Paul in the woods

The question for me is what is the cost of your time vs cost to grind?

Yes, I expect the base fuel is all very similar, just the oil different. I tend to use Motomix now as it's easier to get hold of, when my local Stihl dealer has it in stock that is.

https://blog.stihl.co.uk/6-reasons-stihl-motomix-fuel/

Thanks Jules, I hope it is that simple. (I've found the government guidance and it does seem to be). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-on-access-agreements But, I don't understand the letter I received and the attitude of the contractors involved. I've received a letter informing me of a pole 'near' me and a blob on the map covering part of my woodland including my access gate. If the pole isn't on my land I don't see why I was sent a letter and if it is on my land I don't know why they've not mentioned wayleave. I have found out it's to serve another property. Anyway, I have emailed back and contacted the council dept in charge of this work saying I do not authorise any poles on my land until I agree a location. I'll see what happens.

Head anything up to about 20m from the highest bit of the stream I own to the lowest, but in reality I'd use much less. Flow, I've no idea but I would not wade across the stream when it's in full flow and it moves quite large tree trunks. No fish to worry about. What appeals to me most is the stream is often in full flood when I need the energy most in winter and it's 24/7 week in week out, unlike solar and wind.

Yes, I've had some dealings in the past hence trying to sort this before anything stupid is done. The link does suggest they must ask permission so I'll go with that.

I'm trying, I only have an email address and they just send a generic unhelpful reply.

I receive a wayleave payment for an electricity pole, although it's only a couple of quid so I've never bothered cashing the cheque. But I gather the laws are different with telegraph poles so I don't know how the wayleave would work with them. I had thought about felling the pole but I gather it's a criminal offence to tamper with telecoms, even a pole slapped without permission in the middle of your garden. Blocking access is not possible as access will be gained from the road and I don't know where they plan to stick it. Annoyingly I'm more than happy to have it if it's in a sensible place.

Yes, I've seen some of his videos although I'm more after an off-the-peg solution. When I first started looking I naively thought someone like CAT would sell or recommend a tried and tested range of turbines. For that matter it would seem more logical if the government did just hand over grants but could offer advice and some tried and tested solutions for people.

Thanks for the link. Do you know of any other similar fora? I want to install a hydro-turbine as I have access to a stream with a good flow (it used to have water mills on it decades ago). I'd like to start off with something small (500w) to see if it would be worth investing in something larger. Although I can find turbines for sale I'd like some guidance on what to go for, some of the turbines I've seen for sale don't fill me with confidence they'll work or last long.

Yes, I've seen that thanks and a few others but it says "tend to require prior permission via a legal wayleave agreement" rather than "must require". I expect in my case they will require it but will behave like they don't.

That is my understanding, I would assume I should be contacted and a wayleave arranged before the pole is erected if the pole serves another property (which it will do). Now I'm not interested in any payment but would expect to at least be consulted. The contractors don't seem to think this is necessary. (They're not BT Open Reach which may not help).

Thanks for the replies. The pole is the result of the roll out of fibre in the area and is being driven by the county council. The problem I'm having is that the contractor is behaving like they have the right to put poles wherever they fancy and I expect the council will take the same approach. I have told them they can't put a pole on my land without my permission but I expect they will just ignore me. Hence asking if anyone actually knows the law. As with most telecoms problems, I will try and catch the people doing the work and sort it out with them but I can't always be around the place. A land agent sounds an expensive option although I might look into this for another patch of land.

Does anyone know the law around the insertion of new telegraph poles? I.e. if one is to be inserted on private land does the owner of the pole need to seek permission from the owner of the land? This pole is not to supply my property. I ask as I've received a letter informing me of the intention to insert a pole on/near my land. I don't have an objection in principle but I would like to agree where it's sited. Unfortunately the contractors doing the work don't seem competent - I've been given two different types of co-ordinates which don't match and one has the pole being erected right in the middle of a neighbouring house. I'm concerned they'll site the pole too close to a gate as to block access or possibly too close to a tree that needs taking out. I've tried contacting the contractors a few times but they are rude and unhelpful and just ignore the question.

I had a far more rotten alder in my woodland. Survived all sorts of storms until Eunice felled a healthy looking ash which took out the alder. With dieback about I wouldn't risk leaving that ash meself.

That's so 2020, you've forgotten to add another £50 to certify they're dry.

I assume you'd have some form of choice? If the site is suitable a nice oak would be a good bet, doesn't seem to get going for 10+ years in my experience.

Of no help to the OP, but is anyone else thinking of the Dead Parrot sketch? No, no, the trees resting...

I doubt the stove is HETAS installed, many aren't. No harm in asking the seller but if it's a sellers market they'll probably not want to bother with sorting out anything. You may also have trouble with house insurance if you use the stove without getting it inspected. It does sound like you need someone who knows what they are doing to sort it. Going back to the stove, do you know the make or have a photo? On the old Rayburns etc they had a cover you could lift off the hot plate, that was for cleaning out the soot and access to the flu. Seems to be called a 'plug' on some old photos. Fairly common so I would hope yours could be sealed and signed off.

And if anyone is very, very bored. This DEFRA research might be of interest: Research to understand burning in UK homes and gardens http://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&Completed=0&ProjectID=20159

The reports can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/emissions-of-air-pollutants/emissions-of-air-pollutants-in-the-uk-particulate-matter-pm10-and-pm25 Looking through the reports, data and various links I'm not sure how acurate the numbers are. Some of the numbers seem to be based on what they describe as "highly uncertain estimates". I did find this document which seems to try and work out the various sources of particulates but it seems to be based on multiple statistics and surveys so the room for error is huge. From here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1054220/Methods_and_quality_processes_for_UK_air_pollutant_emissions_statistics.pdf The above is just part of their explanation of how they worked out the numbers for bonfires. Based on an old survey and I'm sure many of the responses to that would have been rather innacurate.

That's why I bought a Sealey trolley jack which has 3 self-locking positions. It's a bit of a pain to remember to lift and unlock, but for the times when you forget to use an axle stand... Mines a Sealey 2000LJ, they used to do a 3 tonne one but they seem hard to come by now.

Just thinking alound but would dust etc under the trigger switch cause this at all, i.e. acting like the trigger is pressed ever so slightly?

I think you're being rather outdated. When I lived in suburbia both my neighbours were retired so, if anything, were more likely to be out on the weekend. Now many people work from home so preople will be about 7 days a week. You could always get the clients to ask, or am I odd in doing that? Anyway, I've always prefered to work sundays and take a week day off, avoiding the noise of all the mowers, pressure washers etc.

Can't you just make a banner up with "Insulate Britain" on it and call work on Sundays a political protest? Or phone your local council to see what they advise as they will be the ones who can advise what they regard as acceptable?