The Storm Kettle – Product Review

Originally, the Storm Kettle was handmade in Ireland - often by travellers who produced them in copper - for fishermen, itinerant workers and tourists. John Grindlay, who with his wife owns and runs the Eydon Kettle Company, modified the design and implemented modern manufacturing techniques in the early 1960’s.

John Grindlay borrowed an original copper kettle and took it to England during the winter. Tooling was manufactured and the first 10 kettles eventually produced. These were very quickly sold for £10 each in 1979, the assembly work being carried out by Mr Grindlay’s children who were then 8 years and 10 years old. Popular demand meant that production had to increase. Since 1979 the numbers sold have substantially increased each year.

Mainly these Kettles, whether sold in the UK, Germany, or elsewhere, are used by sportsmen, holiday makers, expedition organisers and outdoor enthusiasts. They have even accompanied the explorer John Blashford-Snell, while he was searching for signs of early civilisations on a trip to Central America.

Nowadays they can be found in the Solomon Isles helping remote islanders boil water to purify it, in remote parts of Southern Africa, where dried cattle dung is used by the Zulus as fuel, or in the Sahara Desert on expeditions.

I am always amazed though that they never seem to have found a take up by the still travelling Romani in the UK and elsewhere. The Storm Kettle does away with the need for a fire for just the purpose of brewing a cup of tea or coffee or even for the making of some other hot beverage.

Using a Storm Kettle means you can boil water easily, in the wettest and windiest of weather, both rapidly and safely. They are also environmentally friendly as you only need a sheet of newspaper and a handful of twigs as fuel. So the simplicity of the Kettle ensures that boiling water is always available, without the need to use gas, petrol or any other artificial fuel.

Storm Kettles come in two sizes, the Original and the Popular. The Original will boil up to 2.5 pints (approx. 1.5 litres) the Popular up to 2 pints (approx. one litre) – that should ensure more than enough hot water is available for you within minutes - at any time.

The water boils rather quickly and can be kept going by just adding further small sticks into the fire that is going in the burner beneath the kettle via the “chimney”.

One word of warning even though it is mentioned more than once in the literature and also on a sticker on the kettle itself: NEVER EVER use it with the cork in place. While the cork is very handy for carrying the kettle with water in it when heating the water the cork must be taken out of the spout.

The Storm Kettle & the cook set that nowadays is available for it is the ideal kit for forestry workers, countryside conservators, and other such like, such as Parks & Countryside Ranger, especially those working on maintenance tasks away from the main base.

While the Storm Kettle and accessories do not come cheap I can but recommend them.

The Prices for the kettles are: £43.00 for the Popular and £44.50 for the Original. Prices include V.A.T. and carriage.

Reviewed by Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

New standards to rubber stamp tyre recycling

With more than 100,000 used tyres removed from UK vehicles daily, a new initiative launched by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and the Environment Agency will help businesses come to grips with the value of used tyres.

The Quality Protocol for the production and use of tyrederived rubber materials, which was launched to consultation could make it easier and cheaper for industry to reprocess used tyres into valuable products like flooring, road surfacing, and aggregates.

Martin Brocklehurst, Head of External Waste Programmes at the Environment Agency, said: “Placed end to end, the annual tyre waste of England and Wales would stretch from London to Cardiff more than 100 times. With so many cars, vans and trucks discarding tyres, we have potential to access more than 40,000 tonnes of recycled rubber.

“A Quality Protocol could save businesses the time and costs associated with meeting waste regulations, by clearly defining the standards required to collect, transport, store, recycle and reuse rubber tyres, without harming human health and the environment.”

Under the Quality Protocol processed used tyres would no longer be classified as waste, making the recycled rubber more marketable and guaranteeing to customers that the material they buy will meet agreed quality standards.

Recycled rubber from used tyres can be used for Landscaping, bridleways, footpaths, paving & porous piping, sports and recreational: artificial sports tracks and surfaces, sports barriers, golf and bowling greens etc.

Wrap

Play is for everyone - even those of an advanced age

David Yearley, Head of Play Safety for RoSPA, is proud of the fact that RoSPA has been, for a long time now, at the forefront of the campaign against the “dumbing down” of play opportunities for children. Indeed the slogan originally used by RoSPA Playsafety “as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible” is now the official line for the whole of the RoSPA organisation.

