Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 359 - February 1993
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.
Sharing the Highest Honour
Forestry Commission Chairman, Raymond Johnstone, has received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List.
Picture: Raymond Johnstone.
Chief Research Officer, Calvin Booth, received an OBE for his contribution to forestry research in Britain and overseas. During his 40 years of service to the Commission, he has been involved in forestry at all levels, and he admits most of his free time is devoted to the many forestry organisations he supports.
Picture: Calvin Booth.
John Brommage, Recreational Ranger, Aberfoyle FD, has been awarded the British Empire Medal. It is a fitting tribute to his 38 years of service to the Forestry Commission and his contribution to Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
Picture: John Brommage with schoolchildren.
John Sunley, from the private sector, whose work on the structural uses of timber, gained him an OBE.
Reduced to Ashes
A fire occurred overnight in the offices at Alice Holt Research Station. Notebooks and files representing more than 30 years’ work were destroyed in the blaze. According to a report by John Parker, an explosion occurred in the laboratory block just before 5.30am on the 14th December, which awoke staff living nearby. Caretaker Mike Young investigated, while Pathology Forester David Rose and Mike's brother Chris, a Mechanical Engineer, phoned the emergency services.
From outside it was evident that Brian Greig's office on the first floor was well alight, with flames leaping out of the shattered windows. Entering the building, Mike Young immediately recognised an arson attack. Papers had been strewn over the floors and fire doors had been propped open deliberately. Fire was taking hold along the Pathology Branch and Seed Testing laboratory corridor. Mike and Chris used the newest accessible fire hoses and, lying on the floor to avoid the choking smoke, had put out the corridor fire when the Fire Brigade arrived. Five fire appliances, plus police and an ambulance attended the incident. The blaze in Brian Greig’s office was soon under control, but then unexploded incendiary devices were discovered. The attack had been a determined one, with offices ransacked and petrol sprinkled on papers to aid the spread of fire. Thankfully, only one device exploded and through the prompt action of local staff and emergency services, damage was contained and a potential disastrous event avoided. Thanks are due not only to Mike and Chris Young, but also to David Rose and his family and cook Nellie Beale, who opened up the canteen for refreshments and manned the telephone switchboard until other staff arrived for work. The research station was closed for the day, with essential staff assisting operations. With the exception of Brian Greig, most Pathology Branch staff have been able to reoccupy their rooms. While some of Brian’s experiment files and field notes from over 30 years of research were destroyed, other material was salvaged and loss of data has been minimised. No one officially claimed responsibility, but animal rights activists are suspected as they have been linked with similar attacks elsewhere.
Pictures: (1) The scene that greeted Research Scientist Brian Greig at Alice Holt on the morning after the fire. (2) Papers were torn from desks and files sprinkled with petrol to help the blaze. (3) Mike and Chris Young fought the corridor fire until the emergency services arrived.
TV Time
Former Cannock adviser Gerald Springthorpe's career in conservation is to come under the spotlight in a series to be transmitted on BBC2 in April. Phil Drabble will compare his work with that of John Oliver, based at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.
ICF Honours DG
Director General, Robin Cutler, was awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Institute of Chartered Foresters at the ICF Council meeting in December.
Safety Workshops
The Forestry Authority workshops end in March, having played a great role in increasing awareness and understanding of safety standards up and down the country.
Jobs Cut as Planting Levels Fall
More than 50 forest workers are to lose their jobs. The cuts, which will be in Scotland and Wales, are the result of a reduction in planting levels, although there is inevitable speculation that the news is linked with rumours of privatisation plans. Redundancies have been offered on a voluntary basis and are due to take place in August. Individual financial settlements are to be offered. In Dolgellau, Forest District Manager Trefor Owen, stressed that the same arrangements would apply if compulsory redundancies were required. Regional Director for North Scotland, Graham Hamilton said: Sadly, new planting will continue to decline in the next few years and there is no longer sufficient work available to sustain present levels of employment.
