Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 63 – March 1953
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.
The Windblow in Scotland - Forest Workers' Narrow Escape
After the recent windblow in Scotland, plans for dealing with the wind blown timber are well advanced with a special committee under the chairmanship of the Conservator for East Scotland, Mr Frank Oliver.
An alarming experience during the "blow” of certain of our workers at Ardross Forest. They were in a lorry, on their way to work on the Saturday morning, when a tree was blown down in front of the vehicle. While the lorry was being reversed a second tree crashed down behind it; the workers then dispersed in search of saws and axes and returned to find that a third tree had blown down on the lorry, completely wrecking it. Had any workers remained on board, they would have been severely injured or killed.
In a lighter vein, a Slasher correspondent writes: "Everyone knows that the recent gale havoc in Scottish woodlands created rather a 'sticky' situation, and a well known national newspaper assured its readers: 'Thousands of acres of growing timber in Scotland's forest conserves were devastated by the weekend gales'. True enough, but our dictionary defines a conserve as: 'preserved fruit jam'. We would not press this point too far, but we suspect that a 'conservancy' must be a place where everybody is either constantly making jam or getting stuck in it!"
Outlawing the Grey Squirrel - Bonus for Tails
In England and Wales, the Forestry Commission has offered a cash payment of one shilling per grey squirrel tail sent to the County Pests Officers with a minimum of six tails each time.
The grey squirrel is increasing rapidly and is causing enormous havoc in woodlands, as well as orchards and gardens. It shows a preference for sycamore and in some districts, damage to this particular tree is so great as virtually to rule it out as an economic crop. It is also very destructive to beech, which is an even more serious matter. Returns for the year ending September 1952, show that 141,300 grey squirrels were killed in England and Wales by Squirrel Clubs, the staff of County Agricultural Committees and occupiers of land. A further 27,739 were killed in Forestry Commission woodlands. Grey squirrels are established widely in England and Wales, but only in a fairly narrow central belt of Scotland.
Grey squirrels are not a native of this country, having been introduced here about 60 years ago. It is believed that not more than 400 grey squirrels were released, yet they have increased to their present tremendous population which has been estimated at one and a half millions.
The Census of Woodlands - Full Report Now Published
The full report of the 1947-49 Census of Woodlands, which covered all woods of five acres and over in extent, has been published. Separate figures are given for the forests administered by the Forestry Commission and for those in private ownership. They are classified to show how much woodland of each description is found in England, Scotland and Wales. All the woodlands are classified further according to their main type. Other facts given in tabular form are the ages of the tree crops, the kinds of trees that comprise them, and their general suitability for economic timber production.
Taking Great Britain as a whole, the main conclusions reached include the following: -
The total area of woodland in Britain (excluding woods under five acres) at 30th September 1947 was 3,448,362 acres or .073 of an acre per head of the population.
Scrub, devastated or felled woodland was 1,309,569 acres and is largely unproductive due to over-felling in the two world wars.
Coniferous High Forest, together with some Mixed High Forest which is mainly coniferous, occupied 944,947 acres, of which Scotland, with 454,721 acres (48 per cent) has the largest share.
The Forestry Commission holds 468,006 acres (50 per cent).
Broadleaved High Forest: This (with some Mixed High Forest which is mainly broadleaved) covered 843,852 acres, of which 642,557 acres, or 76 per cent, are in England, mainly in the south and the Midlands.
Although 92 per cent is privately owned, in recent years the Forestry Commission has planted rather more broadleaved species than have the private owners.
Coppice and Coppice-with-Standards: The coppice woods occupy 339,774 acres, nearly all of which are in England and under private ownership. Coppice is most frequent in the south-eastern counties.
The volume of timber standing in the High Forest woodlands, together with that of the Standard trees in the Coppice-with-Standard woods, was ascertained by a sampling procedure, which gave a figure of 2,658 million cubic feet (quarter-girth measure over bark). 1,544 million cubic feet are hardwood, and 1,114 million cubic feet are softwood. The greater part (2,280 million cubic feet) is in privately owned woods.
Details of the areas of each main description of woodland in every county are published for the first time and shown graphically in a series of maps.
