The Role of Trees and the Types of Wood

Trees play one of the most important roles in supporting life on earth. All over the planet they provide habitats for plants and animals, from the rainforests and jungles of hotter countries, to the snowy forests of Scandinavia. They also provide us with the air that we breathe, by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, and we are still learning so much about them.

Scientists and ecologists now know that trees are able to talk to each other in forests, using networks of fungi as a kind of tree telephone line! They also have many amazing medicinal uses, and for centuries have been used to cure a variety of ailments, which is something that we still do today.

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As well as all of these amazing things that trees can do, they are also something that humans use for building, and again have been doing so for centuries. The ships that set sail to explore the world, and the timber buildings of the Tudor period, to name just two things, were constructed from trees.

There are many types of trees in the world and all of the wood from various trees has different properties, so is more likely to be used for different things. Wood types can be split into two main groups, known as hardwood and softwood. This doesn’t refer to whether the wood is actually harder than others, generally speaking, hardwoods tend to be from deciduous trees which are grown from a seed or a nut. A good example of this is oak, which can be used in construction of things like these oak framed garages www.timberpride.co.uk/oak-framed-garages/

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Softwoods are coniferous or evergreen trees, and these are grown from a cone. They stay green all year around and will usually have needles instead of leaves. A good example of this is pine. Holly trees are a little bit of a strange one, as although they are indeed evergreen, they are actually classed as a hardwood not a softwood. This is because although they are evergreen, they do have leaves rather than needles.

As well as their capabilities, woods are often chosen for certain things based on their appearance. Holly is one of the whitest woods and can look beautiful in furniture making and for decorative purposes, whereas.

Three Things you Can Do to Keep your Home Safe from Thieves whilst you are on Holiday

Making sure that your home and property are safe from the risks of burglaries is something to think about as the holiday season approaches. Having a burglary happen is a distressing event that has both financial and emotional consequences which can last a long time. As we approach the time of year when we look forward to our holidays, ensure that you can enjoy your holiday safely in the knowledge that you have done all you can to protect your home from thieves. Here are a few things to think about…

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Make sure your Garage is Secure – Garages are often seen as easy ways to access your belongings, and if they are joined to your home, also your home by burglars. Garages often contain many expensive items which thieves will target, from the car to tools. Make sure that yours is secure – for example, if your garage door is old and past it, find a specialist in your area like this garage doors Gloucester based company www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk/garage-doors/garage-doors-gloucester/ who will be able to provide you with a modern garage door that will give your garage and your home much greater security.

Don’t Advertise an Empty House – If you want to deter burglars, don’t make it well known that you are not at home. From posting holiday snaps and updates on social media, to making your home appear occupied whilst you are away. Have a trusted friend or neighbour come to your home, if possible, to put bins out and collect post, as these are things that a burglar might look for when checking if a house is empty. You can also get timers for lights so that they come on at certain times, as a house all in darkness is often a sign that there is nobody home.

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Use Technology – Modern technology is helpful in many ways and being able to protect us from burglars is one of them. Nowadays you can get cameras which can connect to your phone, so wherever you are you will be able to monitor your house. Security lighting and modern burglar alarms are also great things to have as a deterrent to potential thieves looking for a place to get in and help themselves to – remember, they would rather not run the risk of being caught so visible deterrents like these are great.

The enduring use of Copper

Copper is one of the most versatile materials on the planet Earth. It is mined from rocks and has continued to be used since its discovery about 8000 BC. The reason that the Copper continues to be used is that it’s an incredibly versatile metal. Its use in electrical, plumbing and general construction projects means that its continued use is assured. Whereas our ancient ancestors would have used it for decorative, social and military purposes, we now use it for the conduction of electricity and its resistance to rust and corrosion. Copper Pipe, like that from Watkins and Powis Copper Pipe suppliers, is a prime example of this.

As our ancestors started to work with stone to create tools and weapons, they noticed something strange about some of the rocks they worked on. In the rock, there were long streaks of orange coloured stone that could be gouged out of rock. They found the substance to be hard and shiny. If they heated it up, it turned to liquid, unlike the stone, but when it cooled, it became hard, smooth and solid again. These early humans soon realised that they could make this into whatever shape for whatever they needed. It must have seemed like a wondrous gift from the Gods.

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As human mining and scientific development continued, the early inhabitants began to merge copper with tin. In this way, the first alloy metal was created. The Bronze age was born. This saw the creation of great artworks and armour, plus tools and weapons, that were robust enough to see the start of the many ancient civilisations rise. This began in 3500bc and lasted through to the Iron Age. Even then, the use of Copper was still required. The Romans mined it in Cyprus, and this is where we get its name. It is from the Latin word Cuprum and has been merged into the old English word of Coper. The extra ‘p’ wasn’t added until 1530.

