Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 358 - December 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.
The Euro Tree Graces Palace
A picture of the 30 ft Scots pine from Lothian and Tweed FD being delivered to Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh for the European Community Summit, which will be attended by 12 EC countries.
MPs See for Themselves - Dean Serves as a Model Example
A report on the visit to the Forest of Dean by representatives of the House of Commons Environment Select Committee.
At Abbotswood, the Committee members were shown the management of oak and Douglas fir. They also visited Beechenhurst Lodge to view the redevelopment of a picnic site catering for 300,000 visitors each year. Speakers were Robin Cutler, David Grundy, Forest Enterprise Regional Director (S & W England) Roger Busby and Patrick Leonard of the Department of the Environment.
Pictures: (1) Robin Cutler, Patrick Leonard, Roger Busby and David Grundy at Coleford. (2) Deputy Surveyor John Everard and MPs.
Country Watch
In an effort to reduce crime, West Downs FD has become involved in the operation of ‘Countryside Watch’, launched in conjunction with Dorking police, Surrey Council and the National Trust.
Native Woodlands Get Major Boost - 16-Man 'Brains Trust'
A boost for native woodlands and management with three new developments.
A 16-strong ‘Brains Trust’ set up as the Native Woodland Advisory Panel chaired by part-time Commissioner Michael Strang Steel.
FC launched a conservation initiative with the opening of Scotland’s first Caledonian Forest Reserve outside Aviemore which was praised by Graham Hamilton, Regional Director.
Awards to encourage high standards of woodland management in Wales. The first award winners were Mark and Sue Hudson at their farm near Ruthin.
Picture: Chief Conservator, Wales, David Hughes with award winners Mark and Sue Hudson
Excellence Awards
Forestry Authority Centre of Excellence Awards were presented to Grindon Grange Demonstration Woodland, established by Cleveland Community Forest and The Royal Forestry Society’s Property at Hockeridge and Pancake Woods Buckinghamshire/Hertfordshire.
Picture: Clive Davies, Director, Cleveland Community Forest; Jim Vaughan, Chairman of Community Forest steering group and James Ogilvie, Conservator, Northumberland & Durham Conservancy.
Beacon Europe
Forestry Authority England are offering advice on tree selection and protection for the tree circles to be planted throughout Britain to mark Beacon Europe and the introduction of the Single European Market on 31st December. As part of Beacon Europe, 1,000 beacon fires will be lit across the 12 EC countries.
Star Tree
Kielder has donated Christmas trees to the Daily Star offices in London and to British Rail in Newcastle.
Close shave
Hafren Forest Craftsman Glyn Jerman raised over £1,000 for the Montgomeryshire appeal fund for the Royal Welsh Show by not having his beard trimmed for 18 months. It was finally shaved at the show by Sir Geraint Evans.
Thetford
A message was left for Warrener Colin Hunt complimenting him (with religious phraseology) on keeping the Stag Picnic Place litter-free.
Project
A Project Team has been set up at HQ to review the implications of the new Health and Safety regulations covering display screen equipment.
Thanks Jack Sutherland
Thank you and goodbye to Jack Sutherland for his advice and knowledge in producing ‘Slasher’.
Two Dates With Charles
At Westonbirt’s The Royal Anniversary Glade, Prince Charles planted the first of 40 trees to mark the 40th anniversary of the Queen’s accession. The tree is a Betula chichubuensis, a rare birch from Japan. “We were very careful in the choice of species,” explained Tony Russell, Westonbirt's Visitor Service Manager. After a private stroll in the Silk Wood, the Prince met Westonbirt staff, including Superintendent Richard Paton, Propagator Tony Butler, Database Manager Margaret Ruskin and Dendrologist John White. He also met arboretum workers Les Hoad and Tom Maisey, who between them have spent almost 60 years tending Westonbirt’s collection. The Prince was presented with a small Fagus sylvatica ‘Prince George of Crete’ beech cultivar.