Conscience Money
An anonymous writer sent the following letter to Headquarters: "I regret that I took two small fir trees from an estate some time ago. I am enclosing P.O. for 17s. 6d. which I hope will cover the cost and clear my conscience."
The Mail Coach Pillar - A Warning to Coach Drivers
Of all the ancient monuments standing on or near our property, that to be seen near a new acquisition known as Monument Wood, Cilgwyn Forest, near Llandovery, in Carmarthenshire, is probably the most intriguing. It is sited on the side of the road on a hill, and the inscription tells the story: "This pillar is called Mail Coach Pillar and is erected as a caution to Mail Coach drivers to keep from intoxication and in memory of the Gloucester and Carmarthen mail coach which was driven by Edward Jenkins on the 19th day of December, 1835, who was intoxicated at the time and drove the Mail on the wrong side of the road and going at a full speed or gallop met a cart and permitted the leader to turn round short to the right hand and went down over the precipice 121 feet where at the bottom near the river came against an ash tree where the coach was dashed into several pieces" (Here follows a list of victims).
On the side of the monument facing north, there is this further wording: "I have heard say where there is a will there is a way, one person cannot assist many but many can assist a few, as this pillar will show which was suggested, designed and erected by J. Bull, Inspector of Mail Coaches with the aid of thirteen pounds sixteen shillings and sixpence received by him from forty one subscribers in the year 1841".
Footnote: We wonder whether the driver refreshed himself in Llandovery, which has 20 public houses to serve a population of 1,700 souls - or one to every 85 persons.
A New Film Worth Seeing - "Shot" at Thetford Chase
There is a new short "documentary" made by the Rayant Film Company, entitled "The Forest". It opens with some scenes which are liberally steeped in Robin Hood atmosphere, describes the dwindling through the centuries of Britain's forest estate, and then contributes to the crusade against forest fires. It was shot at Thetford Chase, East Anglia, and a number of our workers appear as extras and, fighting the realistic fire, as principals. If the credit titles of the film could be extended, they would surely include the names of S.F.O. G.F. Ballance and District Officer S.W. Rogers, who gave much valuable help to the producers, particularly in the advisory sense.
"The Forest" does not attempt an erudite presentation of forest policy and forestry practice; but it does bring home the danger of forest fires and, if it is widely shown this summer, it will do a great deal of good.
Beating Up the Fishing Nets
Regarding the origin of the term "to beat up", Mr G.O. Cook, Assistant Engineer, East England, says "beating up" is used in the East Coast fishing industry. In East Anglia fishing ports such as Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft, where Anglo-Saxon influence is strong, one may see tall, very narrow, brick buildings with a unique appearance. These are known as "beating-chambers", where the repair of fishing nets is carried out. The work is done by women and girls, known as "beatsters", who knit new twine into torn nets, using a sort of hand shuttle, and make the mesh with a peculiar knot. A repaired net is said to be "beaten" or, more rarely, "beaten up".
D.O. as Rugby Stalwart
District Officer P.J. Langley, of the North East England Conservancy, is a regular member of the Civil Service Rugby Union team, and has played with this side since he joined the Department two and half years ago. District Officer Langley played in the recent match at Chatham against the Royal Navy; he scored a try at a period in the game when the Civil Service team was seriously in arrears, and thereby helped stage the recovery that won the game. A report of this match in the February edition of the Civil Service Sports Journal says: "Langley revealed ……. the class that made him an Oxford Blue and English Trialist." District Officer Langley was chosen to play against the Army at Aldershot last month.
A Welsh Hill's Claim to Fame - Home of Potentilla Ruprestis
A hill in Montgomeryshire is one of only two places in Britain where Potentilla ruprestis is found. This rare plant is similar in appearance to a wild strawberry plant, except that it is larger and bears no fruit. The other site on which Potentilla ruprestis may be seen is in Radnorshire.
The Ashworth rustic moth is believed to be unique to North Wales. It is slatey grey in colour and hard to see when settled on the slate and limestone which abounds in North Wales. It is about one and a half inches in wing spread and the grub feeds on heather and other low-growing vegetation.
