Bristol Needs More Trees

The independent charity, Trees for Cities, launched a new campaign in November 2007 - Bristol Needs More Trees, to help raise funds for tree planting in Bristol.

Following the launch of the charity’s work in Bristol in 2006 and two successful volunteer planting events in partnership with Bristol City Council and with the support of HSBC and the Forest of Avon, Trees for Cities has teamed up with the creative agency Lunar, to kick off a media campaign which aims to encourage the planting of some 10,000 trees around Bristol by 2015.

Trees or Cities aims to get local people, involved in greening urban areas. The Bristol needs more trees campaign will aim to involve young people, local residents and businesses in doing their bit for the environment and encourage them to get their green fingers a little greener.

Graham Simmonds, Chief Executive for Trees for Cities, comments: “Through this campaign we are aiming to encourage residents to leave their mark in the city by sponsoring trees, as well as plant more trees in Bristol, which will make a big difference in tackling climate change, creating new wildlife habitats and adding beauty and calm to the busy urban landscape.”

Councillor Rosalie Walker, Bristol’s executive member for health, culture and leisure, added: “Trees and green spaces in urban areas are more important than ever and I hope this campaign will kick-start our drive to engage more proactively with the public and local businesses to plant more trees in Bristol.”

http://www.treesforcities.org/

Trees for Cities launch Bark for the Bark Campaign

With the start of a new planting season, the independent charity Trees for Cities has launched an awareness campaign, Bark for the Bark, calling for dog owners to be aware of the potentially fatal damage caused to trees by dogs chewing and gnawing tree bark.

By ripping off tree bark, dogs effectively starve the trees to death - water can still rise up through the middle of the tree, so the leaves may continue to look healthy through the summer - but the tree needs to store the sugar produced in the leaves down in the roots. The sugars travel down through a layer called the cambium, which is just under the bark. Once this is stripped, the tree’s reserves dwindle and it eventually dies - in a mature tree this can take several years.

Sadly there are dog owners who are unaware of this threat, and Trees for Cities’ landscaping staff sees evidence of the damage caused by dogs on a regular basis, particularly in parks.

Graham Simmonds, Chief Executive at Trees for Cities, says: “Through our Bark for the Bark campaign we want to raise awareness of the fatal damage that dogs can potentially inflict on trees. We know that dog owners love walking their dogs in attractive parks and woodlands and I am confident that when they realise the danger to the trees they will stop fido sinking his fangs into the wood bark.”

http://www.treesforcities.org/

Pest Stop Mouse Traps – Product Review

There can hardly be much new as regards to mouse traps, many a reader, I am certain, is probably thinking now. But, well, there can be.

Pest Stop presented new mouse traps at the DIY & Garden/Totally Tools Show at Earls Court during 13-15 January 2008

I must say I actually must have missed seeing the stand when I was at the show but the kindly provided press goody bag in the Press Office gave me enough samples to test.

The first one we shall be looking at is the Sure-Set Plastic Mouse Trap.



This brand-new mousetrap is simple to set and use; once baited, simply click the lever down to set. The mouse has to tread on a platform to reach the bait-well, which triggers the trap, meaning that the mouse cannot take the bait without triggering the trap. It is simple to set and empty. There is no need to touch dead mice and the plastic construction makes for easy cleaning. They are sold as a twin-pack, as it is advised to set more than one trap in an infested area to increase catch-rate and they are quick and humane.

The second one in the pack was the Pre-baited Snap Trap Mousetrap.



This plastic mousetrap is pre-baited with a mixture most mice find irresistible, and is extremely safe and easy to set. It is pre-baited with a mixture of peanut oil and molasses, extremely attractive to mice. The Snap Trap sets with a simple click, and can even be set using just one hand even. There is no need to touch dead mice; simply release by pressing down on the tab - the trap will then be ready for re-use

This trap is absolutely, in my view, ingenious, as it is, basically, out of the box, so to speak, ready to roll and catch mice, as it is pre-baited.

The only question that might come to mind is their environmental impact as they are plastic and a lot more sophisticated than the humble simple little “Little Nipper” traps which have a wooden base and a wire mechanism.

NB: Mice carry a variety of diseases, and should never be handled without protection.

In addition to this if you are dealing with dead rats then it is an absolute must to wear disposable gloves (and they MUST be disposed after) and ideally also a face mask.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), January 2008

Cable Buddi – Product Review

Cable Buddi is a unique safety cable clip on device from the Stadium Group plc.

We all know the trouble with the trailing cables of electric lawn mowers, hedge cutters, and other such tools. How easy it is to cut through through the power lead we also, I am sure, have found out to our peril. Now Cable Buddi can eliminate all those problems to a great degree; operator error excluded.

Cable Buddi is ideal for all kinds of electrical tools, whether lawn mowers, hedge cutters, strimmers, rotavators, garden vacs, chain saws, woodworking tools, drills, and much more.

Cable Buddi helps reduce the risk of cutting through electrical cables and reduces the risk of tripping over same. Both rather a health and safety issue.

Cable Buddi allows the equipment to be used with two fully operational hands, thereby reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and increasing efficiency.

Cable Buddi allows full concentration on the job in hand without the need to worry about the cable, as the cable is safely towed by the side of the user.

At a retail price of GBP 1.99 is it well worth getting a couple of them for sure.

For the professional user, like many professional gardeners who more and more now are using electric power tools for their works rather than the gas powered ones Cable Buddi is also the right choice and a Cable Buddi Pro is available for those. The difference, I understand, between the Standard and the Pro is the fact that the Standard takes cable up to 8mm in diameter and the Pro version from 6mm upwards. I do now know the retail price of the Pro version but estimate it, due to also a slightly sturdier construction, to be in the region of GBP 4.

