Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 256 - June/July 1969
The digitisation of the Slasher was undertaken by, and images courtesy of, the Forest Research Knowledge and Information Management staff based at both the Northern Research Station in Roslin, Scotland and Alice Holt in Surrey, where the original copies are currently located.
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 400 issues were produced between 1948 and the final issue in 2010.
Chairman's Message
Chairman Leslie Jenkins sends a special "Thank You" to all who have worked to make the Jubilee Celebration events successful. Also the assistance by the Edinburgh Centre of Rural Economy.
The Bush Show
Thirty two thousand tickets were sold for the three-day Jubilee Exhibition in Edinburgh. There were also many 'Complimentary' admissions. There were 200 trade and non-trade exhibitors who took stand space.
The Chairman of the 1969 Committee, Mr Geoffrey Forrest, sent a message of thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the Jubilee Exhibition.
H.R.H. Princess Alexandra attended the exhibition on the second day. A letter of her appreciation was received from Mary Fitzalan Howard, Lady in Waiting to Princess Alexandra.
Other congratulatory letters have been received from the Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian, the President of H.T.M.A.S., the President of the R.F.S., the Chairman of the T.G.O., The Chairman of the T.T.F., The Secretary of the National Trust for Scotland, The Chairman of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, Mr Jeffrey Agate, Past President of H.T.M.A.E.W., Sir William Mount, Mr Cyril Hart, Mr J.B. Dawson and Mr H.A. Turner (lately Secretary to the Commission).
Competition Presentations
Mrs Jenkins, wife of the chairman, presented prizes for the axe and chainsaw competitions.
Chainsaw Competition Results
1st in the Chainsaw Competition was Mr J. Potts (FC) of Wark.
2nd in the Chainsaw Competition was Mr R. Cox (FC) of New Forest.
3rd in the Chainsaw Competition was Mr L. Vidler of Canonbie.
4th in the Chainsaw Competition was Mr E. Robinson (FC) of Consett.
Axe Competition Results
1st in the Axe Competition was Mr R. Cox (FC) of Wark.
2nd in the Axe Competition was Mr D. Parker of Ringwood.
3rd in the Axe Competition was Mr P. Hills of Newton St Cyres.
Transmitting - Golf Bravo Three Foxtrot Charlie
The Commission had its own amateur short wave transmitting station at Bush Exhibition, run by three licenced amateurs in the Commission - Ralph Hodgson (G3TBT) from the New, Alan Lightly (G3VFL) from Bristol and Bill Lindsey-Smith (G3WNI) from Oswestry, with Jack Wilson (GM6XI) a retired chartered accountant in Edinburgh.
The G.P.O. issued the appropriate special call sign GB3FC for the period of the Exhibition. A commemorative card was designed by former FC draughtsman John Michael.
Radio contact was made with 230 stations, of which 110 were in the U.K. and the remainder covering all continents except Antarctica.
Much interest was shown by visitors especially for the coloured pins on a world map indicating stations worked.
Appointment
The Queen has approved the appointment of Mr P.F.R. Beards as Commissioner for Administration and Finance. He is currently Assistant Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence.
Aros Park Opening
The Commission's first official celebration may have been on the Island of Mull on 7th May. Provost R. MacLeod of Tobermory opened Aros Park, 100 acres of policy woods and a loch, part of a larger area acquired by the Commission in 1953.
Mr Maxwell, Conservator N (S), welcomed the Provost and the invited guests. A commemorative tree was planted by the Provost and the party walked through the park to Tobermory and tea at the Mishnish Hotel. Pibroch Mackenzie, handyman at Mull Forest, played a tune on his fiddle which he had composed for the occasion and called Aros Park. Provost "Bobby" MacLeod accompanied the composer on the accordion.
The Churchill Wood
During a ceremony in Bedgebury Forest, Mr Winston Churchill renamed Spring Wood as The Churchill Wood in memory of his grandfather Sir Winston Churchill. Mr C.A.J. Barrington, Conservator SE (E) recounted how Lady Spencer Churchill had chosen the name of The Churchill Wood. Mr Barrington presented Mr Churchill with carvings by Forester B.R. Leemans, Bramshill Forest SE (E) and Mrs Churchill with a copy of Mrs George Stewart's Forestry Cookery Book which was published to celebrate the Jubilee. Mr Churchill planted a tree, fittingly a Chamaecyparis lawsonia churchillia.
