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WOODBURNING STOVES KEEP CUSTOMERS WARM DURING THE BIG FREEZE

10 January 2010

As the UK is gripped by sub zero temperatures, heavy snowfall and severe weather warnings, a woodburning stove is proving to be the perfect winter warmer.

Corrie Swain, from Ashwell, Hertfordshire, recently purchased a Scan Anderson 4-5 from Ampthill Fireplaces, and believes it has been invaluable during the longest cold snap the UK has experienced in 30 years. She says:

"We loved our new stove straight away but it has really proved its worth this week. After a night of heavy snowfall we were without electricity for 17 hours. The stove was a life saver – we invited the whole family over to keep warm in our cosy kitchen. I don’t know what we would have done without it."

Since the big freeze began, the BBC has reported that 4,000 homes across the South East have been without electricity and the National Grid has warned of gas shortages.

Having a woodburning stove protects against power cuts and ensures that you stay warm throughout the winter months. Chris Gray from Ampthill Fireplaces explains:

"The beauty of a woodburning stove is that you’re not reliant on gas and electricity for your heat. Plus, they are extremely efficient. Nothing beats coming home to a roaring fire when it’s cold outside."

Feeling the cold? Visit our showroom in Ampthill, Bedfordshire or give us a call on 01525 841199.

OUR STOVE ROOM IS FAMOUS

01 January 2010

Our showroom was visited recently by the talented Mario Cacciottolo, the creator of the online photography project Someone Once Told Me (SOTM).

The site is well worth a visit and a new SOTM is posted every day.

The photograph below was taken in our stove room:

Ampthill Fireplaces is Going Greener

September 2009

As retailers of wood burning stoves and fires, we understand the importance of sourcing firewood that is fairly harvested and does not contribute to global deforestation and that’s why much of our firewood is now sourced from Maulden Woods, a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forest situated in Bedfordshire.

This enables our customers to purchase their logs with a clear conscience and enjoy their wood burning stove or fireplace safe in the knowledge that their firewood comes from a sustainable source.

The FSC logo on our firewood guarantees that Maulden Woods is managed to the highest environmental, social and economic standards and all trees that are harvested are allowed to regenerate naturally.

FSC is the only wood certification scheme endorsed by the major environmental charities, including WWF, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and The Woodland Trust.

From the forest to your fire

All the wood sourced from Maulden woods is tracked from the forest to the store. Every link between the forest and the consumer is certified thus guaranteeing that your wood is environmentally harvested.

This is the 5-stage journey your firewood undertakes from the forest to your fire:

Stage One

An area in Maulden Woods from which to harvest firewood is chosen with due respect for the environment, the wildlife and the people who live and work there. Bird nesting season is also taken into account so as not to disturb their natural habitats and the proposed works are agreed with Natural England.

Stage Two

The area is managed using the traditional system of coppice with standards. The understorey, which provides a natural habitat for the doormouse, is cut on a rotational basis so as not to cause too much disruption to the animals is houses. Once this has been cleared, harvesting can begin.

Stage Three

All unmarked trees are then cut down, trees which may have bat roots are left standing to protect natural habitats. The felling methods used encourage natural regeneration and the area will begin to regrow within a few weeks.

Stage Four

Nothing is wasted during this process. The understory is taken to Whipsnade Zoo and used as elephant feed while hazel is used for thatching spars.

Stage Five

Forwarder machines collect the logs. These vehicles carry logs clear of the ground to reduce impact on the soil and forest floor. Journey distances are kept short. The wood travels to a nearby yard in Clophill where it is chopped into firewood and then delivered directly to Ampthill Fireplaces.

For more information on Maulden Woods and the FSC please visit:

www.fsc-uk.org
www.forestry.gov.uk/