Makita's new easy-start chainsaws

Two new Makita high technology chainsaws are being launched to meet the demand from the rapid growth in ownership of chainsaws in the 30-45cc range.

The Makita DCS3501 and DCS4301 “Compact Class” saws feature easy starting, single switch choke, on/off safety control, ultra-low vibration rating and long service, easy maintenance reliability.

The new DCS3501 has a 34.7cc 2-stroke engine which develops 2.1hp and is available with either 35cm or 40cm bar.

The DCS4301 saw has a 42.4cc engine with 2.8hp and 35cm, 40cm or 45cm bar and .325” microlite chain.

“These brilliant new compact chainsaws are now available with all the advantages of the new design. They really are a major step forward on anything else on the market,” says Mark Earles, Makita’s OPE sales manager. “Our dealers are going to have a sales bonanza with these new machines. They are designed to deliver the top professional chainsaw features but at a price that the grown-up domestic user wants.

Holidays at Home

by Michael Smith (Veshengro), RFA

Seeing the impact the so-called “Credit Crunch” appears to be having on the finances on the individual, and not the individual alone, and also the rising costs of food and gasoline, it is my opinion that we shall, beginning with the year 2008, see the return to people taking their vacation more at home than at resorts or abroad.

Parks and Open Spaces will, I am sure, be more in use this summer, that is to say 2008, and if the money situation is anything to go by, also in years to come.

With the rising fuel costs and the increase of the general cost of living, from food to taxes, people are going to be turning the penny around a few times before they are going to spend it. Therefore, vacation at home may just be the result. Those that have a nice home and a nice garden I have never been able to understand as to why they would, not only spend the money, but the time and effort, to travel abroad for a for a few weeks holiday and then return more exhausted than when they left.

I remember before the times of the package holidays and the cheap flights to all over the world that people vacationed at home, in their own gardens, or those in the urban areas on their allotments, or went for a day or so to the seaside, and such. Others, especially the working classes that had the funds had a caravan by the seaside or some hitched up a caravan and went on holiday travelling about. Yet again others went on cycling tours with tent, including with their children. But even caravanning probably is out with the rise of fuel costs.

People who could not afford to go away or did not want to stayed, as said, at home in their own gardens, if they had such, or on their allotments, or went to the local parks and open spaces as much as possible.

Seeing the current economic climate, in the United Kingdom as much as in the United States and elsewhere, with the rising cost of living, of fuel, of food, of everything it would seem, it is more and more likely now that with the summer of 2008 we may just see a beginning of the “stay at home” holidays again.

Not a bad thing either, I am sure. Aside from saving money the local parks and open spaces will, once again, see a real resurgence of and in use and the powers that be might then be more reluctant to even think of getting rid off parks and open spaces. The other good thing of the “stay at home” vacations is the fact that such holidays put less of an impact on the environment (do take your litter home with you from your visit to the park and the woods please) in that there is less fuel used, and that aside from the money that is being saved. This saved money, or at least part of it, can then be spent in the local economy, at home.

Aside from the Parks and the Open Spaces in preparation for the “stay at home” vacations the garden centers and such stores will, I am sure, also find a lot of people visiting.

Allotments finally could find takers again as well. While in some parts of this country there is a waiting list for allotments in other parts, such as in some of the London Boroughs and other areas you cannot give a plot away. Entire allotment garden areas lie empty and overgrown. What a possibility for a real nice garden colony where to spend one's vacation close to home.

The Parks Departments and their staff will, in times like this if and when people will vacation at home, as just might happen this year, have their work cut out as, aside from the good people visiting parks in such instances, there are also always those that have to misbehave. On the other hand the simple pressure that an influx of a great number of people – more people that there have been for ages – puts onto the Parks and Park Staff will mean that, at times, litter may not be removed from areas as fast as people might like.

Again here the admonishment to all: Please, as far as possible, take your refuse home with you and do not leave it in the countryside or the park. If a litter bin is full do not put your bags of litter on top. It gets blown off, or taken off by wildlife, and scattered all over the area.

During the hot spells do not light or barbecues in parks, open spaces or woodlands. Aside from the fact that in most cases this is against the laws or bylaws it is also a fire hazard.

Leave wildlife alone and no, Bambi is not abandoned. His mother will be back soon. Do not touch him. If you do his mother may definitely abandon him and he will die.

Aside from this: enjoy your holiday in the parks and open spaces in our towns and our countryside, but please follow the Countrycode.

A “stay at home” holiday, with visits to the local parks and open spaces, as well as the local attractions – and there are more than you might think, regardless where you may live – is much more beneficial to you, and not just in respect to your pocketbook, as well as to Mother Nature (as long as you respect Her when you are out and about in the countryside during such a “stay at home” vacation.