New Register Lets Public Comment on Forestry Schemes
For the first time, members of the public are able to find out the tree planting plans for their area, thanks to a new list published by the Forestry Authority. Each Conservancy office now holds a list of all applications to create new woodland, which meets the criteria already established under the Commission’s Grant Scheme guidelines. Once the application details are placed on the register, members of the public will have three weeks to comment or to request further information about any of the proposed schemes. The list will hold not only details of the proposed planting site, but also any special circumstances which apply, for example if it is in an Environmentally Sensitive Area or a National Park. Information on the long term objectives and priorities, plus an indication of the main species choice, will also be supplied. A second list will be published, giving details of the schemes finally approved.
New FASTCo Secretary
FASTCo, the Forestry and Arboricultural Safety and Training Council, has appointed Ted Radford, former District Forester at Aberfoyle, as their new Technical Secretary. FASTCo was formed last year following the merger of the existing Safety and Training Councils.
Forestry Takes a Stand
With diversification firmly on the farming agenda, the Forestry Authority had a strong presence at the Royal Smithfield Show in December. A successful farm forum was run each day, with Gary Kerr, Silviculturist South, and Ron Melville, Thames and Chilterns Conservator, covering grants and forest establishment. More than 450 Grants Scheme packs were issued to interested farmers.
Picture: The Forest Authority stand at the Smithfield Show.
Planting for the Future
National Tree Week (26 November – 6 December) and the 40th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne prompted tree-planting ceremonies throughout Britain.
Forty trees were planted on a new Forest Enterprise planting site in the Old Dry Hills, Northamptonshire. Northants Forest District staff were joined by representatives from a range of interested organisations, plus children and staff from Brigstock Latham Charity Primary School. The planting also commemorated the start of the Rockingham Forest Project, a combined initiative to promote tourism, rural development and woodland in the ancient Royal Forest of Rockingham.
The tree planting ceremony in Buchan Forest District reunited Beatrice Sutherland, Jean Charles, Margaret Angus and Gladys Coutts, which also celebrated the founding of the women's Timber Corps 50 years ago. As part of the Land Army which released men for the war, Mrs Sutherland and Mrs Coutts felled trees and worked in local sawmills. Mrs Angus drove a lorry around Strathdon and Huntly, while Miss Charles was based in forestry offices.
In Thetford, Lynford Arboretum was planting for the future with the help of 40 schoolchildren from Mundford VC Primary School. Thetford’s new pines will begin a regional collection.
Picture: Enthusiastic schoolchildren help plant trees at Thetford.
Heritage Partnership Launched in Wales
Forest Enterprise Wales, joined with the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust in October to launch a Heritage Partnership at Hafod near Pontrhydygroes. The landscaping at Hafod dates back to the late 18th century and was created by Thomas Johnes, the pioneer of large scale broadleaf and conifer tree planting in Wales. The trust will work with Forest Enterprise to ensure planting proposals have the approval of the Hafod Advisory Committee, which specialises in garden and landscape conservation. Approved projects will be financed by the trust.
Picture: Director Wales, John Morgan; Forestry Commissioner, Charles Woosnam; Welsh Historic Gardens Trust Chairman, William Wilkins; and Forestry Commission Chairman, Raymond Johnstone, at Hafod.
Chinese Foresters Visit Alice Holt
Delegates from the Chinese Ministry of Forestry visited Alice Holt in November as part of a two-week tour to gather information on the role of forestry in reclaiming mining sites. Andy Moffat, of Site Studies Branch, spoke to the group on the Forestry Authority’s current research programme to establish trees on derelict land.
Sherwood Chairman Appointed
The Forestry Commission has appointed Sir Andrew Buchanan, farmer and Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, as the first Chairman of the Sherwood Initiative Steering Group. The Group will co-ordinate action and policies for regenerating Sherwood Forest.
Valleys Launch Trim Trail
A Valleys Forest Initiative Project “Trim Trail”, developed by Newbridge Rugby Club and SE Wales Recreation Ranger Rita Whitcomb was launched in November. The Trail, comprises eight sets of apparatus spread over a gruelling uphill climb, with hurdles, sit-ups, step-ups, chin bars and a ladder walk.
