Woodfuel training course - quality standards and quality assurance

The Kent Downs Woodfuel Pathfinder and High Weald AONB have partnered with Ignite to offer a new training course on woodfuels.

Ignite is an innovative training programme of practical seminars and interactive workshops with a focus on woodfuel. 

Ignite is designed for those wanting to know more about woodfuel and to equip new and existing woodfuel businesses with the skills and knowledge required to meet the increasing demand from this growing market. 

Ignite courses have been developed and are run by RDI Associates Limited, a registered training provider with Lantra Awards and all courses are delivered by experienced and accredited trainers.

The course is being run in partnership with Forest Advisory Consortium England partners, WoodNet and the Kent Downs and High Weald AONBs.

Woodfuel Quality Standards

This one day course introduces woodfuel suppliers and users to the full range of standards and quality assurance schemes in use in the supply chain and how to produce and specify the correct type of fuel. 

It looks at how to ensure your woodfuel is compliant with the Timber Standard for Heat and Electricity covering the legal and sustainability criteria and the requirements of the Biomass Suppliers List.

The course also looks at how woodfuel properties can affect compliance with standards, how to specify and test fuel, and match fuel specifications to combustion systems.

The course provides an introduction to BS EN solid biofuels standards that have been adopted in the UK and reviews the various woodfuel quality assurance schemes and what relevance these may have to your business. The course involves a practical sampling demonstration at a working woodfuel supply depot.

Course attendees will also receive a copy of our Woodfuel Quality Standards Handbook and a Lantra Awards certificate of attendance.

Cost:
1 day course: £140+ VAT

• A 10% discount is offered to members of the Woodfuel Suppliers Group and Wood Heat Association (please confirm your membership on booking)
• Prices include all course materials, refreshments, lunch and course registration and certification fees

How to book:
Phone: 01765 609355

or

Email: Erica.spencer@ruraldevelopment.org.uk

or

Post:
Rural Development Initiatives Ltd
Unit 9
Sycamore Business Park
Dishforth Road
Copt Hewick
Ripon
HG4 5DF

Further details from the RDI events web page.

Kent Downs Woodfuel Pathfinder - FREE Conference

The Woodfuel Pathfinder has now been operating for almost four years and we are fast approaching the end of the current phase of the project.

The ADAFOR Interreg project, which has enabled the Pathfinder to operate for the last two years, comes to a close at the end of March 2015.

To mark the end of ADAFOR the project partners will hold a small, two-day conference on March 5th and 6th at East Brabourne.

We would like to extend an invitation to readers of this blog and their colleagues.  The conference is FREE to attend.

To book a place please go to our Eventbrite page.

Alternatively email us at matthew.morris@kentdowns.org.uk or call 01303 815 171.

Game Management in Woodlands - FREE event

The good people at the High Weald AONB have organised a seminar on game management in woodland.  

This free event will take place on Tuesday 7th October (10:15 to 2:00 pm).

Places are limited - please book using this link.  For more information please contact Matt Pitts at the High Weald AONB.

MULTIFOR woodfuel conference - free places available for selected delegates

The final conference for the MULTIFOR (Multi-Functional Forestry) project will take place in Amiens in France on April 10th and 11th.

This EU ERDF funded project has been active since 2010 and has explored a range of topics ranging from woodfuel (hence the Kent Downs Woodfuel Pathfinder), adaptation of forestry management in a changing climate and  improving public access in private woodlands.

The conference will include speakers from a range French and English organisations involved in both research and the practical application of new approaches that promote multi-functional woodland management.

Interreg IV A Eligible Area

The Pathfinder project can fund a limited number of delegates (maximum 15).  

This includes travel (by coach) to and from Amiens and overnight accommodation and breakfast (lunches will be provided by the conference organiser).

If you are interested in attending please call Matthew Morris on 01303 815 171 as soon as possible to discuss.





To qualify for a funded place it is preferable that you:

• Have a demonstrable connection with woodland management, woodfuel, climate change in forest ecosystems, public access in woodland or multi-functional woodland management in general.
• Work in the eligible area for the Interreg IV A 'two seas' programme (see map above)
• Can commit to attending the conference on April 10th and 11th.

Full details of the conference are below.  Please do note hesitate to call to discuss attending the conference (01303 815 171).

Deer management - FREE workshop