summer

we recently completed the mongol rally and used a £9.99 solar panel to charge our battery when the fan belt snapped. We travelled 500 miles like this until we found a new fan belt. we plan to use an electric motor run entirely from solar panels rather than a diesel engine. we have no idea if this is possible but looking into it... (the solar panel was delivering 24V even in the early hours before the sun was up)

just wanted to point out that I saw the notice about Friday's meeting in the local paper (gazette).

Basingstoke Canal Options Appraisal Report to the Joint Management Committee 20 October 2006 1.3 The shortlisted options for detailed feasibility work were agreed as follows: Option 1: Unchanged Management • Cut the level of service • Formalise the funding agreement Option 2: Management by a third party • British Waterways • National Trust • Set up independent body, such as a charitable trust (existing or new trust) or a Regional Park Authority Option 3: Stop or limit use of the Canal • Retain water but stop through boat movements The whole report can be viewed here: http://www.basingstoke-canal.co.uk/adminis...isal_201006.doc taken from this site http://www.basingstoke-canal.co.uk/

hmmmmmm well, some types of product do require safety testing for the CE mark - if this is the case then the CE Mark would assure that standards were met - and sometimes 3rd party testing is required - this would all be contained in the TF. so although the CE Mark is a trading mark it specifies what a manufacturer needs to do to apply the mark some electrical products need only demonstrate 'good engineering practises' others need to have EMC testing and hazard testing done by a notified body so it all depends on the product but if the product needs to be tested, then it should be tested according to the directive otherwise it would be non-compliant HTH

Hi Helmet guy! firstly I thought you were talking about motorbike helmets...I can read but sometimes I skim through stuff too quickly lol anyway - the only way anyone could possibly know if a manufacturer had abused the system - ie was non-compliant - would be if they had access to the manufacturer's technical file or declaration of conformity. I'm afraid you can't tell just by looking. It may well be that these helmets don't NEED any safety testing. (for the CE mark) as I said - the CE mark is NOT a safety mark for the safety aspects of the helmet you would have to look at any canoe regs and see what is required. the only EU directive I can think of which may cover canoe/motorbike helmets is the PPE directive. The link I gave you earlier should tell you - it is a complicated site, but very comprehensive. I am actively trying to re-educate the general public and consumers about the CE mark A straw poll of my neighbours showed that 95% of the general public believe that the CE mark is a safety certificate..!! how many folk here thought that?

has there been an update on this?

I work as a certification engineer for a 'notified body' so I guess I'm qualified to answer..... The CE mark is NOT a safety mark - not at all..! There may be safety aspects associated with the product but not necessarily My question to the helmet guy (because I also own a motorcycle factors) is who said the helmet was non-compliant, and how did he know this? for helmets to be used on the roads in this country, the road traffic act requires them to have either a kitemark or an E13 (EU safety standard) mark. This is in addition to the CE mark. Did the helmet have these? Perhaps someone is confusing the E13 mark with the CE mark? trading standards 'police' the CE mark in this country - if you buy a product without a CE mark then you need to inform them. They can and will prosecute. Not all products require CE marks this site will tell you all you need to know - and you can get most of the directives (the rules/law for EU products) free from the same site. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/maritime/ma...ctive_94_25.htm finally - what is the CE mark? It's a mark which must be applied to products (as required - see above) so that they can be legally sold in the EU no mark - no sell the manufacturer declares that his product complies with the relevant EU directive. Testing may or may not be required, and the manufacturer may or may not be able to do the tests himself

hii folks - does anyone have any experience of living in any of the areas mentioned? CC or moored? thanks in advance