Norton Bavant Snow Scene
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Keeping Norton Bavant warm - the Ed Knight interview

 

Ed Knight's Logs is our favourite supplier of firewood and Ed has very kindly agreed to go under the 'microscope' for an exclusive interview for the website. You can find all the information you need to order some logs on his website and he is also featured on Norton Bavant Recommends... his service is used by many cosy homes in the village.

How long has your company, Ed Knight's Logs, been in business? And, how wide an area do you cover?

I have been in the firewood business since about 1992. I try to keep within 10 miles as the crow flies. This usually works out at 15 miles by road.
Wood
As one of Norton Bavant's preferred suppliers I guess you get quite a bit of repeat business from the village. What's the usual number of loads required to get a family through the winter months?

It depends on what other forms of heating are used and how cold the winter is. Usually a full transit load will do, but there are others who have many more.
Do you get your logs from different suppliers? Do you buy it in or cut it down yourself as it's needed?
All timber is bought from a forestry contractor and I stick with one supplier because if firewood gets short, which I believe is now the case, then I will be a good enough customer to be guaranteed a supply.
truck
How long does it take for wood to season before it's ready for use?
It depends on how big the timbers are. A 16" diameter trunk will take two years, whereas a 2" diameter stick will dry quite quickly.

Are there any particular types of wood that you should never burn on a fire or woodburner?
Not really, just don't burn fencing posts, or household waste wood because they have usually been treated with chemicals to make them last longer.
 
 

lowloader
Ever had any nasty accidents or near misses with an axe?
Nothing too serious yet!
Winter 2009/10 seemed to go on forever and I know that we got through many, many truckloads of wood, was it your busiest year in recent times?
The last five years have been busier year on year.
So, your father works with you now, and we don't get to see much of you any more. Does that mean that you're the one outside in all weathers chopping the logs to size while your father gets to sit in a nice warm truck delivering?

No, not quite! My father delivers the half loads and I deliver the full loads so we both get to spend time in a warm truck!
How many real fires or wood burners do you have at home?
I have one wood burner and a Stanley Cooker. We get through ten transit loads a year, but this does all the hot water, heating and cooking.
wood3
Have you ever thought about offering an additional service to move the wood you deliver directly into the woodstore as it's a really nasty job in the middle of winter (I don't mind helping out sometimes, but mostly I leave it to my other half!).
My profession is providing firewood. Stacking logs is for somebody who does a paper-round or hasn't got another 25 transit loads of logs to deliver by the weekend. We don't really have enough time. Also, I don't like it either!
Now that's a really good idea and a great winter job for a teenager to earn some extra pocket money. Anyone willing to give it a go in the village? - let us know and you can advertise freely here!
What do you do in the summer months when people are not thinking of ordering any firewood for the winter?
I make sure I have enough stock arriving for the following winter. I get through over 1,000 cubic metres a year. And anything bigger than 8" diameter get split in half.
 
 

 

 

 
   
   
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