Pointing Out the Benefits
Britain's first Green MP took great interest in the Forest Authority’s work when he visited the Wales National Office in January. Woodland Officer, Alan Dowell, had invited Cynog Dafis, Plaid Cymru/Green Party Alliance member for Ceredigion and North Pembrokeshire, to see how the Authority encourages the creation of new woodlands and manages existing ones. Welcomed to the Aberystwyth office by Chief Conservator, David Hughes, Mr Dafis met administrative staff before visiting several local venues which demonstrated the range of the Authority’s involvements.
Picture: Alan Dowell and Cynog Dafis.
Top Award for NRS Researcher
Alan Fletcher of NRS has become the first Forestry Commission employee to receive the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from the International Union of Forestry Research Organisations. Twenty years work on temperate coniferous genetic resources in the USA and Canada, plus 16 years as chairman on a IUFRO working party have made his knowledge and contribution invaluable.
Conservancy Helps School to National Prize
Greater Yorkshire Conservancy helped schoolchildren to a national prize. Escrick Primary School impressed the judges of a Tree Council contest, with a plan to create a nature trail in the school grounds, using trees to screen the buildings from the A19 York to Selby road. The prize money bought 40 saplings, one for each year of the Queen's reign. The plan was designed with the Conservancy's help.
Picture: Selby Woodland Officer, Harry Schneider helps five year old Jason Punshon to plant one of the trees their prize money bought.
Authority Double First
The Centre of Excellence Awards were introduced last May for forests showing the highest standards of multi-purpose management, incorporating at least one of the following: Improving the quality of the landscape, creating benefits for wildlife, providing public access and growing timber in environmentally sound ways.
The Forest Enterprise received its first Centre of Excellence Award from the Forestry Authority in November for the Bagot’s Wood Conservation Area, officially launched last summer. Phil Drabble’s Goats Lodge Educational Nature Reserve next door made it a double as awards were made to adjoining areas of woodland for the first time.
Midlands Forest District Manager, Chris Robinson joined Mr Drabble to receive the awards from Becky and Giles Smart, aged 6 and 8, pupils of Richard Clarke First School in Abbots Bromley, which chiefly benefits from the facilities at Goats Lodge.
EC Life for the New Europeans
A report on the changes to import regulations, especially with timber, and the approximately 200 points of entry for people and goods, now that Britain has joined the EC.
Pictures: (1) Felixstowe dock, with newly-arrived timber piled high. (2) Checking beneath the bark.
TUS Diary
Kenny Murray reports on the latest reply from the Prime Minister’s office on privatisation; discussions on a guideline document on market testing; MAFF and DoE on FA affairs; the settling down period following reorganisation and amalgamation of districts.
New Forest Reptiliary on TV
Holidays Hill Reptiliary played host to the educational TV series “Stop Look Listen” for a programme to be broadcast in March on Channel 4.
Community Relations in Practice
National Tree Week brought two firsts for Community Woodlands.
Just outside Edinburgh, Queensferry and District became the first Scottish Community Council to receive the Forestry Authority’s Community Woodland Supplement. The planting of native community woodland by local residents, schoolchildren and Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteers is a perfect example of the Forestry Authority and the local community working together to benefit local people and wildlife.
Kent’s First Community Woodland was marked by a planting ceremony at Stede Court, Harrietsham, near Maidstone, which will provide about nine hectares of native broadleaves. This site is on the scarp slope of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which borders the historic Pilgrims’ Way.
Piping at the Brandenburg Gate
In October, Nelson Innes from NRS at Roslin took his bagpipes and joined a team of entertainers on a British Tourist Authority goodwill trip to take the best of British to Berliners. It was the latest in a long line of visits which has taken him to France, Austria, Sweden, Italy and Mexico. Many of the visits have been organised through the Board of Trade to promote products such as woollens and whisky. He also plays regularly in Edinburgh, sometimes six nights a week. As a Pipe Major with an Equity card, there is no shortage of demand for Nelson’s services and he is well known on the music circuit - in fact, there is even a jig named after him.
