Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 35 - November 1950
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.
Is the Squirrel Edible?
More on the edibility of squirrels with cooking instructions and comments from A.J.H. Claypole, Clerk, The Dean; D. MacKay, District Officer, East England; R. Walton, Forester, East England; W.A. Cadman, Divisional Officer, North Wales; T.C. Shaw, Keeper; S.R. Payne, District Officer, East England; H. Frank, Forester, North East England.
Flying Saucers
As a result of articles in national newspapers about 'flying saucers', there has been much speculation as to whether "saucers" have in fact, manifested themselves and whether, as some newspapers have put it, we are indeed being watched by another world.
A senior officer at Headquarters who lives on the outskirts of London claims to have seen a "flying saucer". On the evening of 20th August last year, he stated, he was alone in his garden when he heard a "sizzling" sound like that made when a locomotive is letting off steam. It was distant at first, but increased in volume until the noise was quite alarming. While he was speculating as to the precise direction from which the noise was coming he saw a large glowing circular object which was rotating and which was completely encircled with flames. It sailed into view from the direction of open country, flying to the south east and travelling horizontally. It left behind it an illuminated billowy mass of white vapour; then, when almost overhead, it came into contact with a small cloud and disappeared. The noise ceased, the time was 9.27pm and the whole incident lasted about 10 seconds.
The description of the 'saucer' given above varies little from those given in some newspaper accounts. We shall be pleased to hear from any readers who have witnessed similar objects or phenomena. (And please, no ill-timed observations about taking more water with it).
A Rare Find in South Wales – Hitherto Unrecorded Plant
A plant which, it is claimed, has not previously been recorded elsewhere in the country has been found at Pembrey Forest, South Wales. According to District Officer W.C. Wilkins, the plant - Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill - is common throughout North America, but has been found near Kerry and Galway, in Ireland, although there is no reason to suppose it was introduced there by human agency. One assumes from the fact that it was found just above the spring tide level in a remote part of Pembrey (the forest has been formed on sand dunes) that its introduction into Wales was also natural. Specimens have been collected and sent to the National Museum of Wales.
District Officer Wilkins says the plant belongs to the Iris family. The leaves are narrow and grass-like, stem 6 inches to a foot high, with two acute wings. The flowers are blue, with six equal perianth segments and three stamens united in a tube. One to four flowers are clustered together terminally.
The First ‘Round-Up’ or ‘No Lie-In’ for the Forester
This actually happened. One Sunday morning recently at 5.30, a Forester was awakened by the sound of galloping hooves. Looking out of his bedroom window, he saw two runaway farm horses moving along his fence line and making for the nearby village. After muttered imprecations about the loss of his Sunday morning "lie-in", he dressed and dashed out of his house to head off the horses and drive them back to the farm.
After turning back the horses the Forester followed in his van, although it was frequently necessary for him to stop and alight and to shout and gesticulate to prevent the horses from attempting to move in the opposite direction. This went on for half an hour or so, until at last the farm was reached. There he found it impossible to round up the horses alone, so he had to knock up the farmer who was somewhat resentful of this early morning intrusion and at having his 'lie-in' disturbed. The farmer eventually decided that he should be grateful to the Forester and, after helping to round up the horses, promised to repair his fence at the spot where the animals had broken through.
That was that - for the farmer, but not for the Forester for on the way home his van was bogged down. He had to return to the farm for help and, the tractor being out of action, how do you think his van was pulled out of the ditch? By one of the horses which had got the forester out of bed that Sunday morning at 5.30, of course.
“My Job” Talks at Glasgow - Comprehensive Training Course
A training course for the staff of the West Scotland Conservancy Office is now in progress. It covers a number of interesting and important topics, and a praiseworthy innovation is a series of 10 minute "My Job" talks by members of staff. Also included in the course is a visit to Strathyre Forest. Among those who have been asked to contribute to the course are: -
The Conservator, Mr J.E. James (utilisation and marketing); Mr Finlay Wilson (sawmill operations); Mr J. Steele (forest produce accounting; nursery records; plant supply procedure); Mr H. Watson (Forester Training Schools); District Officer M. Long (Census); E.O. J.G.F. Sifton or E.O. W. Stewart (clerical records and procedure, P.W. section).