The ideas of what is safe and acceptable have changed considerably through the ages. RoSPA’s extensive library has an American book from 1905 (thought to be the oldest book specifically on the subject) which shows “good design” that by today’s standards would be considered totally unacceptable. Play has tended to come from a very high risk basis through to an attempt to have virtually no risk, to what we are beginning to see now and what we hope will become the standard – a level of risk which allows minor accidents to happen but aims to prevent serious injury. Children learn the ability to assess risk through their play and therefore it is essential that they are exposed to a controlled level of risk. The gathering of statistics has helped towards improving play safety. How many of us remember the old “Witches Hat” play item. It was great fun but it was only when accident statistics begun to be collated that it was realised that it was also a killer and that children were dying using it.

Recent research has indicated the high value of play to older people and it is good to see that the first play area specifically designed for being played on by adults in the UK, has just opened in Blackley, Manchester. Congratulations to all at the Dam Head Residents' Association, Northwoods Housing Association, and to also Manchester City Council Leisure Services for their support. RoSPA hopes to see many similar play areas in the future. Is it expensive? Well this site of six items cost only £15,000.

RoSPA believes in inclusion in play. This means opportunities for ALL, regardless of ability OR age. Why cannot grandparents play on a play area with their grandchildren? It both improves bonding between them as well as giving exercise to both and helping to keep the elderly active and healthy. The Manchester site is a good example of what can be achieved. Locals report that the most interesting part is the giggling and laughter of the pensioners.

Unfortunately one of the areas of play opportunity which tended to disappear from use is water play. Water plays an essential part in everyone’s life (indeed we cannot live without it) and it can, if properly managed, provide very high play value for children. Children have always had a fascination with water and the older ones among us will remember paddling in local streams or playing on river banks. It is good to see the re-emergence of water as a play medium. Perhaps global warming will increase the desire for water play.

Many manufacturers are beginning to produce items that involve water. No great depth is necessary to provide the stimulation and excitement that water can give. For instance running water 2-3mm deep down a gentle incline enables a child to splash to their heart’s content without any risk (provided of course that reasonable controls are in place as to water cleanliness). Interactive water jets coming from the ground, or above, are particularly popular in the summer.

Rospa

All work and no play

Physical Play is a very important and vital part of a child’s development, it enables them to experience a broad range of physical and emotional skills that they will encounter in later life and will promote self-awareness, boost their self-esteem and encourages social interaction with peer approval.

There is risk in everything we do from rock climbing to crossing the street and our children have to be able to access this risk and to know that in real life there is no restart and that all their actions have consequences for themselves and others around them, promoting problem solving in a real environment. All play equipment must also have an element of risk because without it, there is no excitement or sense of achievement but this risk must be managed.

A well-designed play area should provide all these elements for an exciting and rewarding experience or all who use it and still leaving them wanting to return time after time.

Playquest

Makita power for Age Concern ‘Jungle Patrol’

Makita has been selected by Age Concern, to equip a new household garden maintenance service. Launched recently by the Barking & Dagenham Age Concern centre, this property renovation and maintenance service is planned to become a national provision in years to come.

“We started the service three months ago” said Maralyn Gay, Project leader from Age Concern, “but the tools we had proved unsuitable. Advised by local distributor LB Plant of Thurrock we are now equipped with a full range of Makita professional grounds maintenance tools, brushcutters, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, mowers and shredders.

Makita

Bahco PX & PXR ergonomic pruners – Product Review

The ergonomic pruner improves your
Comfort
Safety
Health
Efficiency

All pruning professionals are at risk of developing aches and pains through repeating the same motion thousands of times a day during the whole pruning season. Those pains, commonly called Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), account for a large part of work related illnesses in the horticultural industry.

The design of the ergonomic pruners results from five years of scientific research and user testing all over the world.

The benefits of this new design can be felt in two major advantages: less fatigue at the end of the day and a less painful, longer and more productive working life.

The main features of the ergonomic pruners are:

Vertical and lateral inclinations that help the user to keep arm and hand straight in line. Those angles then avoid pains on tendons and nerves while cutting thus reducing tennis elbow type pain – Epicondilytis – and wrist pains – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

The flowing shape of the handles has emerged from serious study of how pruners are used. They spread the load more evenly and concentrate pressure points away from sensitive zones and nerve centers.

The elastomer coating on the upper handle gives a better grip and spreads the pressure over a larger surface. The user also requires less effort to hold the tool all day long.

Different sizes and types of cutting heads are available as are different strengths of springs. In addition to this a hand measuring system and different size handles allow for a nigh on made-to-measure pair of pruners.

At the recent Garden Press Event 2008 at the RHS Halls in Westminster on January 29, I was given a sample of the Bahco PX-M2 version of those ergonomic pruners by Richard Hayter, the representative on the Bahco stand.