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Copper is used on roofing and is very distinctive. It gets a greenish patina to it as it weathers, which is generally considered pleasing and a sign of age and wealth. It was not cheap to add it to roofs. Apart from construction, it is also used as an antibacterial defence as it has fungicidal properties, plus it can be used as a wood preserver.

Mental Health in the Workplace – Help for Employers and Employees

Stress is something that we all feel at times, especially in the last couple of years which have been difficult for a lot of reasons! Stress is a normal part of life, but sometimes it can topple over into mental health conditions such as anxiety or worsen the pre-existing mental health conditions.

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With many people now suffering from mental illness, and many of these people needing to work still, mental health needs to be managed in the workplace.

Employers can create more awareness of mental illnesses in the workplace by using services like these Tidal Training mental health training courses, and by encouraging employees to talk about mental illness, so that it is not one of those taboo subjects.

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For people who are working and suffering from a mental illness, there are also ways that you can manage this whilst being at work. Going to work is actually a help in itself, as it keeps that routine in your life, as well as giving the brain a focus. Working also helps to raise self-esteem and confidence.

There are also lots of helpful breathing techniques available that can help to reduce the feeling of panic that can come with mental illnesses like anxiety – this can be done anywhere, so taking time daily to practice these can set you in good stead for when you feel you are in need of calming down at work.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

If you’re curious about what cognitive behavioural therapy is, you’re not alone. Many people suffer from various mental illnesses and cognitive behavioural therapy is a popular option offered to help. Read on to learn more about the therapy’s goals, benefits, and types of sessions. Ultimately, it is important to seek professional help when you’re experiencing mental health issues. Find out more about the benefits of Mental Health Training Courses by visiting Tidal Training

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A cognitive therapist teaches clients to identify and challenge distorted beliefs. These beliefs can lead to self-destructive feelings and behaviours. Cognitive therapy helps clients identify these beliefs and replace them with healthier ones. The therapist will often use a variety of techniques in techniques known as cognitive restructuring.

The treatment usually involves multiple sessions lasting about an hour, with clients identifying their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs, and challenging them. Individual clients may require multiple sessions depending on the severity of their needs. CBT aims to be efficient and time-limited, and the therapist and client work closely together. In addition, the treatment plan will typically include goals and timetables. The therapy process can be a little more complicated, though, if your mental health issues are complex.

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People can also refer themselves to CBT. There are many ways to access this therapy on the NHS. You can contact a qualified psychologist through your GP or other healthcare professional. The therapist will discuss your concerns and discuss treatment options. Most CBT sessions involve writing, and journal keeping can help you identify patterns, emotions, and actions. It can also help you develop coping strategies for situations that are difficult to deal with.

 

A career in numbers

Do you have a good head for numbers? If so, then accounting may be the career for you. Chartered accountants provide help and advice in financial matters, auditing and the provision of financial records. This could include working with tax, audits, corporate finance, or bankruptcy, for example.

You will find accountants work in a variety of settings, including general practice firms and industry and commerce, as well as in the not-for-profit and public sectors. Chartered accountants offer expert services to paying clients who may be an individual or a public or commercial sector organisation.

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In the not-for-profit and public sector, they might be involved in management of the treasury, procurement or in a reporting role. To be able to work with money, you will also need to have a DBS check and in some circumstances a company that you may be investing for may also require Anti Money Laundering checks otherwise known as AML ID Verification like that provided by https://www.w2globaldata.com/an-idiots-guide-to-aml-kyc-id-verification/

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Field financial work that an accountant may do includes:

Providing financial advice

Financial systems and budget management

Business finance audit

Liaison with clients and provide financial information and advice

Reviewing the company’s system and analysing the risks

Maintaining accounting records and preparing accounts and management information for small businesses

Counselling clients in the areas of business improvement, or dealing with bankruptcy detect and prevent fraud

In the not-for-profit sectors, work involves:

Liaison with auditors and dealing with financial irregularities

Generating reports and following recommendations of audits

Financial statements, including the monthly and annual accounts

 

What is Involved in a Drainage Survey?

A drainage survey is a process that will help you determine whether your property has a drain issue. The engineer will conduct the drainage system analysis and develop a diagram to show where the problem is. A drainage survey will also help design contractors to comply with regulatory requirements. It is also part of planned preventative maintenance. It will allow asset owners to manage costs and prevent costly failures. In addition, it will help prevent damage caused by flooding or leaks.

