Slasher Magazine Summary: Publication No. 64 – April 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.
Mr A.H.H. Ross to be Successor to Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse
Mr A.H.H. Ross, Conservator of Forests for North West England, is to succeed Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse as Director of Forestry for Scotland. He will take up his appointment in July, when Sir Henry becomes our Deputy Director General.
A native of Edinburgh, Mr Ross was educated at Shrewsbury School and at Oxford, where he gained a degree, and a diploma in forestry. He commenced his career in the Indian Forest Service, and joined the Forestry Commission in 1925. He subsequently served as District Officer and Divisional Officer under the then Assistant Commissioner for England and Wales. During the war he was seconded to the Home Grown Timber Production Department. He returned to the Commission early in 1947 to take up his present post as Conservator.
The Famous Beech Hedge - 580 Yards Long 113 Feet High
The famous beech hedge on the Meikleour Estate, Perthshire is situated on the west side of the main Perth to Blairgowrie road. On the property of the Marquis of Lansdowne, it is 580 yards long and its height varies from 80 to 113 feet, and the average space between the trees is about three feet.
District Officer J.L.F. Fergusson says the locally accepted history is that estate workmen planted the hedge after returning from Culloden. It was left unpruned for 40 years, pruned during the next 20 years, and left for a further 20 years. Pruning has since been carried out at intervals and the estate staff now reckon to do this every seven years. The job takes six men approximately six weeks. The hedge has survived a commercial threat involving proposed felling for charcoal production and it withstood the great January gales - due partly to the fact that it is sheltered by a nearby stand of old hardwoods.
Wharncliffe: The Cliff of The Querns?
Our reference to the possibility of a quern factory having once been established on the edge of Wharncliffe Forest, in North East England, has brought forth an interesting speculation. Is there not some connection, asks one of our readers, between "quern" and the name Wharncliffe? Could not Wharncliffe mean "cliff of the querns"?
We would say it could; in fact, it is highly probable. The sounds "qu" and "wh" are closely connected - for example, the old Scottish spelling of the English "when" is "quhen". It is an interesting point that some of the rocks at Wharncliffe are what the geologists call millstone grit; until fairly recently this was actually used to make stones for corn mills. Incidentally, it is said that the primitive "quern", or handmill for grinding corn, is still used in the Western Isles of Scotland.
Kielder Tennis Club Entertains
The recently formed tennis club at Kielder, North East England, has been raising funds to acquire a court.
The Club's latest venture was a pantomime, the first ever to be performed in Kielder and presented on what might be called a vest pocket stage. Entitled "The Babes in Kielder Forest", it was written and
produced by Mrs Alice Curry, a shorthand typist in the forest headquarters in Kielder Castle, and was based on a 700-year old legend of the Cowt of Kielder. Mrs Curry also took a part in the play and made most of the costumes. The cast of nineteen consisted entirely of Forestry Commission employees, wives
and children. The scenery was designed and painted by Andrew Rutter and the lighting effects were by Clerk of Works Mr V. Blankenburgs.
There was a "capacity" audience on each of the two nights on which the show was presented.
Poem: Modern Forest Hazards
A reader from Wales sent in this poem.
Ten million little trees were planted (Nigra pine),
Every tenth row was felled - and that left only nine.
In came the Roads Branch, starting rather late,
And clearing for the road line brought them down to eight.
Eight million little trees were thinned: and that left seven
For M.D.C. experiments with sky hooks screwed to heaven:
Yards and yards of cable with a rope they had to fix,
Soon reduced the little trees to rather less than six.
Six million Corsican, growing on a hill
With annual shoots so flourishing, the rest seemed standing still,
Research Branch wanted specimens with root and shoot alive -
And that left this plantation with scarcely more than five.
Along came General Hutson, who said; "You must fell more:
The roads are far too narrow" - and that left only four.
A new idea for sampling came from the D.D.G.
And that reduced the little trees to even less than three.
Three million little trees growing bravely still;
And then they sold some standing to the Timber Merchant's mill.
Two million little trees were trembling in their roots
For they’d heard a rumour of Col. Shaw’s new chutes.
He shot them down the hillside; and by the time he’d done
The Forester protested that there now was only one;
(However no one minded because they’d had such fun).
Then frost by Day and Chrystal’s bugs, with Peace's fungi too,
Created a new havoc ’mongst the last remaining few.
