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Yesteryear

FCA (North Wales) needs your help!

We would like to publish stories or reminiscences from members of life in the Forestry Commission.

If you have anything (including photos) you would like to share with fellow members (and the rest of the world!) then please email fcwenquiries@forestry.gsi.gov.uk (please mark for the attention of Les Starling).


click on thumbnails for a larger view:


Gwydyr Forester Training School Football Team 1954-55

Gwydyr Forester Training School Association Football Team – Season 1954/55

Back row left to right:- Hugh Murray, Gerry Cunningham, Joe Patterson, Vernon West, Ted Waddelove, Phillip Wright, Dominic Fitzpatrick.
Front row left to right:- Paddy Mcallonan, Selwyn Jones, Jim Mullen, Pete Downing, Chris Griffiths, referee not known – from Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Gwydyr Forester Training School 1954/56

Gwydyr Forester Training School 1954/56 Course - Students and Staff

Back row left to right:- Ken Shuker, Norman Eccles, Philip Wright, Wilf Dawson, Barry Barnett, Chris Duck, George Fildes, Granville Thomas, Tom Fitzgerald, Dominic Fitzpatrick.
Middle row left to right:- Don Kemp, John Williams, Joe Patterson, Harry Sharpe, Bill Billings, John Evans, Norman Addison, Chris Griffiths, Selwyn Evans, Charlie Wilde, Tecwyn Evans, Eric Cathart, Paddy Mcallonan.
Front row left to right:- Alun James, Seamus McSorley, Ron Holden, Roy Dean, Ted Waddelove, Ian Robertson, Jim Bruce, Bob Kemp, Brian McNeil, Dominic Mulholland, Sam Corry, Jim Mullen. (Thanks to Ted Waddelove and Ivor Pritchard).


An article from the 'Slasher' dated Feb 1967 under the heading “As others see us”.

It's a quote from a South Wales newspaper report under the heading – “Stolen Car Trail in Prisoner Hunt”.

“He was badly in need of a shave and looked rough” she said. “I thought he was a Forester, but now I am convinced it was the escaped prisoner”.

(If you have similar stories or articles you'd like to share please get in touch).


Extracts from "Forestry as a Career" dated 1950 (loaned by Chris Griffiths) and priced at 3 old pence (less than 1.5p in new money).

Forestry is a Man’s job.

To complete the latest Forestry policies:-

  • The number of men required will be 5,000 as a rough estimate.
  • There is a shortage of foremen and foresters and 150 will need to be recruited annually.
  • There are many vacancies waiting to be filled in the Colonial Forestry Service.
  • The Forest Worker forms the backbone of the whole service.

As at the 1st July 1950 the following wages applied –

  • Forest Worker £4 14 0 per week with a special allowance of 2/6 or 5/- shillings for selected men.
  • Ganger £5 5 0 per week
  • Foreman £278 per annum and a house or cash in lieu.
  • Forester Grade 2 - £280 rising to £380 per annum in £10 increments plus a house or cash in lieu.
  • Forester Grade 1 - £380 rising to £430 per annum in £15 increments plus the house or cash.
  • Head Forester - £430 rising to £500 in £15 increments plus house or cash.
  • The District Officers rose from £340 start pay to the heights of £950. No mention of house or cash
  • The Divisional Officer was £1030 rising to £1180. No mention of house or cash.
  • The Conservator was from £1275 to £1425 with no mention of house or cash.

All the above rates were for the London weighting with a reduction of £10 - £80 per annum reduction depending on the grade for those grades serving outside London.

The FC address at that time was of course Savile Row. On the back of the booklet there is a list of other booklets and guides available and it shows the postage at 1 or 2 old pence (less than 0.5 new pence) with no penalty for oversized letters.