Mr T. Farmer (Regional Advisory Committee, duties of a committee secretary); Divisional Officer J. Webster or District Officer P.A. Innes (housing or farming); E.O. W. McMillan (acquisitions, procedure and utilisation of land records); Divisional Officer H.V.S. Dier (silvicultural operations); District Officer W.P. Thompson (nursery operations).
My Job talks by Stationery Clerk, G.B. McAllister, Cashier N.M. MacDonald, Messenger H. Russell, Shorthand Typist Miss E.W. McMillan and Engineer Clerk J. Griffin.
A Happy Arrangement - Director, Scotland, Opens New Hostel
In these days of intensive land utilisation, it is not surprising that we should hear allegations of forestry conflicting with other interests. That this need not be the case was eloquently explained by Sir Henry Beresford Peirse, Director of Forestry for Scotland, when he performed the opening ceremony at the new Scottish Youth Hostel Association at Glen Doll. This hostel was until recently a shooting lodge and was bought by the S.Y.H.A. from the Forestry Commission when the deer forest at Glen Doll, situated at the head of Glen Clova, in the County of Angus, was acquired for afforestation.
Sir Henry pointed out that the establishment of the hostel was of historic importance, since it showed that the relatively new pastime of rambling, which was doing so much to enable the young folk of the cities to understand the country way of life need not conflict with the older forms of land use. These are forestry, agriculture and deer stalking, all of which has been fairly catered for at Glen Doll.
The Glen Doll Hostel stands at the eastern end of the footpaths which lead over the hill to Ballater and Braemar on Deeside and is therefore, at the gateway of some of the most magnificent scenery in the Scottish Highlands. The freedom to enjoy such beauty and to wander at will is something which must be cherished and preserved. Such freedom lays obligations on those who enjoy it. The carelessly dropped cigarette could destroy many acres of forest and cause great financial loss, and also deprive the country of much needed timber.
"Those whose pleasant task it is to plan and guide the afforestation of this lovely, if lonely glen," writes District Officer H.A. Maxwell, "share the Director's enthusiasm for co-operation with all who have the interest of the land at heart. We shall welcome hostellers to Glen Doll and, if they are interested in our craft, we will gladly describe our work in restoring the sylvan beauty of these hills."
Transfers
L.C. Troupe, District Officer, Gravetye, SE(E), transferred to Farnham, SE(E);
J.C. Harrison, District Officer, Santon Downham, E(E), transferred to Cambridge;
J.W. Anderson, District Officer, Santon Downham, E(E), transferred to Cambridge;
C.V. Squires, Head Forester, Coed Caerdydd, S(W),transferred to Libanus, S(W);
A. Birkett, Forester, Hockham, E(E), transferred to Santon Downham, E(E),;
S. Hyett, Forester, Bere, SE(E), transferred to Shipbourne, SE(E);
F. Pemberton, Forester, Gisburn, NW(E), transferred to Kershope, NW(E);
D.R. Smith, Forester, Inchnacardoch, N(S), transferred to Eilanreach, N(S);
E. Macpherson, Eilanreach, N(S), transferred to North Strome, N(S);
E.R. Francis, Forester, Mortimer, NW(E), transferred to Dalton, NW(E);
D. Nelson, Forester, Longtown, NW(E), transferred to Ennerdale, NW(E);
A.S. Norman, Forester, Cwmogwr, S(W), transferred to Tintern, S(W);
F.C. Watts, Forester, Bramshill, SE(E), transferred to Bere, SE(E);
D. Carmichael, Forester, Knapdale, W(S), transferred to Glencoe, W(S);
K.E. Cox, Forester, St. Gwynno, S(W), transferred to Ebbw, S(W);
C.A. Hodgson, Forester, Ennerdale, transferred to Bawtry, NW(E);
