Jim Webster at Hallyburton Forest
Photograph courtesy of Jim Webster, Mosstodloch.
A few years after coming out of Forester Training School Jim was posted to Hallyburton Forest (near Cooper Angus) under Randolph Hepburn who was the Head Forester. Randolph had the habit of writing all the day’s action and activity into a diary and it was impressed upon Jim that he had to fill in this diary without fail on the occasions when Randolph was away on holiday or other business. One day Jim noted the Head Forester leaving the area in a cloud of dust in his car and wondering what was on, he consulted the diary and was informed in bold lettering in Randolph’s handwriting ‘On holiday – thank the Pope!’
Jim remembers there being quite a large hostel at the forest which catered for up to 8 or 9 men and had a full time resident cook.
Lined up here are the lads all dressed up for a Christmas party or dance. At the back is Jim Webster, then Robbie Adam (at the time a ganger but was to work his way up to be District Manager) and in front is Randolph Hepburn the Head Forester or Forester I/C.
Groups: Forestry Areas, Groups of people