Picture: Prince Charles with John Simmons, Chairman of the Friends of Westonbirt, Rod Leslie, Environment Manager and Hugh Angus, Westonbirt’s curator.
At St James’s Palace, Prince Charles presented the Duke of Cornwall Award for Forestry and Conservation. Grizedale Forest was a joint runner-up and the silver medal was presented to Lakes FDM Brian Mahony.
Picture: Prince Charles presenting the silver medal to Lakes FDM Brian Mahony.
Big Response
Response to Slasher questionnaire.
Picture: Editor Tracey Francis and Correspondents Brina Evans, Bryce Reynard, Nancy Mackenzie, Tom McCutcheon, Martin Abrahams, John Parker, Sandra Willey, Brian Llewellyn and Carol Gill.
Dave's Not Tongue Tied …. Just Czech it Out!
Morgannwg Forester Dave Ely-Brown, Senior Wildlife Ranger Gerald Cutcliffe and FD staff assisted a 700 strong International Guide Camp visiting the Gower peninsula. Dave had the task of escorting a group of Czech guides.
Picture: Staff member with Guides.
Stand By to Repel Yaks
Thetford H&M Manager Barry Griggs responded to a request from Operation Raleigh for poles to build temporary shelters in Outer Mongolia. Rounded poles were despatched and Colonel Blashford-Snell, the expedition leader, sent thanks and praise for the poles which withstood attacks from Yaks.
Signs o' the Times
Picture: Alan Betts with confusing signs indicating Scottish devolution may have spread to Hampshire.
FUNd-raising
Staff at Alice Holt Lodge raised £900 for Children In Need. Events were co-ordinated by Mary Trusler and Anne Yeomans. Janet Methley organised sales. Peter Jokiel and Peter Crow organised a car wash day. Dave Elgy was an auctioneer.
… and HAIR-raising
Picture: Bristol Operations/FM’s Karen McKend who spent a week as a witch in Roald Dahl’s play ‘The Witches’ at the Bristol Hippodrome.
The Year in Perspective - Month-by-Month, a Look Back
A month-by-month summary of the FC’s 72nd Annual Report & Accounts from April 1991 to March 1992.
Sitting Pretty - Dave Pedler
Picture: District Forest Dave Pedler perched on a magic mushroom in Cardinham Woods, Cornwall & North Devon FD. Local artists Creative Madness carved 18 off-cuts of windblown Douglas fir into mushrooms.
Double-Take
Charlie Southgate, Messenger at the Forestry Authority’s Scottish Regional Office, dressed up as Rab C. Nesbitt and won top prize in a lookalike contest.
Picture: Charlie Southgate, Rab C. Nesbitt actor Gregor Fisher and runner-up Jim McDonald from Govan.
The Real Roots of Success
The campaign to woo visitors to the forests.
John Parker, Research Communication Office at Alice Holt reports on successful Open Days in June.
Director Research, David Burdekin comments on the information visitors received.
Janet Methley headed the Family Day Committee and friends, relatives and the general public saw presentations of research projects and demonstrations. Thanks are given to Research Division staff who ensured ‘Trees for Tomorrow’ was so successful.
Pictures: (1) Forestry Minister Earl Howe sites a tree on a farm woodland model at Alice Holt watched by Director Research David Burdekin and Paul Tabbush, Principal Silviculturist. (2) Members of Wildlife and Conservation Research Branch by their display panels at Alice Holt. (3) Earl Howe on a tree-top walkway. (4) The Research Nursery area seen from the walkway.
Work as a Team - That's the Key
A message from FC Director General Robin Cutler.
Picture: Robin Cutler.
Teamwork
Picture: Libby Jones, Mark Forrester, Frank McCulloch, Chris Tracey and Elspeth MacDonald when they took 11th place competing with 19 other teams from Scottish business, industry and public sector, at Heriot Watt University for a weekend of mental and artistic challenges.
It's a Cracker!
A crossword.
Three More Doors Open
Developments at Whinlatter (Lake District), Dalby Forest (North Yorkshire) and Alice Holt have opened areas for the disabled.