Cable Buddi should be available from most Hardware Stores or Tool Shops and large DIY outlets, I should think, like Homebase and B&Q. If not ask the store to get Cable Buddi for you.

Cable Buddi is brought to you by:

Stadium Group plc
Jubilee Avenue
Highams Park
Chingford
London E4 9UD
Tel: 020-8531-6767
www.stadium-ventilation·co.uk

New Pro power tools from Silverline

Silverline Tools launches a new range of Pro power tools and their new Catalogue at the DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools at Earls Court 2, London, 13 to 15 January 2008 (stand number D58).

Included at the show are Race professional touring car driver, Jason Plato; a chance to win a Scalextric set; a chance to view the new Silverline Pro range; to order your new catalogue, as well as to receive expert advice

Silverline is renowned for their winning formula of providing competitively priced quality tools backed up by excellent service quality, which is why they are the winning choice for professional powerboat and motor sport teams, for trades people and for discerning DIY enthusiasts.

The new Pro range of power tools has been designed and engineered to deliver outstanding performance backed by a three-year guarantee.

The comprehensive range includes cordless and mains power drills, angle grinders and woodworking tools.

Television celebrity and SEAT’s number one British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) racing driver Jason Plato will be challenging visitors to a Scalextric race on the Silverline Tools stand Jason, is the lead driver for the Silverline-sponsored SEAT Team, which won the 2007 BTCC Teams title.

Jason, who presents Fifth Gear on channel 5 and Mission Implausible on Sky 1, will be signing autographs on the Silverline stand and inviting visitors to battle against him in the ‘Silverline Scalextric Challenge’. Whoever sets the fastest time of the day while completing against Jason will win their very own Scalextric set.

Commenting on the event, Jason said “The guys at Silverline Tools have given our BTCC team tremendous support this year, and this seemed a great way to thank them in person and have some fun at the same time”.

One of the SEAT team cars will be on display on the Silverline stand and Jason will attend on Monday 14 January between 10am and 5pm.

For 2008, Silverline will continue to sponsor leading competitors:

• Jason Plato and the SEAT Team in the BTCC.

• Drew Langdon, driver and manager of the Silverline powerboat team, which was the highest placed UK team in the 2007 Powerboats P1 World Championship finishing in second place.

• Dave Wilson, driver and manager of the Silverline Drag Racer team which was crowned 2007 European FIA Champion, winning decisively with an unprecedented five consecutive race wins in the series

Silverline’s Managing Director James Goddard-Watts, commented: "Motor sport teams of this calibre offer us great product feedback. We are always striving to increase and improve our products. The new Pro range is an excellent example of taking our Power Tool range to another level of performance whilst maintaining our commitment to excellent value for money.”

Silverline Tools is the fastest growing supplier of top quality hand and power tools to wholesalers, merchants and retailers in the UK. Established in 1978 and now based in Yeovil at a new purpose built office and warehouse complex.

The company carries huge stocks enabling it to supply ex-stock and offer next day delivery. The company's product range is constantly being reviewed, tested and extended to meet the needs of today's tool buyers, and their customers. Silverline is ISO 9001 accredited.

www.silverlinetools.com

The DIY and Garden Show is the key trade event where retailers and trade buyers can source the latest products and get great special show deals from suppliers. Running alongside the DIY and Garden Show, for the fourth successive year, Totally Tools is also a crucial part of the DIY and building trade calendar.

The shows take place on 13, 14 and 15 January 2008 at Earls Court 2, London.
www.diyandgardenshow.com

Happy New Year 2008 to you all

Happy New Year 2008

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers, friends and associates, as well as our enemies, a very happy & prosperous New Year 2008.

SHOW PROGRAMME CONFIRMED AND SHOW DEALS START TO ADD UP!

Show organiser Brintex has released programme details today for its New Products LIVE demonstration theatre and Sales Improvement sessions.

The demo theatre will run six 20 minute sessions during each of the show’s three days. They will start at 10.30am and run every hour through to 3.30pm.

The team of presenters have chosen products from Everbuild, Mirka Abrasives, Johnstone’s, Mac & Bell, Plug Pal, Olympia Tools, Avon Equipment, RB UK, Wolfcraft, Ali Industries, Sandtex, IBP Conex, Ledco, Butterick, Original Tools, Ironclad, Kinzo and Titan to demonstrate, ranging from peel and stick wall decorations, to a great range of tools and some garden shelving! In addition, they’ll also be on the look out for ‘pick of the show’ new products to bring to their audiences’ attention.

The presenting team this year will be joined by interior designer Chrissi Baldwin, who comes fresh to the show, having just worked with famous TV designers Justin and Colin on their ‘How Not To Decorate’ road show. She is an experienced interior designer and colour consultant for both companies and individuals, and replaces Clare Steel on the New Products LIVE presenting team.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall Presenta Connect will run its Sales Improvement sessions at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Each session will last 30 minutes, and build upon the information given in the previous talk. Key topics will be ‘What a difference a £ makes’, ‘Big ticket items – yes please!’ and ‘Your till staff – the best sales people you have?’

In addition, candidates for the show’s new ‘Show Super Deals’ display area are coming in, with many exhibitors also confirming the final details of their show offers. The Brintex team is hoping to compile a full list of all the deals around the show to hand out to visitors as they arrive to ensure no-one misses out!

The DIY & Garden Show and Totally Tools take place on the 13, 14 and 15 January 2008 in Earls Court, London. Visitors can register online using either of the show websites www.diyandgardenshow.com or www.totallytools.co.uk, which contain full exhibitor and show information, and gives them a chance of winning a trip for two, to visit the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas!