Forestry & British Timber articles from May 2002

Forestry & British Timber archives from May 2002

Just what has certification achieved?(FSC decides to move to Germany)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... The great and the good of our industry accepted an Institute of Chartered Foresters' invitation recently to debate sustainability and progress made since Rio in the impressively academic setting of Imperial College, London. A few days...

BSW scores a hat trick.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Three mills - #3m - 3%: in sporting scores parlance, the triple figures sum up the initial 2002 achievements for a company whose origins go way back to the revolutionary year of 1848. In a trio of its main plants across England, Wales and...

Darling buds of May.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... `The timing of oak-bud burst has changed dramatically in the past 50 years and is an indicator of climate change in Britain', said Forestry Commission education manager Sally Yore in launching the country's first comprehensive web database...

GIS Team get started.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Eamonn Wall & Co has started a major land use potential survey in East Lancashire for the ELWOOD (East Lancashire Woodlands) Initiative. The project will use air photography, ground-truthing and other local data sources to form a GIS land use...

Symbolising the heart of the forest.(National Forest opens woodland area)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... A woodland, on a former derelict mine site in the heart of the National Forest, which owes its existence to an initiative launched in 1998 by then Prime Minister John Major, was officially opened this March by Father of the House of Commons Tam...

For FastCo, read Lantra.(sector skills council for the environmental and land-based sector to operate through Trees and Timber Industry Group)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... For many years, people in the forestry and arboricultural industries looked to the Edinburgh-based FASTCo to address - and help solve - their safety and training concerns, not least through its invaluable guidance literature. That era ended on...

Wanted - fencing contractors!
May 2, 2002... The search is on for professional fencing contractors from around the country to take part in the fencing competition at the National Sheep Event 2002. Venue is the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs on July 31. Organised by the...

Going for urban greenery.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Head for Manchester on May 14 to learn more about the latest health- promotion ideas on trees and woods in towns and cities. Here, at the city's `Comedy Store', a quartet of speakers - lined up for delegates at Wolverhampton-based National...

CLA supports UKWAS.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has brought to 34 the number of organisations representing the forestry, environmental and social communities, to formally endorse the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), and are now full...

Focus on fagus.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... `Uses of beech, focus on fagus' was the catchy title of a Chilterns Woodlands Project* (CWP) seminar to predict the likely future of the region's most notable species. It sought to `turn this timber into an engineering, interior design or craft...

`Welcome back' to Scotland.(Ross Finnie launches Treefest Scotland 2002 program)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Efforts to welcome visitors to the Scottish countryside after last year's foot and mouth oubreak stepped up a gear when environment and rural development minister Ross Finnie launched the main summer programme of `Treefest Scotland 2002'. ...

Of cobnuts and Black poplar.(Countryside Agency and Nationwide Building Society contribute funds to the local heritage initiative)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Woodlands topics figure prominently in the ten-year-duration `Local heritage initiative'* (LHI) projects under way throughout England. All are eligible to win a new annual award to find tomorrow's `heritage stars' in the style of Tony Robinson...

Loggers of the world unite.
May 2, 2002... Now winging their way to 50 countries around the world are invitations to join in the 25th World Logging Championships at Lockerbie this autumn. Sponsored by Stihl, the event will be part of the `International forest fest' (IFF) 2002 to be...

Woodland waterfalls' win.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... There are more than woodlands in Cydcoed's concern to care for the Welsh countryside: latest project relates to the impressive three- tiered Coed Dolgoch waterfalls with tourists drawn there via the equally renowned Talyllyn railway. They come...

From cars to Conkers.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... With its Burnaston, Derbyshire manufacturing plant a stone's-throw away, Derbyshire car manufacturer Toyota UK has signed a five-year partnership agreement with `Conkers', the woodland attraction created by the Lottery-funded Heart of the...

Birch booster.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Scotland alone, a new research report claims, could yield an annual 22500m3 of sawn birch suitable for furniture and flooring. Funded by the Forestry Commission, the Scottish Forestry Trust and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, TRADA Technology...

Waste not, want not - II.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... The search goes on to find a viable system for recycling preservative- treated timbers (see `WRAP' story, FBT, March, p7). Latest news comes from the Forest Products Research Centre (FPRC) based at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College,...

Show on!
May 2, 2002... Cancelled last year due to foot and mouth, this year's 119th Newark & Notts County Show will go ahead this year and the organisers are determined that the 2002 two-day event will be the best yet. The first major agricultural show of the...

Interforst innovation.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Organisers of the German Interforst 2002 trade fair - to be staged in Munich, July 3-7 - have launched a competition award for `particularly innovative developments in forestry technology'. It is open to all exhibitors at the show where entries...

Don't auction safety!(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... `Let the buyer beware' is the old adage that must be firmly borne in mind at woodworking machinery auctions. `They may seem attractive opportunities to obtain additional equipment at low cost', adds the Woodworking Machinery Suppliers...