Recipe Book
The recipe book compiled to celebrate the Jubilee was on sale at the Exhibition at Bush. Mrs Stewart expresses her thanks to all who contributed and also thanks to Mrs Ella Neustein for her talented illustrations.
They Also Serve
Mr Brian Holtam CRO (N) has received many messages of appreciation which he has passed on to the team of twenty FC wives who arranged the refreshments in the Kellog Hall. They didn’t charge for refreshments, but collected £45 in voluntary donations which was forwarded to Mr Cormack of the FC for the Benevolent Fund.
Birthday Honours List
The B.E.M. was awarded to Mr H.D.R. Largent, Forest Production Worker at Thetford E (E).
The B.E.M. was awarded to Mr D. More, Warden at David Marshall Lodge, Aberfoyle, Wilts.
The O.B.E. was awarded to Mr T.Y. Gibson, Member of H.G.T.A.C. and S (S), R.A.C. Chairman of Windblow Action Group.
Professional Qualification
Mr J.G. Grevatt (HQ London) has passed the qualifying exam of the British Computer Society.
Poets' Corner: Jack's Reply by R.J. Jennings
Abhorring verse by lesser men
He'd bury his opponents' pen
Eight lines of pique …. The Muse had gone
Small wonder then his name's "ANON".
Poets' Corner: Ode To A Bard by Mr H.B. Painter
My dear Mr Jennings, sir, when do you get
The time to be such a prolific poet?
Us lesser men seem to have jobs to do,
That hinder the writing of verse. How do you
Find the time, sir?
The time-sheets, the mail, fire rating and such,
Then progress reports don't seem to leave much
Of a chance to relax or to think or compose
Either poems or arboricultural prose.
When do you, sir?
After sorting the papers which seem to descend
On the desk every morning, one has to pretend
To have read and digested the things they dictate.
Is it then that you sit down and start to create
A poem, sir?
After making up budgets and estimates too,
Calculations and head-scratching all the day through
Is your mind in a state to manipulate words
All in rhyme about spring-time and woodlands and birds?
Amazing, sir!
Can you forecast your volume production per acre,
By species, for five years, and put it on paper,
Then work out and justify labour requirements,
Allowing for wastage and normal retirements
All in rhyme, sir?
So rarely it is that I get half a chance
With the Slasher or Journal for more than a glance
But I really do wonder, sir, why I should find
So many articles all under-signed
By you, sir!
It is quite plain to see, sir, you have a great gift
Either for writing or maybe to shift
The pen-pushing bit on to mortals like me
While you cast your mind back for some memory
To record, sir.
I pray you'll forgive me expressing my thought,
But at this time of night, Sir, I really ought
To lay down my pen as the writing grows fainter
With respect and apologies, from H.B. Painter.
Carry on, sir!
Retirements
Mr Maurice Compton, Commissioner for Administration and Finance, has retired.
Miss Olive Harman, Personal Assistant to the Director, Research, at Alice Holt Lodge, has retired after almost 40 years of service with the Commission.
Mrs A.N. Currey, District Office Clerk at Kielder NE (E), has retired after 19 years service with the Commission.
Mr Walter Watson, M.B.E., Administration and Finance Officer at the New Surveyorship office for the past 18 years, after joining the Commission in 1946, retired in March.
Presentations
Mr Maurice Compton, Commissioner for Administration and Finance, retirement presentation at the Savage Club by London and Basingstoke Staff including Mr J.Q. Williamson, Mr J.E.V. Summers, Mr T. McGeorge, Mr M. Shapcott, Mr G. Taylor, Mr A. Damerall and Mr D.B Rooke.
Retirement presentation for Miss Olive Harman who planted a commemorative Ama-na-gawa (a flowering cherry) in the grounds of Alice Holt Lodge, after which a group of close friends and colleagues drank a toast. Mr George Holmes, Director of Research, presented Olive with a fruit bowl of Edinburgh Crystal and a cheque. Contributors included the former Director, Mr J.R. Thom, who sent greetings from Guyana, and former Chief Auditor, Mr J. Butcher.
Mrs A.N. Currey, District Office Clerk at Kielder NE (E), retirement presentation.
Mr Walter Watson, Administration and Finance Officer at the New Surveyorship office, retirement presentation in the Verderers Hall.
Souvenir Ties
An address is supplied for obtaining souvenir ties for sale during the Forestry Commission's Jubilee Year.