Save money and reduce your environmental footprint (I refuse to call it carbon footprint or CO2 footprint) and have a relaxing time by having a “Holiday at Home”.

© M Smith (Veshengro), May 2008

Bikers leave trail of destruction in 'ancient' woodland

Motorcyclists and mountain bikers are destroying a prehistoric monument and environmentally sensitive sites in "ancient" woodland in Cornwall.

By Michael Smith (Veshengro), RFA

For the second year running, bikers have been wreaking havoc by riding their vehicles off-track in Kilminorth Woods, West Looe, which is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value and a Local Nature Reserve.

Owned and managed by Caradon District Council, the 45ha site lies along the western bank of the West Looe River and is South East Cornwall’s largest primeval oak woods.

Until recently, Kilminorth Woods offered a largely undisturbed habitat for many different species of wildlife and plants. Last year mountain bikers, who are permitted to use the bridleway through the woods, began using the area for off-road biking, building several large ramps and causing substantial damage to ancient woodland’s fragile environment.

The district council removed the ramps, but the bikers are back in force this year. Trial bikers have also recently taken to using the woods – even though motorcycles are prohibited from the area – causing much more serious damage to the woods and creating a hazard for walkers.

Councillor Margaret Allen, Caradon’s local environment portfolio holder, said: “During the past year I’ve made many visits across Caradon to see our woodland sites, play parks and nature reserves, but my recent trip to Kilminorth Woods was the saddest.

“The bikers have built substantial wood and earth ramps, gouging trenches in the floor of the woods for their construction and churning up the earth where they ride their bikes off-track.

"They are destroying the lichens, mosses and ferns for which the woods are known and disturbing the habitat of small creatures such as voles, insects and nesting birds. Deer and badgers are also being affected, and one bike track passes close to an established badger sett.

“Worse still, the bikers have deliberately dug out sections of the Giant’s Hedge to form tracks. There can be no excuse for wantonly destroying an ancient monument, and it is clear from the scale of the destruction that we are talking about the actions of adults rather than children.

Councillor Allen continued: “Kilminorth Woods is designated as a Local Nature Reserve, and Caradon has an obligation to protect it. We have no objection to bicycles on the formal pathways, but off-track mountain and trial biking is not appropriate in an environmentally sensitive area.

“The vast majority of visitors to Kilminorth Woods use the footpaths in a safe and sensible way, but sadly a few thoughtless trial and mountain bikers are causing serious problems by their illegal and inappropriate use of the woods.
"The near accidents, verbal abuse of other users of the woods and damage to the area is wholly unacceptable.

"Ancient woodland like Kilminorth is the United Kingdom’s version of the rainforest. A mere 2 per cent is left, and it is still disappearing”, said Councillor Allen further.

Unfortunately, Councillor Allen does not know, in the latter instance, what he is talking about, much like so many local councillors. She does remind one of some of the so-called environmental advisers to the local councils here that have about as much knowledge of the environment, namely none or very little.

I very much, as a professional forester, amongst others, would like to dispute the notion of ancient forest/woodland in the UK to mean one never touched by hand of man. 99.9% of all woodlands and forests in this country have, at one time or the other, been worked and managed by man. The often quoted ancient woodlands in some places of the West Country are in fact ancient coppice woodlands which, if they are not going to be worked pronto will fall apart and will become history.

Spouting off the contents of material they have read, but all too often not properly digested and especially understood, and more often than not from dubious sources, does not help the cause one little bit.

I do, however, agree that motorbikes have no place in such woodlands – or any other woodlands – for that matter as those that ride mountain bike of the push bike variety should do so with consideration and if they do not they should be brought to book and fined severely – period.

Like the law give the right of seizure of an illegally used motorbike, that is to say that the relevant authorities can take the bike and have it crushed, the same might be a good idea for the mountain biker variety too when they are used in a manner as outlined here. It is my belief that many riders would thing more than twice doing the described if they'd knew that the authorities could seize their bike, which often have cost them thousands of British Pounds, and gave then destroyed or – and this would be much better – sold off to others.

© M Smith (Veshengro), May 2008

Climate Change is going to adversely affect European Biodiversity

by Michael Smith (Veshengro), RFA

Climate Change and the loss of Biodiversity are the most pressing environmental problems and challenges of the twenty first century. Biodiversity and forestry will be tremendously affected by this.

In order to develop the necessary adaption strategies integrated and appropriate research is required that covers a broad spectrum of themes. We must not, under any circumstances, underestimate the possible effects of climate change on the environment and on biodiversity, especially, as said, in our woods and forests and the impact that this will have on our continued use of forest products.

