#large-scale construction UK

[pejasurveying1]

The Role of a Contractor’s Quantity Surveyor in Managing Project Budgets

Discover how a Contractors Quantity Surveyor expertly manages construction budgets, controls costs, oversees subcontractor agreements, and ensures financial stability for large-scale UK projects. Contact PEJA Surveying to optimise your budgets and achieve successful outcomes.

[mariacallous]

Having lived in Britain for 12 years, I returned to my native Moldova in 2022 because I was worried that Russia’s war in Ukraine would spill into my country. Thanks to the Ukrainian resistance, the skies are still clear in Moldova. But in the past weeks leading up to the presidential runoff between the pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and the Russian-supported former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo, I felt as if I might lose my country once again.

The scale of interference in these Moldovan elections has been unprecedented. As reported by excellent independent journalists in the country, our law enforcement agencies alleged the existence of a large-scale, vote-buying scheme in the first round, run by Ilan Shor – a Russian-backed fugitive oligarch, who denies any wrongdoing.

Before the second round, journalists and others reportedly received death threats in broken Romanian, pretending to be on behalf of Sandu’s team. On election day, the most popular polling stations across Europe for overseas Moldovans had their vote disrupted by bomb threats. The servers of the Central Electoral Commission experienced a temporary cyberattack. The police said they had “reasonable evidence” of illegal organised voter transportation in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Turkey; people from Transnistria, the region to the east of the country, bordering Ukraine and controlled by Russia, admitted to being transported.

In addition to the alleged rigging, the internet, especially TikTok, was flooded with anti-Europe disinformation before the EU referendum on 20 October.

Despite all this, Sandu won. “They cannot steal as much as we can vote” was one of the informal slogans of this campaign. In the run-up to the second vote, the police updated the country daily about their arrests and seizures of cash related to the vote-buying scheme. This helped some people realise that receiving payment for votes was illegal and not just a way of getting free money. It also helped mobilise 380,000 people in the capital city Chișinău – more than in 2020 – and an unprecedented 330,000 Moldovans in the diaspora, who amounted to almost 20% of the total number of voters, to come out and vote. Both electorates largely voted for Sandu.

The pro-Russian Socialist party (PSRM), which supported Stoianoglo, said that it did not recognise the election results and that Sandu would only be the “president of the diaspora”. Yet 70% of the votes she received came from within the country.

While I lived in the UK, I queued for hours in order to vote in Moldovan elections at the various polling stations the state opened across London. In 2016, when Sandu first ran against PSRM leader Igor Dodon and lost to him, with thousands of other fellow citizens, I was not able to cast my vote because the polling station ran out of ballot papers. Some people had come from hundreds of miles away in order to vote.

Moldova’s diaspora is relatively new and porous. People first started leaving in large numbers in the 2000s, when President Vladimir Voronin ruled the country with many leading members of the PSRM. Their first destinations were Russia, Italy or Portugal, where they did difficult jobs in construction or care, in order to provide for their families. (My history teacher went to look after the dogs of an Italian star in order to pay for her son’s university fees.) Since then, as many people’s parents and grandparents had been born when Moldova was part of Romania, about a million Moldovans obtained Romanian citizenship – including the two presidential candidates, Sandu and Stoianoglo.

EU passports opened the way for Moldovans such as myself to benefit from better study and work opportunities across Europe, sending vital remittances back home. At the moment, about 1 million Moldovans live abroad and 2.8 million live in the country. Everyone has family members working abroad.

Like me, a number of people have also returned from the diaspora to open their own businesses or join existing private or non-governmental organisations, as well as state institutions. Sandu did this in 2012, leaving her much better paid position at the World Bank in order to become minister of education. Natalia Gavrilița, whom I first met in 2018 in a Moldovan activist group called FreeMoldova in London, left development work to become minister of finance and then prime minister. The list goes on.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many Moldovans from the diaspora in Russia have returned home. In the more Russian-speaking regions of Gagauzia and Transnistria, people have started emigrating to Poland and the Czech Republic. As I was travelling on the Chișinău-Prague bus to the small Romanian town of Sibiu last week, in front of me a man was listening to Russian propaganda. The second driver, meanwhile, put on a speech by Sandu while resting. Social media have polarised Moldovan society – just like the entire world. Russian propaganda is good at enhancing these cleavages.

Moldova has shown resilience in the recent EU referendum and this presidential vote. But given the country is a parliamentary republic, the great battle will be next year in parliamentary elections. Until then, law enforcement has to get on top of vote-buying schemes. There must be better regulation of social media. And pro-European Moldovans have to collaborate and communicate better than the Russian propagandists.

[notwiselybuttoowell]

The meeting was always going to be difficult given that it requires reaching decisions by consensus among nearly 200 governments, a process described by energy secretary Ed Miliband as playing “198-dimensional chess”. And in focusing on this issue of finance, the first Cop to do so, it was addressing the thorniest issue of all.

But this was made worse by incompetent leadership from fossil-fuel-rich Azerbaijan, which opened proceedings by calling oil and gas a “gift of God”. And it was bedevilled by obstructionist tactics from Saudi Arabia and weakening political will in industrialised countries, even as evidence builds that the climate crisis could be escalating out of control.

Records for soaring air and ocean temperatures, and for vanishing sea ice at both poles, are being broken by enormous margins. Last month a group of the world’s most respected climate scientists concluded that the world is “stepping into a critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis”, putting it “on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster”.

It is hurtling towards permanently exceeding the internationally agreed 1.5C guardrail against catastrophe. Five tipping points that threaten to plunge the world into a more hostile climate will be triggered at that point, said the scientists – and 11 more lie beyond it.

Yet emissions continue to increase while government engagement withers. Even before Trump’s victory, EU countries had been scaling back environmental action. And Germany, France, Australia and Canada may soon elect more climate-sceptic governments too.

Britain, increasingly a climate leader, is an exception, announcing a pioneering new emissions target at Cop29, where both Miliband and Keir Starmer made a big impact. But longstanding political consensus is fracturing, with Kemi Badenoch calling herself a “net zero sceptic” even though more than three-quarters of Tory voters support a net zero target.

At Baku, as in countries around the world, the politics largely trumped the science. Take climate finance. It is authoritatively estimated that developing countries will need some $2.4tn (£1.84tn) a year. They are expected to meet nearly half of that themselves, leaving $1.3tn to come from the rich world. Most of that is expected to flow from business and “innovative sources” such as taxes on aviation and shipping, leaving a core to be provided by more prosperous country governments.