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When it comes to drainage issues, a drainage survey will cover all the pipes within your property. Not only will you be able to respond to existing problems, but you will also be able to plan for future ones. This will save you money and time in the long run. With a drainage survey, you can make informed decisions about future improvements. You’ll be able to avoid costly repairs down the road. Find out more about CCTV Drainage Surveys from a site like Wilkinson Environmental, providers of CCTV Drainage Surveys

A drainage survey will uncover any drainage issues that may be present in your property. Not only will you be able to avoid costly repairs later, but you’ll also be able to plan for the future. A drainage survey will ensure that your property stays in good condition and that you’re protected from future problems. If you’re concerned about your property’s drainage, this can be a smart move. If you suspect you have a problem with a drainage system, you can take steps to prevent it from happening again.

Drainage surveys are very helpful when buying a new property. They can prevent a home buyer from falling into a money pit by determining whether or not a drainage problem is present. By getting a drainage survey, you’ll have the information needed to make the right decision about whether to purchase the property. And if you’re not sure if a drainage survey is right for you, it could help you leverage the price of your property.

A drainage survey is an essential step in the repair process. It enables you to plan in advance and respond to any problems with your drainage system. A drainage survey can prevent a large expenditure and avoid problems altogether. If you’re not sure what is involved, speak to a specialist about what’s involved in looking at your property’s pipes with CCTV. It can even prevent a costly plumbing disaster.

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A drainage survey can reveal a variety of hazards in your drainage system. A CCTV camera is fed through your pipes and transmits pictures to a specialist. A CCTV camera will record any problems that are visible. With the use of a camera, a drain survey can save you thousands of pounds in repair costs as you avoid having to dig up the area around the pipes. Moreover, a drainage survey can be a useful tool to help homeowners with homeowner insurance claims.

 

Building your dream home?  First comes the land

If it is your dream to have a home that meets all of your needs and fits exactly to your lifestyle, the best way to achieve this is to build a home of your own. Known as a self-build home, these are becoming ever more popular with people looking for their dream house – TV programmes such as Grand Designs opened up the idea to many people and inspired them to follow their dreams and create their very own perfect home.

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A beautiful home that fits in with your needs that you build yourself seems a simple enough idea, but one of the most difficult parts of building your own home is right at the very beginning of the process – the hunt for a plot of land. With land in the UK in short supply, particularly in some areas, the prices of plots are quite high and often get snapped up quickly.

There are a few ways that you can compromise and expand your search a little. One way that you can get yourself a decent plot is not to overlook brownfield sites. You may need to look into a company who provides land remediation services, but this is a good way of finding a cheaper plot that may suit you.

Another good way that people purchase land is to ask around – just because land isn’t for sale, does not necessarily mean that the landowner wouldn’t want to sell it. If you find land that you like in an area, then there is no harm in asking.

You may need to contact an experienced fixed fee conveyancing company like Sam Conveyancing for more information.

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How to Reduce Your Exposure to Toxins and Chemicals

You may have heard or read about hormone interrupting chemicals and toxins that we are exposed to regularly in our everyday lives. It can be scary to find this out, but it is possible to reduce your exposure, and it’s worth a try if you are worried it is adversely affecting your health. Here are some ways you can reduce your exposure to toxins and chemicals.

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  1. Stop buying and using plastic products. Not only will this be better for the environment, but it will also minimise your exposure to chemicals like BPA. Not all plastics are bad for you. It depends on the recycling number. For example, 1 and 3 should be avoided, especially when it comes to products that will be used to store food and beverages. Avoid buying bottled water and oil in plastic bottles as these are heated when transported, causing the chemicals to leak into the liquid.
  2. Do not touch receipts. Apparently, you can absorb BPA through your hands, and small traces of it can cause your body to think that it is the hormone, oestrogen. This can cause numerous problems to do with menstruation, or even tiredness and depression.

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  1. Use a Bamboo Toothbrush from https://bambooth.com/ and a fluoride-free toothpaste. There are many natural toothpastes that you can use, but make sure to brush very well, and to use an eco-friendly tooth floss to keep your teeth from having a build-up of plaque.
  2. Do not use perfume, or creams and deodorant that contain fragrance. On the ingredients list this will usually be called ‘parfum’. Stick to natural products as the skin is very absorbent. The trouble with fragrance is that it contains many toxins and ingredients, not listed on the back of the product so you don’t know what you’re putting on your skin.
  3. Lastly, only eat organic certified food or look up the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and avoid buying these foods non-organic.