Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 8 - August 1948
The scanned images of the Slasher were produced by and courtesy of the Forest Research Data and Information Team staff based at Roslin, where some of the original copies are located. The Forestry England Information Knowledge Management Team and New Forest Heritage made available copies of The Slasher from their collections. Brian Mahony of the FC Retirement Association devised and coordinates the Slasher Project and has been instrumental in locating many missing editions and coordinating the searches to locate all the earlier publication numbers.
The content summary below was again very kindly compiled by Diane Birkett, Bedfordshire. See PDF attachment link below the text summary to view the full document. A total of over 420 issues or publications were produced between January 1948 and the final publication in 2010.
New Phase in Kielder’s History
Lord Robinson is now on the high seas and bound for Australia to see representatives of the forest authorities and to visit his 94-year old mother in Perth.
Before his trip, Lord Robinson performed a simple but nevertheless important ceremony, for stripping off his jacket and showing that he had lost none of his physical skill as a Forester, his lordship felled the first tree to be cut from Kielder Forest. Thus was marked a new phase in Kielder’s history.
It was in 1925 that a beginning in land acquisition was made at Smales, in which forest unit the tree was felled by his lordship, and in 1926 the first planting on peat areas was carried out. Then for the next four to five years there was a process of "feeling the way", and as the result of experiment, trial and error the possibilities of extensive afforestation were fully appreciated; the result is that today Kielder is the biggest State forest in Britain.
It was just 22 years previously that the Chairman, as Mr R.L. Robinson, saw the first trees planted at Smalesburn. He has remained interested in Kielder and, as is well known, when he was created a Peer of the Realm, he chose to be known as Lord Robinson of Kielder and Adelaide. To be able to perform the ceremony of cutting the first tree must have given him great personal satisfaction.
Another point of interest about Kielder is that British Railways have recently been asked by Mr W.L. Taylor to consider re-naming the station, the proposed new name being Kielder Forest Station. The Railway Executive have agreed that there is a case for changing the name, but point out that to do this would involve an amount of clerical work, which at the present time would not be justified. The Executive has promised to review the position as soon as the pressure of work is eased.
Well Done, Jean!
Miss Jean W. Philip, a Clerical Officer in the Accounts Section of the Aberdeen Office, has been awarded a Junior Forester's Certificate by the Royal Scottish Forestry Society after achieving 83 per cent in a recent examination. The exam was held at Countesswells Forest. Miss Philip had to fell a 14 ft Scots pine in just the right way that such trees should be cut. Throughout last winter, Miss Philip attended night classes in forestry.
Progress of the Census of Commission Plantations
The progress of the Forestry Commission census is as follows: -
England: Field work has been completed in the North West Conservancy and is expected to be completed by the end of this month in the other conservancies.
Scotland: East Conservancy has been completed;
North Conservancy expected completion date is 15th - 30th October;
South Conservancy expected completion by the end of September;
West Conservancy expected completion by the end of this August.
Wales: South Wales and North Wales Conservancies expected completion by the end of the year.
North West (England) Conservancy News
After the success of the Christmas party, the Social Committee arranged two more events, Trentham Gardens and a garden party in the grounds of Upton Grange on the 21st of August 1948.
The Highland Show
For four days recently, the 35 acres of playing fields in Inverness, North (Scotland), were the scene of the first post-war show of the (now) Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. Over 87,000 people paid to see a magnificent collection of pedigree livestock, a remarkable exhibition of farm implements and other exhibits.
The Forestry Exhibition received special mention as being one of the most interesting and instructive features. It was organised by the Commission, the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, the Timber Development Association and the Co-operative Forestry Society (Scotland) Ltd.
Our most interesting exhibit was perhaps a set of pictures painted in murals, and giving a short history of the Scottish woods. Other photographs showed various operations in state and private woodlands. Associated with the Commission stand were James Fraser, Conservator; J.G. Williamson, Chief Education Officer; A. Fraser, D.O.; Walter Denman, retired D.O.; D. MacDonald, Forester, Culloden; and other D.O.'s and Foresters. Also T. MacLean, Messenger, who spent the week undercover in the Conservancy canteen at the showground.
The King, Queen and Princess Margaret inspected the forestry stand and were introduced to Mr James Fraser.
Forest of Ae Victory at Bolton
Forest of Ae workers (South Scotland), were well represented in the leading team at the Twelfth International Carpet Bowling Match held in Bolton. Scotland scored 439 shots against England’s 289. The cup for the highest scoring team was won by Gubhill (Forest of Ae) who were 18 shots up, the winning rink consisting of the following: Ganger J. Robinson (F.W.H. No. 6); J. Gordon, Forestry Commission shepherd, Knockenshang; J. Halliday, Whitestones; and W. Roberts, Glencorse.