There is more disappointment over failure to endorse a landmark agreement at last year’s Cop to “transition away from fossil fuels”. After a determined Saudi bid to kill it, the final text only refers to it in a roundabout way, and the issue has effectively been shelved for a year. But Baku did agree on long-controversial rules for carbon trading that finally complete the implementation of the Paris agreement.

As in previous Cops, the most constructive developments occurred outside the formal negotiations. Britain announced £239m of new funding to help countries preserve forests. Mexico U-turned on its position as the last holdout against net zero in the G20. And Indonesia, the world’s eighth biggest CO2 polluter, unexpectedly pledged to phase out fossil-fuel power generation.

More significantly still, a coalition of more than 30 nations – including the UK and the EU – jointly promised to adopt tougher measures consistent with meeting the 1.5C target. They were inspired by a new report by the international Rhodium Group which concluded that such steps could reduce the temperature rise from the expected 2.7C to 1.4C by 2100.

This is important as, under the Paris agreement, all countries must make new commitments next year, when the coalition hopes others will follow its lead. The US was expected to join them but ducked out after Trump’s election – a sign of things to come.

The US president-elect will not shut down climate negotiations despite his intentions to leave the Paris agreement. Nor might he make much difference to US decarbonisation. Most of the Biden adminstration’s clean energy investments are in Republican-voting areas, which don’t want to lose them. And despite Trump’s pledge to “drill, baby, drill”, fossil fuel companies already have excess capacity and don’t plan to increase it. But his stance will make it harder to accelerate action that is needed to avoid disaster.

Everything depends on how the rest of the world responds, both at next year’s Cop in Brazil and in pursuing other ways of combatting climate crisis, the most effective of which would be to agree a mandatory treaty to slash emissions of methane, now seen as the fastest way to reduce global warming. If political will continues to wane, we will regret it bitterly – not just for our children, but for ourselves.

[maaarine]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brusselization:

"In urban planning, Brusselization (UK and US) or Brusselisation (UK variant) (French: bruxellisation, Dutch: verbrusseling) is "the indiscriminate and careless introduction of modern high-rise buildings into gentrified neighbourhoods" and has become a byword for "haphazard urban development and redevelopment."

The notion applies to anywhere whose development follows the pattern of the uncontrolled development of Brussels in the 1960s and 1970s, that resulted from a lack of zoning regulations and the city authorities' laissez-faire approach to city planning. (…)

The writer André de Vries asserts that the penchant for heavy-handedness can be traced back to the reign of King Leopold II in the late 19th century, and possibly even all the way back to the bombardment of the city by Louis XIV's troops in 1695.

"There is barely one building still standing", he says, "from before 1695, with the exception of some churches and the Town Hall".

Leopold II sought to give Brussels the image of a grand capital city of an imperial/colonial power.

By the middle 20th century, there was a tacit alliance between urban development entrepreneurs and local government, with a modernist agenda and with their sights set firmly on large-scale development projects.

The citizens of Brussels were largely left out of the process. (…)

Further radical changes resulted from Brussels's role as the center of the EU and NATO, beginning with the construction of the European Commission's headquarters in 1959.

The introduction of a high-speed rail network in the 1990s was the latest excuse to speculate on multiple rows of properties for modern office or hotel redevelopment, which led to the razing of neighborhood blocks near Brussels-South railway station.

These changes caused outcry amongst the citizens of Brussels and by environmentalist and preservationist organizations.

The demolition of Victor Horta's Art Nouveau Maison du Peuple/Volkshuis in 1965 was one focus of such protests, as was the construction of the IBM Tower in 1978.

Many architects also protested, and it was the architectural world that coined the name Brusselization for what was happening to Brussels.

Architects such as Léon Krier and Maurice Culot formulated an anti-capitalist urban planning theory, as a rejection of the rampant modernism that they saw overtaking Brussels.

In the early 1990s, laws were introduced in Brussels restricting the demolition of buildings that were deemed to have architectural or historical significance, and in 1999, the city authorities' urban development plan explicitly declared high-rise buildings to be architecturally incompatible with the existing aesthetics of the city centre.

This led to the rise of what was termed façadisme, i.e. the destruction of the whole interior of a historic building while preserving its historic façade, with new buildings erected behind or around it."

maps.app.goo.gl/6tb7gVF9FdU4yTqF7:

[charlesandmartine]

Sunday 17th November 2024

As we sat having breakfast in our little back garden and reading the UK news on our phones, we note all the similarities here. Midwives are threatening industrial action over pay, politicians are admitting taking freebies, trade tariffs with Trumps USA are a worry, housing shortage, 3 year waiting time for operation on public health system, banning under 16s from using social media, high inflation, moaning about paying £1/ litre for petrol/ diesel..... The list goes on.

The next stop is Cloncurry, only a couple of hours up the road, through endless outback with nothing of note on route. Except for Mary Kathleen. In the late 1950s, this was a town, an almost utopian town.

On Sunday 4 July 1954, Norm McConachy and John Walton were making their way along a dry creek when their truck broke down with a loose lead on a spark plug. McConachy is said to be the one who actually took the Geiger counter out of the truck and turned it on. As he continued walking up the dry creek bed, the instrument needle reportedly went off the scale. McConachy then called John Walton who was coaxing their broken-down vehicle back to life. The ore body was then discovered by following a 1.5 kilometre trail of radioactive boulders along the drainage system. The claim was pegged, and an application for a mining lease was lodged at the Mining Warden's office in Cloncurry

The deposit was named Mary Kathleen in honour of Norm McConachy's wife, who had died shortly before their discovery. And so it was that the very valuable commodity Uranium was discovered. The town of Mary Kathleen was constructed in just one year to serve the mining operation which commenced in October 1956 with the treatment plant commissioning in June 1958. The contract was to supply UK Atomic Energy Authority with £40M worth of Uranium Oxide. In the first five years, 4080 tonnes were produced, shipped in 44 Gallon drums to England.

The community built in Mary Kathleen comprised 1,100 families and 200 single men. The town was well equipped with an Olympic size swimming pool, schools, churches, pubs, restaurants, library, cinema, sporting club, general stores, two banks, milk bar, cafes, and hospital. They really did have a modern town, with everything they needed. Rio Tinto, their employer, charged families $8 per week for a 2 bedroomed house, free electricity, no rates, free amenities, and good pay. During the years 1956-1963, a 23 acre market garden was established to provide fresh fruit, veg, and eggs for the town. All they had to was go mine large quantities of a nasty radioactive substance like Uranium.

