Friday 23 October 2015

CaSSOA Working in Partnership with Sold Secure

Sold Secure is a company dedicated to reducing the risk of crime by the assessment of security products through manual attack testing.

sold secure
Established in 1992 by Northumbria and Essex Police with the help and backing of the Home Office, Sold Secure is now owned and administered by the Master Locksmiths Association and works from purpose built laboratories in Daventry.

The scheme has close ties with a number of constabularies and insurers who provide regular information regarding the methods of theft and the tools utilised by criminals in their areas. This helps to maintain up to date specifications and means security products can be assessed in the light of the risk they are likely to encounter when in use

Manufacturers and suppliers can apply to have their products approved by Sold Secure. Products which have been satisfactorily assessed may bear the coveted Sold Secure Approved quality mark. Information on these approved products is circulated by Sold Secure to crime prevention officers, insurance companies, the media, the Home Office and the public, and is available free to those who require it in the form of the catalogue or via the Sold Secure website.

Steffan George, of Sold Secure says "We’re delighted to partner up with CaSSOA who we believe have the same ultimate goal as ourselves in terms of working in collaboration to reduce crime".

For more information about Sold Secure call, email or visit the website:

Telephone: 01327 264687
Email: admin@soldsecure.com
Website: www.soldsecure.com

Friday 9 October 2015

Thh Farm Business Innovation Show 2015


The Farm Business Innovation Show 2015 is the most comprehensive and interactive show dedicated to helping farmers generate new forms of income from their land.

Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham, the show aims to help farms generate new forms of income from their land, and is the only farm business event that offers rural entrpreneurs the guidance, inspiration, suppliers and resources in diversifying out of agriculture.

This year CaSSOA will be exhibiting at the Farm Innovation Show, and we'll be joining over 5000 farmers, land owners and people with an interest in rural business,

With networking opportunities, over 200 exhibitors and a range of seminars and workshops, there could be an opportunity to create a business that could complement your primary source of income.

The schedule of seminars and workshops throughout the show cover a variety of topics, including leisure activities, glamping, renewable energy, farm shops, micro-breweries, and more. Each session is delivered by an expert, passing on their guidance in how to identify the right opportunities, securing planning permission, and attracting vital investment. The conference will also explore the latest trends in

diversification that farmers and rural entrepreneurs will look towards next year, featuring an unparalleled level of expert advice, knowledge and inspiration.   

Run in conjunction with the Farm Business Innovation Show, the Holiday Park Innovation Show
offers holiday park owners the guidance, inspiration, supplies, and resources to put their holiday park on the map.

These shows will give you the chance to network, explore the latest trends in diversification and find some inspiration of how to diversify. They will also offer opportunities for interaction with the farmers and holiday park owners who themselves have successfully diversified, offering you the chance to find out what worked for them and to meet face-to-face with the product suppliers who can ensure future profit is made from your land.

The Farm Business Innovation and The Holiday Park Innovation Show will take place on the 11th and 12th of November at the NEC in Birmingham, and is absolutely free to attend.

Book your ticket online here.

Vermin Proof your Caravan

Prepare your caravan for long term storage to prevent vermin damage.

Caravan Magazine talks us through some top tips for keeping your caravan safe from rodents.

Mice can squeeze through tiny gaps including the plastic vents and gas drop-outs under your caravans. And if they don’t fit, they can gnaw through them.
Without blocking your vents (it’s dangerous), cover them with a piece of fine metal mesh, chicken wire doubled over, or a metallic pan scrubber, stapled firmly in place. Don’t bother filling gaps with expanding foam, mice seem to particularly love chewing through that. It’s like a mouse Crunchie bar!
  • Flush a strong detergent down your sink plug hole, as mice can be attracted to bits of food that go down the waste pipe.
  • At either side of your front locker there are usually gaps leading up the hollow pillars and into the caravan. Block these with some scrunched-up fine wire mesh netting.
  • Investigate the floor of your caravan for any tiny holes or gaps, and make sure all are properly filled.
  • Seal around all cable holes in the floor with a good quality silicone sealant.
  • Don’t leave food (human or pet) in the caravan.
  • Clean the fridge and bins thoroughly.
  • The strong smell of a used barbecue will attract mice and rats. Don’t store one in your caravan. If you do, keep it spotlessly clean.
  • Remove potential nesting materials from your caravan. Consider storing expensive sofa cushions and mattresses at home over winter.
  • Vacuum your caravan before storing it, to remove almost-invisible crumbs of food.Caravan Storage

Storing Your Caravan

  • Caravans on hard-standing are less likely to get infested than those on grass. Mice avoid areas where they are exposed such as bare hard-standings.
  • Farm storage locations are likely to have more rodents around than other options.
  • Don't give rodents an easy route into your caravan. Even sagging caravan covers can provide access.
  • Mice find their way to food and shelter by following trails of mouse urine. Consider spraying your corner steadies, tyres and jockey wheel with a Jeyes Fluid solution to eradicate these trails.
  • One option is to remove your caravan's wheels and replace them with axle-stands or 'winter wheels' when storing it through the winter. This makes the van more secure, prevents tyre damage and makes it trickier Winter Wheelsfor mice to get up to the chassis.
  • Certain scents are believed to repel mice. These include tumble-dryer sheets and mothballs.
  • Check with your caravan storage site to make sure they have a vermin control regime in place.
For more advice on preparing your caravan for storage click here.
Thank you to Caravan Magazine for this feature.
Caravan Magazine