New MSc at Imperial.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... With the increasing global threat to the integrity and well-being of trees, a new MSc option for the established postgraduate course in pest management at Imperial College is timely indeed. The only course of its kind in the UK, the one-year...

Merrist Wood sets the 2002 pace.
May 2, 2002... Attracting top competitors from both the UK and continental Europe, the Merrist Wood College, Guildford major pole-climbing competition* during its Sunday, May 19 open day will be a warm-up for the English championships at the Royal Bath and...

On safari, Salops-style.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... One of the bonuses for visitors to the delightful Shropshire town of Ludlow - with its renowned castle, summer arts festival and restaurants - is the chance to leave town to explore the adjacent ancient Mortimer Forest - 1000 hectares of Forest...

Meehan heads up Kronospan sales team.(Tony Meehan appointed sales director)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Tony Meehan who has been with Chirk, North Wales-based Kronospan, for over six years been appointed sales director. Tony, 36, joined the company as general manager and he pioneered the company's now highly successful Kronoplus division, which...

Director Scotland Appointed.(Forestry and Timber Association, Jamie Farquhar appointment)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Jamie Farquhar has been appointed Forestry & Timber Association Director Scotland. Jamie is ideally qualified for this work, with 20 years' experience as factor at Mansfield Estates, Scone Palace, where he managed farming, forestry, sporting...

Lavery to Tilhill.(Steve Lavery appointment)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Steve Lavery who was managing director of BSW Harvesting when it was bought by Tilhill earlier this year has been appointed timber operations director of Tilhill. He will be responsible for the further development of the harvesting operations...

Anita is at top of the tree.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... `It's a constant challenge to persuade people that trees are a valuable part of the environment'. Anita Burrough was commenting on her working life after hearing that she had gained a distinction and been named top student in the Arboricultural...

Steve moves ahead.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Long-time employee Steve Campbell has been appointed an area sales manager of Countax Ltd, distributors of Echo power tools, of Great Haseley, Oxford. He succeeds Mark Jenkins who, after having recently assumed the role, decided to return to...

Forestry minister backs timber.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Forestry minister Elliott Morley called for the encouragement of a `wood-using culture among UK consumers' in an unscheduled speech at the Timber Trade Federation annual dinner. Mr Morley was a last-minute addition to the schedule of...

B&Q TRADA coup.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... B&Q has become the first DIY superstore chain to join the timber research organisation TRADA. The company, which buys #90m of timber a year, became a member in April after several weeks of negotiation. B&Q believes membership -...

Rembrand on expansion trail.(Rembrand Timber Ltd acquires Roof Truss Company Ltd)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Rembrand Timber Ltd has made its second major expansion move recently with the purchase of the timber merchanting division of the Roof Truss Company Ltd (RTC). The #750 000 purchase of the Moycroft Elgin merchants comes just weeks after...

Boost for Travis Perkins.(company profit data)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Travis Perkins timber business played a significant role in the sharp increase in the company's pre-tax profits last year. The company reported earnings up 26.6% to the end of December 2001 to #110.5m. Sales rose 8.3% to #1.3bn. ...

Burbidge buys Atkinson.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Timber products specialist Richard Burbidge Ltd has bought Ormskirk- based timber flooring and mouldings manufacturer Atkinson Marketing Ltd and its subsidiaries Atkinson & Kirby Ltd and Art Mouldings (Sales) Ltd, for an undisclosed sum. ...

Greenpeace invade Whitehall.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Forty Greenpeace volunteers invaded the Cabinet Office in Whitehall on April 10 in a protest over government purchases of African hardwood joinery. The action follows a Greenpeace investigation which, it says, revealed the government was...

Protests at Malaysian campaign.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... A brochure promoting a timber species called `Malaysian oak' has been condemned by oak producers in Europe and the USA. The leaflet has been produced under the auspices of Malaysia's Ministry of Primary Industries and says the material is...

Jones increases output.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Sawmiller James Jones & Sons says it hopes to treble output from its I- beam factory in Forres. The company has applied for planning permission to put a #1m extension on the plant and, if it gets the go-ahead, says it will increase the...

Betting on their hedges!(United Kingdom farming competition details)
May 2, 2002... Hedgelaying, that winter activity traditionally undertaken by farm workers to create stock-proof barriers around pastureland, has seen something of a revival of late and in recent weeks expert practitioners have been in competition with...

Douglas keeps the wagons rolling.
May 2, 2002... Estimates show that in the UK fewer than 30 wheelwrights specialise in timber as fully-qualified practitioners of this age-old craft. One of these is Douglas Andrews of the little village of Three Cups near Heathfield in East Sussex. He could...