The concept of the protection and retention of the biodiversity includes, aside from the mere protection of the environment and biodiversity, also the commercial use of our woodlands and forests. Therefore research into climate change and biodiversity has to be seen and understood an interdisciplinary task which also must include the socio-economic aspects and the questions as to our moral concepts and ideas.

According to calculations and prognoses based on computer modelling not only would by a warming of the climate the potentially suitable ranges for tree species like beech and pine change considerably, but this would also be the case for the rarer species and those endangered ones on the red lists. The “red list species”, according to those calculations, would be extremely hard hit due to loss of suitable areas where they can grow and thrive.

We must find ways and means to react to such a threat so as to preserve the species but also to be able to continue to commercially use timber and other products from our woods and forests even during this probable climate change.

© M Smith (Veshengro), Tatchipen Media & EcoFor, April 2008

Hultafors Group acquires Fisco Tools

Gothenburg April 2, 2008 - Hultafors Group has acquired all shares in the leading British measuring tape manufacturer Fisco Tools Ltd. The acquisition is a natural stage in the growth strategy of the Hultafors Group whose operations aim at servicing the professional requirements of European craftsmen.

Hultafors and Fisco Tools have for many years now undertaken strategic cooperation covering the production and sale of measuring tools. With this acquisition, Hultafors will be able to broaden its product portfolio and strengthen its presence on the European market.

"Hultafors has high growth targets and, with the acquisition of Fisco Tools, we will increase our turnover by over 70 million SEK annually," says Bo Jägnefält, CEO of Hultafors. "Tape measures are today one of the world's most frequently used hand tools and we see considerable growth potential in virtually all markets."

In 2007, the annual turnover of the Hultafors Group was 1.1 billion SEK. The group currently consists of three brands and represents the hand tools business area within Investment AB Latour which is listed on the Stockholm stock exchange.

The current brands in the Hultafors Group are:

· Hultafors Tools which is the Nordic market leader in hand tools in both the measuring & marking and the chopping & striking sectors.

· Wibe Ladders which was acquired in 2005 and which is the market leader in the Nordic region for ladders and scaffolds.

· Snickers Workwear which was acquired in December 2006 and is one of Europe's leading brands for workwear for craftsmen. Snickers has distribution in 20 countries.

Founded in 1939, Fisco Tools Ltd has been a manufacturer of tape measures since the 1940s and has taken a leading position in the development of state-of -the art products.. The company's operation and production are based in Rayleigh, Essex in England. www.fisco.co.uk

Hultafors Group currently consists of the Snickers Workwear, Wibe Ladders and Hultafors Tools brands. Together they form a unique product family for professional craftsmen who want products on which they can rely. Hultafors Group has 650 employees and has sales operations on more than 40 markets the world over. www.hultaforsgroup.com

Bulldog Bypass Pruning Shears BD3152 – Product Review

Rollins Bulldog have been making quality tools for gardening and agriculture for well over 200 years by now and most of those tools are still forged at Bulldog's Clarington Forge in Wigan.

The pair of bypass pruning shears, that I have the pleasure in reviewing here, are from the Premier Range, and came to me via a press pack from the 2008 Garden Press Event that was held at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster at the end of January 2008, are no exception here. They are a quality tool at a very reasonable price. At around GBP 13 these quality pruners certainly are not expensive.

The blades are forget from high carbon SK-5 Japaneses steel and the handles are sold aluminium into which the blades are securely bolted. The handles have green “elastomer” grips, preventing the tool slipping out of your hands.

Locking together of the handles is achieved by an old method though with modern materials, that is to say that an ABS plastic hook acts as the lock at the bottom of the handles, locking the pruners safely and secure.

The spring is of the common “caterpillar” kind which is, unfortunately, often prone to jumping out and getting lost. This problem is overcome, as it would appear, on the BD3152 pruners in that the ends of the spring has been recessed rather deep into the handles and I should think that it is nigh on impossible for the spring to jump out on its own without help.

The BD3152 pruners appear very well made and well thought out, as are all Bulldog tools, and should give years of faithful service at a great value price. The length of service obviously depends greatly on how they are used or abused and treated or mistreated during and especially also after work. This often makes or breaks a tool.

Pros:
High carbon steel blades, forged
Bladed bolted into handles
Solid aluminium handles with rubberized grips
Safe and secure locking mechanism
Value for money price

Cons:
Still trying to find any.

The BD3152 Bypass Pruning Shears from Bulldog are equally well suited, in my opinion, for the professional gardener as well as the allotment gardener or the amateur at home.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

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