Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 20 - August 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.
Scottish Hill-Climbing Trials - West Conservancy Lends a Hand
Scotland’s West Conservancy has become interested in motor hill-climbing trials in a big way, for an agreement was recently completed between the Commission and the Royal Scottish Automobile Club under which the Club is given permission to arrange for motor trials to be held over the old mountain course of Rest and Be Thankful in Ardgartan Forest, Argyllshire.
For the first meeting, held on a Saturday last month, 15,000 people sweltered in the sun-scorched Glencroe valley and watched the hill climb over this famous old road which, incidentally, is known to have been in the course of construction around about 1748. The work was then being carried out by soldiery, who are thought to have erected a stone in the locality bearing the simple injunction; 'Rest and be thankful'. The setting of the road is majestic, and as a speed course, it is the only one in the country which offers spectators an uninterrupted view of the entire course and its hazards. And what hazards there are, in this mile of steep tortuous road! None is specially constructed, and the risks consist of a gradient which in part is almost one in seven; there are several harpin bends of unusual severity, a double S bend and a U-shaped corner. As one famous racing motorist said, the trials were "worth coming a hundred miles to see".
The event was a good advertisement for the Commission, inasmuch as thousands were able to see the grand work which is being done in clothing the hillsides with trees. Forester A. Mackay must have had some anxious moments when he saw cars hurtling through his forest at 100 miles an hour, but so well had everything been arranged - particularly the frequent warnings over the loud-speakers as to the need for care with cigarette ends - that his fire-fighting squads were not called upon. But no doubt he heaved a sigh of relief when the last spectator left the scene!
It is hoped that when the R.S.A.C. hold future trials they will again be favoured with fine weather - many Commission officials who use the road have vivid recollections of seeing it under far from pleasing conditions.
More About “The Royal” - Students Build Model Forest
The Gwydyr Forester Training School played a big part in staging the Commission’s exhibit at the Royal Show at Shrewsbury. It has already been related how students provided a flag-pole in the form of a 23-year old, 60 ft. high Sitka from Gwydyr. It should go on record that the first year students made and displayed a model of a section of a typical North Wales forest. This showed the mountains, rivers, roads, quarry and village, complete with church, a railway, Forest Workers Holdings, nursery and, of course, the woodlands. The model was built in six parts, each weighing 3 cwts. An indicator placard was placed at one side, and to this ran coloured cards, so that the public had no difficulty in identifying the various features of the model. The composition and erection of the model was carried out by E.R.C. Jones; O. Rees; T.P. Thorpe; A.A. Smith-Jones; and others under the direction of Forester-Instructor C.H. Heavener.
Other models were also exhibited, including model gates made by A. Smith-Jones; working models of a seedbed shelter machine and seed extraction machinery by R. Ure; model of the Newborough sand-dune area, showing afforestation by E.R.C. Jones and O. Rees; and a model by T.P. Thorpe depicting turf planting.
The students were also responsible for an attractive and interesting exhibit outside the marquee, forest operations and produce being portrayed and shown. The erection of the entire Forestry Commission exhibit, in fact, fell to the lot of the students, who must have been gratified when the section was visited by the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucestershire.
Forester Heavener was in charge, and the lads were accommodated on the showground under canvas. Cooks were D.B. Davies and D. Linton and, in addition to those already mentioned, K. Ratcliffe, W.E. Powell and T. Studley were also in attendance.
Sad Story of a Lunch
At a recent field meeting (the location of which we dare not divulge) no fewer than one Directorate Engineer, three Conservators, three Conservancy Engineers, one State Forests Officer and one District Officer gathered together and drove in convoy through pleasant hill-land midst the familiar scenes of what our critics call regimented conifers and we call P.Years.
Many fords were crossed, many gates opened and shut, and eventually, cars were abandoned in an area where habitations were distant; where the Directorate Office was no more than a dimly remembered nightmare; and the noise of telephone and typewriter was replaced by the wail of the curlew and the plaintive cry of the Golden Plover. The sun rose, the day became warm, and hearts were gay. The party walked miles to the nearest ridge, and there the S.F.O. and the District Officer reluctantly parted from the company to travel by car for an appointment in a distant village.
The remaining party pushed bravely on into the wilds, while the S.F.O. and the District Officer eventually reached their destination, and about four o’clock that afternoon, with a good lunch taken and business discussed, the S.F.O. and the District Officer prepared to part company.