Picture: Nelson Innes piping at the Brandenburg Gate.
An Inspector Calls
Reporting on what inspectors look for on imported timber.
Picture: (1) Inspecting imported timber. (2) Packaging can often be the main problem and has to be checked just as thoroughly as timber consignments.
Mini Beasts That Could Cause a Mighty Problem
Dendroctonus micans is already present in Wales, and domestic controls on spruce wood movements are in place to guard against the spread to other parts of Britain. Ips typographus is still unknown here, although it has been spotted on imports. Both beetles can cause immense economic damage, as foresters in France, Belgium and Germany have already found. Britain has been declared a European Protected Zone regarding Ips typographus, meaning extra stringent plant health measures have been adopted to ensure we stay free of these pests. Parts of the UK not already affected by D. micans will also have a higher plant health status to help stop its spread.
Pictures: (1) Dendroctonus micans, the Great Spruce Bark Beetle. (2) Ips typographus, the Eight-toothed Spruce Bark Beetle.
Art Shows the Beauty of Wood
Head Ranger, Brian Walker reports on the creation of sculptures in the forests, including the sculptures at Hamsterley Forest’s Oak Tree Picnic Place.
Pictures: (1) Merving Taylor with David Bellamy, unveiling the Wood Henge sign.(2) Artist Chris Sell at work. (3) Woodhenge sculpture.
Postbag
Record Breakers: John Boluski, Research Office, Lairg, suggests the inclusion of a ‘Record Breakers’ slot in ‘Slasher’. He has discovered many new ‘finds’ which exceed trees recorded in ‘Field Book 10, Champion Trees in the British Isles.’ His idea was prompted by recent FC interest in the aspen and he writes: As I logged my discoveries I naturally became curious about the largest specimens. Field Book 10 Champion Trees in the British Isles, was obligatory. Imagine my surprise when the two girth measurements recorded in 1985 were exceeded as I discovered and recorded new ‘finds’. Who would believe the furthest north county of mainland Britain could challenge an entry in Field Book 10? Berriedale, Caithness can put forward a 52 cm girth contender in the ‘stoutest tree’ contest. But Sutherland has a specimen near the River Carron, Ardgay measuring 89 cm ’around the waist’. This has a modest height of 20m and is in very good health. The tallest aspen? Field Book 10 says 25m. All the large trees of the north fall into the 20 - 25m category. but confirmation would be required as broad-crowned hardwoods are notoriously difficult to measure. A job for the FC dendrologist? There are record breakers waiting to be discovered, but remember to ask permission for access (not all landowners crave publicity). Approach your forester for a proper girthing tape, otherwise multiply each inch of girth by 0.8085 to obtain cms diameter. Hazel is due to be included in the next issue of Field Book 10. Let’s start with this species!
Let’s hear it for the AOs, by Mike Houghton, Wye and Avon: On reading Slasher one is always impressed with special events. Rarely if ever do the ordinary hard working members of our organisation get mentioned, especially the Admin Officers, without whom we would all be lost. Recently, AO Josie Wragg was helping with timber measuring during a suspected illegal felling investigation near Kidderminster. Fortunately it was a false alarm, but none the less she was there, happily helping despite dealing singlehandedly with all the admin work in the busiest FA county in Britain, Hereford and Worcester. Since the first ‘extended’ WGS was received here, she has dealt with nearly 360 more. An average of over 19 schemes a month covering a total area of nearly 5,000 hectares, 450 of which is new planting. Yet she is still smiling, courteous and considerate to all who come into contact with her. A shining example of the quality of our ‘extraordinary’ staff throughout the Commission. Bless 'em all. We can’t do without them and don’t we know it.
Picture: Josie Wragg dressed for the Kidderminster rain.
Sauce for the goose by ‘Hank E. Panky', Alice Holt: With the Commissioners debating such taxing problems as whether partners should be invited along to their meetings, will the staff side be putting forward a case for staff to be allowed to take their partners on tour to provide essential support services?