At Whinlatter, a starting pistol fired by Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington of the National Park Authority, shot a trail orienteering course event into sporting history and earned a major first for Forest Enterprise.
Working with the Calvert Trust for the disabled, Forest Enterprise have adapted the terrain to meet the needs of trail orienteering, allowing the less able to compete on equal terms with able-bodied enthusiasts. This is believed to be the first permanent trail orienteering course in the world.
Lakes FDM Brian Mahony, on whose initiative the course was established, said “Now for the very first time in this country, orienteering can be enjoyed here at Whinlatter by the less able. Whinlatter is rather special in that it was the first forest to be planted by the Commission back in 1920. What could be more appropriate, therefore, that it is the first to develop this special trail.”
Mr Gordon-Duff-Pennington also opened a new forest classroom and education centre and toured the visitor centre, opened in April this year.
At Crosscliff, months of work by members of the Hundens Lane Resource Centre in Darlington, North York Moors Forest Enterprise staff and the Fieldfare Trust ended when Mark Lowe, a Resource Centre member opened the new mile long Crosscliff Easy-Going Trail in Dalby Forest, which shows views over Langdale Forest and the moors beyond. The path was largely constructed by local civil engineering contractor Alan Marflitt.
At Alice Holt, disabled children will be able to enjoy horse carriage driving. The Horseshoe Centre, a riding school for the disabled at Headley will have a driving section in the forest. Peter Allis, golfing celebrity and Patron of the Horseshoe Centre praised the Centre’s amenities.
Pictures: (1) Mary Lowe opening Dalby’s Easy-Going Trail. (2) Whinlatter, where Gareth Browning and Dick Warner meet Keith Matthews, winner of the Course’s first event.
A Village History
Kintyre FD and local historians highlighted the history of Arichonan, a Highland village.
A Village Walk was led by Mrs Kahane, chairperson of the Local Natural History and Antiquarian Society. Details were given of inhabitants and events dating from the 18th century. The 1841 census listed 48 occupants, but after the Highland Clearances, the 1871 census showed one tenancy with 16 occupants. Only two families were resident that year, the Jacksons and the Fletchers, both shoemakers. The Commission bought the estate in 1930 and the area surrounding the village was planted out in the 1940s.
Picture: Mrs Kahane with the walkers and two members of Kintyre FD staff, AO Corrine Cheetham and AO Michelle Davidson.
In Dalbeattie, Castle Douglas, local people watched the opening of Dalbeattie Town Wood. FD Manager Miles Wenner spoke of the upgrading of recreational facilities and the Wood’s high conservation value.
Wedding Belles
Pictures: (1) Nadine Hatch, Typist, Forest Enterprise, Coleford, Forest of Dean, married Stephen Cooper, Operations Manager, Wye and Avon Conservancy. (2) A guard of honour was formed by colleagues from Morgannwg Forest District when Tracey Farley married Stephen. (3) Judith Stead, Administrative Officer at Dalby, Yorkshire, married Paul Simpson.
Postbag
Thanks to Friends: A letter from Keith Ball, SDO HQ, retired, thanking friends and colleagues for their help, assistance and support over the past 18 years.
Auchen Trust: A letter from Mary Boyle, expressing her gratitude for the response to the Auchen Trust Appeal Fund which has raised £4,376.80 against a target of £5,000. The Auchen Trust was set up to raise funds to provide retired Ranger Kenny Clark’s daughter Karen, who has cerebral palsy, with independent accommodation.
Appointment
The Queen has approved the appointment of John Burry as Official Verderer of the New Forest.
Wartime Memories of a Trainee - The Devil's Kitchen - and Lethal Food
George Pringle, now in retirement in Gwynedd, recalls training days in the early part of the Second World War. He provides a glimpse into the lives of the young apprentices at the Benmore Forester Training School, Argyll. George tells anecdotes of work practices which would not be allowed by the Health and Safety Executive today. In 1940, Benmore had its own platoon of Local Defence Volunteers, later known as the Home Guard.
