Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 18 - June 1949
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.
Progress Report
Statistics on plantings, extraction, seed collection, deed signing etc.
An Unusual Pastime
An unusual "pastime" is claimed by a member of the North (Scotland) Conservancy staff - that of paid mourner. The sole surviving member of a family steeped in the tradition of mourning for others, our nameless friend has maintained the calling of professional mourner.
Today, although the death rate is fairly constant, it is only by special request that he dons the funereal robes, tucks the black-handled cane under his arm, tilts his greying hat at the proper angle and descends on the parlour of the deceased. The ritual never varies, and is always suitably ended by the clinking of glass on glass. Thereafter, at the head of the mourners and with his black-edged handkerchief well to the fore, he chants benignly to everyone's satisfaction and his own enjoyment.
Plague of Adders?
According to Press reports, a "plague of adders" has occurred in Hamsterley Forest, North East, England. District Officer Stanley Forrester writes "Nobody knows whence the 'plague' has come. A valuable dog has been killed and another has been at death's door on three occasions; the owner has already paid out 18 times at half-a-crown a time for dead adders. The Forester's wife, who holds the fort at the receiving end of the telephone, has not seen an adder this year, neither has the Forester. The reports of dogs having been injured are true, but reports of the numbers of adders in the forest are exaggerated, I believe that two mild winters have resulted in an increase in the number of adders, and that the death of the dog has merely served to focus attention on the matter.
Forest Cameo - Rheola
A common charge against industrialists in South Wales is that they 'sucked the orange and left the skin behind', writes Walter Evans, Chief Clerk, Cardiff. It is evident to all that they took the coal away and left the unsightly tips. Moreover, pitwood being essential to the raising of coal, they denuded the adjacent mountainsides of their arboreal coverings.
Most planning authorities, either through lack of imagination or economic pressure have done little to remedy the defects of this once beautiful country of South Wales, and it has fallen to the Forestry Commission to point the way. Thirty years ago there was no valley in Wales which could more depress the traveller than the Neath valley which runs from Resolven to Neath. Colliery tips and bare slopes on either side showed the price of industrial prosperity. It was in 1923 that the Forestry Commission took a hand in things and "started" Rheola Forest, and a journey today up this self-same valley will reveal the transformation which has taken place. The coniferous plantations on either side, with their varying shades of green, have brought a freshness to the countryside which is a delight to all tourists. The tips, so long ugly and obtruding, are to all intents and purposes gone; and although the whippet is denied his legitimate sport, the collier (as were his forefathers) is now cheered on his way to work by the heartening song of the blackbird and thrush.
Rheola has revived this once drab valley, bringing colour into the lives of its inhabitants and pitprops to its collieries.
Slasher Versus Spud
In response to Forester Instructor W.F. Stoddart's praise of a "spud" in last month's The Slasher, State Forest Officer, W.A. Cadman, North Wales, believes a slasher deserves more praise.
Hotel Lists
Apropos the paragraph in last month's Slasher, in which the East, England, Conservancy was praised for issuing a guide to hotels, Mr E.C. Hansford, SE(England) Conservancy Office, Woking, points out that a record of hotels has been in use in his office since November, 1946. "This register", writes Mr. Hansford, "has been of great benefit to members of the staff. Its circulation, however, has been restricted to the office, because not all remarks concerning the service and standard of hygiene are complimentary".
New Social Club
Miss Joan E. Cheale, Secretary of the recently formed SE(E) Conservancy Social Club, reports that her club is making good progress. Recently a visit was paid to Minley Hostel, Bramshill, where trainees were engaged in indoor games and dancing.
Last month the club's first social took place at the Woking office, and guests included a party from Bramshill. Mrs Freshwater, the office cleaner, kindly supplied and served the refreshments. The club has acquired two darts boards and a table tennis table, and has hired a hard tennis court for the season.
Royal Visit to Wales
It had been hoped that during her recent visit to Wales, Princess Elizabeth would plant a tree at Coed-y-Brenin, but unfortunately her programme was so extensive that no further function could be included. Nevertheless, the Princess and the Duke of Edinburgh saw a great deal of the Commission's work as they toured North Wales. A number of our employees were able to see the Royal couple.
Head Forester J. Lomas, of Coed-y-Brenin, and his family were among those who received a special invitation to witness the arrival of the Princess and the Duke for lunch at Nannau, home of General and Mrs Vaughan. The Head Forester's wife and daughter were members of a choir which, in Welsh costume, assembled on the lawn and sang the National Anthem in Welsh and Welsh hymns.
Bookman’s Corner
Books recently published on forestry are: -
Woodland Crafts in Britain (Batsford, 15s.) by Publications Officer H.L. Edlin. It is his third book on forestry and has 150 illustrations. Mr Edlin gives an account of the traditional uses of trees and timber in the British Countryside. He outlines the work of tree-felling, timber-hauling, timber conversion and the mysteries of such old crafts as hurdle-making, chestnut cleaving, spelk basket-making and clog sole cutting. He also describes the work of the wheelwright, shipwright, carpenter and chair-maker. Other chapters describe charcoal burning, the stripping of oak bark for tanning leather and the collection of dyes, drugs and resins from forest trees.
Forests and Forestry in Great Britain by Sir William Taylor C.B.E. (Crosby Lockwood, 12.6d.)
Story of a Scots Pine (published by Messrs Oliver and Boyd 5s.) by Mr Harry Watson, Instructor at Benmore Forestry Training School. A general introduction to the forester's work.
Botanical Notes on Trees of the British Forests (8s.6d.) by Mr Harry Watson, Instructor at Benmore Forestry Training School. A handy textbook for students of forestry.