F.G. Hann, Forester, Lyminge, SE(E), transferred to Hursley, SE(E);
J.R. Macmillan, Forester, Grisedale, NW(E) ,transferred to Mortimer;
C. A. Taylor, Forester, Strathnairn, N(S), transferred to Battan And Boblainy, N(S);
D.R. Thomas, Forester, Dalton, NW(E) transferred to Clipstone, NW(E);
W.J. Wilson, Forester, Walcot, NW(E),transferred to Bagot, NW(E);
W.J. McIntosh, Foreman, Strathord, E(S), transferred to Ledmore, E(S);
J. Thomson, Foreman, Edgarhope, S(S), transferred to Glen Trool, S(S);
D.W. Axtell, Foreman, Clipstone, transferred to Kinver, NW(E);
S.J. Betterton, Foreman, Education, Northerwood, transferred to Dean School;
G.M. Owen, Foreman, Kerry, N(W), transferred to Pontraeth, N(W);
E.G. Rees, Foreman, Michaelstone, S(W), transferred to Margam, S(W);
J.H.M. Gutch, Foreman, Bonnan, S(S), transferred to Stanton, S(S);
J.D. Watson, Foreman, Tintern, transferred to Irfon And Gamrhiw, S(W);
R.C. Harris, Foreman, Laurieston, S(S), transferred to Glengap, S(S);
J.D. Rose, Foreman, Delamere, NW(E), transferred to Longtown;
C.R. Ambler, Foreman, Dyfnant, N(W), transferred to Aberhirnant, N(W);
R.E. Yabsley, Clerk of Works, Wareham, SW(E), transferred to Bruton, SW(E);
J. Steele, H.E.O., Glasgow, transferred to Headquarters;
J.S. Threadgill, Clerical Officer, Headquarters, transferred to Cambridge.
Appointments
E.J.B. Hardcastle, District Officer, N(S);
A.C. Christie, District Officer, NW(E);
R.C. Stern, District Officer, Research;
.J.N. Taylor, District Officer, Dean;
J.G. Devitt, District Officer, S(S);
R.E. Crowther, District Officer, NE(E);
J.R.B. Rowntree, District Officer, NE(E);
R. Garwood, Clerical Officer, HQ.,
W. Gleicher, Clerical Officer, Office of Director, England;
Mrs. M. Robinson, Clerical Officer, SW(E);
L.W. Fenn, Clerical Officer, E(E);
E.N. Pauley, Clerical Officer, E(E).
‘Progress’ in the Forest - X Still Marks the Spot
Forest Officers and Foresters of earlier years will recall several old employees who signed the pay-sheet with an "X", which was followed by the name of a witness. Despite the fact that time marches on, there still appears on New Forest pay sheets, the names of eleven employees who acknowledge their pay with the same symbol. To the learned this may, in 1950, seem incredible, but those who know "The New" will recall that "X" is the mark of the Romany who has been engaged on work in the forest for generations. Just how long it will be before it finally disappears is a matter for speculation. It is an interesting fact that nearly all today’s recruits from the Romany have attended modern secondary schools; altogether there are 30 such employees.
Forestry Society’s Tour of Denmark - Commission Staff Took Part
Four members of the Commission's staff, namely District Officers S.R. Payne (East England) and J.F. Wilson (South East England) and Foresters W.T. Wildash (South West England) and G. Claydon (North Wales), took part in the recent tour of Danish forests which was made by the Royal Forestry Society of England and Wales. With headquarters in Copenhagen, five days were spent in touring State and private forests. The Government "tree breeding" station was also visited. Although forestry was the main object of the tour, it did not occupy the whole of the time. The hospitality was lavish, a highlight being the dinner given to the visitors by the Danish Forestry Society in the suburbs of Copenhagen at a hostelry owned by the State Forest Service and known as the Skovriderkroen - which, freely translated, is equivalent to 'The Conservator's Arms'.
For all who participated, the visit was most enjoyable and instructive. Many new friendships were made, and old friendships cemented.