The Scottish party mustered in Dumfries and made the journey to Bolton by bus. On arrival at Bolton, the two pipers accompanying the Scots, led the way into the Drill Hall, where the contest was to take place.
Believe it or Not
On a Friday morning in the North East (England) Conservancy Office, the office cleaners discovered an Accounts Room window wide open. The police are notified and mention made of a suspicious character who has been seen in the neighbourhood. The mystery deepens in the evening when a cleaner finds the "mark" of the "criminal" with a "visiting card" pinned to the wall of the Chief Clerk’s room.
Another consultation between cleaner and police and a constable keeps the building under observation, later offering the Chief Clerk the protection of the Law.
The cause of all the trouble? We don’t know how the window came to be open, but the subsequent events were due entirely to the following - the Chief Clerk, having undertaken to become correspondent for this news letter, printed a card "Don’t Forget The Slasher" and pinned it on his wall.
Edinburgh Social Club
The transfer of H. Henry, from the office of Director Scotland on promotion to Executive Officer in Shrewsbury left a vacancy of Social Club Secretary which has been filled by W. Elliott.
Leaving
Assistant Engineer E.B. Jackson, Grizedale, NW(E), has resigned.
Foreman R.N.M. Lucas, NW(E), has emigrated to Canada.
Transfers
M.G. Harker, District Officer, Gwydyr, transferred to Dolgelly, N(W);
T. Bewick, Forester, Allerston, transferred to Hamsterley, NE(E);
I.O. Evans, Forester Wentwood, transferred to Derry Ormond, S(W);
D.D.C. Robertson, Foreman, Inchnacardoch, transferred to Queen's, N(S);
C.A. Taylor, Foreman Strathnairn, transferred to Millbuie, N(S);
W.J. Wilson, Foreman, Mortimer, transferred to Walcot, NW(E);
I.J. McGruer, Foreman, Ardgarten, transferred to Research Branch, Scotland;
D.A. Brinsley, Foreman, Research, Wareham, transferred to New;
R.J. Power, Foreman, Clipstone, transferred to Kershope, NW(E);
J. Curnyn, Assistant Engineer, Glenbranter, transferred to Cairbaan Camp, Lochgilphead, W(S);
J. Perkins, Assistant Engineer, Witton-le-Wear, transferred to York, NE(E);
G.H. Curtis, Clerk Of Works, Eggesford, transferred to Dartmoor, SW(E);
F. Haslett, Clerk Of Works, Bodmin, transferred to Eggesford, SW(E);
Miss M.E. Manicom, H.E.0., Woking, SE(E), transferred to HQ.;
G. Rittever, Draughtsman, Aberystwyth, transferred to Shrewsbury;
H. Henry, E.O., Edinburgh, transferred to Shrewsbury, N(W);
Miss B. MacNiven, E.O., Glasgow, W(S), transferred to York. NE(E);
J.D. Crabb, E.O., Education, London, transferred to Director (E) London;
J.B. Beedle, E.O., HQ., transferred to Shrewsbury;
Miss J. Wright, E.O., New, transferred to Alice Holt;
Miss K.M. Turner, E.O., Alice Holt, transferred to Woking;
A.J. Searle, E.O., Dean, transferred to HQ.;
E.G. Roberts, C.O., New, transferred to Dumfries, S(S);
Miss O.A. Harmon, C.O., returned from H.T.P.D., to Alice Holt;
J. Morris, C.O., Aberystwyth, transferred to London;
Miss M.M. Wilson, C.O., Dumfries, transferred to Glasgow, W(S);
Mr. A. Watt, Conservator, formerly at Glasgow, has transferred to Edinburgh. He has been succeeded by Mr J.E. James, formerly Divisional Officer, South (Scotland).
The Work They Do (No. 6)
The Finance Branch at Headquarters has to see that all the Commission's payments and receipts are audited and accounted for. In the current Financial Year we expect to spend about £7,000,000 and receive more than £1,000,000.
The audit is carried out by the Examination Section under H.E.H. Drake and is divided into two sub-sections. One consists of the local auditors, who are as follows: England and Wales, E J.F. Tinson, H.M. Denny, J.L. Reid, J.D. Smith and E.T. Springall; Scotland, J.R. Ferens, J.D. Carstairs and A. Reid.
The other sub-section, under Mr R. Shotbolt, assisted by Miss D.M. Frost and Miss I. Hamilton, has the job of standard-heading and passing for payment all accounts and claims dealt with at HQ., including acquisitions, invoices for vehicles, stores and equipment, foreign remittances (for imported seed, etc.), bulk travel railway accounts, travelling and subsistence claims and the quarterly accounts from the Ministry of Works, covering supplies and services obtained throughout Britain.
Edinburgh Social Club
The transfer of H. Henry, from the office of Director Scotland on promotion to Executive Officer in Shrewsbury left a vacancy of Social Club Secretary which has been filled by W. Elliott.