Signs o’ the Times by Sinclair Coghill, Sign Unit Manager, Moray Forest District: I read with amusement and disappointment the ‘Signs o’ the Times’ article in the December ‘Slasher’ which mused over the fact that a Scottish sign had been supplied to Hampshire and West Downs Conservancy. Just in case anyone was wondering - the Sign Unit did not supply this sign. In fact the Sign Unit was not asked to quote for any of the FA signs: was this the FA showing it is indeed separate from the FE? Please note for the future. if you need the right signs for the right price, ask the Sign Unit for a quote first!
What’s cooking? by Doreen Holland, Mid Glamorgan: What about a 'Slasher kitchen'? Here’s a simple recipe for ‘bara brith’. 1 cup of cold tea; 1 cup of dark brown sugar; ¾ cup of mixed fruit; 2 cups of self-raising flour; 1 egg; ½ tsp mixed spice and a few chopped walnuts. Soak the sugar and fruit in the tea overnight. Add the flour, egg, mixed spice and walnuts. Bake in a small greased tin for 1½ hours at 300F.
Major Measuring Challenge in the Forest of Ae
Research data has been gathered in the Forest of Ae, where a thinning experiment of 25 years standing was felled last autumn. According to Survey Forester Ken Thomson of Surveys Branch, Dumfries, when analysis of the felled timber is complete, the results will show the effects of thinning techniques not only on the volume of wood produced, but also on its quality. The clearing operation from September was under the guidance of Mensuration Branch, Alice Holt. Surveys Branch, Dumfries, sorted out the logistics of the operation.
Staff involved were: Janet Methley; John Proudfoot; Joan Webber; Ken Thomson; Mark Thurston, Chris Skelton; Tony Furlong; Bill Meadows; Hugh Mackay; Richard Rafferty; Davey Edgar; Kit Rodger; Sam McVie; and Kenny Davidson.
Pictures: (1) Kenny Davidson; Sam McVie; Davey Edgar; Chris Skelton; Kit Rodger; Ken Thomson; and Tony Furlong. (2) Micropalm computer measuring. (3) Colour-coded produce awaiting measurement.
Diary
The ‘Slasher’ Diary with humorous contributions, quotes, misquotes and anecdotes: -
A letter was received in Headquarters (Edinburgh), from a schoolboy in Jarrow which included the comment “You are the best Forestry Commission in England”.
Overheard in a Conservancy Office during the Forward Job Planning period: “Agents excel at self-abuse rather than forestry!” Can anyone substantiate this?
Pity Austin Brady, formerly Forest District Manager at Sherwood & Lincs. On his first day as Sherwood Forest Initiative Project Director, he arrived to find colleagues had got in first and his new office had been stripped of furniture. Only the phone was left. On day two he found someone had realised
their mistake - and returned to nick the phone!
According to the Collins Paperback English Dictionary, a GRUNDY (noun) - is ’a narrow minded person who keeps critical watch on the propriety of others’.
Personally, I’d sue - particularly if I had ‘grumpy’ and ‘grunt’ either side of me! (Thanks to Kenny Murray)
A Special Role in the City
A current project for FOI Derek Nelson from NRS in Roslin, is to turn a former industrial site in Edinburgh into a play park for city kids. Derek is on a two-year assignment as Assistant Director for Environmental Affairs for Edinburgh based organisation Scottish Business in the Community. The aim of SBC is to encourage industry and commerce to become more involved in meeting the needs of local communities and Derek’s role is to promote environmental awareness among new and smaller businesses.
The Peffer Play Park, which has relied on the involvement of local residents, will be completed this summer. The Forestry Commission's involvement goes beyond Derek's advice. A lorry load of donated pulpwood will build a wooden stockade around the play area. Anne Baxter of Design and Interpretation Branch has been involved in creating signage and poster material for the site.
Pictures: (1) The Peffer Park logo designed by children. (2) Project Leader John Arthur at the Peffer Play Park site in Edinburgh.