I have tried so-called ergonomic pruners before from different makers but found most of them not very good and even more difficult and tiresome to use then the straight-forward versions so I probably was a little apprehensive at first with this one, and must have appeared somewhat like that to Richard Hayter as well, but...

Well, this is one of the best pairs of pruners that I have handled in years, and I do mean THE BEST, and as a professional I tend to handle quite a variety of different makes.

For the test I have used the pruners for a number of days and must say that I cut branches well above the cutting limit, e.g. green Elm of around on inch in diameter (25mm plus) and it cut that without much of an effort in strength applied and half an inch or below, around the 10mm mark, one does not even notice that one is doing it. I must remember to keep my little finger well clear of the blades here.

The handles fit so well that the pruners become an extension of the user's hand and the work is done rather effortless. That is, however, not surprising seeing that one is measured to the pruners. Cutting is, as said, absolutely effortless and one hardly notices that one is doing it.

This is the first pair of bypass pruners, methinks, which would make pruning roses, shrubs, trees or vines fun rather than a chore.

A definite recommend I can but put to this tool. A definite must for the professional gardener, forester and vintner.

The retail price is not low, that is for sure, with nigh on the, so I understand, 50 GBP mark, but then one gets a tools that is well designed and makes life and work easier and with a lifetime warranty one gets quality too.

Reviewed by Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

The Bane of the Plastic Carrier Bag

While those bags are, I know, very convenient indeed when shopping at supermarket and general stores as well – one does not have to remember to bring a shopping bag of one's, as one had to in years past before the advent of the plastic grocery bag – they come with a big environmental price tag attached and footprint.

Trees all over parks and countryside are festooned with plastic bags in different colors and hues and while decorations may be nice and fine and suit a Christmas Tree, in the countryside and in parks this is rather unsightly. In addition those plastic bags are also bad for wildlife.
Because of their very nature of being extremely light they get blown everywhere, high up into the canopy of the trees and deep into the undergrowth, and they end up hung from branches in the same way as stuck to brambles and thorn bushes deep in hedgerows and in the under storey of woodlands and parks, making everything look tatty and neglected, even if countryside and parks staff do their very best to make the places look nice.

In addition to this those plastic carrier bags, unless made from corn starch or other such biological material, are made from oil based plastic and are NOT biodegradable. They photo-degrade instead, slowly breaking down in the environment into tiny, even microscopic plastic particles and also leaching at the same time chemicals into the soil, all of which further contaminates the environment.

Moves are under way, so I understand, from a number of “sources” to outright ban the use of those plastic bags, even biodegradable corn starch ones, maybe, and while I must admit that I do use them as and when, the plastic bag that is, for they come in handy as free bin liners for waste bins at home and in the office, which means they get used at least two or three time with me, I am taking my own reusable ones, often tote bags that come FREE from the variety of fairs I attend, to the stores nowadays and we must all get back to doing this, that is to bring our own shopping bags, just like in the old days. If not always then at least most of the time.

As to tote bags, I would say, that there is no need, I am sure, to go out and buy such sturdy cotton or jute tote bags (he has good talking I sure some will think now for he has just told us that he gets them FREE on trade fairs) if you can sew, whether by hand or sewing machine. It is quite simple to knock up a couple of sturdy shoppers from some old denim of some other sturdy cloth, such as a bit of Hessian or canvass.

While you and I, and even all the remaining readers of this journal, if we all did it, may not save the planet on our own be refusing to use the plastic carrier bags, we may, however, contribute to the countryside and parks looking less tatty.

The problem is that, even if we all stopped using plastic carrier bags tomorrow, the unsightly bags in trees and such will still be with us for some time to come, simply because those that still fly about and hang about the trees will take a while still to break down, before they ultimately sort of disappear.

Having said this, that should not stop us, though, to make a start now and stop using and begin refusing the offered plastic shopping bag. Mind you, often you do not even get the chance to refuse for you do not even get asked as to whether you want a bang; the purchases are shoved into the bag before you even know it.

If we do end up with bags of this kind, for one reason or the other, then we must also make sure that we use them at least more than once and then – in the final end – dispose of them responsibly. However, best is no plastic bags.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

Partnership Celebrates Funding Success for Play Projects

The Selby District Play Partnership, which brings together a range of organisations delivering services for young people, is celebrating a £200,000 cash injection for five new projects to deliver new facilities for young people across the district.

The money will be used to deliver five new schemes, including improvements to facilities at Eversley Park in Sherburn, a new BMX track at Hemingbrough, the development of Selby Park and a brand new project in South Milford to enable young people to play in the natural environment.