It was then that in the S.F.O.'s car, while separating the multi-paraphernalia that seems a necessary part of a forest officer’s field day, a bulging green bag was discovered, the ownership of which both parties disclaimed. Inside were five full thermos flasks and seven packets of sandwiches. With sickening heart the awful truth dawned on our hero the S.F.O.
Meanwhile the main party, having topped the third ridge, and having proved to their mutual satisfaction what manly walkers they were, returned in the now blazing sun; hot, thirsty and happy, and content in the knowledge of a job well done - now for the just reward! It was the Directorate Engineer who had a premonition that all was not well. He it was who recalled that the luncheon bag had been put in the S.F.O.’s car. Had the S.F.O. remembered? A whispered remark to the Conservator brought a hearty assurance from the latter that his S.F.O. would never do a thing like that. Not likely. But alas! The worst fears were confirmed, and never before in the history of the Department, we believe, has an S.F.O. been so unpopular.
The green bag and its contents found its way by third party to a nearby hotel, and many days passed before the Conservator and his S.F.O. met. And of that meeting nothing is known to tell.
News from North Scotland
By the time this issue of The Slasher appears, the newly-formed North Conservancy office football team will, it is expected, have played their first match. After recent practices, various members have limped and creaked for days. The paid mourner (The Slasher, June) has now shown prowess as a masseur.
Recently a Pine Marten was accidentally trapped by Forester William MacIntosh, Guisachan, and sent to the Edinburgh Zoo. Caught in a rabbit trap, this specimen was coloured dark brown, and had the usual white breast and long bushy tail. A little larger than a ferret, it was very shy, yet fierce when "cornered". Unfortunately, it lived for less than a month in the Zoo, death being due to the effects of trapping. This Pine Marten was only the second Scottish one ever to be kept in captivity at Edinburgh Zoo.
Selection Board Sits for a Week: Ninety-Three Candidates Seen
What must have been the largest "boarding" in the history of the Forestry Commission took place last month. The Secretary (Mr F.W. Hamilton), Deputy Secretary (Mr E.C. Shanks) and the Chief Clerks, England and Wales (Mr E.J.S. Hinds and Mr M.E.W. MacKenzie) took a Sunday night train to Edinburgh. The following morning they were joined by Mr F.C. Handford, Chief Clerk, Edinburgh, and interviewing of the Scottish candidates (temporary clerks for submission for establishment and applicants for promotion to EO/TA posts) commenced at 9.30am. This continued throughout the day and on Tuesday. On Tuesday night, the members of the Board left for London where interviewing continued on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and on Saturday until 3pm.
In all, 93 candidates were seen, 62 being temporary clerks eligible for establishment under E.O.C.21/49 (our quota being 14) and 31 being applicants for promotion as stated above.
Our congratulations to those who were successful, namely: for submission for establishment as Clerical Officer, Mrs M.A. Nurse, NE(E); A.C. Rose, NE(E); Miss D.M. Smith, NE(E); R.H. Wilkinson, Edinburgh; G.B. Farquhar, N(W); A. Reid, Finance, HQ., Edinburgh; V.G. Wright, New; P. Hunter, E(S); G.M. Gordon, W(S); N.M. MacDonald, W(S); G. Brown, HQ.; W.G.P. Menzies, Edinburgh; P. Loban, S(S); S.B. Thomson, S(S); for promotion to Executive Officer posts - R. Palmer, present station NE(E), future posting Finance, HQ., Edinburgh; A.M. de Groote, NW(E); A.J. Walker, NE(E); E.T. Channon, New to SE(E); J.C. Laidlaw, S(S); R.H. Fisher, Aberystwyth to N(W); R.S. Leaker, S(W).
The results reflect great credit on the North East England Conservancy Office, York (three persons for establishment and two for promotion) and on the South Scotland Conservancy, Dumfries (two and one).
Adventure in the Forest - Three Charged With House-Breaking
Forester J.F. Scott, who is in charge of Redesdale, North East England, recently had an unusual experience. On a Saturday afternoon not long ago, while mowing his lawn, he saw that three men had called at the bungalow next door, which he knew to be unoccupied. They disappeared from view, and he assumed they had gone out of the back gate. Nevertheless, ten minutes later Forester Scott saw a man on the road immediately below his garden and came to the conclusion that he was acting suspiciously, especially after seeing another man dash round the side of the neighbouring bungalow, look in a window and then retrace his steps.