The Dog and the Fish - (The One That Didn't Get Away)
Forester D.M. Morgan, of Brechfa, South Wales, relates a story about his dog which shows that where sagacity is concerned, the animal is in the front rank. "The other day", writes Forester Morgan, I flicked the fly into a quiet water behind a protruding boulder; there was a swirl and a splash and immediately the nylon cut the water like a knife as the fish bolted downstream to the tune of a screaming reel. I was into a beauty, and after a fight lasting about 10 minutes I had the fish, a good sewin, rolling on the surface and answering to every pull on the line as I hauled him gently towards a good landing ground. By this time, however, my dog (a black Labrador Retriever) had entered the water and was heading straight for the fish, and none of my agitated commands or threats could persuade him to return to the bank. He took a grab at the fish and lost it and then made a second attempt, this time being successful, for his teeth found a firm hold behind the gills. There followed some vigorous tail flapping by the fish and some tail waging by the dog as he put the three-pound, silvery fresh run sewin at my feet. That was the dog’s first attempt at landing fish; he has since been encouraged in the art and is now extremely proficient.
(Editor's note: Our last 'sagacious dog' story told how a black Labrador owned by Forester Hammond, of Collingbourne, SW(E), catches moles, probably after hearing them at work underground. We shall be interested to hear of any other dogs which display exceptional intelligence. Our own dog - original price 5s.6d. begs; 'dies for the King'; climbs up ladders but can't reverse; and jumps through hoops).
Acrobatic Rabbits
For some time, the Warrener at Ferndown Forest, New, was puzzled by evidence of rabbits in a newly planted area. These were doing no serious damage to the crop, but it was clear by the nibbling of the lower leaves of laburnum planted round the area that the pests were present. Daily the Warrener examined the fence without finding any trace of how access was obtained. One morning, however, just after dawn, he saw a full-grown rabbit actually climb the four foot fence. At the time the Warrener kept his dogs to heel, but he later confirmed that, a rabbit, on being chased by the dogs, would never attempt to jump or climb the fence but, in its panic, always unsuccessful tried to find a way through the wire at the base of the fence.
Visits to Forests
Members of the Headquarters staff recently visited Bedgebury Forest, SE(E), for educational purposes.
The party was conducted round the forest and the Pinetum by the Conservator, Mr R.H. Smith and District Officer J.M. Ross together with Head Forester Nelmes and Forester A.W. Westall. A vote of thanks to the Conservator and others was proposed by the Secretary Mr H.A. Turner and the party left with the feeling that much had been learned from the visit.
The staff of the Office of Director, England, recently visited Chiddingfold and Goodwood forests, the morning being spent at the former, where a number of forest operations were witnessed. The tour included a visit to an area recently acquired from the Goodwood Estate, in which were seen what is probably one of the finest stands of beech in the country. The trees are about 90 years old and are 90-100 feet high. Thanks to the efforts of the Conservator and his staff, the visit was extremely enjoyable and instructive.
On the Road to Recovery
We are glad to hear that Forester W.H. Paulley of Dunwich Forest, E(E), now appears on the road to recovery after a major internal operation in Ipswich Hospital. We hope he will soon be fully restored to health.
Leaver
Mr L.P. Began, former Messenger at Headquarters, has left for other employment.
Retired
Mr A.B. Weir, Head Forester, Kielder, North East England, has retired after 24 years service with the Commission. On promotion to Forester in 1932 he was transferred from Brechfa Forest, South Wales, to Kielder, and became Head Forester in 1938. During and after the war, Mr Weir was seconded to H.T.P.D. and returned to Kielder in 1947. In the following year he received the B.E.M. in recognition of his meritorious services on behalf of the Commission.
Marriages
The marriage of Mr Bill Henry, of the Office of Director, England, to Miss Olive Bleak, of the Foreign Office, took place last month.
Miss Thelma Holmes, Clerical Officer at HQ., has married Mr R. Davis.
Births
A son was born to Mrs Stewart and Mr W. Stewart, Executive Officer, West Scotland Conservancy Office. Glasgow.
A son was born to Mrs Law and Mr James Law, Clerk, West Scotland Conservancy Office, Glasgow.
A daughter was born to Mrs MacRae and Mr D.J. MacRae, Forester of Kilmichael, West Scotland.