Tribute to G.B. Ryle
A tribute to Mr G.B. Ryle, Conservator, South Wales on leaving South Wales after 20 years for an appointment as Conservator in the English Directorate.
Would You Believe It?
Forester R.J. Jennings, St. Asaph, North Wales, is a practical man who believes in pooling ideas and sharing the labour-saving devices in which he specialises. He writes to the Editor as follows:
Dear Sir,
Any Forester experiencing damage from pigeons, pheasants or jays should communicate with me at St. Asaph, whereupon I will gladly give him full details of a first-class scarecrow employed here. We have previously used devices which were successful in keeping birds and mice from our seedbeds, but our latest model frightened them so much that not only did they refrain from taking acorns and beech mast but they brought back all the seed they took in P48!
Also employed here is a genuine Eastern fakir; fully experienced in the Indian rope trick, this man is invaluable for seed collection and high pruning. He is for hire at the ordinary day rates, complete with loin cloth. Applications should be sent through the usual channels
Snap-Shots
A party of the North Wales Conservancy Office staff visited Kerry Forest for educational purposes. Director of Forestry for Wales, Mr A.P. Long and Mrs Long, together with Mr and Mrs M.E.W. MacKenzie, came from Aberystwyth for the occasion, and the party was shown the preparation of seedbeds, seed sowing, lining-out and composting. Plantations of various ages and species were seen in different stages of thinning. The Director, the Conservator Mr F.C. Best, State Forest Officer W.A. Cadman, District Officer C.E. Peaty and Forester A. Hughes explained the various operations and pointed out features of special importance or interest. The party had tea at the New Hotel, Kerry.
Lynford Hall Activities
A visit to Kew Gardens is planned for the Natural History Club. In March the School presented Bowater and Lloyd's colour film "Newfoundland Enterprise" to an audience of nearly 250, drawn from all ranks of the Commission in the district. A party of students and staff also enjoyed an interesting Sunday at the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, some 20 miles from the School.
Cricket and lawn tennis are in full swing. In the Spring term a variety of competitions were held, and in the final of the table tennis doubles Education Officer J. Goodwin and Forester Instructor T. Jenkins were defeated by two students - P. Ormiston and R. White.
Billiards and snooker matches take place regularly between the School and a team of Thetford Chase Foresters. The Foresters' team - Messrs A. Cameron, A. Mitchell, C. Redford, G. Button, R. Hardy and J. Field have so far beaten the School once, have themselves been beaten once, and have drawn once.
Leaving
Elwyn Thomas, Forest Worker and part-time clerk at Kerry Forest, North Wales, for the past two years, was successful in the Civil Service Reconstruction Executive Examination and has been posted to Branch B, Foreign Office.
Transfers
R.D. Pinchin, District Officer, Gwydyr, Research, N(W), transferred to Alice Holt;
S.W. Robertson, District Officer, Benmore, W(S), transferred to Barcaldine, W(S);
J.G. Chrystall, District Officer, Barcaldine, W(S), transferred to Aberfoyle, W(S);
H.V.S. Dier, District Officer, Aberfoyle, W(S), transferred to Glasgow, W(S);
F. Weston, District Officer, Tealby, E(E), transferred to Santon Downham, E(E);
A.P. Bennett, District Officer, Dumfries, S(S), transferred to Aberdeen, E(S);
A.W.L. Guile, District Officer, Pembrey, S(W), transferred to Devizes, SW(E);
G. Grant, District Officer, Aberdeen, E(S), transferred to Dumfries, S(S);
F.W. Everitt, Forester, Ampleforth, NE(E), transferred to Glynn, SW(E);
W. McDonald, Forester, Edinburgh, Research, transferred to Tulliallan, W(S);
R. McDonald, Forester, Neroche, SW(E), transferred to Ferndown, New;
J.W. Nicholson, Forester, Glenrigh, N(S), transferred to Fiunary, N(S);
R.S. Angus, Forester, Glenbranter, W(S), transferred to Loch Katrine, W(S);
V.B. Hall, Forester, Downham, E(E), transferred to Wigsley, E(E);
R.J. Campbell, Forester, Glen Duror, W(S), transferred to Leanachan, N(S);
C.O. Mackintosh, Forester, Inchnacardoch, N(S), transferred to Inverinate, N(S);
D.W. Keens, Forester, Micheldever, SE(E), transferred to Cotgrave, NW(E);
D.K. Fraser, Foreman, Aberdour (Research), transferred to Tulliallan W(S);
R.M. Hyslop, Foreman, Kirkhill, E(S), transferred to Clashindarroch, E(S);
I.D. Atkinson, Foreman, Kielder, NE(E), transferred to Blengdale, NW(E);
D.H. McCall, Foreman, Cwmogwr, S(W), transferred to Crynant, S(W);
D.R. Smith, Foreman, Clunes, N(S), transferred to Inchnacardoch, N(S);
R. Wainwright, Foreman, Clocaenog, N(W), transferred to Dyfnant, N(W);
W.A. Fraser, Foreman, Glen Urquhart, N(S), transferred to Rumster, N(S);
J. Atkinson, Foreman, Wykeham, NE(E), transferred to Newton Dale, NE(E);
N.L. Fowler, Foreman, Langdale, NE(E), transferred to Wykeham, NE(E).
Retired
George MacKenzie, Forester, has retired after 29 years with the Commission serving at Monaughty E(S), Glenmore and Slattadale N(S). He intends to move to Australia.
Marriage
Frank Redd, Office of Director England, married Stella H. Morgan on 30th April in Bristol.
Birth
A daughter was born on 16th May to Mrs Awbery and Forester Awbery, Bedgebury, SE(E).
Obituary
Forester Arthur Buffrey, from Cinderford, has died aged 63 after 26 years service with the Commission.