In addition, the funding will also be used to introduce new ‘play rangers’ who will work with young people on particular play projects. These schemes are part of a long-term strategy developed by the Selby District Play Partnership as part of the recently agreed Play Strategy, which aims to ensure that all young people in the area have access to good quality play facilities and the opportunities to use them.

Chair of the Selby District Play Partnership, Cllr. Gillian Ivey, said, “With the funding now secured we can start work on these exciting projects, all of which should be completed by the end of summer 2009. Enabling young people to access innovative play facilities has so many benefits for the children themselves, as well as the rest of the community.

The new ranger service will also help to ensure that everyone has equal access to the investment in play facilities, wherever they live – a really important priority for a rural area such as Selby.”

Young people themselves have been involved in developing the new schemes, as part of a commitment from the Play Partnership to ensure that the new facilities meet their needs.

Head teacher of Athelstan Primary School in Sherburn in Elmet, Karen O’Donnell, added: “It’s great to see that funding is now in place to develop new play facilities across the district. In Sherburn the money will be used to support the further development of Eversley Park with brand new facilities. Good play facilities help young people to develop a range of skills that will help them throughout their lives. Play facilities enable children to stay healthy and safe as well as helping to give young people a sense of achievement and contributing to the development of key language and social skills.”

Bahco Utility Belt (4750-QRLB-1) and holster (4750-KNHO-1) – Product Review

To many of us who work in forestry, parks and countryside management the name “Bahco” is synonymous with quality “Bushman” saws, pruners, loppers and such like. However, they also do a great range of accessories such as a variety of tools belts and holsters. Many people do not know that, though.

The professional and the volunteer Park and Countryside Rangers, as well as countryside maintenance teams, have for a while been looking for a way to carry some small tools, such as pruners, notebooks, cellphone, and other such kit in one convenient though customizable package. I believe that in the form of the Bahco web belt (4750-QRLB-1) and holster (4750-KNHO-1), plus other holsters and pouches that can be added to such a system can be had from Bahco.

The belt and holster under review here is the ideal, in my opinion, combination for the Parks and Countryside Patrol Ranger who also has to do the occasional snipping back of vegetation, and into the holster, as ideal companion goes a pair of Bahco Professional Bypass Pruners.

Belt and holster were kindly provided as samples for review by the representative of Bahco at their stand on the DIY & Garden and Totally Tools Show in January 13-15, 2008 at London's Earls Court 2 Exhibition Center.

While some people prefer leather for tool and utility belts, for the Park Ranger and Park Keeper nylon webbing for belts would be more suitable, in my view, that would be leather even though I do like leather belts and holsters and such, primarily for being a natural material and such. In the patrol environment, however, a belt made from this kid of sturdy nylon webbing, which is often referred to as “ballistic nylon” come into its own. This belt also rides much better just above the trouser belt, I find, than does a leather one.

The holster (4750-KNHO-1), theoretically, intended for a utility knife with retractable blade, takes a pair of pruners well and an additional pouch for notebooks and one for the cellphone complete the combo. The latter two pouches are this writer's own.

Having worn this combination now for a number of weeks, being a professional Park Ranger, I do not even notice anymore that I am wearing this set and the pruners are always at the ready and there where needed to cut an overhanging branch or such.

Initially the belt and holster were worn with a Felco Professional pair of bypass pruners that are well over 10 years old but now, since the Garden Press Event, the pruners in the holster are a pair of Bahco Professional Ergo PX-M2 and more about that one in another review.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

Low maintenance interpretation boards that reduce landfill use too

Champion angler Bob Nudd recently unveiled one of a number of low maintenance interpretation boards that recycled material specialists Filcris supplied to Lincolnshire's innovative REEL project.

The Filcris-produced boards were chosen for the REEL project which aims to enhance rivers and drains in Lincolnshire for angling and quiet recreation. Benches are installed for those who want to sit and enjoy the countryside, and information panels are provided to help identify the local wildlife.

The Filcris units are manufactured from sturdy recycled plastic making them long lasting, vandal resistant and maintenance free, while maintaining the appearance of timber. The image is protected against UV so should last a minimum of seven years before there is any sign of fading whilst the shatter resistant polycarbonate image board adds a useful degree of vandal proofing.

Filcris

Greenfingers to get 100,000 children gardening – and raises £80,000

The Greenfingers Appeal is to repeat its hugely successful 'Schools Sunflower Challenge' in 2007, having broken all records last season by encouraging a stunning 100,000 children from 750 UK schools to grow sunflowers for themselves. The project also raised a tremendous £60,000 for UK Children's Hospice gardens and participating schools.

