miners as possible. Cannock Chase were told to employ 100 a day. Word soon got around and very quickly there were 100 at the gate to the nursery every morning.
The Forester gave me the task of doing the clerical work as I had left school only the year before. I had a book to enter the names of the miners wanting a day’s work. Every morning I read out the names, the Foreman stood at the gate and let each man in as his name was called.
Seven regulars each took 12 men to work in the forest, the last 16 were found work in the nursery. Some mornings we were perhaps three short and the Forester would shout, “I’ll take three with the largest families.” In a jiffy three would vault the gate. We heard murmuring among those left outside saying that he hadn’t a big family, but what could we do? They used to tell me that five shillings was for the wife and a packet of Woodbines and box of matches for himself (Woodbine were sold in packets of five for tuppence), so you see the day’s work was five shillings and threepence (5s/3d).
By the time the strike ended I had 3,000 names in my book — that was six weeks in advance.
The miners came from miles around. I had the paysheets to make out each day, also the summary time sheets. Remember those forms? There was no PAYE in those days. On Friday I also had to do the paysheets for the regular men and women who worked in the Nursery. I was pleased when Saturday came and it allowed me a little breathing space.
Jim also recalls long hours of work at Wyre, fighting two fires in Thetford on consecutive days, happy times at the Dean School under Mr Hendrie, or causing quite a stir when he caught an adder in a bottle.
Jim's name also crops up in another letter, this time from G.F. Beasley (retired) of Okehampton, Devon. He writes: After a gap of over 40 years, I was, after reading his letter in the December 1991 issue of ‘Slasher’, able to renew contact with Jim Clark. I last saw Jim in Salcey Forest in Northants in about 1950. We both came originally from Cannock Chase Forest in Staffs., where his father, the late James Clark, started me off on my career with the FC in 1925.
Maurice Nimmo, mentioned in Jim’s letter, was awarded the BEM, in the New Year’s Honours List. Maurice was a DO in the Research Branch, in which he served since leaving the Dean Forest School in 1930. His award was for voluntary observation service to the Meteorological Office for some 60 years, a record in itself. Maurice, an expert photographer, also authored or part-authored with the late H. L. Edlin, some superb books on trees and forestry in which most, if not all, of the photos are his.
Maurice and I have kept in touch for most of the time between 1928 and the present day — perhaps a record as well — and we still visit each other two or more times a year!
December's issue also jogged the memory of Jock Low, of Wick, Littlehampton, West Sussex.
He writes: The photograph of that youngster in his boat ‘(Slasher’ Dec. 1991), suggests another bloke who retired in 1980 a bit older than Tony Summers. He always wanted to be able to sail and never had.
In 1981, aged 66 plus, he bought a Wayfarer dinghy from the National Sailing School in the Isle of Wight. Trailing it back on the ferry was to cost a great deal so he and his son, neither with any experience, sailed from the Isle of Wight heading for Gosport. Very soon they were wishing they had never started. As a slight fog had obscured the river entrance on the Isle they just had to go on. Eventually they got ashore on the hovercraft slip near Gosport.
Essential training was started by a lady expert, then a young man, 22 years, took over the job. It was soon obvious that 66+ was not a good time to start dinghy sailing. The wife would have nothing to do with dinghies cither. Dinghy sold and a 6-metre sloop bought.
Now the help of a Yacht Master was requested and the Hon. Christopher Emmet came to the rescue. This was followed by three winter classes on seamanship, navigation, meteorology etc.
By the time he had reached 75 years of age, what with rising mooring costs (in fact rising cost of everything) this bloke decided to sell the boat and concentrate on golf, and grandchildren — but mainly golf.
So, let Tony Summers know he has a long way to go. However, if he wants excitement, test of seamanship, test of nerves and if he likes cognac, try a channel crossing to Fecamp in the summer. He has to like cognac. “Good sailing Tony, with free running sheets and a fair wind.”
December's obituary on Leslie Troup caused H.A. Hale, of Clanfield, Hampshire, to put pen to paper. He recalls "something no one else in the FC knows about."
Mr Hale writes: While I was working at Westbury Forest, now Henwood, a part of Queen Elizabeth E, Leslie Troup came with H.F. Laney to see me about the rabbits infesting the area. I told him the badgers keep digging the fence up. He came up with the idea of putting gates in.
“This had never occurred to me, and after he had gone, I made a gate 9 ins. square from 2 ins. hazel cut from the hedgerow, using four staples as hinges, swinging from the top. I took it out and fitted it to the known badger track. It was a success that night. I made many more and H. Laney said he would send the idea to Alice Holt. This is how the Badger Gate came into being — all thanks to Les Troup, my DO at the time.
Our Coed-y-Brenin centre-spread pictures in December, plus the letter from Rev. Mrs Ardene Gillies, had R.T. Wheeler of Dolgellau, Gwynedd, rushing to his typewriter. He recalls: The much-photographed footbridge to the Arboretum — now Forest Garden — at Coed-y- Brenin has a story to tell.