Forester Scott dropped his tools, walked round the bungalow, saw an open window, thought of burglars, the telephone and the outside world. From his home, therefore, he telephoned the local police constable ten miles away, who said he would come immediately and asked Forester Scott to meet him en route.
Now with the men disturbed by Forester Scott, one might think this story should end with the circulation by the police of their descriptions. But the unexpected was to happen. On his way to meet the police car Forester Scott saw some walkers who "thumbed" him; he told them he would give them a lift as far as Newcastle, but they would have to leave the sticks they were carrying behind as there was little room in the car. Further along the road the police car was met, whereupon Mr Scott handed over his three passengers, who were subsequently charged with house-breaking.
Football is Here Again - Conservancy Team Challenged
Although at the time of writing, the football season has not officially commenced, two enjoyable games have already been played in the West Conservancy, Scotland. In the first place, forest workers at Achray challenged the Conservancy office staff and a match was played at Aberfoyle. This was won by the forest workers after a hard tussle. The other challenge came from workers at Loch Ard; this match (a hard one) was also played at Aberfoyle and was won by the staff team. It was noticeable, however, that several of the staff team were somewhat out of training, and aches and pains had to be borne. At both matches the staff team was inspired by the loyal support of the ladies. The hospitality of the workers at Aberfoyle was greatly appreciated.
Transfers
G.W. Hollis, Head Forester, Arundel, SE(E), transferred to Woking, SE(E):
C.V. Squires, Head Forester, Cwmogwr, S.(W), transferred to Brecon, S(W);
A. Ross, Forester, Hallyburton, E(S), transferred to Glasgow, W(S);
W. Mackay, Forester, Bin, E(S), transferred to Inglismaldie, E(S);
W. McDonald, Forester, Kirkhill, E(S), transferred to Tentsmuir, E(S);
W. Mason, Forester, Tentsmuir transferred to Roseisle, E(S);
W.F.C. Middleton, Forester, Goodwood (Charlton), SE(E), transferred to Arundel;
D.J. Urquhart, Forester, Teindland, E(S), transferred to Bin;
G. Gilbert, Forester, Craigvinean, E(S), transferred to Kirkhill;
W.H. McKay, Forester, Borgie, N(S), transferred to Dundeugh, S(S);
D. Morley, Forester, Hardknott, NW(E), transferred to Grizedale, NW(E);
M. Murray, Forester, Grizedale, transferred to Hardknott;
N.R. Hepburn, Forester, Dallas, E(S), transferred to Hallyburton;
D. Campbell, Forester, Fort Augustus, Research, transferred to Newton, Research;
E.A. Stewart, Forester, Culbin, E(S), transferred to Dallas;
R.P.C. Woollard, Forester, Wigsley, E(S), transferred to Shouldham, E(E);
J.R.A. Frater, Forester, Strathnairn, N(S), transferred to Kilcoy, N(S);
F. McNicol, Forester, Dundeugh transferred to Wauchope, S(S);
A.S. MacKenzie, Forester, Kilcoy transferred to Millbuie, N(S);
N. Phipps, Forester, South Laggan, N(S), transferred to Borgie;
A. McKenzie, Forester, Leanachan, N(S), transferred to Slattadale, N(S):
J.G.M. Reid, Forester, Newton, transferred to Teindland;
J. Tarran, Foreman, Hafren, N(W), transferred to Coed Sarnau, N(W);
F.W.J. Yeomans, Foreman, Allerston, NE(E), transferred to Harwood Dale, NE(E);
W.F. Skene, Foreman, Inglismaldie, transferred to Culbin;
C.A. Taylor, Foreman, Millbuie, transferred to Strathnairn;
A.J. Duncan, Foreman, Monaughty, E(S), transferred to Craigvinean;
E.R. Huggard, Assistant Engineer, Rheola, S(W), transferred to Crychan, S(W);
G.L.B. Thomas, Surveyor, Aberystwyth, transferred to Shrewsbury, N(W);
