Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 49 - January 1952
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.
News of Office Parties
From far and near have come reports of parties to mark the festive season. More than a hundred revellers, including strong representation of the field staff, attended the annual dance at Glasgow of the West Scotland Conservancy. The programme included a number of Scottish country dances. These were performed with great enthusiasm, especially by certain Foresters who shed their jackets and showed how an Eightsome Reel and "Strip the Willow" should be danced. Various prizes were won, including a bottle of whisky and a wooden plaque. The latter was beautifully turned, being inlaid with various species of timber and forming a most pleasing and effective picture of a highland loch with mountains and forest in the background. This was the work of the donor, Head Forester J. Calder, of Carron Valley. The fortunate winner was A. Cameron, C.O. The whisky was won by Miss Irvine, Forest Clerk, who incidentally, must favour the popular song "A Gordon for Me". Altogether a very happy function.
At Headquarters, seldom has so much fun been enjoyed by so many. There was a large attendance at the Christmas party, organised by Inforesta (Table Tennis) Club, the committee of which deserves much praise. Under the chairmanship of Mr Eric Lewis, this body spared no effort to make the evening a success and special bouquets must go to Miss Jessie Moss and Mr E. Brown. who worked hard in adapting the script of the pantomime "Amberella", to Mr R. Beagley, who produced the show, and to the following artistes who had the audience convulsed with laughter: Miss Jean Allen (Amber); Messrs H.G. Hyem and L.G. Powell (Ugly Sisters); Mr E. Springall (Old Man Sin); Mr Beagley (Fairy queen); Len Fagg (Charlie Prince); and the chorus of fairies, Messrs E. Brown, G. Morgan, J. Wilkinson and J.B.S. Audy. Mr Brown, in fact, played a leading part in organising the whole of the evening's programme.
Mr Joe Steele delighted the company (and surprised all but the uninitiated) with the quality of his singing of Scottish songs. The Misses J. Priest and B.A. Landimore were responsible for the buffet.
A warm welcome was given to a number of notable visitors, including Lord and Lady Robinson and their daughter, The Hon. Mrs J. Hunt; the Director General, Mr A.H. Gosling, and Mrs Gosling; the Deputy Director General, Mr W.H. Guillebaud; and the Secretary, Mr H.A. Turner.
The Christmas dinner at the Forest Research Station was held in the gaily decorated hall at Alice Holt Lodge. The Director, Research and Education (Mr James MacDonald) was present and, in all, nearly 80 people attended.
Back to Scotland. The annual dance organised by the Social Club of the Scottish headquarters was held in the Grosvenor Hotel, Edinburgh. The company was more than a hundred strong, and welcomed Lord Robinson and the Director for Scotland, Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse. The orchestra and the excellent floor made dancing most enjoyable and easy even for those who found the samba more complicated than the schottische. Sir Henry showed that he can be eminent in spheres other than forestry when, partnered by his niece, he won the elimination waltz. An excellent buffet supper completed the enjoyment of what was voted the best dance to date.
On Christmas Eve the Research Branch at Douglas Crescent, Edinburgh, held their fourth annual party for children. Two large rooms on the ground floor were transformed by decorations, coloured lights and a Christmas tree into a gay fairyland which delighted about 30 youngsters.
An hour of games preceded tea which was followed by a cinema show in which the antics of Betty Boop and Charlie Chaplin thrilled the kiddies and gave them time to regain an appetite for jellies and ice cream. Before distributing the gifts from the Christmas tree, Mr J.A.B. MacDonald, who has been recently appointed Conservator (South) was himself presented with a walnut occasional table from members of his staff and friends.
Over to Wales. The annual party staged by the South Wales Conservancy was again an outstanding success, due to the efforts of a committee led by Mr E.D. Blundell, who also acted as M.C. Incidentally, another seasonal note from South Wales refers to the provision by the Conservancy of Cardiff's Christmas tree. This was a 52-feet tall Douglas fir from Tintern Forest; it was erected in front of the City Hall and delighted the large crowds that gathered in the vicinity. More reports of parties in our next issue.
Honours
Mr Haldane Charters, of the Finance Branch at Headquarters, has been awarded an M.B.E. and thus receives well merited recognition of many years' outstanding work for the Commission. He joined the Forestry Commission in 1921, having previously held appointments as an Assistant Paymaster with the Ministry of Food and in the Comptroller's Department of the London County Council. The whole of Mr Charters' service with the Commission has been in the Finance Branch, where he is now in charge of accounts, costing and statistics and general finance matters. Not long ago, he was responsible for the production of a survey covering 20 years of forest fires which earned widespread praise, and was described in one quarter "as a monumental document".
Mr J.M. Bannerman, one of our Scottish Commissioners, has received an O.B.E. for services in connection with the Festival of Britain.
Hero Honoured - Boys Rescued From River
At a recent meeting of the Town Council of the Royal Burgh of Dumfries, Mr Robert Shearer, of the South Scotland Conservancy Staff, was presented with the parchment and medal of the Royal Humane Society by Provost Thomas Bell.
