Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 12 December 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.
Golf – And a Challenge to England and Wales
Twenty competitors took part in the Forestry Commission Golf Club outing at Longniddry, East Lothian. Mrs V. White of the Office of Director, Scotland, won the Fotheringham Cup by achieving a net score of 79. The Cameron Trophy was won by Mr Williams, a partner in the firm of the Directorate's legal advisors, with a net score of 74.
Christmas Greetings
A Christmas greeting from A.H. Gosling, Director-General.
We Build Them to Stay Put
While many railway and other bridges were swept away during the heavy flooding in South East England, the Commission's new Bailey Bridge at Edgarhope survived undamaged, despite some of the protective works being unfinished. Road Foreman James Gibson was on the site at midnight and although the flood waters reached road level, the bridge remained passable and intact.
Golden Wedding
Mr and Mrs Arthur Bartram, both aged 74, of Forge Row, Slitting Mill, near Rugeley, recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Mr Bartram who has been with the Commission for 25 years, is a Forest Worker at Cannock Chase.
The Things They Do (At Alice Holt)
Details of the work of Entomologist H.S. Hanson of the Forest Research Station at Alice Holt.
“Balling the Jack” – Edinburgh Version and Another Challenge
The opening meeting of the Skittles Section of the Edinburgh Office Social Club was held at an Edinburgh roadhouse, with teams "Hibs" and "Hearts", named by organiser Joe Hogarth.
The first woods were set in motion by Miss Isabel Dea for Hibs, and Miss Charlotte Dea for Hearts. Hearts gained an early lead and "Maxims" by Skipper Joe Hogarth and Gordon Grant enabled Hearts to hold the lead and finish the first game 89 points ahead of Hibs. Hibs Skipper A.B. Macpherson set a hot pace and team mates J.W. Blane and A.S. Watson registered good scores, which reduced Hearts lead to 60 points after the second game. Hearts ended the third game with a slight lead and a final advantage of 94 points over the match.
On the Merits of Cycling
Eric Warburton, C.O., Engineering Section, HQ., is back at work and still believes cycling is a healthy pastime. This is even after spending several weeks in a Kent hospital recovering from head injuries sustained during a crash with another cycle.
Dancing at the Duke of York’s
The HQ. Table Tennis Club organised a dance at the Duke of York's Services Club, near Sloane Square. Among those present were Mr O.J. Sangar, Director, England, and Mr C.A. Connell. From HQ., D.E. Smith and M.A. Gubby, shared the duties of M.C. and Miss J.B. Moss made many of the arrangements.
More About the Journal
The Forestry Commission Journal is expected to be published this month. Editor R.G. Broadwood is requesting articles for the 1949 Journal.
The Idle Life
A weekly publication which claims a million readers had a article on the Civil Service, including the quote "It's possible, just possible to find idle men in some Departments like Forestry, Agriculture, Ministry of Supply and Civil Aviation"
Parade of the Innocents
The phrase "Many are called, but few are chosen" is breathed by Headquarters staff when called to attend an Identity Parade nearby at Savile Row Police Station. J.S. Overy, N.D. Stutter, P.W. Brook, F.H. Halsey, M.E. Mealin and A.J. Walker were asked to attend the most recent ID parade.
Auld Reekie Dances
Harry Henry, the founder and secretary of the Edinburgh Social Club attended the Edinburgh Office Winter dance which was organised by the Social Club Committee.
The event included a comedy act by Joe Hogarth, piping by Alastair Campbell, singing by Mr Scott (a commercial associate of the Stores Section), accompanied at the piano by Miss McGregor and jiving by Miss Ann Brooks. Prizes were distributed by Mrs J.M. Massie and Miss Brooks. Secretary Bill Elliott organised the event.
Age Shall Not Weary Them
On Remembrance Sunday, the Rev. J. Fairlie of Falstone conducted a service in the Presbyterian Church at Kielder. Mr G.L. Batters, Conservator, North East, England, unveiled a memorial plaque to the men of Kielder who gave their lives in the two world wars. All those who fell at the last war were employees of the Commission.
The plaque contains the names of: -
1914-1918: David Jackson; Mathew Robson;
1939-1945: Andrew Fletcher; Alex Weir; John Bird; Edward Fidler; Raymond Terry; George Glenndinning.
Claim to Fame?
There is a fire notice fixed inside a cemetery in Nevis Forest (North, Scotland). A warning to visitors?
A road sign in the timber yard of J. Gliksten, Cassio Bridge, Watford, reads "These elm logs are for coffin manufacture - Drive Carefully".
Transfers
R.E. Pallett, District Officer, Cardiff, transferred to Tintern, South (W);
A. Ross, Forester, Blairadam, East (S) transferred to Hallyburton, East (S);
C.P.W. Carr, Forester, Gwydyr, North (W) transferred to Clwyd, North (W);
G.H. Stockley, Forester, Cannock, North West (E) transferred to Enville, N.W. (E);
M.K. MacDonald, Forester, Fort Augustus (Research) transferred to Mabie (Research);
W. Everitt, Forester, Cannock, transferred to Swynnerton, North West (E);
D.R. Thomas, Forester, Kershope, North West (E) transferred to Dalton, N.W. (E);
Miss D.Y. Kelgour, E.O., Glasgow transferred to Inverness.
Promotions
C.A.J. Barrington promoted to Divisional Officer;
J.T.L. Fitzherbert promoted to Divisional Officer;
G.I. McKenzie promoted to Divisional Officer;
M.J. Penistan promoted to Divisional Officer.
J.A. Bamford promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
H. Cruikshank promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
J.A. Dickson promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
E.E. Dixon promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
T.E. Edwardson promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
G. Forrest promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
R. Gilliespie promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
F.G. Good promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
F.C. Hummel promoted to District Officer Grade 1;
L.G.T. Kenyon promoted to District Officer Grade 1.
J.W. Brooks promoted to Head Forester;
L.T. Edwards promoted to Head Forester;
C. MacNab promoted to Head Forester;
J.D. Robbie promoted to Head Forester;
C.R. Wellington promoted to Head Forester;
J. Watson promoted to Head Forester.
H. Adams promoted to Forester Grade 1;
F.W. Everett promoted to Forester Grade 1;
W. Fairbairn promoted to Forester Grade 1;
J.M. Ferguson promoted to Forester Grade 1;
A. Grant promoted to Forester Grade 1;
A. Hughes promoted to Forester Grade 1;
J. Jackson promoted to Forester Grade 1;
W.T. Jenkins promoted to Forester Grade 1;
R.J. Jennings promoted to Forester Grade 1;
L.A. King promoted to Forester Grade 1;
A.R. Murray promoted to Forester Grade 1;
F.F.G. Parsons promoted to Forester Grade 1;
D.J. MacRae promoted to Forester Grade 1;
J. Reid promoted to Forester Grade 1;
Allan Ross promoted to Forester Grade 1;
Archibald Ross promoted to Forester Grade 1;
R.W. Waters promoted to Forester Grade 1;
J.T. Wildash promoted to Forester Grade 1.
A. Bowes N.W.(E) appointed as Foreman;
H. McKay N.W.(E) appointed as Foreman;
D.H. Walsh N.W.(E) appointed as Foreman.
Appointments
A.E. Hall, Surveyor;
Mrs. A. Venables, Typist, Conservancy Office.
Marriages
E.R. Huggard, Assistant Engineer Rheola, wed Miss Hilda Pryce, daughter of Dr. Pryce of Llandovery.
G.P. Williams, Clerk, Aberystwyth office, wed Miss Linda Davies of Cardigan, formerly employed in the GPO at Aberystwyth.