K. Baldwin, Executive Officer, Stores, Headquarters, transferred to Aberystwyth.
Who’s Who in the Commission (No. 2) - Profile of Forester W. Cottenham
Forester W. Cottenham, of Rockingham, East England, is one of the Commission’s oldest "stagers". Demobilised after the first world war, he commenced work for the Commission in January, 1920. He served three days as a labourer and was then made a Ganger. On 1st May of the same year, he was interviewed by the Chairman and made Foreman in charge of the Apethorpe area. On 1st December 1925, he was promoted to Grade II Forester, and on 1st October, 1938, was promoted to Grade I Forester. He has now spent more than 29 years in the Rockingham locality and wonders if the rate of promotion and length of service in one area constitute a record. But let Forester Cottenham take up his own story:
"I would like to say that if ever a fellow had more discouragement in early days than I, he was very unlucky. First one and then another would tell me I would never get trees to grow 'on that awful clay at Apethorpe'. I was treated locally as a foreigner; roadways were cut through my fences, and people insisted on making short cuts through the new plantations. But these have long since been obliterated by a good crop of trees."
Forester Cottenham has taken great interest in local sport, and in the years between the wars, formed a cricket team from his own staff.
"We have had the usual setbacks and difficulties", says Forester Cottenham, "but the years here have been very pleasant, I would say to all young men - forestry is a grand life!"
Appointment Of Machinery Research Officer
Newcomer to the Department is Col. R.G. Shaw, who has been appointed Machinery Research Officer and who, in this particular field, succeeds Col. Kneale, who recently left the Commission for the Colonial Development Corporation. Col. Shaw has been a regular soldier for some 20 years, a large part of this time being spent in the Ministry of Supply on work connected with tank design.
The Tribes in the Forest
It came to pass that James, Chief Ruler of the Forests in the West (of Scotland) had compassion on his scribes and grieved because of their ignorance of the ways of the pine, the larch and the spruce. He therefore essayed to go with them into the land of the Ard, which is by the loch. Now at that time the Mighty Ruler who dwelt in the East and had dominion over all forests in Scotia and to whom James, the Chief Ruler in the West, owed allegiance, had also scribes who were likewise ignorant of the ways of the pine, the larch and the spruce.
And it came to pass that certain scribes and members of the tribes in the East and in the West held council together and lo, on an appointed day, the scribes and other members of the tribes did recently journey to the land of Ard, which is by the loch. Now James, being a wise Ruler, chose from his tribe certain men of knowledge and wisdom to instruct the scribes in the ways of the larch, the pine and the spruce. When the end of the instruction had come, the men of knowledge and wisdom and other members of the tribes were afflicted with thirst and did hunger, whereupon they journeyed to a place called Gartloaning where they did eat all manner of things. And lo, when they had finished eating, there arose certain members of the tribes and armed themselves with stick and sphere, which being interpreted meaneth a ball, and did mightily strike the ball. After a time, the tribes departed and came unto the land of Trossachs, where they beheld wondrous views, pleasing to the eye. Then the Chief Ruler and his men of wisdom and knowledge did speak again unto the tribes and behold the ears of the tribes were opened. At the seventeenth hour, the tribes made haste to enter into Callander, where they feasted and when they arose, it was as if the locusts had been in the land.
At the appointed time when it was decreed that the tribes must depart unto their own lands, there was great lamentation. Nevertheless, they girded their loins, entered their chariots and departed. The tribe from the West lifted up their voices and made a joyful noise and the chariot did shake with the sound thereof. Thus did both tribes return each unto their own land full of the knowledge of the pine, the larch and the spruce.
Woodland Whispers
The South East (England) Social Club recently played tennis at Woking against players from Alice Holt. Woking won by 8 sets to 6, with one drawn, after a hard and exciting struggle. Tea followed and a swim in the nearby bathing pool.
Typing error (somewhere) - "Would you please confirm that the number of days uncertified sick absence be restricted to a maximum of 12 months" (From official correspondence).
"A Fire Service Officer states that fires may be caused by birds carrying lighted cigarette ends to their nests. They will have to learn not to smoke in bed, that's all." (With acknowledgements to Punch).
Marriages
Peggy Thomson of North Conservancy, Scotland has married.
Sheila MacKenzie of North Conservancy, Scotland has married.
Has the North Conservancy office the highest marriage rate in the Commission?
Before we give figures, will any other Conservancy suggest a challenging number of marriages over the past two years?
Birth
A daughter was born to Mrs Long and District Officer M. Long, West Scotland.
Download Large Version (1.6MB)
Groups: Forestry Commission staff magazines