By 1963 the contract with the UK had been satisfied. A second phase of mining was completed between 1974 and 1982 shipping Uranium Oxide to Japan. After that, the production finished, the buildings were dismantled and sold leaving empty streets of concrete slabs, dwarf walls, tumble weed and a monument to the town's completion. Very little now remains that could demonstrate the vibrant town that once stood there, the lives that it would have represented, the vitality of human day to day existence, testimonies of happy enriched lives, or even tales tinged with sadness, gone with so little to show for it.

Once again, Mr Europcar would've slept uneasily as we followed the brown sign and uphill to the quarry along a very poor road, partially paved, partially unpaved, but together with the grandaddy of all potholes. The nuts and bolts shuddered and shook until we reached a distance of 6km and felt compassion for the Ford and completed the rest of the journey on foot. So we trudged, hatted, up the stony road a further kilometre until the vista opened and there in its glory was the long disused quarry with its pyramid stepped sides of sheer granite leading down and down to assure blue waters, lying so still far below us. The use of this place was dissolved in 1982 and has lain undisturbed, dormant, relatively unvisited ever since. Apart from 4x4 vehicles, it is unapproachable, largely unsigned, on the tourist trail, but difficult to find or access. In the time we were there 3 other 4x4s managed the distance and poor roads. But for us, the experience was well worth the effort, to see the abandoned town where the people who worked this place lived their lives and then the relic of their labours now living its eternity in peace and tranquility now the big earth/ rock movers, the dust, the dirt have now long gone, a monument that tells its own story if anyone can get to listen to it.

Completing our journey to Cloncurry was simple once we managed to find our way out of the abandoned town. In their flight, all signs back to the Barkly Highway had gone!

Happy Birthday, Karen x

ps. We went out for a little walk around the little town at around 8.30 tonight, so warm, and it's like a ghost town. All shut up for the night. These Aussies really are party animals. Worst thing is the Cloncurry Baker's. We'd heard nothing but good things about the famous Cloncurry Curry Pie. Disastrously, the appalling news stuck to the baker's window stated that due to some miscreant member of staff not showing up and letting everybody down, let alone the whole town down, the Cloncurry Bakers will remain closed!!! Bang goes my pie then.

pps. It has to be stated firmly here that this is definitely a neat, tidy, clean, and comly town of charming character. It is a complete surprise and exceeds our expectations by quite a long way. We shall do well here, I feel on our two nights.

[unilifeabroadcareersolution]

Popular Courses Currently in Demand for International Students

@unilifeabroadcareersolutions

Popular courses currently in demand for international students After finding the perfect course, any international student must make another crucial decision when choosing which course to study abroad in. Global industries are currently changing fast, and it can create career opportunities for international students depending upon the fields they choose and the scope for Permanent Residency (PR). So here is a list of some of the top in-demand courses for international students looking to study abroad in 2024 and beyond. 1. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

With the emergence of big data and AI-driven technologies, Data Science and AI have emerged as two of the most in-demand courses worldwide.

Why Choose It?

High-paying job opportunities. Demand in industries like IT, healthcare, finance, and retail. Courses available in countries like USA, Canada, Germany, and UK. Career Prospects: Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Machine Learning Expert, Data Analyst. 2. Engineering and Technology

Engineering is at the top preference of the international students due to a wide range of area and scope. Some of the most common specializations offered are Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Software Engineering.

 Why to choose? All over the world, engineers are required for every industry, such as construction, automobile, and technological. Many colleges provide industrial training along with co-op programs. Top Destinations: Germany, Canada, Australia, and USA. Career Opportunities: Software Engineer, Project Manager, Structural Engineer, Robotics Specialized.

3. Business Administration and Management (MBA) A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is ideal for students who want to work in a leadership position or become an entrepreneur. There is a growing trend towards specialized MBAs in Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations.  Why Choose It?  International recognition and high-paying jobs.  Networking opportunities and exposure to real-world business.  Popular Places: USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.  Career Paths: Business Consultant, Marketing Manager, Operations Director, Financial Analyst. 4. Healthcare and Nursing The health sector is on a roll due to the growing need for qualified professionals. Nursing, Public Health, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy courses are highly rewarded. Why Study It?  High employability and PR opportunities in countries like Canada, Australia, and UK.  Good chance to make a good difference in people's life. Career Options: Registered Nurse, Public Health Specialist, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist. 5. Information Technology and Cyber security The increased dependency on technology has given a huge demand for IT and Cyber security professionals. Courses like Cloud Computing, Cyber security, and Software Development are in high demand. • Why Choose It? Tremendous job opportunities in tech-driven economies like the USA, Canada, and Germany. Increased demand for cyber security experts to combat digital threats. Career Options: Cyber security Analyst, IT Consultant, Software Developer, Cloud Architect.

6. Hospitality and Tourism Management the tourism industry is on a boom after the pandemic, and so are the demands for professionals in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Why Choose It? Global opportunities for working in luxury hotels, airlines, and tourism companies. Strong industry links and placement during courses. • Popular Locations: Switzerland, Australia, France. • Career Opportunities: Hotel Manager, Tourism Consultant, Event Planner, Airline Executive. 7. Environmental Science and Sustainability As there is a growing interest in sustainability across the globe, courses in Environmental Science, Renewable Energy, and Climate Change are on demand • Why study it? Large-scale efforts at creating the sustainable world present a massive employment scope. • Job opportunities with governments, NGOs, and private sectors Career Prospects: Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Officer, Renewable Energy Specialist. 8. Finance and Accounting Courses on finances and accounting are always in high demand all over the world. FinTech, Financial Technology, and all the related courses are in trends these days. Why Choose It? • High demand for finance people in the world. PR opportunities in Canada and Australia • Career Options: Accountant, Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, FinTech Specialist. 9. Media and Communications The dawn of digital media, content creation, and advertising has made Media and Communications one of the most exciting and rewarding fields. Why Choose It? Growing job demand in digital marketing, PR, and content strategy. Opportunity for creativity and innovation. Career Options: Digital Marketer, Media Specialist, Content Creator, Public Relations Officer. 10. Logistics and Supply Chain Management Supply Chain Management has become a necessary professional skill for international businesses considering the booming of globalization and e-commerce

Why Choose It? Logistics, transportation and e-commerce sectors are demanded. Strong employment opportunities in Canada, Germany and USA. Career Options: Supply chain analyst, logistics manager and procurement specialist. Conclusion The right course according to global trends and industry demand is the key to a successful future. Whether it's technology, healthcare, or business, the top courses in demand are here, offering excellent career opportunities and pathways for PR. Explore programs that align with your interests and goals, and take the first step toward achieving your dream career abroad.

