Bullseye
A TURNBULL CLAN PUBLICATION
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Volume 6 |
Issue 4 |
April 2005 |
New Zealand Turnbulls Go Wild
When Derek and Pat Turnbull
purchased the 116 acres (47 hectares) known as Sherwood Forest in Southland,
New Zealand, they decided to protect the area as a natural preserve.
Sherwood Forest has been granted “open space” status by the New Zealand
Government under a National Trust ruling which protects the bush. This
provides protection in perpetuity for the bush to be kept in its natural
wild state.
Sherwood Forest is managed in a way which offers long term security for the
bush and its large population of native birds. Today, the area is considered
to be one of the most significant natural elements in Southland, New
Zealand.
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How the Scots Changed The people of Scotland have been responsible for many of the modern world’s inventions. Our lives world would certainly be different today if not for the Scots who have been in the forefront of discovery and inventions since before the Industrial Revolution. They have always valued education and pride themselves with a self-confidence and vision as well as conscientious work ethic. A country whose population has barely exceeded 5 million has been credited with 11% of all the Nobel prizes that have been awarded. But whatever the reason, it is clear that the Scots have shaped the modern world with their ingenuity. Here are just some of the inventions and discoveries credited to the Scots; telephone, television, reflecting telescope, asphalt, iron plough, rubber pneumatic tire, RADAR, penicillin, process of refining oil, anesthetics, reaping machine, Kelvin scale, hypodermic needles, FAX machines, raincoats, hollow pipe drainage, polarization, cure for scurvy, iron bridges, breech loading rifle, logarithms and the decimal point, Bank of England, use of chloroform, first steam powered marine engine, kaleidoscope, vacuum thermos, carbon dioxide, percussion cap which later became the bullet, coal gas lighting, and the blackboard and colored caulk. And let’s not forget how the Turnbull Clan has added to these. In 1851, Thomas Turnbull invented the andormonon, a 3 wheeled vehicle. George Turnbull is responsible for the invention of the Turnbull multi-nut harvester. John Turnbull is responsible for the invention of a mounted set of spring loaded rollers for a washing machine in 1843. Still another John Turnbull invented and patented a belting fabric that was woven relatively stiff in the filling yarns, but flexible in the warp, making the seat belt what it is today. Perhaps the most famous of the Turnbull inventions is the variable pitch propeller, which has been said to be one of the most important invention in the history of aeronautics. But while the above have certainly changed the way we live today, where would we be without Jim Trimble’s invention in 1965 of the Football Goalposts! (continued on p. 6) |
The forest rests on the alluvial flood plain and is inhabited by ancient matai (Prumnopitys taxifolius) and kahikatea trees. These two types of forest trees are two of the most threatened in Southland. This area is one of the largest still existing on the Southland Plains. Of special interest is that because of the natural forest and the decision to protect the bush, several forms of plants listed as nationally threatened now survive and flourish here.
Severe frosts and snows from the winter of 1996 caused extensive damage to trees throughout Southland. Sherwood Forest was no exception. Over 200 trees were killed, permitting light to penetrate the forest floor, thus allowing the growth of weeds which threaten the natural regeneration of the native forest plants. The Regional Biodiversity Co-ordination Group has agreed to assist the Turnbulls in a restoration project to bring the area back to its natural state. The initial goals are to reduce the impact of invasive weeds and animal pests. Though this is a private reserve, The Turnbulls welcome small groups and with prior arrangement. Derek and Pat Turnbull were recognized for their work when they received the Community Achievers Award at the local Environment Awards. (Watch for more about Derek and Pat Turnbull in future Bullseyes. For more information about the Turnbull Family Reserve log onto www.sherwoodforest.co.nz) |