Cracking the Christmas Crossword
The solution to the Christmas Crossword. Congratulations and a bottle of bubbly goes to Mary Shipway, Telephonist/Receptionist at the South & West England Regional Office in Bristol.
In the Driving Seat
Chris Young, a Mechanic at Gravel Hill Workshop, Alice Holt, ended his first grass track racing season with two individual race awards. He finished third in the overall Championship. His car, a souped-up Mini 1000, cost him just £40 as an insurance write-off. It took him four months to rebuild the car to meet racing safety standards. During the season, Chris races about once a fortnight at the Tongham Motor Club.
Pictures: (1) Chris Young receives his cup for third place last season. (2) Chris’s Mini roadster.
Gold Medal Win for Dave
Dave Beagley, Admin Officer in Parliamentary Finance at Headquarters, won a gold medal and £600 at one of the athletics’ biggest professional race meetings of the year. Dave won the 800m event at the New Year meeting at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium, having won his heat to qualify for the final.
Who's the Gent in Red Again?
Some Christmas events.
Children at Salcey Forest, Northamptonshire, with Santa. Nearly £500 was raised for the NSPCC.
At NRS in Roslin, a ‘bring-and-buy’ sale raised £425 for the Red Cross Somalia Appeal.
South East Wales Forest District ‘Children in Need’ benefited by £35 when a Christmas tree, decorated by Collette Colthart and Rita Whitcomb, was auctioned.
At Wentwood Christmas Tree Sales Centre, in South East Wales, Recreation Ranger Rita Whitcomb supervised children on bark and leaf rubbing activities, leaving parents free to choose their tree in peace.
Alice Holt staff enjoyed a day of competitions and activities – plus an all-star pantomime in the canteen.
Pictures: (1) Santa and children at Salcey Forest, Northamptonshire. (2) Tracey Houston and John Williams with a passing camel. (3) Palm tree Andy Hall and Sheikh Stan Abbott with slave girls Diane Whitehead, Emma Collyer, Lisa Flynn and Pam Fawcett.
Lombard Rally in Wales
The Lombard RAC Rally returned to Wales in November with Scotsman Colin McRae winning the Forest Enterprise trophy for the best driver through the Welsh stages. Regional Director, John Morgan, presented the trophy to the winning team at the Chester overnight halt. The shield was made by the Forest Enterprise craftsmen at the Maesgwm Signs Unit in Coed y Brenin.
Engagement
Colette Colthart, AO, SE Wales Forest District, and Ed Sanders, Wildlife Ranger, SE Wales Forest District have announced their engagement and hope to marry in 1993.
Is This the Highest Sitka in Britain?
A Sitka spruce was found between the 800m and 850m contour mark - not far short of a Munro! Steve Lee of Tree Improvement Branch, NRS, said that based on its inter-nodes, the tree was 12 years old, though only half a metre tall. Is this the highest elevation Sitka in Britain?
Picture: Grouped round the tree in Glen Shiel are Anna Tyler, Chris Nixon and Janet Dutch.
Winter Wonderland for Racing Dogs
Chepstow Park Wood in South East Wales provided a winter wonderland setting for stage two of the Labatts Husky Racing Championship at the beginning of January. Racers and spectators were greeted with picturesque thick frost for the Championship, which is a major event in the Husky Racing calendar. Local racer, Simon Luxmoore won the opening 6.4 mile race with his six-dog sled and next day clinched an overall win by three minutes. He complimented the trail designed by Labatts and Forest Enterprise, but declared it “rock hard and quite slippery” thanks to the frost. The spectacular film of the trail was broadcast by S4C’s TV programme Hel Straeon. They fixed a camera to the wheeled rigs as they raced round the course.
No Bumbling for Sandra!
On her 40th birthday, Sandra Hanlon, a keen bee-keeper, of Forest Enterprise, South Scotland, was entertained by Tony Ward, of Ae Forest District, who recited a poem and presented her with gifts from her colleagues at Dumfries.
Picture: Sandra Hanlon in her bee outfit.
Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride …
Forestry Commission staff took part in an Executive Stretch exercise with the 4th Battalion Devonshire and Dorset Regiment of the Territorial Army in September. Cornwall and North Devon Forester, Allan Smart and Chilterns Beat Forester John Stafford took part in the range of endurance and initiative tests.
Picture: Allan Smart taking the quick way down.
Publications
Don MacCaskill, who retired from the Forestry Commission 10 years ago, and his wife Bridget, have produced a book based on more than a dozen years of otter-watching in the Scottish Highlands.
With text by Bridget and full colour photographs by Don, ‘On the Swirl of the Tide’ is published by Jonathan Cape.
John Davies, former Conservator for South Scotland, has written a short popular book on Scottish forestry, and in particular the first 60 years of the Forestry Commission. The book is 70 pages long with illustrations and photographs, available free.
Arrivals
Russell Collins, FOIV, Thetford Forest District.
Maureen O'Donnell, HEO, International Relations Division, Headquarters.
Neil Riddle, FOIV, Midlands Forest District.
Gregory Vickers, FOIV, Ae Forest District.
Moves and Promotions
Jeremy Charles, FOI, from Forest Management Division at HQ to N & E England Regional Office.
Richard Deboys, FOIV, from Ayrshire & Arran Forest District to Technical Development Branch, Cannock.
Peter Ford, FOII, from Forest Management Division at HQ to Aberfoyle Forest District.
Jackie Gates, EO, Research Division at Alice Holt to FE, S & W England.
Trevor Davies, HCE, at FE, Wales on promotion to SCE, FE, Wales.
Harold Gillen, FOIII, from Midlands Forest District to Dorset Forest District.
Libby Jones, EO, from Parliamentary & Policy Division at HQ to Personnel Division at HQ.
Barry Martin, FOIII, from Thetford Forest District to East Anglia Conservancy.
Alexander Morris, FOI, from Surveys Branch at HQ to Lothian & Borders Conservancy.
Judith Rogers, EO, from N & E England Regional Office to Finance Division at HQ on promotion to HEO.
James Simpson, FOII from Lothian & Borders Conservancy to Research Division at NRS on promotion to FOI.
Derek Stocker, HR, from S & W England Regional Office to Cornwall & North Devon Forest District.
Douglas Wright, FOIV, from Aberfoyle Forest District to Surveys Branch at HQ on promotion to FOII.
Retirement Association Reports
A regional round-up of Groups with news, reports and planned visits by the Peninsula Group, (Devon & Cornwall and West Somerset); Forest of Dean Group; Wessex Group (Avon, East Somerset, Wiltshire and West Dorset); Mid Wales Group; Mid Scotland Group; Alice Holt Group; Edinburgh & South Scotland Group.
The Mid Scotland Retirement Association is hoping to organise a caravan rally in South Scotland or North England.
Retired
Donald Beaton, FOII, Dornoch Forest District, Scotland, retired on 17.12.1992 after 42 years’ service with the Commission.
Rae Brown, FAO (Standing Sales), Aberfoyle, Scotland, retired on 26.2.1993 after 36 years’ service with the Commission.
Geordie Gray, Perth Road Squad, Tay Forest, Dunkeld, Scotland, has retired after 41 years’ service with the Commission.
Allan Irving, Castle O'er Forest, now part of Ae Forest District, Scotland, retired on 10.12.1992 after 33 years’ service with the Commission.
Donald McCabe, Aberfoyle Forest District, Scotland, retired in July 1992 after 31 years’ service with the Commission.
George Macdonald, Lybster, Dornoch Forest District, Scotland, retired in September 1992 after 18 years’ service with the Commission.
Neil MacLean, Senior Ranger I, Lochaber Forest District, Scotland, retired on 25.9.1992 after 40 years’ service with the Commission.
Jimmy Nicolson, Ardross, Dornoch Forest District, Scotland, retired in November 1992 after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Archie Smith, FOII, Aberfoyle Forest District, Scotland, retired on 31.12.1992 after 38 years’ service with the Commission.
Muriel Williams, Typing Supervisor, Personnel Division, HQ, Scotland, retired on 27.1.1993 after 25 years’ service with the Commission.