The parchment recognises the saving of two boys from drowning in the River Nith. In July last, Mr Shearer, when crossing St. Michael's Bridge, saw the boys were in difficulties and promptly dived to their rescue and succeeded in bringing them to safety. It is typical of "Rab" (as he is familiarly known) that none of his colleagues were aware of this exploit until the official recognition was forthcoming.
Conservator’s Visit to America - Some Interesting Impressions
Following his recent visit to America, where he was the United Kingdom delegate to the International Mission on Forest Fire Protection, Mr C.A. Connell, Conservator, North East England, has sent us an interesting note of some of his impressions. There were in all 33 delegates from 21 countries and Mr Connell was away from this country for nearly nine weeks.
It is difficult (writes Mr Connell) to pick out a few items from the wealth of impressions and memories, since pretty well everything was of outstanding interest. However, I might mention the first sight of New York - at 5.45 am with the tops of the skyscrapers silhouetted against a reddish glow as the dawn broke. The lower parts of the skyscrapers though, and the whole of the Brooklyn and Manhattan water front, were still in darkness relieved only by twinkling street lamps on the waterside boulevard. Within 20 minutes the whole panorama of this fantastic city became visible from the Queen Mary as she slid gracefully up the Hudson River to pier 90.
Then there was the occasion when after walking along the shore of Lake Michigan at Chicago in coat and sweater, and with gloves and scarf to help offset a chill wind and temperature of 40 degrees F., a Constellation aircraft whisked me in five hours to the Gulf of Mexico and deposited me at New Orleans in a temperature of 96 degrees! Nor shall I quickly forget the trip by coach over the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Roanoke, at heights up to 6,000 feet along the crest of the Appalachian Mountain range. Apart from the wonderful scenery, it was staggering to travel the 241 miles between the two towns and never touch a village or hamlet. This was one stage of a single day's travel by coach which started at 7.30 am and finished at midnight, covering 425 miles. I travelled in all more than 6,000 miles in the States, by train, airplane, and coach, and saw a lot of forests. I was delighted to find that the Forestry Commission is not lagging behind our American friends on forestry matters, and in fact manages some things better, even with the disadvantage of a more slender purse.
Honorary Wardens for Wharncliffe - A Unique Ceremony
A Ceremony which may be the first of its kind recently took place at Wharncliffe Forest, near Sheffield, North East England Conservancy. The first 20 trees of the first year's planting were planted by members of a local body, the Don Valley Rural Amenities Association. An electro-plated Sheffield steel spade, specially made for the purpose and presented by a well-known firm of Sheffield steel makers, was used.
Wharncliffe consists of 1,000 acres of devastated, though once very beautiful woodland, which lies on the north bank of the River Don and is surrounded by heavy industries. Local residents have shown great interest in our plans for replanting the area.
After the ceremony, the Forestry Commission party, consisting of the Conservator, Mr C.A. Connell; S.F.O. P.F. Garthwaite; District Officer T.G. Wood; and ex-school Ganger A. Bowns were entertained to dinner by members of the Association. Major Haythornthwaite, the Technical Secretary of the Sheffield and Peak District Branch of the C.P.R.E. was also present.
Speeches followed. The Conservator replied to the toast of the Forestry Commission and Mr Garthwaite to the toast of the guests, and Major Haythornthwaite proposed the toast of the Don Valley Rural Amenities Association. The proceedings ended with the presentation to twelve members of the Association of cards of authority enrolling them as Honorary Wardens of Wharncliffe Forest; their services will be of great value in helping protect the plantations.
The trees planted were beech and red oak. A plaque is being erected to commemorate the ceremony and the spade, inscribed with the signatures of all who took part, is being preserved by the Association.
A Maker of Clavichords - An E.O. With An Unusual Hobby
Unusual hobbies of some of our readers have been the subject of comment in earlier issues of The Slasher. Now, from Chester, headquarters of the North West England Conservancy, comes news of a 24-year old Executive Officer who certainly pursues an out-of-the-ordinary pastime.
Mr James Mogford is a maker of clavichords; and, to refresh your memory, we would point out that the clavichord was the forerunner of the piano and most likely anticipated its box-like construction.
Mr Mogford has already made three clavichords, an instrument which was probably first seen as long as 500 years ago. He is now engaged on the construction of a fourth. It is of interest that today, there are probably only about half a dozen makers of these instruments.
Something For Nothing
The publications branch has for disposal, a number of surplus copies of reprints of forestry articles, as listed below. These will be sent free of charge to any member of our staff.
Applicants should state in detail the titles of the reprints in which they are interested and requests will be treated on a basis of "first come, first served", as long as supplies last.
Studies on the Genus Larix (Larch), E.V. Laing; Control of Bark Beetles in Coniferous Forests, H.S. Hanson; Thetford Chase, J. MacDonald; Drummond Hill, J.M. Murray; Forest of Dean, W.L. Taylor; The New Forest, D.W. Young; Movement of Tree Classes (a study in Thinning) W.H. Guillebaud and F.C. Hummel; War Time Forest Fires in Southern England, H.L. Edlin; Estimation of Fire Hazard, T.R. Peace; Weeds in Forest Nurseries, H.M. Steven; Season of Planting Corsican Pine, (Research Branch); and Increment, Hummel and Brett.
