Latest Newsletter, Issue 12

Window sampling – worldwide sales

We believe our percussion window sampling system is the best available and an increasing number of researchers must agree because we are selling more and more of these sets at home and worldwide.

Do you want to find out more about something for nothing?

You know the sayings: ‘don’t get ought for nought’ or ‘no such thing as a free lunch’ well Van Walt are out to prove – these are wrong!

Working with our customers to make sure you get exactly what you need

We like nothing more than solving a problem and recently one of our customers in Wales laid down the challenge – to find a solution to his excess leachate problem at a landfill site.

Do you have the skills you need to perform in the field?

Van Walt has been training environmental professionals since 2002 and we’ve been in the business over 25 years.  We think – and past delegates have told us – we know what we are talking about.  That’s why, we can say with confidence, our new training course - Practical fieldwork theory & techniques - is the best available for anyone looking to:

• sharpen their theoretical knowledge
• improve their understanding of best practice techniques and environmental standards
• improve their understanding of remediation options and techniques
• learn more about the range of equipment available, how it works and its different applications.

Have you heard about the Government’s new soil strategy?

Back in August 2009, DEFRA launched a new Soil Strategy for England - Safeguarding our Soils - which sets out an ambitious vision to improve the sustainable management of soil and tackle degradation within 20 years. Supported by Hilary Benn, current Secretary of State for the Environment who quoted President Franklin D Roosevelt in his introduction on the need to protect soil: “The Nation that destroys its soil destroys itself”.

Sampling in sunny Solihull on a Saturday

We are not usually that lucky, particularly when it comes to training of our window sampling set for a new customer, but recently the weather was kind, the conditions considerate and the team ready and willing to learn – what more could we ask for!

Our customer has so much work on that the only convenient day for them to get their teams together to see their new window sampling sets, purchased for subsidence work, was a Saturday.  So Yvonne and Vincent hot footed it up to Solihull to meet the teams that will be using the equipment, to train them on its operation and drill demonstration sample holes until everyone was confident on it use and application.

Solihull this week, Ghana next ….. watch this space for details

DIVER – needs no introduction

Since we added DIVER to our rental fleet at the end of last year demand has risen steadily and we have already had to invest in extra mini DIVERs to meet the growing level of orders

When was the last time you went pond dipping?

Well according to the latest research – don’t bother because pollution has left British ponds ‘in a terrible state’ according to the first national survey ever to be carried out.

Research, funded by the Government, and completed by the charity Pond Conservation, found that 80% of our ponds were in a "poor" or "very poor" state, and their condition had deteriorated markedly since 1996.  Director Dr Jeremy Biggs said ponds were an "important reservoir for freshwater wildlife", but were being damaged by pollution and urban sprawl.

Van Walt is onboard with the QRA for 2010

Again for 2010 Van Walt is delighted to sponsor the QRA Annual conference, this year taking place at the University of Exeter in August.  Details are currently being finalised so watch this space for more information and our Home Page, where the link to the conference site will sit.