When I took up duty as Recreation Warden at Coed-y- Brenin, I was concerned about the safety of an existing footbridge comprising two old rotting oak logs then spanning the river — no decking or handrail and waiting for someone to fall off into the raging torrent which not infrequently raced down this mountain stream. And I said so in writing to District office. That did it! There was no money in the budget for repair or renewal! So — remove the bridge!! This was duly done. One problem solved — but another soon took its place. Persons requiring access to the garden were to use an alternative entrance thus avoiding the stream, but some ‘locals’ regularly used the old ‘bridge.’ They complained. My name became mud. Interfering. Destroyer of ancient rights of way. Non-respecter of tradition etc.
What to do? No estimate in budget, no need for bridge officially as there was alternative entrance, but we found a better crossing place upstream, measured the gap, planned and designed a bridge to span, scrounged a couple of old Bailey bridge transoms, talked nicely to the Clerk of Works for some pieces of wood and a bag of cement.
We spent a weekend lifting gravel and sand from the river bed and then put the problem of erecting the bridge to the Outward Bound School for Girls at Tywyn who were looking for a project for the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Bridging difficulties was just what they wanted. In two days the bridge was in position.
It is nice to read, in retirement, the complimentary remarks about Coed-y-Brenin. Nice to know, too, the good work goes on ever improving as others take over from the pioneer days of 20 years ago.
Retired
Joe Breckon, Estates Joiner/Carpenter, North York Moors FD, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1949 and he and his wife Annie were one of the first couples to move into the new Dalby Forest village. During his career, Joe worked on a wide range of FC properties in Yorkshire and County Durham. When he came up for retirement at 65 some years ago, Joe was asked to continue part-time, especially for the considerable input required for the yearly Yorkshire Show. Latterly, he has been involved in various Wildlife Conservation projects which have generated a considerable amount of publicity in the North York Moors forests.
Picture: Joe Breckon with his Long Service certificate.
Mick Stacey, Senior Ranger, Wiltshire, has retired after 48 years’ service with the Commission. His hobby is the breeding and release of moths and butterflies.
John Straiton, Forest Survey Regional Officer has retired. At a Christmas lunch in Inverness, he was presented with a cheque from colleagues at Culloden and many others scattered around the country.
The following four Forestry Commission workers have retired after more than 171 service between them in Thetford Forest and three of them begun their careers under Head Forester Billy Steel, who retired about 20 years ago, and still lives in the same village as three of the team: -
Harry Cross (Peter Cross), Ganger.
John Royal (Fred Royal), Ganger.
Leslie Frost (Letty Frost), Forest Craftsman.
Sydney Bezants (Reg Bezants), Forest Craftsman.
Pictures: (1) Letty Frost, Fred Royal and Peter Cross with their Long Service certificates. (2) Reg Bezants presented with his Long Service certificate by Brian Roebuck, FDM.
Jimmy Hawes, Forest Craftsman, Thetford Forest District, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission. He originally arrived in the area as an evacuee from London in 1940, and decided to stay in Shouldham. Jimmy saw the forest grow from bare heathland towards maturity and was involved in all of the forest operations – planting, weeding, draining, fencing, brashing and thinning. He drove a tractor for many years and latterly worked on trunk road planting schemes.
Picture: Jimmy Hawes presented with his Long Service certificate by the Director General, Robin Cutler.
Cliff Fennell BEM, New Forest, has retired after 50 years’ service with the Commission.
He had a special rapport with member of the Summer School for the Blind, with whom he developed a special rapport during their visits to the New Forest.
Picture: Cliff Fennell with his Long Service certificate.
Raymond Johnston, Rothbury FD, Northumberland, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission, after joining at Thrunton Forest in 1952. He has spent much of his time on harvesting work, acknowledged by his workmates to be a first-class chainsaw operator. After the 1968 Scottish windblow, he worked for long periods over the following two years on clearance of gale damaged timber at Inverliever, finally returning to Thrunton in April 1970. After an accident in 1981, Ray worked on a variety of FM tasks throughout the District.
Sandy Calder, North Scotland, has retired after 42 years’ service with the Commission, starting as a Forester in Shin Forest, Sutherland, then he went to Benmore Forester Training School, followed by nine years in W(S) Conservancy, then Glenbrittle in Skye, then two years as a ploughing forester, handling the biggest ploughing programme in Britain at the time. On promotion to Chief Forester, he took charge at Culloden. Promotion to District Officer 1 in 1976 meant a move to Pickering where Sandy managed North York Moors District for seven years, then it was back to Inverness, this time as PF&EO. For some years, he was Chairman of the Foresters’ Section of the old Civil Service Union. During Sandy’s retirement dinner dance, there was a “mannequin parade” modelling the past 40 years of Foresters’ uniforms. The models were Donald Beaton, John Keenleyside, Tony Hinde, Graham Tuley (complete with Maxproof kilt!) and Bryce Reynard.