There now remains to mark the site, one solitary tree
And that, to everyone’s disgust, had come up naturallee.
Nature Study - Buzzards, White Stoats etc.
Forester A.H. Forrest, of Witley, South East England, reports that several buzzards are frequently to be seen flying over his forest, and he asks whether these birds are seen in or over many of our woodlands in the south.
Forester E.C. Kibble, of Eggesford, South West England, states that his Ganger, Mr J. Kingdon, recently saw a black and white stoat in the forest.
Last year Head Forester G.W. Hollis saw a white stoat on the Goodwood Estate, Sussex.
Forester H.G. Law, of Neroche, South West England, saw a white stoat in his forest in February.
Forester Kibble also reports that on 20th February two brimstone butterflies were seen at Eggesford, one in Foxes Cover, a low-lying area, and the other in Flashdown Plantation, which is at a much higher altitude.
Finally, a few more words from Head Forester Hollis: "In 1949-51 I frequently saw a white squirrel on the Somerhill Estate, Tonbridge, Kent, and was told by the Estate Forester that they boasted a dozen or so at a time". This estate is about 20 miles from Gravetye Forest in which, as reported in the February issue of The Slasher, a white, pink-eyed squirrel, the second seen in 16 years, had been shot.
The Letters We Receive!
A letter received at Headquarters.
Dear Sir,
I be writing to:
1. Camping Club Great Britain
2. National Federation of Permanent Holidays Camps but their answers no help me.
I visit during 1952, forests of France, Spain, Dutchland, Germany, Danmark, Norsk and Sverige; I desire visit 1953, forests of Switzerland, Italien, Great Britain and Ireland.
I will study birds and other little animals, therefore I desire camping into the forests, and waste forests the best; for this animals flee out the organised campings; they shun the clamorous people.
Can the National Forestry Commission, by repayment, procure me a map of forests Great Britain and Ireland?
I not smoke! I have never match or other firerisk upon me! I prepare never food during my campings! I eat in restaurant take pot luck.
Yours truly, etc.
Presentations at Bristol
Presentations were made in the Bristol Office, headquarters of the South West England Conservancy.
On behalf of colleagues, Conservator Mr A.H. Popert, presented Miss B. Fiddes, Clerical Officer, with a gift to mark the occasion of her marriage and of her leaving the Commission.
Conservator Mr A.H. Popert also made a presentation to Mr R.E. Perrett, Clerical Officer, for his wedding. Mr Perrett joined the staff of Director, England in 1944, served in the R.A.F., and went to Bristol in 1948.
Mr R.H. Rossiter, a Temporary Clerk, was presented with a leaving gift.
Golf and Table Tennis in Wales and a Challenge
At a ceremony at the annual meeting of the ladies' section of the Aberystwyth Golf Club, Mrs Long, wife of Mr A.P. long, the Director for Wales, was presented with the Challenge Cup. Mrs Long was appointed captain for the ensuing year.
At the same meeting Miss E. Rees, of the Welsh Directorate Office, was presented with the silver medal of the Ladies' Golfing Union.
The South Wales Conservancy Office this year, and for the first time, entered a team in the Cardiff and District Table Tennis League. The team played 18 matches without defeat and finished with the outstanding record of 354 games for and 84 against, an average win per match of about 20 games to 5 and three matches were won by 22 games to nil!
Hope Forest Under Snow
After a long period of drought, it is difficult to realise that only a few weeks ago, some of our areas were having what were probably the worst snowfalls for years. A report of experiences in Hope Forest, in the Peak District of Derbyshire, reminds us southerners of our relative good fortune where our winter weather is concerned. Forester W.H. Morrill tells us that snow drifts were 20 ft. - 30 ft. high in some parts of Hope Forest; a bungalow was buried, and snow reached to the bedroom windows of a farmhouse. Forest Workers Holdings were completely isolated for days and the occupants were running short of food when, with the aid of neighbours and Forest workers, Forester Morrill was able to set off on a car journey of 18 miles to the bank and shops for wages and provisions. It was a journey notable for repeated 'dig-outs' but, says Forester Morrill, "it saved us from eating the soles of our shoes".
In the "Snake" area of the forest, huge drifts flattened the fence lines and elsewhere a Forest Worker sank to his neck in the snow and had to be dug out. There was considerable damage to the trees, some of the spruce being bent like bows, with the leading shoots touching the ground.
The Big Tree
A Sitka spruce in Glynn Forest, South West England, is 90 ft. tall and has a quarter girth (breast height) of 18½ inches. It was planted in 1923, says Forester F.W. Everitt. Having regard to its age, the dimensions of this tree are probably a record in the Conservancy.
In Brief
The sum collected in the Forestry Commission and subscribed to the National Memorial to His Late Majesty, King George VI, was well over £300.
While supervising draining operations at Kirroughtree Forest, South Scotland, Forester F.J. Cannon found a spindle whorl. Such whorls have been used in spinning since very early times.
Odd Quotes
Points from letters received at Aberystwyth: -
"….where I work since 1945 when they redunded me."
"….to enquire of particulars relating to Forestial Education."
"My ambition is to climb to the heights of my intellect in Forestry."
"In conclusion, Sir, would you kindly enlighten me as to information of which I have omitted."
Newcomers
District Officer O.N. Blatchford to S(W);
Foreman A.W. Graham to W(S);
Clerical Officer N. Ireland to NE(E);
Clerical Officer R.J. Perry to NE(E);
Clerical Officer Miss K.J. Betts to N(W);
Clerical Officer Miss W.M. Durn to SW(E).
Transfers
District Officer E.M. Conder from Pickering, NE(E) to Chester, NW(E);
District Officer G.J.N. Taylor from Parkend, Dean to Woodchurch, SE(E);
District Officer H.W. Bell from Shifnal, NW(E) to Kielder, NE(E);
District Officer R.E. Crowther from Kielder NE(E) to Allerston, NE(E);
District Officer T.W.G. Coulson from Chester, NW(E) to Mansfield, NW(E);
District Officer P.L. Winchester from New to Malvern, SW(E);
Forester T. Morris from Cardiff, S(W) to Tair Onen, S(W);
Forester G. Stewart from Montreathmont, E(S) to Dallas, E(S);
Forester G. Stokoe from Allerston NE(E) to Slaley, NE(E);
Forester J. Melville from Newcastleton, S(S) to Selm Muir, S(S);
Forester D. Reid from Thetford Chase, E(E) to Allerston, NE(E);
Foreman J. Soppit from Strathord, E(S) to Glenerrochty, E(S);
Foreman P. Gallacher from Bareagle, S(S) to Laurieston, S(S);
Foreman H.F. Clarke from Wyre, SW(E) to Quantocks, SW(E).
Leavers
Miss B. Fiddes, Clerical Officer, Bristol Office, South West England has left on the occasion of her marriage, after 10 years' service with the Department.
Mr R.H. Rossiter, a Temporary Clerk, has left the Department.
Marriages
Miss B. Fiddes, Clerical Officer, Bristol Office, South West England has married.
Mr R.E. Perrett, Clerical Officer, has married.
Executive Officer K. Roscoe, Aberystwyth, has married Miss M. Laings, of Stockport.
Clerical Officer E. Tozer, of the Office of Director, England, has married to Miss Margaret (Peggy) Smillie, formerly a Temporary Assistant in the same office.
Births
The birth of a son to Divisional Officer W.A. Cadman, of Aberystwyth, and Mrs. Cadman.
The birth of a daughter to Executive Officer K. Pruce, of Aberystwyth, and Mrs Pruce.
The birth of a son to Clerical Officer G. Stone, of Bristol, and Mrs Stone.
The birth of a son to Forester John Styles, of the Forest Research Station, and Mrs Styles.
Obituaries
Forester D.B. Lloyd, of Hay Forest, South Wales, died early this month as the result of a road accident. He was riding a motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with an R.A.F. lorry. He sustained a fractured skull and other injuries, and died almost immediately. At the inquest a verdict of 'Accidental death' was
returned. Forester Lloyd, aged 37 years started work with the Commission in 1935 as a Forest Worker, became a Ganger in 1938, Foreman in 1948 and Forester in 1951. He had been at Hay Forest since 1949.
The death has occurred of Mr Paul R.S. Wild, Forester on the Hurst Hill Estate, Sussex. Before his resignation from the Commission some years ago, he was Forester at Bramshill, in the South East England Conservancy.
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