Potentially local: Soil types

When considering how generic processes for production can be used to make locally sensitive products, we must decide what aspects of these local areas we chose to influence these designs.

Other than sociological and economic factors, we can also explore how environmental and ecological characteristics can influence these designs. The first I have chosen to research is differences in soil types and how this would dictate the designs of garden equipment produced using this new manufacturing resources in different regions.

Here is a simple categorisation of different soil types in the UK, as found on The European Agricultural Investment Services website. Though in reality soils are combination of types, in 'varying quantities' and each one is unique to its origin or locale.

Here is a interactive map, Soilscapes, that can be used to locate the different types of soil found in this project's three locations Chorley, Lewes and Loughborough.

Experiments to follow.

Lewes: Gypsum mine

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Today I went to gypsum mine in Sussex, as part of my research of sourcing locally abundant materials to produce mouse traps for farmers markets in three different English regions. Here my favourite pictures, which I feel will give you the greatness appreciation of what the mine is like.

Characteristic of the region

When exploring ways of realising potential resources for production in local environments, like widely available skills like key cutting and orthopaedic casting, we must also take into consideration we can remove the genericism of the skills and invoke local relevance in these products for the local user.

One approach of attempting this could be by tailoring this resources/processes so that that the products they fabricate are sensitive to cultural and social trends characteristic to the region of their use.

Here is a link on the from the National Office of Statistics on regional trends

'Regional Trends brings together official statistics, analysis and guidance to assist those with an interest in places in the UK to understand the complex relationships between locations and the people who live there.'

Chorley Trap; Cutacre mine

Yesterday I was even the great opportunity to be toured around UK coal's open cast mine, Cutacre, just outside of Bolton. The scale of the site is really quite staggering and gives a intriguing insight into the scales of extraction and refinement the site operates. The sites last commercially viable deposits are due to be extracted by February 2011, with the the mine 'filled in' with 15-18 months of that target date.

The abundance of coal in the region Chorley is in, makes it a relevant choice for the constituent material to use in the trap I am hope to design for this region. The challenge lies how to refine coal into a material that could be formed into a functioning mousetrap (Experiments to follow).

Hidden craftsman: Orthopaedic nurses

I was lucky enought to observe a plastering induction up at the medical school. The craftmanship of this process was intriguing, esspecially when we want local skills can be translated into product fabrication.

One of the interesting paralelles between this process and key cutting is the pace which outputs are produced. Could this help establish a criteria of what other hidden resources could be select for this approach.

Hidden craftsman: Key cutting

Key cutting is a skill and process which is available in nearly all towns in Britain. When considering what untapped resources that could be used to fabricate products locally, this is surely one that could be exploited. Notice the speed of the process and the potential volumes of output this could mean.

Keyman Key Cutting Training from RaceRecall.com on Vimeo.

Lewes - Harveys brewery, potential manufacturer?

Here is a video summarising the brewing process at Harvey's brewery in Lewes. Could this be a potential manufacturing process be used in conjunction with local materials to produce goods for Lewes's 'Product farmers market'?

Twickenham farmers' market

Here a few pictures from my visit to the farmers market in Twickenham, Greater London in July. Interesting to note the direct dialog between producers and consumers. As well as the criteria and rules for all producers to adhere who wish to sell at the market.

Defining a farmers market

Here are the 'abridged rules' set by Certified Farmers' market (FARMA) to for recognised markets to adhere to. Here are a couple of relevant extracts, which could apply to my research:

'There are two types of local definition that FARMA recognises:

Local as a radius

* Local is a defined as a radius from the market. A definition of 30 miles is ideal, up to 50 miles is acceptable for larger cities and coastal or remote towns and villages.

Local as a county boundary

* The definition of local may also be a county boundary or other geographic boundary such as a National park that is similar in size to the radius option.'

'The prime aim of the market must be to develop a vibrant environment where consumers and producers are brought together'

Chorley - slate

Cumbria rich slate deposits make it a prime choice of material to help define the resources in the region Chorley sit in.

This link details further the history and availability slate in Cumbria.

Loughborough - Knitting

Here is a video of the traditional manufacturing process of knitting used in the east midlands.

Lewes; nettle string, creating tension

To be able to create the tension needed for the mechanism in both the 5 and 20 mile radius trpas, i will need to make string or twine from fibres from within these radiuses.

One link suggesting the use of dried stinging nettles as string.

Mapping resources

Here are the maps which detail the available material and manufacture resources relevent to producing a mousetrap from within 5, 20 and 40 mile radiuses of the three selected towns.

CHORLEY

LEWES

LOUGHBOROUGH

Lewes; Locally and regionally available timber

Here is the response from David Saunders (woodland manager operating in Sussex) detailing what timbers are available within the local and regional proximity to Lewes.

'In summary, the timber available relates to the soils and local environment.

Examples:
Downland (chalk soils) - ash, sycamore, elm
Low Weald (clay soils) - oak, hornbeam, field maple
High Weald (sandstone soil) - sweet chestnut, birch, also conifers larch, pine, spruce

There is of course some overlap, and the list of trees is actually much longer, but you should research this yourself - the landscape designations above are clearly mapped if you look for the South Downs National Park, or the High Weald AONB websites, for instance.

If you have a cutting list for the designs you are developing, I might be able to help you find some examples of timber for you to work with, but it is back to you to be more specific. Much of the timber available from the forest is "green" i.e. fresh-cut, and you would have to take shrinkage, degrade on drying, as finding both kiln-dried and local timber is not so easy across the whole range of species above.

I hope this helps.
David'

David Saunders
WOODNET
15/10/2010

Lewes; fabrication skill resources

Here are some of available manual skills that could be translated into the fabrication mousetraps in conjunction with raw materials from within a 5 miles radius of Lewes.

Lewes; 25 mile radius traps tests

First tests and developments of producing a spring loaded mousetrap with the raw material that would be available within 20 miles of Lewes