Exam Success
A. Armstrong, Edinburgh and J. Hogarth, Edinburgh, have successfully passed the Examination for establishment as Clerical Officers. A. Armstrong was placed first in his age group.
Patience Rewarded
An item of interest was sent to The Slasher by Douglas Milne, Foreman at Haugh SW(E), who tells of patience rewarded. "At the beginning of last winter, several caterpillars sought sanctuary in my house. I made a request that none should be moved, but only one was left to me - this being attached to a ceiling.
On a day in June I was attracted by convulsions of an insect which proved to be a moth in progress of transition from the caterpillar. The body was naked save for a ruffle of down on what I must describe as the shoulders. The legs and antennae were fully grown, but limp and useless. I placed the insect on a bread platter, and over this I placed an inverted pie dish to permit further observation; the whole I carried to the lawn and sunshine. In a surprisingly short time the ruffle of down took the appearance of stunted wings and gradually the body became clothed with short grey hairs. The reflexed edges of the fore-wings straightened and then were disclosed the hind-wings, which had been lightly rolled as one might roll a piece of paper without creasing. Twenty minutes had passed. The legs were now strong enough to afford spasmodic support for the body, but had the wings been other than supple they would have been destroyed in the periodic and frenzied struggling. The bulbous eyes were less incongruous. An hour had passed. The wings, apparently fully developed were restored to the resting position, the body was fully clothed, the legs were strong and the antennae were rigidly in position. Ninety minutes had passed and once more there was activity, but now it was no longer of travail but due to an impatient desire for freedom. I lifted the pie-dish and the moth walked sedately away into the grass, In return for hospitality I am immeasurably rewarded."
The Realm of Sport
Sport is to the fore at Alice Holt. Recent activities have included a cricket match with what might be described as a London team, for it included representatives of the headquarters staff of Director, Research and Education. The weather was vile, but in between cloud bursts and changing of the original wicket, play proceeded and London scored 67 for 7 wickets. Ken Woodfield contributed 35 not out, and London sportingly declared. Alice Holt passed their opponent’s score for the loss of 5 wickets and finished with a total of 102 (Tom Irving 46). There was still an hour for play, and in a light-hearted manner London scored 84 for 4 (Woodfield again). Alice Holt were due to play New Forest, at Bramshaw, in July; full report later.
Golf: R.B. Hetherington has been in action, having been chosen as a reserve for the Civil Service team versus the Army at West Hill; he played a singles with his opposite number and halved the match.
He was later a member of the Civil Service team which met the Navy, being on the winning; side, and halving his match. It is understood his score was 74 against the par of 75 for the course (St.George’s Hill).
It is hoped that Alice Holt will later on be receiving a lawn tennis team from Headquarters.
Visit to Benmore
The West Conservancy (Scotland) office staff celebrated the anniversary of D-Day by launching an invasion of Benmore Forest. After a visit to Benmore Gardens, tea was served in the Forest Workers' Hostel at Kilmun, where the party of office staff were joined by local Foresters and their wives. The visitors returned back to base by re-embarking on the steamer.
On Forest Cameos
Deputy Chief Clerk G. Childs of the office of Director, says he found the recent cameo about Allerston most interesting. However, he states he was surprised that no mention was made of the part played by the Forester in charge of the first plantings, J.A.K. Meldrum, who later became a District Officer in Scotland (Northern Division) and is now Director of Forestry in Eire. Mr Childs was Divisional Accountant in the old No. 1 Division in England in 1921. He recalls too, that in those early days, the District Officer in charge of Allerston was J.O. Poole.
Looking Forward to Football
The approach of the football season means a lot to G.J. Cruickshank, a Clerk at the Aberdeen Office, who looks after Nursery Records, etc. He has already played outside-left for Scotland in the Junior International match against Wales at Bangor when Scotland won 5-3. He was again in Scotland’s team when, at Hampden Park, Glasgow, Ireland were beaten 3-1. It is understood that this young player has had more than one offer to turn professional.
Leaving
Mr W.N. Gibson, District Officer, Edinburgh, has left for an appointment with the Ministry of Agriculture, Northern Ireland.
Engagement
Miss E.S.W. Mill of Edinburgh, has become engaged.
Marriage
Mr W. Poole, C.O., Edinburgh has married Miss E. Domachi of Dunfermline.
Births
A son was born on 8th June to Mrs Meg Fergusson and Mr J.L.F. Fergusson, District Officer, Research (Census).
A daughter was born to Mrs Croft and Assistant Engineer G.V. Croft on 4th July.
A son was born to Mrs Stannard and Mr A.J. Stannard, Forester, Bramshill.
A daughter, Christine, was born on 10th July to Mrs Fisher, a former typist in the Welsh Directorate and Mr D.C. Fisher, Aberystwyth Office.
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