The Vole Truth
Rosemary Green of the Vincent Wildlife Trust is interested to hear of water vole sightings.
Coppice Association
The new President of the Coppice Association is Dr George Peterken.
Giles Drake-Brockman at Fineshade invites support from coppice workers and coppice woodland managers.
Two-Wheelers Do Their Stuff
A report of the “End to End” (Land’s End to John o’Groats) journey, written by Duncan Ray of NRS. Taking part were John Boluski of Lairg, Len Thornton of Kielder, Duncan Ray of NRS who cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats and raised over £1,000 for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and the Kielder Village First School in Northumberland. Simon Parkin, NRS student drove the car with the camping equipment and supplies.
Pictures: (1) John Boluski, Len Thornton, Duncan Ray and Simon Parkin. (2) Duncan Ray hands over a cheque for the Sick Children Appeal.
A team from North Scotland entered the Highland Cross endurance event, a 20-mile run from Kintail to Affric followed by a 30 mile cycle to Beauly which raised £470 for charity.
Picture: The Highland Cross endurance event team, John Ireland, Frank MacCulloch and Ray Cameron.
Dean Forester Training School Reunion
Dean Forester Training School students from 1964 to 1968 held a 25th Anniversary reunion dinner in Coleford. Former instructors, students and guests came from afar to attend and greetings were sent from those who could not attend. Martin Fletcher of South Downs Forest District was MC. Toasts were given by Roger McKinley (1965-67), Mike Blud (1964-66), Gordon Griffiths (1966-68), Derek Davies and Geoff Waygood.
The Challenge Of Kielder …
The Forest Enterprise team of Mike Sanderson, Bill Burlton, Mike Strachan, Jamie Smith, Simon Blenkinsop and Dick Graham earned fourth place in a nationwide challenge set by Northumberland’s outdoor initiative centre Reivers of Tarset.
Picture: Team members contemplate one of the tasks.
… And In Kintyre
Andrew Jarrott, Stuart Fish, Corinne Cheetham and James Laing from Kintyre completed a gruelling assault course in Lochgilphead. The event raised £8,000 for Action and Research for Multiple Sclerosis.
Picture: Andrew Jarrott, Stuart Fish, Corinne Cheetham and James Laing.
Going Over The Top
Forestry Commission staff David Cross, Maria Cross, Joanne Brigly, Sally Woodcock, Paul Jenkins and Phil Morton competed in a charity event based on ITV’s The Krypton Factor and raised £85 in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Pictures: (1) David Cross, Maria Cross, Joanne Brigly, Sally Woodcock, Paul Jenkins and Phil Morton. (2) Joanne Brigly, Paul Jenkins and Sally Woodcock on the course.
Leaving
Peter Webster left Forest of Deer, Buchan FD, to take up a full-time university place in Aberdeen.
Retirement Association Reports
Edinburgh and South Scotland branch: A two-day trip to forests in the Stewartry. A walk through Fleet hardwood forest, created by the Commission in the 1930s by Charlie Parley, Bob Donald, Bert Steel and others.
The visitors were guided and given talks by Forester Jim Wilson and retired Forester Jim Grieve, who had taken part in the plantings and had assisted Bob Donald in developing a horse-drawn plough.
In the evening, talks were given by Miles Wenner (Enterprise) and John Ogilvie (Authority).
Branch Chairman W.B. Sutherland reports on the bus trip through Kirroughtree, Clatteringshaws and the Raiders Road. Hosts were Jim Hamilton and Miles Wenner. A special welcome was given to Frank Johnstone (Estates), the oldest party member who is in his late 80s.
Alice Holt Group: A list of recent and future events.
Breckland branch: A recent visit to Minsmere Bird Sanctuary.
Retired
Bill Lindsay, Tipper Driver, Perth Road Squad, has retired from the Commission.
Gordon Stewart, Tipper Driver, Perth Road Squad, has retired from the Commission.
Jimmy Duncan, Tipper Driver, Perth Road Squad, has retired from the Commission.
