PDA News

During June 2005 the PDA found its email "in Box" being totally filled with Spam. The Association's ISP advised us to close existing email addresses, which had been heavily "harvested" from this web site, and to set up new ones. They advised that any email addresses displayed on the site should be coded or made unrecognisable to automatic harvesters. This has been done by displaying each address as a Graphic item which has no lead to a hyperlink. Therefore enquirers cannot mail us or PDA members without first noting down the address then writing it into their own email sending program. This is a shame but is the only safe way of protecting addresses from spammers. Unfortunately it will not stop those who collect addresses manually. There are more automated ways of allowing easy email contact from a web site which we will investigate in the future.

All email addresses have been deleted from PDA Members' pages so enquirers will have to either telephone or visit a member's web site, which they can still do from this site.

We can make a "Graphic" email address for each member and will do this if sent the exact address required to be displayed on a Member's page.

Any PDA Members having concerns about the safety of their web site and any email addresses it contains, can consult and obtain advice from Graham Brown of Pumpmasters Ltd 0131 661 3982. Graham would have to make a charge as this work is carried out separately from his work at Pumpmasters. Graham is trying out "Spam Arrest" on a 30 day free trial, his views on it may be helpful - www.spamarrest.com

Members wishing to contact the PDA office should email using the following address -

Ian Castle 4.08.2005

New PDA Member - Pumps (UK) Ltd

At its April 2005 meeting PDA Council agreed the membership application of Pumps (UK) Ltd. and welcomed Peter Bunton and his team to the PDA. Further details will be published in the next issue of PDA News.

Return to Pumps (UK) web page

New PDA Member - Total Pumps Ltd

PDA Chairman, Tony Keville, expressed delight on hearing that Total Pumps have joined the Association. Since the closure of Alpha Pumps the PDA has been poorly represented in the West of England. Tony Talboys, his fellow Director and Total Pumps staff will now provide the PDA with a strong presence in this important area. Total Pumps provide a complete service to pump users covering selection, sales, installation, spares and pump repairs. Complete details will be published on Total Pumps' PDA web page shortly.

The company was formed, following the demise of various distributors, with the aim of providing a genuine independent pump specialist outlet for contractors, industry and end user customers throughout the South West.

The intention was to give the best possible technical service for pump selection, supply, spares, repairs, on site servicing and after sales maintenance contracts. A complete pumping package from one source.

To further enhance our coverage of the area, and to be able to give customers a better service, the directors bought Harburro Western Ltd, Launceston, some three and a half years ago. During 2005 both companies will amalgamate under the Total Pumps banner.

Contact: Tony Talboys, telephone - 01823 350991,

Return to Total Pumps web page Ian Castle 22 March 2005

Skill Card Survey Results:

Regarding the Skill Card Questionnaire, thank you for the time and trouble you went to and thank you for the additional points many of you made. PDA Council discussed the results at their meeting on the 24 June and have asked me to contact the CSCS organisation and attempt to take the previous discussions forward on the basis that an NVQ is not and will not be available. Therefore to ascertain what other avenues are available to cover the certification of a relatively small group of people requiring to work on industrial sites? I doubt if I shall have any further information for some time but I will attempt to keep you all informed as soon as information becomes available.

Details of web sites giving information on apprenticeships can found on Technical Notices

Ian Castle 26.06.2004

Results from PDA "Skill Card" Questionnaire	No	Yes	Possibly	No Reply
Have been asked to show a Skill and / or Safety Card.	64%	36%
Has the lack of a Skill Card affected ability to work on a site.	79%	21%
Agree that cards will become a requirement in the future.	29%	29%	36%	7%
Operate both Internal & Pump Manufacturer training.	14%	86%
Would like PDA to give training advice about pumps.	100%
Would like a National Scheme (NVQ) on pumps.	36%	21%	36%	7%
See benefits in a training course, standardised within the pump industry.	14%	86%
Would send staff on a standard pump training course.	14%	57%	29%
Would prefer to use a "correspondence" type course.	43%	43%		14%
Would like to see Training Certificates.	7%	86%		7%

New PDA Member - ESPA Pumps (UK) ltd

It is extremely pleasing to announce that ESPA Pumps have joined the PDA. As the importing arm of Spanish based ESPA, whose products carry an enviable reputation for good design, it is certain that existing PDA members will welcome the chance to deal directly with a fellow PDA member. PDA contact is Graham Patterson: General Manager.

Telephone: 01206 391291 web: www.espa.co.uk

News Letter for May 2004

This has now been issued to PDA Members and can also be read on line - May 2004

News Letter for January 2004

This is now available from the Associations office, please request copies by email or fax.

