Hi From Portsmouth, UK

[Mortimer657]

Hi all,

Just thought i'd take the opportunity to introduce myself. Have been browsing the board for some time now and i finally decided to throw myself into the fray.

Im currently residing on the south Coast of the United Kingdom, the coastal city of Portsmouth.29 Years of age, married (for my sins) and have 3 great kids (aged 23 months , 4 and 10) Im former military, serving 12 years with the British Army, namely the Royal Artillery, 29 Commando. Im now a PMR man in the UK Gravure and Flexographic printing industry.
I was first directed to Selfsufficientish while searching for information on growing fruit and vegetable produce in raised beds, mainly due to only having a 48 foot long by 35 or so foot wide garden and needing to still allow for plenty of space for the kids to play. I have registered for an Allotment patch with my local council, so fingers crossed i'll be able to get into one within a couple of years. Im a keen hunter and i'd estimate about 85-90% of all the meat consumed in our household is from game i've personally shot, paunched, skinned/plucked and cooked myself. Im also looking into a spot of fishing to supplement this further. I've installed an FD300W wind turbine kit, which i'd say has paid for itself over the last 13 months. Very efficient. Im looking into solar though the cost may be a bit prohibitive, unless anyone has some advice on this?
My interest in growing my own produce was intially sparked by my training in boxing which i've been involved in for around 22 years now, though i've recently transitioned to Muay Thai boxing (also known as Muay Thai Kickboxing). I was concerned about getting the best possible produce into my diet, and that of my family and what better than 110% organic homegrown.

Sorry for the rather vague introduction. But thats me in a rather self sufficient nutshell.

Thanks all.

Morti

[becks77]

Hi Morti, welcome to Ish

[Mortimer657]

Many Thanks Becks....great to be here.

[okra]

Hello, welcome and happy ishing

[Mortimer657]

Hi Morti, and a warm welcome to Ish we love it when 'lurkers' come out of the closet See you around the boards.

haha "lurker", i like it. Many thanks to all of you, feeling welcome already.

[Green Aura]

Hi Morti, welcome to Ish

Like the sound of that wind turbine - did you need planning permission?

[Mortimer657]

Hi Morti, welcome to Ish

Like the sound of that wind turbine - did you need planning permission?

I did indeed. Im in a detatched house but still had to have planning permission from the local authority. It was quite a complex procedure as well.
However to make the process as painless as possible myself and my wife wrote up a list of details and contacted the local authority before applying to discuss the following planning issues:

* Visual impact
* Noise
* Vibration
* Electrical interference (with TV aerials)
* Safety

We included a copy of the details of the turbine we were looking to install showing that it was relatively compact, very very quiet, giving off no felt vibration, unless your holding the mast itself, Manufacturers details showing it would not interfere with TV's, radios etc and that once installed it would be a safe Structure.
They then gave neighbours and anyone living in what would be deemed "close proximity" to the installation a letter/questionnaire of sorts giving them a chance to have their say to our proposal. Luckily for us we live in quiet cul-de-sac location, are detatched and are very fortunate to have fantastic neighbours.

The requirements differ from one Authority/Council to the next though so its always worth checking. But i would wholeheartedly reccomend a Small Scale wind turbine. My father installed one a couple of years ago, and while im not tight when it comes to money, i do like the thought of not making too much of an impact on the environment ..and..who doesnt like seeing their mone go to something other than electric/gas/food etc...liiiike..a new rifle .....or those new Muay Thai Boxing gloves i want

[MuddyWitch]

Welcome to ISH

MW