[usafphantom2]

Ukrainians who will pilot the F-16 complete basic training in the UK 🇬🇧

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 02/24/2024 - 14:00 in Military

The first group of Ukrainian pilots to receive training from the Royal Air Force (RAF) began training to pilot F-16 fighters, after completing a basic training program in the United Kingdom.

The RAF began providing flight and English-language training in August, as part of the United Kingdom's contribution to the International Air Capacity Coalition for Ukraine, which will see allies and partners working together to strengthen Ukraine's air capabilities.

The group consisted of six experienced Ukrainian combat pilots who received training in aviation-specific English to increase their ability to engage in coalition training and support.

Ten other Ukrainian pilots in training participated in language training, but remain in the United Kingdom to continue with practical elementary flight training, as well as with important skills such as aeronautical medicine and centrifuge training.

"Combined with the training of the RAF, world leader, this is a significant advance in relation to the current capabilities of the Soviet era of Ukraine," said the United Kingdom Secretary of Defense, Grant Shapps. "Together we are now going further, ensuring that Ukraine has a credible air force in the future, formed around the highly capable fourth-generation F-16 fighter."

The Secretary of Defense added: “I am proud of the support that the Royal Air Force is providing to the next generation of air combat pilots and ground crews from Ukraine, which will be the first line of defense in protecting the skies of Ukraine. The United Kingdom has been instrumental in the construction of Ukraine's air defenses since Putin launched his large-scale invasion, providing hundreds of missiles and ammunition, as well as radar systems and weapons.

"Although Ukraine was highly vulnerable to attacks by Russian aircraft, drones and missiles in the first months of the invasion - with the support of the United Kingdom and our allies, its Armed Forces are now able to intercept and destroy the overwhelming majority of the ammunition fired - protecting its civilian population and vital infrastructures," concluded Shapps.

The program was designed to give pilots in training the necessary skills to advance to the next phase of training in combat aircraft with partner nations and to bring future Ukrainian pilots closer to a standard NATO approach to flying.

“These young students are highly motivated and very capable. It is a privilege to be part of Ukraine's training program," said the RAF senior flight instructor.

Pilots undergoing the elementary flight training scheme are conducting practical classes on Grob Tutor aircraft with experienced RAF instructors, learning general handling procedures, instrument flight, medium and low level navigation, and flight in training.

After completing the training in the RAF, pilots will receive advanced flight training in another country from the Air Capability Coalition, to prepare them for training on the F-16 aircraft, operated by countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States.

The Prime Minister confirmed the United Kingdom's intention to support the Air Capacity Coalition last year with basic flight training, since the United Kingdom does not operate F-16 aircraft, Ukraine has chosen to develop its future air force. The United Kingdom will continue this support to Ukrainian pilots and ground crews in 2024.

Along with the training of pilots, dozens of Ukrainian aeronautical technicians are receiving English language training, oriented towards engineering, to allow them to participate in the training and support of the coalition. In addition, the RAF also provided support, together with the British Army, in providing training to more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the United Kingdom.

Last year, the Secretary of Defense announced that the United Kingdom intends to train 10,000 more Ukrainian recruits in the first half of 2024, as part of Operation Interflex. In addition to providing a wide range of training programs, the United Kingdom continues to support Ukraine in the repression of Russian forces. As part of the United Kingdom's military support worth 4.6 billion pounds, providing long-range missiles, Western battle tanks and logistical support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Tags: Military AviationF-16 Fighting FalconUkraine Air ForceRAF - Royal Air Force/Royal Air Force

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[ruegracieuse]

I've never heard of Memory Studies; can you tell us more about that?

Also, congratulations!!!!

Thank you! ✨

And with pleasure! Memory Studies is a pretty broad interdisciplinary field which, at its core, is interested in the ways groups, communities, societies, states etc form collective narratives about and memorialise the past. It looks at memorialisation in many forms - government policies, official and unofficial memorials and museums, activist activities, art and media, etc - to understand how and why we construct the past, and the role the past has in our present lives. Maurice Halbwachs is considered the foundational scholar (see his book ‘On Collective Memory’), but ideas about the persistence of memory and how important how treatment of history is on the present have been present in scholarship and otherwise for a long time. Memory Studies really grew in scholarly interest alongside the growth of Holocaust Studies in the second half of the 20th Century, and since then the discipline has grown particularly through the analysis of different groups’ collective memories of large-scale violent or otherwise disastrous events - usually things like war and conflict, genocide and atrocity, slavery, colonisation and imperialism. In this way Memory Studies is closely related to Trauma Studies, but it focuses on the collective rather than individuals, although with an acknowledgement, of course, that individual memories and traumas influence collective ones (not that Traumas Studies only focuses on the individual, of course). It looks at the Collective Memories of both victims and perpetrators of injustices and crimes - one of the biggest subsets of Memory Studies is the study of German (and broader European) society after WWII. Another subject area with really interesting and important work that is emerging is the study of collective memories and conflicting memories of colonialism and how these memories shape societies today, both in settler states and states that are, or once were, imperialist. (Side note: my very first thought for a PhD project years ago was looking at conflicting memories of empire and colonialism in the UK, particularly around the Brexit period.)

This said, there’s a very small but growing subset of Memory Studies that looks at the formation and role of positive memories in groups and societies. It was a long time ago now but I remember reading a really interesting article on positive memories of the Paris Commune among French and other leftist groups in the 20th and 21st centuries. I believe there is also some work on positive memories of May ‘68 in leftist groups today.

Another important point is that Memory Studies is just as interested in what we try to forget or suppress, or what some people want to remember and others want to forget.

Broadly, my project will be looking at collective memories of gender-based and sexual violence, the role of survivors in forming national or community narratives of this violence (and whether this role is chosen by survivors or if they are compelled to fill it), and frames of remembering, forgetting, suppressing and shaming.

I hope this was an interesting overview! I find this field fascinating and could talk about it forever, and I’m really excited to bring it together with gender studies, another great love of mine.

[scotianostra]

John Boyd Dunlop, who patented the first practical practical pneumatic tyre, was born in Ayrshire on February 5th 1846.

Notice I didn’t say invented there, because he might have perfected the tyre but he didn’t come up with the idea, it was another clever Scot called  Robert William Thomson who made the first pneumatic tyre on 10 December 1845, some 43 years before John Dunlop’s re-invention, it was way too soon for the world to appreciate it though, so on this day in 1846 a Scotsman re-invented the wheel...sort of :) 

John Boyd Dunlop was a veterinary surgeon from Scotland who had settled in Belfast in Northern Ireland. He didn't really have much to do with then newfangled driving devices like the bicycle, but is said to have worked a lot with rubber in his practice. To make his son's tricycle faster and more comfortable, he tinkered with the sheathing of the wheels. He developed a rubber tube that was wrapped in canvas and glued to a wooden rim. A baby's dummy is said to have served as a valve.