Alternatively visit it online from this web site. Extra copies can be printed from the site.

New PDA Member - W Robinson & Sons (EC) Ltd

It is good to announce that Robinson's have joined the PDA, they have long been respected as a pump distributor having been involved in the industry since 1926. Their basic contact details came be obtained from the Members page and complete details will be added soon. W. Robinson & Sons 8/07/2003

Name Change at Allsebrook Pumps

Allsebrook Pump Services and Allsebrook Electrical Services have joined forces.

From now on they will be known as Allsebrook Pump and Electrical Services Limited.

Matt Greig - Honorary Secretary of PDA

It is with very real regret that I have to inform you of the death of Matt Greig. Matt died on Saturday the 2rd of February 2002. His funeral was held on Thursday 7th February. Charles Cleghorn and Mike Brown attended.

If you wish to send a message please contact Jim Gallacher at Clyde Associated. Many of you will have special memories of Matt and his enthusiastic involvement in the affairs of the PDA. Matt and I had recently discussed an idea to write some humorous notes on the life and times of being a pump engineer, if only we had had more time. A great man and a fine friend.

Our thoughts are with Hilda and all his colleagues at Clyde Associated Engineers.

Ian Castle

Clyde Associated Engineers Ltd - Change of address and Web site

January 2002: Clyde Associated have moved to -

Block5, 76 Beardmore Way,

Clydebank Industrial Estate,

Clydebank G81 4HT

Telephone 0141 951 1331, Fax 0141 951 3460

New web site - www.clyde-associated-engineers.com

New Logo and PDA pre-spaced vinyl-cut logos Vinyl's

Vinyl signs for vehicles are now in stock and all members have been sent samples. In order to maintain the profile of the Association and its Members it is important that member's vehicles display the PDA Logo. Inform your clients that you are a member of the PDA tell them that you work to a recognised Code of Practice, that you are a professional and responsible firm.

Small, 95 x 130 mm, white text, for use on windows at £1.95 each

Large, 180 x 250 mm, white text, for use on windows and

dark coloured vehicle panels at £ 3.90 each

Large, 180 x 250 mm, black text, for use on light and

white coloured vehicle panels at £3.90 each

Email or Fax your order for by return dispatch to PDA Office

The majority of members should have received, by email, copies of the new logo for use on their note paper and web sites. If you have not received them please contact the office.

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Anglian Pumping Services Ltd - Change of Address

Anglian are moving to larger premises on the 3rd September 2001, the new address -

APS House

The Drift

Nacton Road

Ipswich

IP3 9RT

Telephone and Fax remain the same - phone 01473 719950

Fax 01473 719951

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Book Review: "Water Wisdom" by Colin Allsebrook

July 2001 - Reprint now available

I suspect many of our members will rue the day they did not keep a diary. One member did and turned it into a fascinating tale of life as a pump engineer. In 1993 Colin Allsebrook published "Water Wisdom", being the story of his family firm Guthrie Allsebrook & Co Ltd. As Colin says in his introduction "It is necessarily a rather personal narrative." but it is all the better for being so, it is not a text book but it does contain a wealth of experience. If only a copy had been available when I took over CCD Pumps in 1967 and had it by me through the years spent solving innumerable watery problems. The book covers a wide range of topics and is heavily illustrated with diagrams and photographs. Fourteen chapters cover a diverse range of subjects; Hydrogeology, Digging wells, Drilling Boreholes, Pumps, Pumping with air, Water power, Wind power, Containing and cleaning water, Sewage disposal, Irrigation, Displays and Fountains. All topics are covered in a sensible and practical way with many interesting little asides about particular jobs undertaken.

Since first publishing this review Janice Manning has arranged the re-printing of a small number of copies. I would urge you to contact Janice on 01491 680628 and order copy at a very reasonable price of £14.50. I am sure you will be inspired and I can look forward to reviewing many more books about our members.

Ian Castle

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The PDA has moved office

New address -

Pump Distributors Association

c/o No 5 Chapelfield

Orford

WOODBRIDGE

IP12 2HW

The telephone and Fax -

+44 (0) 1394 450181

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New PDA Members

Welcome to -

JCL Services - Leicester, PDA contact: Chris White

SI Pumps Ltd - Botley, Oxford, PDA contact: Simon Blake

TT Pumps Ltd - Woore, Cheshire, PDA contact Bob Nash

May their membership of the Pump Distributors Association be long and of mutual value.

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Member's Logos on this Web Site

Where supplied or copied, logos have been added to Member's pages. If you are not happy with how your logo is displayed or require some changes please inform the office. If you have still to provide a logo please supply it either as a GIF or jpg file or as high quality clean artwork, for scanning.

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