Stillburning

I think that is a good idea. I've sent you a PM detailing my concerns, the main one being that having been told all of my bags had to be labelled with the logo after 1st May I found out quite by chance that this is not now the case as long as the logo is displayed at the point of sale or printed on the invoice. I have sent a further email to Woodsure asking if they will update all scheme members regarding this matter and any others that may have changed. In my exchange of emails with Woodsure yesterday they provided this link to leave a review, Woodsure Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of woodsure.co.uk (trustpilot.com, I'm considering whether to leave an honest review of my experiences or whether this will have repurcussions.

Yes that is what I am intending to do. For the buyer the RTB scheme means they will know the wood supplied is below the regulation moisture content - in addition the supplier has to prove that the wood is legally sourced, that they have a complaints procedure and product and public liability insurance. My (limited, after reading through the guidance) understanding is that the woodsure scheme additionally requires the supplier to document their quality production processes and provide proof in a Quality Manual, which required more detailed records to be kept at the the time of purchase/processing/storage etc and to keep records of equipment, operator training, site layout etc. You can also apply for a Grown In Britain licence. My decision as to which scheme to join is that the RTB scheme is less onerous in terms of paperwork and record keeping.

I am reluctantly signing up to the Ready To Burn scheme because I have to, one of the reasons I left forestry contracting and management was because there were so many organisations telling you how to do your job. One important point that I don't think is clear on the Woodsure website is that although the RTB scheme is administered by Woodsure, it is distinct from and less onerous than the actual woodsure assured quality woodfuel scheme. I only found this out after speaking to a very helpful lady at their office. Maybe that was just me being dull but thought it might be helpful to anyone else who has to sign up.

Thanks for the update arboricultist ?

I had some communications with Hetas regarding the Woodsure scheme some years ago as a large company supplying kiln dried logs was approved under the scheme but having significant quality control issues at the time (I know that because their customers were coming to me). They said they did not have a mechanism for customers to complain to them, and that as long as the company was compliant on the day of inspection that was all they were interested in (and the fee of course).

No they are imported, thats how I know the CW wood wool is from Poland as I asked the company for a quote and got a phone call from CW instead saying buy off them! If anyone is interested in delivered prices per box of 50; 1 carton of 30 boxes via parcel courier £3.00 + VAT (total £90.00 + VAT) 4 cartons of 30 (120 boxes) via pallet courier £2.35 + VAT (total £282.00 + VAT) 8 cartons of 30 (240 boxes) via pallet courier £2.20 + VAT (total £528.00 + VAT) 24 cartons of 30 (720 boxes) via pallet courier £2.05 + VAT (total £1476.00 + VAT) I'm happy to give a few free sample boxes to anyone who can collect from Gloucester, or send a sample carton of 30 boxes for £2.50/box + VAT delivered (total £75 + VAT)

These are boxes of 50 and come in cartons of 30 (1 carton = 30 boxes x 50 firelighters), £60/carton i.e. £2/box + VAT + delivery.

CW Flamers "made in Britain" - wood wool rope purchased from Poland, cut, dipped and packaged in the UK.

Thanks for all the interest, the books are on hold pending collection tomorrow evening.

I'm having a clearout and have a box of textbooks (acquired 1985-1995) free for collection from Gloucester as a joblot, they include; FC publications; Forest Mensuration and Yield models Forestry Practice Farm Woodland Planning Agroforestry in the UK Urban Forestry Practice The Use of Herbicides in the forest Seed Manual for forest trees Choice of seed origins Others; Farm Woodland Management Arboriculturalists Companion Ecology of Woodland Processes The Foresters companion British Woodland Produce Timber structure properties and utilisation Timber trade practice Plus other smaller publications. If you are interested please PM with a contact telephone number.

I've got some crates of logs kiln dried almost 2 years, kept in a barn open at both ends and surrounded by water on 3 sides less than 100m away for most of the winter (its going down now!), and with the rain and relatively mild weather I would have thought there would have been more moisture in the atmosphere this winter than most others. MC readings are 9.5% - 11.9% internal (fresh split) and external. I havnt got written down what it started at but the external MC wouldnt have been much different, I've done some other readings of (constructional) timber inside the barn and average is about 11%. The farmer has a stack of split willow billets, seasoned 3 years now, average 11-12%. In my experiance the longer you store wood, however dried, the main effect is that the average moisture content will even out until it gets to 11-12%, unless as one of the other posters has said you take it down below that in the first place. The problem with the mould in the crates being auctioned has not been helped with how it has been stored but if the logs had been dried even down to 22% (maximum) I dont think the problem would have happened - but it would be interesting to know what the MC readings were when the logs were first put into storage.

Sorry HertsWood, I was about to correct you but......... HMRC originally told me that if delivery is included in the price or free then the VAT liability is the same rate as the goods (the main supply) so 5% to the end user for firewood, but that if a delivery charge is made (a separate supply of services) then VAT should be charged at the standard rate of 20%. After looking at HMRC notice 700/24 section 2, and in particular at section 2.3 I phoned them again and they confirmed that it is still 5% VAT to the end user even if delivery is itemised as a separate charge.