Words flow as trees go.(blanket bogs protection activity review)
May 2, 2002... Twenty years ago, the nation was told that it had, in the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland, `blanket bogs' that were unique in the world. It also heard that they were threatened by the Chancellor of the Exchequer who had introduced a...

On a 'clere day!(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... If Arb is your game and keeping up with what's going on in your industry is your aim, you can't afford to miss the Arborist Trade Fair, Highclere Castle, June 14-15. The show is now in its fourth year and going from strength to strength but...

Low cost yields maximum return.
May 2, 2002... When establishing a timber harvesting business, cost-effective choices are crucial. While doubts may exist over some low-cost harvesting machines, it clearly is not the case with Keto as Eoghan Daly reports on the experiences of one positively...

Cradle of innovation.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... `They represent a major step forward over the rigid fixed-post bolsters that have been in use for a number of years'. The claim comes from Steven Farrell, owner-operator of Farrell & Co, forestry and agricultural engineers, of Otterburn,...

More than a mountain day-dream.(Valmet Corp.'s harvester)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... `This is without doubt the best machine that I have ever driven: speedy, strong and flexible - the dream machine of all time'. The superlatives came thick and fast from young Norwegian operator Gjermund Kvaal as he climbed into the cab of his...

Wilson's latest franchise.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... For the past eight years, Jas P Wilson* has been fitting rotators made by Latvian firm Baltrotors to its own popular range of Botex cranes. Now, in a joint venture, the Dumfries and Galloway-based machinery suppliers have agreed to be sole UK...

Lighter toil.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Ken Reid from Jas P Wilson looks suitably impressed by the quality of rotators from the Baltrotors production facility. With him is the company's marketing director Elly Zavadska. An example of the range on offer from Latvia, via Jas P...

Chipper/tipper combo.(Arborplant Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... As a back-up to its chipper hire business, Arborplant Ltd* now offers a high-sided Cabstar tipper truck complete with Timberwolf chipper for short- or long-term use. `We anticipate this being the first of a fleet of trucks, with varying...

Staying put to move ahead.(stationary sawmills by Wood-Mizer Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... A trend towards the use of narrow-band sawmills for stationary small- scale timber processing operations - rather than their more traditional mobile roles - comes from Peter Burn of Wood-Mizer UK*. His prophecy is based on research among...

Getting to root of problem.(equipment for live tree transplanting)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... A 100-year-old Sugar maple tree has been moved to make way for new science laboratories at Myerscough College near Preston, Lancs. In an operation costing #10000+, the 20m-high specimen was lifted and replanted on campus about 50m away. ...

Sussex stump man sticks to his roots.(stump-grinding business in England)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... Jonathan Vartan* fell into stump grinding `by accident' almost 20 years ago and he's never looked back - or indeed felt the need to seek employment, in any other way, since. Prior to being bitten by the stump grinding bug he'd tried his...

So, just how safe is your safety clothing?
May 2, 2002... You've just splashed out your hard-earned cash on a new pair of chainsaw trousers. Well, you had no choice did you, because you work with a chainsaw all day? But have you ever considered just how safe your new clothing is? Over to David...

Well rigged out.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... With the claim to be the UK's leading safety footwear manufacturer, Totectors Ltd* launches its Rigger SM3757 range. The boots' all-terrain sole have been innovatively fabricated from dual layers of nitrile rubber (DNR) fused together by heat...

Severnside selection.(Severnside Safety Supplies)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... A broad range of protective clothing and arb gear and other miscellaneous sundry products is now on offer from Severnside Safety Supplies* including SIP clothing, forestry and arborist helmets, muffs/visors for brushcutter users, various types...

Oregon's 2002 offering.(Blount UK Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... New for spring 2002 from Blount UK Ltd* is the Oregon Extreme protective clothing range. Water- and wind-proof and breathable, the trousers are available in either type A for professional users or type C for tree surgeons and the occasional...

Safety shod.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... In eight styles, all with a 200-joule steel toe-cap and a two-layer, cleated sole, the latest `dual-density rubber' (DDR) safety footwear range from Goliath Footwear Ltd* feature a low-density inner layer of impact-absorbing air bubbles for...

All power to your feet.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... `The benchmark by which premium safety footwear is judged' is Fujikura Europe Ltd's proud claim for its new V12 Powerwear range of 13 safety (EN 345) and five non-safety boots and shoes. It says that the secret of their strength begins with the...

Stihl moves up a gear.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 2, 2002... `PPE should be considered as much a part of the forester's attire as the gardener's glove', says Andreas Stihl Ltd* in unveiling its safety clothing range. It begins with its new range for the new millennium - Foresterwear and Concept lines...

APF 2002 Diary.(Brief Article)
May 2, 2002... As the UK's greatest forestry event APF 2002 at Lockerbie (Sept 25-28) draws ever closer, APF Exhibition secretary Ian Millward* continues his countdown to this show of shows... By the time you read this there will be only 21 weeks to go...