With this air-filled tyre, Dunlop junior whizzed happily along the streets of Belfast in the spring of 1888, easily outstripping his comrades. Dunlop realised that the pneumatic tyre held great promise and successfully applied for a patent for his invention at the end of the same year. This marked the beginning of the rise of the Dunlop brand, which is still famous today (including 129659, DE word mark since 1910; DE756765 or EM005125489). 

But: Dunlop should never have been granted this patent. The UK Patent Office had overlooked the fact that someone else had already received the patent for a pneumatic tyre some 40 years earlier. Robert William Thomson (1822-1873) was also Scottish and an extremely talented inventor. At the age of 23, he was granted pneumatic tyre patents in France and the USA ( US5104A). His tyre consisted of a hollow belt of Indian rubber inflated with air and covered with a leather casing. The wheels laid, as it were, "a cushion of air on the ground, rail or track" on which they ran. Thomson demonstrated his "Aerial Wheels" on horse-drawn carriages in London's Regent's Park in March 1847.

But unfortunately the time was not yet ripe for his invention. Like many other ingenious inventor´s ideas, Thomson´s tyre fell into oblivion. But he was luckier with other projects. He developed, among other things, the fountain pen, new types of steam engines and electric ignition devices for blasting, which greatly advanced railway construction. He died a rich and respected man.

John Boyd Dunlop is said to have known nothing of his compatriot's invention when he registered his idea with the patent office. He further improved his pneumatic tyres and had a series of 50 bicycles fitted with them. With one of these bicycles, William Hume, the previously unsuccessful captain of the Belfast Cruisers' Cycle Club, suddenly achieved spectacular success in bicycle races.

Among others, Hume beat the national champion Arthur Du Cros on 18th May 1889. The latter's father, the entrepreneur William Harvey Du Cros, recognised the marketing potential of the invention. He sought contact with Dunlop and together they founded the "Pneumatic Tyre & Booth's Cycle Agency" in Westland Row in Dublin on 18th November 1889, which was soon renamed "Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd". The triumphant advance of the pneumatic tyre began.

At the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, all cyclists competed with pneumatic tyres.

However, as the invention became more widely known, Thomson's patent came to light again. Dunlop initially lost his patent. The brothers Edouard and André Michelin from Clermont-Ferrand took advantage of this and produced pneumatic tyres on a large scale. They were also the first to equip the emerging automobile with tyres, thus considerably accelerating its success story.

Dunlop continued to further develop the tyre and was able to obtain new patents for his improvements, which ensured his economic success

Above all, the valve, which is still named after him today, proved that he was an able inventor. Incidentally, he also applied for patents for developments in completely different fields, such as a skin lotion as seen in the pics.

Only four years after the foundation of his company, Dunlop's first foreign branch was established in Hanau. It still exists today. Dunlop was soon to manufacture numerous other rubber products such as golf and tennis balls, floor coverings and brake shoes. The company became one of the first "global players", a worldwide manufacturing company.

John Boyd Dunlop withdrew completely from the company in 1895 and returned to his veterinary practice. Along the way, he and his son worked on new inventions, such as a patented eau de toilette.

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The Immortal Mike Mulligan and His Magic Steam Shovel

Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel is a classic children's tale about an American Adam and his mechanical familiar struggling to adjust to the changing times. But what else does this cozy story teach us?

How To Start A Blog Post

Some of you may be familiar with a little classic called Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton, which you may have read as a child, or perhaps chances are you’re familiar with the movie and its gloriously persistent earworms.

But for the sake of the uninitiated and those who might need a refresher, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is a children’s book first published in 1939 during The Great Depression and later adapted into a 25-minute animated short film aired by HBO in 1990.

The book depicts the rise and fall of the steam shovel and its effect on the working class. Mike Mulligan, the symbol of then-modern industrial America, is made to face the reality that progress births new machines and he (as well as Mary Anne) must adapt to the changing times or fall into obscurity. Like in much of Virginia Lee Burton’s children’s books, the overlying theme is the importance of the power of friendship, and old-fashioned hard work and ingenuity in overcoming adversity and embracing change together. Or at least that’s a pattern I noticed in her stories that I’m familiar with.

The short film was animated in the style of Burton’s illustrations and is a very closely adapted read-through of the book interspersed with song sequences, so if you haven’t watched it yet and want to, it can be found on Youtube. Since the story is short and to the point, I will be spoiling all of it, so definitely go watch it first if you want to experience it for yourself before I ruin it.

But first, a brief history lesson!

A Rough Timeline Of The Steam Shovel’s Role In History

1796: Grimshaw of Boulton & Watt devised the first steam-powered excavator.

1833: William Brunton patented another steam-powered excavator which he provided further details on in 1836.

1839: William Otis received a patent for his steam shovel design and is credited as its inventor.

1854-1859: First large-scale use of steam power in North America is the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway Victoria Bridge over the St. Lawrence River at Montreal.

1861-1865: American Civil War happens. Although excavators are starting to be used in the construction of the foundation of city buildings, the initial cost of the machines was high and the funds were low, particularly leading up to and during the war. Section gangs of men (a method perfected for work on railroads) were paid the costly wages of manual labor instead of hiring bulky expensive machines that would be difficult to maneuver and power throughout the construction site.

1884: Changes to the popular shovel design have been made by this point, but here the full-swing 360° revolving shovel was developed in England and became the preferred model. Expanding railway networks in the US and UK create high demand for steam shovels. The Marion Power Shovel Company, an American manufacturer, was founded and I mention this because it seems to be where Mary Anne got her name from in the book. Cute Easter Egg reference there.

1890: By this point, costs of non-powered labor for the construction of skyscrapers had risen to the point where switching over to steam power was the only option and the practice took off from there.

1904 -1914: The US took over the Panama Canal dig from France (which had started in 1881 but quit due to engineering problems and high worker mortality rates). One hundred and two (102) shovels worked in that decade-long dig: 77 were built by Bucyrus; the remaining 25 were Marion shovels. The shovel crews would race to see who could move the most dirt.

1914-1918: World War 1 starts a mere 2 weeks and 3 days before the Panama Canal officially opens.

????: At some point during all this, shovels start being used for mining and quarry work around the world and become more present in general construction operations.

1920s: Shovels gain more traction with the publicly funded road building programs around North America. Thousands of miles of State Highways were built during this time period, together with new factories, docks, ports, buildings, and grain elevators.

