GrahamW

Here's one of my efforts this year - 240 metres, South of England Style in the South Downs National Park, West Sussex. Features a nice change of direction as it passes over the brow of the hill.

Stihl MS260 is as good a place to start as any. Solid, dependable saws and parts readily available. I think a lot of people will be holding on to them though given the chequered history of the replacement MS261 to date.

Yes, a sad day indeed. I think I might have to buy one before the second-hand price rockets!

Red Squirrels and Pine Martens are both native to the UK so have evolved to live alongside each other over thousands of years. One of the red's main defence mechanisms is that they are smaller and lighter than Pine Martens so they can reach right out to the ends of branches which would not support the weight of PMs. This is also the grey's Achilles heel, so to speak - they are much bigger and heavier than the reds, so there is nowhere for them to hide.

Cool, fingers crossed then!

I third that! Happy New Year to one and all. Graham

I'm in too - just purchased some tickets. Great cause indeed! Good luck folks....

Going rate for stakes is 60 pence each (80 pence if pointed) here in the south-east. Other regions may vary

They will loosen up in time and with wear. They are designed to be a closer fit than the older style trousers, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable needless to say.

Nice arch. We've got a TCF arch although it is more of a standard size. We did get Tim to weld on a couple of notched steel plates to the frame to allow the use of choker chains. Makes the arch just that bit more versatile. Great service from TCF too.

You couldn't make it up could you? How on earth did he make it through cop school one wonders? Seriously, sorry to hear about your misfortune VI

This looks like an excellent addition to the show. Having been on one of Dave Rossney's Coppice Harvesting Efficiency Courses some years ago, I can guarantee that you will learn a lot from one of the best trainer / assessors around. Gutted that I can't make it this year as I will be away. Oh well....

The troubles with rapid wear on MS261 crankshafts have all been attributed (as far as I am aware) to the clutch drums with rim sprockets. Spur sprocket drums appear not to have any issues that I have heard of.

We used Oregon Arborol a few years back and had the same problems. Seized up bar sprockets and chains after only a couple of days non-use and worse, two oil pumps seized and needing replacing. Never touched it since!

Thank goodness he was wearing gloves.......