No Absence Records
Mr J.M. Auld, Area Civil Engineer E (S) claims 22 years (1947 - 1969) without absence.
Mr D.A. Aitken, E.O. E (S) claims perfect attendance since commencing on 20th January 1947 (less a period for National Service)
Long Service Certificates
Certificates for Long Service given by Royal Norfolk Agricultural Society were presented at the Norfolk Show on 26th June to: -
Mr F. Turner, Warrener, Thetford (45 years service).
Mr B. Levitt, Ganger, Thetford (41 years service).
Mr. T. Ashley, Ganger, Thetford (40 years service).
Mr L. Page, Ganger, Fakenham Forest (40 years service).
Mr J. Randall, Ganger, Thetford (45 years service).
Memorial Trust Presentation
Provost Iain W.T.D. McHardy presented a Winston Churchill Medallion in the "Forestry" category to Mr N.P. Danby, Achindunie, Alness, in the Council Chamber, Invergordon on 3rd May.
Transport of Windblown Timber in Scotland
Recommendations of the Windblow Action Group on transport allowances.
World Forestry Congress
The F.A.C. Council has chosen Buenos Aires as the site for the seventh World Forestry Congress to be held in 1972.
Promotions
Mr T.S.L. Finlay S (S) promoted to Assistant Conservator (Estate).
Mr S.A. Simminds SE (E) promoted to Assistant Conservator (Estate).
Mr G.O. Williams S (W) promoted to Assistant Conservator (Estate).
Mr J.F. Wilson NW (E) promoted to Assistant Conservator (Estate).
Mr L.W. Bowman HQ (B) promoted to Chief Executive Officer.
Mr M.A.E. Gubby (On loan N.E.D.O.) promoted to Chief Executive Officer..
Mr J.F. Wilson E (S) promoted to Chief Forester.
Mr J.F. Morgan NE (E) promoted to Technical Works Grade I (Area Civil Engineer)
Mr K.J. Logan N (S) promoted to Technical Works Grade III (T)
Mr W.J. McCallum W(S) promoted to Technical Works Grade III (T)
Mr J. Thomson HQ (O/S) promoted to Technical Works Grade III (T)
Correspondence
From Chief Forester R.S. Jennings of Crychan Forest S (W) regarding the trapping of foxes.
From Mr D.G. Gowler, Costings Section HQ (L) who is appealing for Loch Ness Monster witnesses.
Mr A.G. Burnett S (S) comments on the use of jargon.
The Director General received a letter from Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse reporting on his recent visit to Japan and Korea.
A letter of thanks from the Secretary of the Three Counties Show regarding the help provided at the Agricultural Show.
Outside Course
A Residential Autumn Forestry Course at Attingham Park, Shrewsbury from 27th - 30th October 1969 has been organised by the Royal Forestry Society and the Timber Growers' Organisation. The course with the theme "Modern State Forestry: The Thinnings Problem" is designed for Woodland Owners, Land Agents and Head Foresters.
Forester Training School Closure
The Gwydyr Forester Training School at Capel Curig, Betys-y-Coed, North Wales which opened in 1947, will be closed in July 1969. The other two Forester Training Schools, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and Faskally, Perthshire will be closed by 1972. This is due to the Forestry Commission's programme for transferring the responsibility of forestry education to the public education system.
Tail Piece
A conversation overheard in a Fort William Newsagent's shop by Mr A. MacLeman, Chief Forester at Leanachan Forest N (S):
Customer: "Can I please have the Farmer's Journal."
Newsagent: "Sorry, we don't stock this paper now. There's no demand for it since the Forestry took over most of the land around here."
Obituaries
Lord Bannerman of Kildonan, President of the Scottish Liberal Party, who died in May aged 67, was a Forestry Commissioner for 15 years.
Mr A.H.M. Ross who died in April, joined the Commission in 1925. He was Conservator NW (E) and Director for Scotland from 1953 until his retirement in March 1957.
Mr Alexander Gordon Bowie, Forester at Bin Forest E (S) died on 16th June 1969 aged 59.
Mr F.C. Atkins, Conservancy Mechanical Engineer W (S) died on 18th May 1969 after a heart attack.
Many have mourned the passing of Mr J.T.L. Fitzherbert known as "Fitz". Mr Dennis Healey, former Principal Information Office for the Commission, relates some amusing anecdotes about Mr Fitzherbert which illustrate the affection by which he was known.