Just want to close the loop on my North batten saga, give credit where credit's due etc. The original thread is now too old for replies.

Firstly, I made some tetchy comments about the North importer which I hereby retract. I used the help form on the North website and got a reply within a day, confirming again that the battens are glass and not carbon.

Secondly, and I hope he doesn't mind me outing him, Ben Severne came through with the actual tube. So huge thanks to Ben.

Thirdly, thanks again to everyone who pointed me in the right direction :)