Eddie McIntosh, Road Foreman, Perth Road Squad, has retired from the Commission.
Picture: Eddie McIntosh, Bill Lindsay, Gordon Stewart and Jimmy Duncan have 145 years’ service with the Commission between them.
Willie Billson, Lorry Driver, Perth Road Squad has retired. He spent his last months with the Commission working on a road link between Southwick and Kinharvie in the Forest of Ae, which was completed on his last day of service. To mark his long career with the Commission, the road will be named Billson’s Link. Willie was also involved in planting the forest that the road is to serve.
Picture: Willie Billson and Ae colleagues.
Jim McLean, District Forester, Aberfoyle, has retired after many years’ service with the Commission.
Archie Smith, Forest Officer, Aberfoyle, has retired after many years’ service with the Commission.
Frank Smith, Forest Officer, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission, mostly in the Research Division, Silviculture Branch, but more recently he has been based north of the Border in Dumfries and then Perth.
Ted Parker, Head of Personnel Management, HQ, retired from the Commission in May.
Picture: Ted Parker, wife Gladys and David Grundy, Commissioner.
John Dishington, Assistant Chief Engineer, HQ, has retired from the Commission.
Emslie Wilson, Ganger, the last of Forest Enterprise staff resident in Forest of Deer, Buchan FD, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Picture: FDM Norman Davidson and AO Jackie Sim presented Emslie Wilson with his Long Service certificate and Mrs Wilson received a bouquet from AO Chrystal Morrison.
Mike Webb, South Downs, England, has retired from the Commission.
Picture: AO Margaret Davis and AO Evelyn Overton present Mike Webb with the verses, written by colleagues, which record some of the anecdotes of Mike’s time in the area.
Brian Collins, Tree Improvement (formerly Genetics Branch), Alice Holt, has retired from the Commission.
Picture: Brian Collins.
Jack Hobbs, Ganger, Planting & Maintenance, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission. He began his career replanting woodlands devasted in WW2 and worked on plantings and maintenance on the M25.
Sam Waldron, Forest Craftsman, Llandovery FD, has retired after 47 years’ service with the Commission. Sam’s career came full circle when he restocked the same areas of the Glasfynydd Forest that he had helped to plant in the 1940s.
Picture: Sam Waldron with his Long Service certificate.
Peter Mathias, Forest Craftsman, West Wales, retired from the Commission in August. He was involved in landscaping and planting along the trunk roads and bypasses, which are the main tourist routes to West Wales. He also worked in Preseli Forest and the nursery and seed orchards in Slebech.
Dai Evans, Grader Operator, Roads Department, North Wales, has retired after 45 years’ service with the Commission, starting his career in Hafren Forest.
Donald Ponting, Forest Craftsman, Llanwynno, has retired after 31 years’ service with the Commission.
Margaret Blacker, Administrative Officer, has retired from the Commission.
Jane Howells, Executive Officer, has retired after 20 years’ service with the Commission, working in Aberystwyth and HQ.
Cyril Whittaker, Foreman, Crychan Workshops, retired from the Commission earlier this year.
Picture: Cyril Whittaker and Robin Waddington with the money-laden tree.
Peter Evans has retired from the Forestry Authority staff after 39 years’ service.
Picture: Peter Evans with colleagues.
Ron White, Estate Clerk of Works & Civil Engineering Superintendent of Works, Sherwood, has retired from the Commission.
Picture: Ron White and Peggy Bell with Regional Land Agent, Simon Hewitt.
Peggy Bell, Administrative Assistant, Sherwood, has retired from the Commission after serving as Forest Clerk for 14 years before transferring in 1972 as Ron White’s Administrative Assistant.
John Sumner, H&M Ganger, retired in September after 44 years’ service with the Commission. He was employed mainly on the old Bramshill Forest, but more recently in the Alice Holt main block.
Teddy Thornton, Craftsman, Grizedale, has retired. Most recently, he was responsible for maintaining the Conservation nursery and Grizedale Forest trails.