1929: The Great Depression began with the stock market crash.

1930s: Steam shovels lost out to the simpler, cheaper diesel-powered excavating shovels that were the forerunners of those still in use today.

1939-1945: World War 2 happened and… power shovel technology just kept advancing until the relics of the past became monuments to history. But hey, at least the Great Depression ended.

A historic Marion Steam Shovel located on Gulf Road in the Town of Le Roy, New York, United States.

In Which I Summarize The Plot

The tale of Mike Mulligan is a variation on the compelling classic of an American Adam alongside the likes of Rip Van Winkle, Paul Bunyan, and John Henry who walked before him. This archetype is a solitary figure – a self-made man, representative of immense possibilities, who follows his own whims or moral compass and is made vulnerable by his own ambition and optimism. He has a vision for the future of America that is inevitably altered and shaped by his experiences throughout the story. Generally, the American Adam will find himself faced with a change in the status quo and will have to either fight for “the old way” or adapt, becoming a symbol for the people around him in the process.

Mike’s story begins with the steam shovel’s rise to fame. He and Mary Anne dug canals, they “moved mountains” to make way for railroads, they flattened the land for highways and airports to be built, and they dig cellars for city skyscrapers. Just the promise of getting to see Mike and Mary Anne in action is enough to draw crowds to their construction sites. After all, part of the romantic appeal of steam shovels was watching them work, as you could see its wires and gears move while it operated. In exchange, having an audience to perform for encourages Mike and Mary Anne to work faster and better – something they are both quite proud of.

But then everything changed when the gasoline, electric, and diesel shovels entered the scene.

These new models were cheaper to maintain and could therefore be worked harder for less expense. As a result, Mike winds up unable to find a job because he refuses to give up Mary Anne and the old way. Instead, he is more than ever determined to prove their worth. Mike had always said he believed Mary Anne “could dig as much in a day as a hundred men could dig in a week” and he gets his chance to prove it when he drives Mary Anne out to a small town that is looking to have a cellar dug out for their new town hall.

Before he can be turned away, he places his bet that Mary Anne can dig the cellar in just one day and offers to accept no payment if he can’t live up to that boast – a hard offer for any stingy capitalist to refuse. So, he starts digging at sunrise the following day and basically within the span of a song sequence five whole towns have flocked to this hole in the ground to watch them work, and naturally that means Mike and Mary Anne make the deadline just as the sun sets. The only catch is that they’ve forgotten to leave a way out of the hole, so they’re stuck and the sly selectman Henry B. Swap says they won’t get paid on a technicality.

Fun fact: this is where Virginia Lee Burton realized she had literally dug her characters into a corner until 12-year-old family friend Dick Berkenbush, inspired by the steam heating system in his father’s garage, suggested turning Mary Anne into a furnace for the new town hall. (For a little more on Dick, I recommend checking out Melinda Johnson’s picture book review.) Burton rolled with this idea and credited him with a footnote on that page of the book where a young boy is shown as presenting the solution of making Mary Anne the furnace and hiring Mike as the janitor.

Everyone agrees that this is a good plan and both of our heroes get to retire for the rest of their days, satisfied with their final accomplishment. It’s a nice and simple story, but I have some thoughts.

The Part Where I Overthink Children’s Literature For Fun

Mike Mulligan is clearly an immortal god who’s having a rough time adjusting to the changing times and it shows.

First of all, I cannot stress enough that Mike and Mary Anne were there from The Beginning. “It was Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne and some others” who changed the shape of the land “for years and years.” Looking back at our trusty timeline, this was progress that realistically took decades to accomplish and these two were there on the front lines to pioneer these developments! Neither Mike nor Mary Anne ever ages. She hasn’t suffered the wear and tear of years of hard work because Mike has been keeping her spotless and in tip top shape as if it were still the day she had been created for mass production. But you’re telling me that a man who smokes like a chimney still looks as baby-faced as he was in his youth after decades of dedicated hard labor?

I’m just saying there’s some kind of magic at work here that is only enhanced by the strength of their companionship. The more charisma they exude, the more people they attract to watch them work. The bigger the crowd around them grows to be, the better and faster and harder they work. The louder the standing ovation they receive from their accomplishments, the more they seem to glow in all their youthful glory. The years just melt right off them and it all hinges on this system they have developed between them! They have a very codependent relationship. One could not achieve this result without the other.

For one thing, Mike doesn’t seem to have a stationary home to return to at any point. The movie shows him in the garage of a house in the beginning, but according to the book he appears to live inside Mary Anne’s compartment and uses her to travel from one job to the next. There’s one scene after the “No Steam Shovels Wanted” segment where he’s sitting outside, moping about how no one wants him and Mary Anne anymore, which is honestly an understandable reaction from anyone who has just realized the job market has shut them out from continuing to make a living. But this man is never depicted as having any attachments beyond Mary Anne, so I am inclined to believe that he doesn’t have a family to miss him either, which would therefore make Mary Anne both his home and his family.

Speaking of Mary Anne, let’s talk about the fact that steam shovels and their electric, diesel, and gasoline powered counterparts are sentient in this world. When we see the steam shovels in the scrap yard, they even have faces like Mary Anne does. This was mass genocide! They were murdered and their corpses were tossed in a heap like it was no big deal. Just look at Mary Anne. She is horrified. No wonder Mike is so repulsed by the idea of condemning her!

Yes, this is a children’s book and, in a lot of children’s media, most inanimate objects and animals are given sentience as a way to encourage children to emotionally relate to them – the sun has a face and one of the horses even TALKS by the end of the movie – but come on… this was terrifyingly dark, especially when you look at the imagery. The other three antagonist shovels are so blissfully unaware of the fate that may one day await them in that pit. Sure, they are shiny and new and exciting now, but the moment they fail to live up to the standard set for them, their human overlords will reduce them to scrap metal just as quickly because they are all still machines after all… Sentient machines, albeit, but that evidently means nothing to the majority of mankind.

Furthermore, due to her sentience, Mary Anne can operate without Mike pulling her levers as long as the fire within her remains lit. Perhaps the fire is what keeps her alive, considering the major difference between her and the others in the pit is that their fires eventually went out and they were left to rust in a junkyard until their eventual dismemberment. This would seem to imply that the relationship between her and Mike is one of master and familiar. He keeps her fire burning and shares his eternal youth with her, and she does the physical labor for him in return.

But the big question that has yet to be answered is this: which of them is channeling the energy of the onlookers and converting it directly into power for Mary Anne while they work? Is Mike the catalyst or is Mary Anne?