Frank Innes, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1953 as a trapper at Glenloy. The DO, Findlay MacRae, persuaded him to take a Ganger’s job with H&M.
Frank had many stories to tell about his work before joining the Commission. He started work the day after his 14th birthday in October, 1941, at Corrour as ghillie and forest worker to Sir John Stirling Maxwell and became a stalker when his predecessor shot himself crossing a deer fence.
Picture: Dr Hugh Insley presenting a Long Service certificate to Frank Innes.
Eric Brand, Forest Craftsman, Wykeham Nursery, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He began in the Harwood Dale area and during his career was involved in everything from planting to chainsaws. For the past 15 years he worked at Wykeham Nursery.
Picture: Eric Brand with his colleagues.
Desmond Lewis, Radnor Forest, Newtown FD, Wales, has retired after 40 years’ service with the Commission. He joined at Radnor in 1951. He was two years old when his father joined the Commission in 1928 and Des still lives in the same house in Cwmygerwyn. His father had 33 years’ service until retiring aged 71 and Des’s two brothers also joined the Commission. One of them, Selwyn, still works at Radnor and is well on his way to achieving maximum service. In retirement, Des intends to remain at Cwmygerwyn and devote more time to working his sheepdogs and supporting Bleddfa Sheepdog Society, the Penybont Foxhounds and the Presteigne Trotting Race Committee, of which he is Race Steward.
Picture: Desmond Lewis presented with his Long Service certificate by Collin Bancroft, PF&EO.
Spencer Davies, Area Civil Engineer, Newtown Roads, Wales, has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in 1962 as a Civil Engineering Assistant at Dolgellau. In his spare time, he successfully studied for a BA Open University degree.
Picture: Spencer Davies with his wife.
John Jones (Tanypond Jones), has retired after 16 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission in Brechfa Forest, followed by a time at Treglog Repair Depot, before transferring to the Civil Engineering Section at Llandovery in 1986, where he was a Crusher Operator.
Picture: Tanypond Jones at his retirement presentation with Graham Wilson, Area Civil Engineer, Llandovery.
Pat Dineen, District Manager, the Weald, has retired after over 40 years’ service with the Commission. He joined the Commission at Bedgebury, when he was aged 16, and much of his early career was spent in the South East. Following a spell in South West Wales, he moved to Delamere, where he laid the foundation for the present day nursery. He moved to the Weald at the beginning of the last reorganisation and was instrumental in creating a coherent FE/FA unit from several separate sources.
Picture: Pat Dineen and his wife Pat on their garden bench made from Bedgebury oak.
Obituaries
Harry Hutson, former Chief Engineer, who served with the Forestry Commission from 1947 until 1958, has died aged 98. He had a distinguished WWI record and was awarded the MC in 1915 at Ypres and the DSO during the battle of Passchendaele. He was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1913 and served in France in the trenches with 59th Field Company. Later service saw him in Egypt, Nigeria and Hong Kong. He was posted to Mesopotamia, where the Turks were in retreat. Dressed as an Arab and riding a camel, he was sent on a special mission to rescue the niece of the head of a community in danger of being obliterated by the Turks. The rescued girl still lives in Cairo. Then came WW2 and a posting to Greece, where he won the Greek Military Cross. Other fields in Africa followed, then War Office service in the early days of peace before he joined the Forestry Commission in 1947.
An elected Chairman of the British Trust for Ornithology, he wrote “The Birds about Delhi (1954) and edited the Ornithologist’s Guide (1956), as well as being the author of two books about Rhodesia.
Picture: Harry Hutson.
Gordon Genever, Mobile Mechanic, East England, until his retirement in 1982, has died nine days short of his 67th birthday.
Jimmy Scott, Head Forester at Craik until his retirement in May 1965 died on 13th December. He served with the Commission for over 40 years on both sides of the Border at Barcaldine, Kershope, Redesdale, Leithope and Craik.
J.F. Evans, former Head Forester, has died. He went to the Dean School 1933-1935 and served in the forests of Gwydyr, Coed-y-Brenin and Wyre, retiring after several years at Lleyn, North Wales.
Wilfred Edwin Jones, who joined the Commission at Coed Sarnau in 1938, has died. He went to the Dean Forestry School and served at Exmoor, Quantocks and Somerset Districts. He planted the first tree in Abbey Cwmhir. He served in Crychan Forest in Llandovery, where he retired in 1964.
Thomas Bolam, former Head Forester, has died aged 72. He helped to shape Ryedale’s forests where he was Head Forester for 18 years in the Bransdale and East Moor areas. He retired in 1975.
Donald Sherrell, former Forester, has died. He joined the Commission in 1939 and retired eight years ago after working in various areas of South-west England.