Still More Dialect
Examples of strange dialect continue to reach us. The following country synonyms, for instance, were current some years ago and are probably not yet forgotten: -
Devonshire - CUTTY: wren; HORMSCREECH: missel thrush; GREYBIRD: thrush; WITROT: whitethroat; WOODWALL: green woodpecker; POLLY-WASH-DISH: water wagtail; WONT: mole.
Then, still heard in Devon, are THICKY: that one; SHULE: shovel; TRILL: a ditch; PURTY: pretty; MOOT: a tree stump; CRAZY: buttercup; STRIVING: living; CHEEL: girl; HALSE: hazel; DRINKINGS: tea in the harvest field; BAMBLES: clumsy.
Forest of Dean - HOW'S GWAIN: how are you going; I'D AIM: I think; HACKER: short hook; SPITTER: spade; BAIT: mid-day break; and SPLEACH: to layer a hedge.
Staffordshire - PIEFINCH: chaffinch; WRITING LARK: yellow hammer.
Transfers
W.N. Gibson, Divisional Officer, Auchencastle, S(S), transferred to Dumfries, S(S);
F.J. Donald, District Officer, Edzell, E(S), transferred to Aberdeen, E(S);
G.F. d'A. Savage, District Officer, Inverness, N(S), transferred to Dornoch, N(S);
W.A. Lindsay-Smith, District Officer, Ruthin, N(W), transferred to Bettws-y-Coed, N(W);
N.M. Brown, District Officer, Palnure, S(S), transferred to Walkerburn, S(S);
D. Mackay, District Officer, Santon Downham, E(E), transferred to Bourne, E(E);
I. Brett, District Officer, Beeston Regis, E(E), transferred to Aylsham, E(E);
E.S.B. Chapman, District Officer, Bourne, E(E), transferred to Princes Risborough;
D.M. Morgan, Forester, Brechfa, S(W), transferred to Margam, S(W);
T. Morris, Forester, Margam, S(W), transferred to Cardiff, S(W);
W.S. Stott, Forester, Bourne, E(E), transferred to High Lodge, E(E);
K.B. Harvey, Forester, CRO, Edinburgh, transferred to Charlton, SE(E);
J.F. Evans, Forester, Coed-y-Brenin, N(W), transferred to Lleyn, N(W);
J. Parkinson, Forester, Garcrogo, S(S), transferred to Auchenroddan, S(S);
B. Patterson, Auchenroddan, S(S), transferred to Garcrogo, S(S);
J. Soppit, Foreman, Strathord, E(S), transferred to Blackcraig, E(S);
T.I.W. Bell, Foreman, Cwmogwr, S(W), transferred to Tintern, S(W);
P.R. Cant, Foreman, Hursley, SE(E), transferred to Southwater, SE(E);
J.E. James, Assistant Engineer, Carlisle, NW(E), transferred to Chester, NW(E);
R.E. Hughes, Assistant Engineer, Halwill, SW(E), transferred to Bristol, SW(E);
J.C. Moncrieff, Assistant Engineer, Aberdeen, E(S), transferred to Dumfries, S(S);
Miss I.J. Wilson, Executive Officer, Chester, NW(E), transferred to Edinburgh;
K. Baldwin, Executive Officer, Cardiff, S(W), transferred to Aberystwyth.
Appointments
P.W. Morgan, District Officer, N(W);
F.H. Webb, District Officer, N(W);
R.A. Golding, District Officer, S(S);
I.W. Kirton, District Officer, E(E);
J.M. Caborn, District Officer to CEO;
R.J. Piper, District Officer, NE(E);
R.d'O.P. Jackson, District Officer, E(S);
B.P. Grabaskey, District Officer to D(W);
G.T. Sampson, Professional Accountant, HQ.;
B.G. Allen, Executive Officer to D(W);
J.F. Norton, Executive Officer to HQ.;
A.H. Wild, Executive Officer to E(E);
C.H. Dominey, Clerical Officer to HQ.
Engaged
C.O. Mr J.S. Burfitt, and C.O. Miss R.M. Copp, both in the South Wales Conservancy Office have become engaged.
Marriages
At the Forest Research Station, the following employees have wed: -
District Officer S. Murray;
ex-School Ganger H. Dowden;
Miss M. Bollman;
Forester J.H. Styles.
Forester Styles showed considerable foresight in marrying a nurse as he contracted chicken-pox before the honeymoon was over.
Births
A daughter was born to Mrs Overy and Mr John Overy, of Headquarters.
A daughter was born to Mrs Towns and Mr K.W. Towns, Forester, Clatteringshaws Forest, South Scotland.
Retired
Mr W.H. Hamilton has retired. He was the first established officer to be assigned to the Commission. His career in the Civil Service commenced with the Post Office Saving Bank and covered nearly 44 years.
Miss R. Jackson has retired after a career spanning 40 years as a Civil Servant, having served 10 years with the G.P.O. and 25 years with the Ministry of Health before joining the Forestry Commission.
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