Which leads us into the climax of the story and a lot more food for thought…

Five whole towns worth of people just take the day off from their jobs and their lives to watch this guy dig a hole in the ground. The fire department, the doctors, and even the police! I sure hope there aren’t any actual fires, public safety violations, or general health crises to tend to for the day because clearly this strange man and his steam shovel are far more important. After all, they’re going to need a lot of power to pull off this bet and if five towns have to become living batteries to do it – well! You only live once, right? You may as well see something worth your time!

So, if Mike spent the entire day from sunrise to sunset digging that cellar to the point where he left himself no way to get out of that hole, when and where did he go to the bathroom? Did he just hold it in the entire time? Did he pop a squat in a corner with everyone looking on? Does he just not have any need for mortal bodily functions? I don’t have the answers, but it warrants asking.

And then, the townspeople make a big fuss about what they’re going to do about leaving Mike and Mary Anne in the pit for a while until someone goes to get a ladder to climb down to talk to him as though they hadn’t just collectively been screaming down into the pit the entire time. He can HEAR you, you know! The moment they have his verbal agreement to the plan, they begin building the town hall around our two immortal heroes without further ado, so what I want to know is did they just shake his hand, then climb out of the pit and yoink the ladder up after them before he could climb up? “Sorry, buddy, we know you just accomplished this impossible task and honestly we’re not quite sure how to feel about it while the adrenaline’s still injecting itself straight into our hearts, but you’re stuck down there now. You live here.”

At least the construction is finished before winter, so he hasn’t been freezing down there in that hole for months, but how did they line the cellar with concrete while Mike was inside? Was he sitting in Mary Anne’s compartment the entire time while it set and everyone else worked? Did anyone feed him? Does he even eat? Mrs. McGillicuddy brings him a fresh-baked apple pie every day once the town hall is built, so I wonder if she has been doing this since that first day he arrived. Could that be all she feeds him? I will admit that there is something poetic about an American Adam sustaining himself on that coveted all-American apple pie life. It’s like two tropes being married into one concentrated dose of the American Dream so pungent it hurts.

Maybe Mary Anne is the source of his power after all and that’s why he can’t leave her. And now he’s stuck there with her in that cellar forever, trying to make the most of it. He didn’t get his job back, he didn’t get the exact happy ending he’d been hoping for, he didn’t prove steam power was better than the competition… but at least he has a sweet gig as a janitor in a town that hails him as a hero and he technically does have a fixed home now.

Mary Anne, on the other hand, has completely had her freedom taken away from her. She may not have been murdered and reduced to scrap metal in the junkyard, but she is unable to travel or go outside ever again. It’s supposed to be heartwarming that she and Mike have found a different way to be useful… a different purpose than the one they had had all their lives… but it does feel pretty morbid when you realize this was done to Mary Anne intentionally without her permission. But you know… it could be worse…

Some Sources and Interesting Material

You can find more information about Virginia Lee Burton’s work on the Houghton Mifflin website. The Virginia Lee Burton and Steam Shovel Wikipedia pages were also incredibly helpful for me while I was pulling together the context I needed to create a rough timeline, but you can read a briefer examination of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel‘s historical context in this Newsweek article.

If you are interested in more in-depth reading material, I recommend Rise of the New York skyscraper, 1865-1913 by Sarah Landau. The excerpts I read to help fill out my timeline were fascinating. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something more philosophical to sink your teeth into, The Prindle Institute offers food for thought regarding the book’s themes.

Last but certainly not least, check out American Adam Myth for some other examples of characters in literature and how the trope evolved!

Note: This article was originally posted on WordPress on July 4, 2021.

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Robotic Vertical Wall Printers: The Next Big Thing in Construction, Market Growing from $0.45B to $1.2B by 2034

Robotic Vertical Wall Printers Market is projected to grow from $0.45 billion in 2024 to $1.2 billion by 2034, achieving a CAGR of approximately 10.3%. This innovative sector focuses on the development of automated wall-printing devices capable of creating intricate designs on vertical surfaces. These cutting-edge systems leverage advanced robotics and printing technologies, offering efficient and precise solutions for artistic, commercial, and industrial applications. From vibrant wall art to dynamic advertising displays, robotic vertical wall printers are transforming traditional methods of wall decoration and signage.

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The residential segment leads the market, commanding 35% of the share in 2023, as homeowners increasingly seek personalized and innovative interior designs. Commercial applications follow closely, capturing 45% of the market, driven by the growing demand for customized branding and creative aesthetics in retail and office spaces. The industrial segment accounts for 20%, supporting large-scale and scalable printing needs in manufacturing and public infrastructure projects.

Geographically, North America leads the market, fueled by advanced technology adoption and a strong focus on home improvement trends. Europe follows, with countries like Germany and the UK prioritizing design innovations. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China and Japan, is experiencing rapid growth due to urbanization and increased disposable incomes, presenting promising opportunities for market expansion.

Leading players, including XYZ Robotics and WallPrint Innovations, are spearheading advancements in this market, focusing on AI-driven solutions and partnerships to enhance product capabilities. Despite challenges like high upfront costs and the need for skilled operators, the market outlook remains optimistic. Innovations in UV and inkjet technologies, combined with increased R&D investments, are expected to propel significant growth in the coming years, transforming the way walls are decorated and branded globally.

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Why Large-Scale Construction Projects Need a Consultant Quantity Surveyor

Discover why a Consultant Quantity Surveyor is vital for large-scale construction projects. Learn about cost management, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. Ensure your project is delivered efficiently and to the highest standards. Contact PEJA Surveying for expert consultancy today.

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The Importance of Reliable Rubbish Removal Services in the UK

Managing waste effectively is crucial in maintaining a clean, safe, and sustainable environment. In the UK, individuals and businesses increasingly rely on professional Rubbish Removal Services in UK to handle their waste responsibly. Whether you’re decluttering your home, renovating, or managing waste from a business, having a trusted partner like Prorubbish Removal makes the process seamless and eco-friendly.

Why Choose Professional Rubbish Removal Services?

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The UK has strict waste disposal regulations, and failing to comply can lead to hefty fines. Professional Rubbish Removal Services in UK prioritize eco-friendly practices. Companies like Prorubbish Removal recycle a significant portion of the waste they collect, reducing landfill contributions and helping to protect the planet.

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Certain items, such as electronics, batteries, and chemicals, require specialized handling to prevent environmental harm. With Rubbish Removal Services in UK, you can rest assured that such materials are dealt with safely and in accordance with legal requirements.