Sponsored by B&Q and with seeds donated by Thompson and Morgan, the Sunflower Challenge is a combined educational and fund-raising initiative that brings gardening into the classroom and the home.

Income from the scheme is split 50:50 between the schools and the Greenfingers Appeal. Last year the Appeal was able to direct some £30,000 towards the provision of new gardens in UK Children's hospices.

Endorsed by celebrity gardener Tommy Walsh the project, now in its fourth year, provides free sunflower seeds and a comprehensive teacher's pack showing how the 'Sunflower Challenge' complements the National Curriculum 'Life Processes and Living Things' section. Children grow the sunflowers at home or at school, observing and recording their progress and learning from the experience.

Hints and tips for growing the seeds successfully, a growth chart and sponsorship forms are included, and the children are encouraged to obtain sponsors from friends and families who pledge an amount for each centimetre of the sunflowers final height when measured at the end of the summer term.

Mrs C Hopgood, Deputy Headteacher, South Norwood Primary School, commented:

'This has been the most successful class fund-raising/sponsorship activity that the school has ever done. Just four classes of 4-6 year olds took part, with one six year old boy raising the sum of £161:00 himself and several others raising well above £40:00 apiece. The Sunflower Challenge fitted in perfectly and certainly caught the children's imagination as evidenced by the magnificent response.'

The Greenfingers Appeal is the charity of the gardening industry and is currently raising funds to build much-needed gardens at children's hospices. Last year the Appeal raised more than £160,000 for the provision of new and improved gardens. Twenty-four projects have so far been completed or are underway, out of the 42 Children's Hospices in the UK running or under construction.

The Garden Press Event 2008

On Tuesday, January 29, 2008 I had the great privilege and pleasure to attend the Garden Press Event 2008 at the RHS Lawrence Hall in Vincent Square, Westminster, London, and a most productive day was had, at least by this writer, and some new – new to me at least – products have been obtained for review, which shall be coming soon.

To begin with I would here like to express my sincere thanks to Neil Gow of GIMA for inviting me to this great event.

Then my thanks goes to Frank Foot of Rollins Bulldog Tools Ltd. who took the time to talk to me and to invite me to contact him for review samples, an invite that I may be able take up in the not too distant future. The press pack that I was given contained a very nice pair of bypass pruners of the Premier Range and for a recommended retail price of just over £12 this definitely is a real nice solid made tool. The head and blade is of high-carbon steel SK-5 and identified as Japanese steel, which, having dealt in knives before professionally, is a very good carbon steel, so it should withstand a great deal of use, and would, I am certain, also be a great pair of pruners for the professional gardener and park keeper/park ranger. The problem with most people is always abuse rather than the intended use that damages their tools and also the fact that they do not look after their tools. Carbon steel does want a little TLC after use, such as keeping the blades oiled and greased.

Special thanks must go to Richard Hayter of Bahco (SNA Europe) and Rachel Collinge, SNA Europe's PR agent, for for taking the time out for a rather lengthy chat and for providing me with two product samples for review; the reviews of which shall be forthcoming soon.

A fine number of gardening-related manufacturers, growers, seed companies, suppliers and vendors supported this event held in aid of the “Greenfingers Appeal”.

Ball Colegrave, the well-known seed and plant company, showcased their range of “Kinder Garden Plants”, the range that is intended to introduce children to the pleasures of gardening. Aside from flowers there is also a fruit and veg part to this range, which is very nice to see. This could be very useful in introducing children at a young age to the growing of produce for the table.

A couple of new and relatively new products could be seen, of which the “Waspinator” and the “Plant Minder” do stand out to a degree and above all what caught my attention was the “Patio Grow”, which could be described as “your allotment on your patio” or, if more than one unit be employed, “in your backyard”, by “Gro Garden Products".

One of the other products that caught my attention was the Greenhouse Sensation's “Grow Your Own Portable Garden”. This is a brilliant piece of kit and definitely something that many people who would like to grow some of their own greens and such in locations without green areas, and even in apartments, and such like, have been waiting for.

Other products on show included another number of innovative products. One was the new and revolutionary “Chambermate”, by Chambermate Ltd. The “Chambermate” is the solution to the age-old problem of how to cover, without asking for problems later, the unsightly manhole covers in gardens, diveways and borders. Another the Backsaver Digging from Backsaver Garden Tools Ltd. in Leeds. While this may just be seen as yet another automatic spade it would appear to be quite a little different in its action and speed. Well worth a look.

Some of the products that I have seen shall, hopefully, be featured in the pages of this journal in the near future, including a couple of product reviews, as already indicated.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), Jan/Feb 2008