Sam Nichols, North York Moors, has retired after 38 years’ service with the Commission. He worked on a wide range of forestry operations, including work with the Civil Engineering Team at Dalby. Most recently, he rejoined forest staff on timber measuring duties.
Picture: Sam Nichols with his Long Service certificate, flanked by Operations Support Officer Geoff Haw and FDM John Mackenzie.
Peter Clark, Operations Manager, based in the North of England, mainly Yorkshire, for most of his career, has retired after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Hugh Thom, District Forester, North of England Conservancy, has retired. He worked in Training Branch, which led to spells with the Cyprus Forest Service; Canadian Department of Forestry, and work in Bhutan in the early 1980s.
Wendy Severs, AO, has retired from the Commission.
John Sell, FA England’s Computer Liaison Officer, East England, has retired from the Commission.
Obituaries
John McEwen, a forester for 56 years, has died aged 105. He trained at the Cullen Estates of the Earls of Seafield, before working at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. In 1920 he joined the newly formed Forestry Commission, where as Forester-in-Charge of the Aberdeen Division, he pioneered the Commission's first forest at Monaughty, near Elgin. In 1922 he organised the Commission’s foresters in Scotland into the Worker’s Trade Union, which became part of the Transport and General Workers Union.
His career in forestry included periods as District Officer for North Wales and Senior Inspector to the Forestry Department in Ireland before joining the Home-grown Timber Department of the Board of Trade in 1941. At the end of WW2, he joined with Frank Scott in consultancy and timber valuation work.
A member of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society since 1909, Mr McEwen was only the second forester to become president when he took the chair in 1961. He will be especially remembered for the project which he begun in retirement of identifying land ownership for the whole of Scotland. “Who Owns Scotland?” was published in Edinburgh in 1977 and has since become required reading for anyone with an interest in British land use and its history.
Picture: John McEwen reading ‘Slasher’ on his 100th birthday five years ago.
Dafydd Harker, Gwydyr, died on 13th May aged 65. He was due to retire in August after 50 years’ service with the Commission. Dafydd’s father, Jack was one-time Foreman at Gwydyr Forest and his brother Gwilym worked in Gwydyr and Clocaenog Forests.
George Howieson, former Research Worker at the Bush for 29 years, died on 26th October. He retired in March 1986.
Harry Mee, Forest Craftsman, Hambleton, has died aged 68. He retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Alan Booth, who worked in the Chilterns for 33 years, died on 16th September.
Colin Dale, former Plant Operator, based for most of his career in Kielder and Rothbury Forest Districts, has died. He retired in March.
Trevor Saunders, who began work with the Commission at Llanover Forest, aged 14, has died. He worked in Tintern North Forest and Michaelston Afan, where his hard work helped to transform one of the most inhospitable valleys in South Wales. His work on the woodlands flanking Offa’s Dyke at the Whitehill crossing and A40 roadside plantings are a fine memorial to him.
Jim Thomas, Penrhiw, Brechfa Forest District, has died.
Gwilym Davies, Bedw, Llanpumpsaint, Brechfa Forest District, has died.
Dick Trew, former Executive Officer, based at the North Wales Conservancy office in Aberystwyth for 20 years, has died aged 75.
Harold Walker, who worked at Blengdale Forest (now part of Lakes FD) for 46 years, died on 3rd September.
Walter Williamson, who retired from Dumfries in 1989 has died aged 61. He had worked in South Scotland and HQ.
Alex Banks, former Surveyor & Civil Engineer has died. Before retiring, he worked for 27 years with the Commission in Cairnbaan, Aberdeen, Perth and Aberfoyle.
Jane Nunn, AO in the former East England Conservancy Office, died after a short illness. Five beech trees have been planted on behalf of the Cambridge Office Social Club by the Magog Trust in her memory. The Trust, a local based charity, has a Memorial Wood on the outskirts of Cambridge, where it is planting land to create a year-round visitors’ spot in the Gog Magog hills.