Cyril Foreman, Suffolk Forest District, England, has retired after 41 years’ service with the Commission.
Mike Kew, Forest Officer, Thetford Forest District, England, retired on 29.9.1992 after 38 years’ service with the Commission.
John Oxlade, Forest Craftsman, Chilterns Forest District, England, retired on 12.12.1992 after 33 years’ service with the Commission.
Colin Phillips, FE Administrative Officer, Forestry Authority's England Office, Cambridge, retired on 16.12.1992 after 8 years’ service.
Jo Plant, Telephonist, Alice Holt, England, retired on 22.1.1993 after 22 years’ service with the Commission.
Cedric Prew, Suffolk Forest District, England, has retired after 45 years’ service with the Commission.
Alan Ray, Assistant Operations Manager, South & West England, retired on 26.11.1992 after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Vicky Rooney, AO, Chilterns Forest District, England, retired on 19.11.1992 after 28 years’ service with the Commission.
Keith Shaw, FOIV, Thames & Chilterns Conservancy, England, retired on 11.12.1992 after 43 years’ service with the Commission.
Gordon Simpson, FOIII, N & E England Regional Office, retired on 13.1.1993 after 39 years’ service with the Commission.
Margaret Stone, Typing Manager, South & West England Regional Office, Bristol, retired on 30.9.1992 after 27 years’ service with the Commission.
Derek Wood, FOIII, Marches Forest District, England, retired on 16.2.1993 after 41 years’ service with the Commission.
Gwyn Davies, Harvesting Craftsman, Crychan Forest, Wales, retired on 16.10.1992 after 41 years’ service with the Commission.
John Richard Ellis, Ganger, Ceredigion Forest District, Wales, has retired after 46 years’ service with the Commission.
Jim Hughes, Newtown Forest District, Wales, has retired after 37 years’ service with the Commission.
Dai Jenkins, Forest Management & Recreation, Llandovery Forest District, Wales, retired on 30.10.1992 after 34 years’ service with the Commission.
Joe Jones, Newtown Forest District, Wales, has retired after 32 years’ service with the Commission.
Ken Jones, Forest Craftsman, Clwyd Forest District, Wales, has retired after 36 years’ service with the Commission.
Nye Nicholas, Forest District Manager, Newtown Forest District, Wales, retired on 7.10.1992 after 37 years’ service with the Commission.
Cledwyn Parry, Forest Ranger, Clwyd Forest District, Wales, has retired after 22 years’ service with the Commission.
Ifor Peters, Industrial Foreman, Clwyd Forest District, Wales, has retired after 44 years’ service with the Commission.
Gerry Philpot, FOIII, Dolgellau Forest District, Wales, retired on 11.12.1992 after 38 years’ service with the Commission.
John Glyn Roberts, Llanrwst Forest District, Wales, has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission.
G. Wyn Williams, Ganger, Llanrwst Forest District, Wales, has retired after 26 years’ service with the Commission.
Alec Young, Tractor Driver at South East Wales Forest District, has retired after 30 years’ service with the Commission.
Obituaries
Fred Belshaw, has died aged 74.
John Goodwin, retired Chief Education & Training Officer, died on 7 October 1992.
Bill Heaves, Retired Forest Craftsman on the Ashley Hill beat, died on 5 October 1992 aged 84.
Graham Hobbs, retired Head Forester, Thetford, died in January 1993.
Hugh Johnston, of Monymusk, died on 10 November 1992 aged 91.
Colin MacPhee, retired Forester, Kielder, died on 23 November 1992.
Harry Meyrick, retired Forestry Worker, Wareham Forest, has died aged 84.
Bill Stoddart, retired Head Forester, died in a road accident on 19 November 1992 aged 87.
Roy White, retired Ganger, Fleet Nursery, South Scotland, died on 11 January 1993 aged 69.
Bob Wood, former Chief Research Officer, Research Division, Alice Holt Lodge, and Principal Silviculturist, Oban, died on 19 January 1993.