Appreciation of a Former Forester
The following appreciation of the late Mr G.H. Gulliver, a former Forester, whose death was recently announced, has been received: "I was privileged to know Harry Gulliver for 16 years when he was in charge of Hazelborough Forest, East England. He was truly modest and humble and yet most knowledgeable. The Commission never had a more faithful or reliable servant. He was a first class shot and, in his younger days, a keen cricketer. He used to tell me that as a young man, when he lived in Salcey Forest (where his father was Forester) he would walk into Northampton, seven miles away, after work on a Saturday morning. There he would play cricket and then walk home again."
Philatelists All
Some members of the Social Section of the Research Station at Alice Holt Lodge have formed a stamp club. Senior Photographer I.A. Anderson has been elected President and Executive Officer W.O. Wittering Secretary/Treasurer.
Newcomers
Clerical Officer Miss M.M. MacAskill to N(S);
Clerical Officer R.D. Nicol to D(S);
Clerical Officer T.A. Evans to S(W);
Clerical Officer Miss V.M. James to S(W).
Transfers
District Officer D.T. Seal from Fort Augustus, N(S) to Edinburgh;
Forester R.H. Irving from Castle O'er, S(S) to Aberfoyle, W(S);
Forester E.J.D. Wilkinson from Maresfield, SE(E) to Information Section, H.Q.;
Forester C.R. Dick from Ae, S(S) to Castle O'er S(S);
Forester A.H. Forrest from Chiddingfold, SE(E) to Witley, SE(E);
Foreman T.J. Galt from South Laggan, N(S) to Slattadale, N(S);
Foreman D. Marples from Friston, SE(E), to Chiddingfold SE(E);
Foreman D. Holder from Rendlesham, E(E), to Walsham, E(E);
Clerk of Works E.J. Bartlett from Wyre, SW(E) to Clipstone, NW(E);
Clerk of Works E.J. Dummett from Margam, S(W) to Gwydyr, N(W);
Clerical Officer E. Fleming from Lightmoor, Dean to Parkend, Dean.
Engagement
District Officer T.I.W. Bell, South Wales, and Miss M.G. Tucker, C.O. in the Cardiff office have announced their engagement.
Marriage
Mr J. Tallboys, an employee of the London County Council and Miss A.L. Hunter of Stores Section, Headquarters, who joined the Commission in May 1946 from the Ministry of National Insurance have married.
Births
The birth of a son to District Officer B.P. Grabaskey, of Aberystwyth, and Mrs Grabaskey.
The birth of a daughter to Messenger J. Raftree, of Aberystwyth, and Mrs Raftree.
The birth of a son to District Officer S.U. Robertson, of Barcaldine, West Scotland, and Mrs Robertson.
The birth of a son to Clerical Officer J.T. Gordon, Glasgow, and Mrs Gordon.
Retired
Mr W.H. Guillebaud, Deputy Director General, is to retire in July after nearly 40 years' service to forestry. He will be succeeded by Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse, Director for Scotland. Mr Guillebaud joined the Forestry Branch of the former Board of Agriculture in 1914, worked with the Interim Forest Authority, and joined the Forestry Commission as Research Officer on its inception in 1919. He served as Divisional Officer in South East England and East Anglia, and later as Chief Research Officer. He became Director of Research and Education in 1946 and Deputy Director General in July 1948. His successor Mr Henry Beresford-Peirse joined the Commission in 1929, serving as District Officer, and later as Divisional Officer, in Scotland. As a Territorial Army officer, he was for a time a Major in the Lovat Scouts, serving from the outbreak of war until released for duties with H.G.T.P.D. He returned to the Commission in 1944 and from 1946 to May 1947, was Conservator, East Scotland. He was then appointed Director, Scotland.
On his retirement, Forester G.H. Richards, of Penllergaer Forest, South Wales, was presented with two fireside chairs by the Conservator, Mr W.D. Russell on behalf of the Conservancy field and office staff.
Obituary
The tragic death has occurred of Foreman F.W. Underwood of Yardley Forest, East England, Mr. Underwood, who had been employed at Yardley since 1935 was walking home to lunch when he was knocked down by a motor-van.
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