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Commitment to Sustainability: Recycling and proper waste management are central to their operations.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced world, managing waste responsibly is more important than ever. With professional Rubbish Removal Services in UK, you can ensure your waste is disposed of properly, safely, and sustainably. Whether you’re clearing out your garage or managing a large-scale project, Prorubbish Removal is the trusted partner you can rely on.

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Scaffold Tower Hire Near Guildford and Scaffolding Services Guildford

When it comes to construction, renovation, or maintenance projects in Guildford, ensuring safety and efficiency is paramount. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, having reliable access solutions is crucial. That’s where scaffold tower hire near Guildford and scaffolding services Guildford come into play. This blog explores everything you need to know about these essential services, their benefits, and how to choose the right provider for your project.

Why Choose Scaffold Tower Hire Near Guildford?

The Importance of Scaffold Towers

Scaffold towers are indispensable for working at height. They provide:

Safety: Minimised risk of falls compared to ladders.

Stability: Secure platforms for tasks requiring precision.

Efficiency: Quick assembly and adaptability to various projects.

Hiring scaffold towers near Guildford ensures you have the right equipment without the long-term costs of ownership.

Benefits of Hiring Instead of Buying

Cost-Effective: Avoid significant upfront investments.

Flexible Options: Access a variety of sizes and designs tailored to your needs.

Maintenance-Free: Providers handle repairs and inspections.

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What Do Scaffolding Services Include?

Scaffolding services in Guildford cater to a broad range of requirements, such as:

Erection and Dismantling: Professional setup for safety and compliance.

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Inspections and Maintenance: Ensuring ongoing safety and reliability.

Project-Specific Advice: Guidance on optimal scaffolding use for your site.

Benefits of Professional Scaffolding Services

Enhanced Safety: Adherence to local health and safety regulations.

Time Savings: Efficient service reduces project delays.

High-Quality Materials: Durable and reliable scaffolding systems.

Expertise: Skilled professionals with years of experience.

How to Select the Best Scaffold Tower Hire Near Guildford and Scaffolding Services Guildford

Key Factors to Consider

When choosing a provider, keep these factors in mind:

1. Reputation and Experience

Look for companies with a solid track record in the Guildford area.

Check reviews and testimonials from past customers.

2. Range of Services

Ensure they offer both scaffold tower hire and comprehensive scaffolding services.

Verify the availability of customised solutions.

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Look for certifications and accreditations.

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Request detailed quotes and compare prices.

Check for flexible rental periods and packages.

5. Customer Support

Responsive and helpful customer service is essential for a seamless experience.

Top Uses for Scaffold Tower Hire Near Guildford

Residential Projects

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Advantages of Local Scaffolding Services Guildford

Tailored Solutions for Local Needs

Choosing a local provider ensures:

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Tips for Safe Scaffold Tower Use

Inspect Before Use: Check for damage or loose components.

Follow Weight Limits: Avoid overloading the platform.

Use Safety Equipment: Harnesses and helmets are essential.

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Follow Instructions: Adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines and training.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you’re tackling a DIY project or managing a large-scale commercial site, choosing the right scaffold tower hire near Guildford and scaffolding services Guildford is crucial for safety, efficiency, and success. With the right provider, you can access high-quality equipment, expert advice, and professional support tailored to your needs. Make an informed choice and elevate your project to new heights.

FAQs About Scaffold Tower Hire Near Guildford and Scaffolding Services Guildford

1. What is the cost of scaffold tower hire near Guildford?

The cost varies based on the tower’s size, rental duration, and provider. Contact local suppliers for competitive quotes.

2. How long does it take to set up a scaffold tower?

Most scaffold towers can be assembled within a few hours, depending on complexity and size.

3. Are scaffolding services in Guildford insured?

Reputable providers offer fully insured services, covering liability and damages.

4. Can scaffold towers be used indoors?

Yes, scaffold towers are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, provided there is adequate space and stability.

5. What safety regulations should I follow?

Always adhere to UK health and safety standards, including regular inspections, proper training, and the use of safety equipment.

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Concrete Change: CO2-to-Concrete Conversion Market to Double by 2034

CO2-to-Concrete Conversion Market is revolutionizing the construction industry by transforming carbon dioxide emissions into sustainable building materials. This groundbreaking approach reduces carbon footprints while meeting the growing demand for eco-friendly infrastructure.

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In 2023, the market processed 320 million metric tons of CO2-converted concrete, with expectations to soar to 520 million metric tons by 2033. Precast concrete products lead the market, celebrated for their versatility and reduced environmental impact. Ready-mix concrete, a staple in large-scale infrastructure projects, follows as a strong contender.

North America dominates the market due to stringent environmental policies and significant investments in green construction technologies. Europe, led by Germany and the UK, is a close second, driving adoption through sustainability-focused initiatives. The Asia-Pacific region, particularly China and India, is witnessing rapid growth, spurred by urbanization and infrastructure demands.

Market segmentation highlights technologies like carbon capture, utilization, and mineralization, with applications ranging from residential and commercial construction to large-scale infrastructure. Residential construction commands 45% of the market share, fueled by urbanization and the push for sustainable building practices.

Key players like CarbonCure Technologies, Solidia Technologies, and Blue Planet Ltd. are pioneering innovations, supported by regulatory frameworks such as the European Green Deal and U.S. federal incentives. With a projected 15% increase in R&D investments by 2033, the market is poised for growth, driven by AI and machine learning innovations optimizing production processes.

Challenges remain, including high initial costs and the need for standardization. However, the market’s outlook is optimistic, offering lucrative opportunities for stakeholders aiming to align with climate goals.

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Buy Concrete Boom Pump Near Me And Know About The Uses

When it comes to efficient and precise concrete placement for construction projects, a concrete boom pumps near me is an invaluable piece of equipment. This versatile machinery is designed to pump concrete to hard-to-reach areas with ease, reducing manual labour and enhancing construction efficiency.

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Unlike traditional methods, which often involve wheelbarrows or buckets, a boom pump eliminates the need for excessive manual handling, ensuring the concrete is placed accurately and efficiently.

Uses of a Concrete Boom Pump in the UK

One of the main advantages of a concrete boom pump near me is its ability to access challenging areas. Whether you’re working on high-rise buildings, narrow urban spaces, or complex foundations, the boom pump’s flexible arm ensures precise delivery of concrete.

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While hiring a boom pump may seem like an added expense, it saves money in the long run by reducing labour costs and minimising waste.

From residential projects to large-scale commercial constructions, concrete boom pumps cater to a wide range of requirements, making them a preferred choice in the UK construction industry.

Get a Concrete Boom Pump Near Me from CemPump

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