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| The Childrens Trust |
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» Weather |
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» Personal Accident Insurance |
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Personal Accident Insurance For
Tree Surgeons
How would you pay the bills if you had an accident and couldn’t work?
This is an important question, but one that is rarely considered. Most people insure everything in life – their home, pets and car. If someone breaks into your house then no doubt your TV would be covered; but what would be worse, somebody steeling your prized plasma TV, or you fracturing your spine and not being able to work for 12 months?
Tree surgeons are used to paying for insurance. Normally they have Public Liability insurance and often cover their tools and vehicles, but the question is, what is the most important thing in your business? Answer: You and your staff! So why aren’t you, or they, insured?
State benefits are extremely limited and the rules surrounding whether or
not you can claim are tightening all the time. The important thing is that most people can insure themselves against accidents, but few consider this option. This type of insurance gets a bad press, mainly because people buy poor quality products often connected to a mortgage, or respond to mail shots. The way to avoid this is to go to a specialist company that knows the market. The policies people can take out generally fall into five main categories:
Compensation Schemes. Often costing less than £10 per month, these sometimes offer huge, headline-grabbing amounts of compensation. I have one in my hand now. It will pay up to £150,000 if you are disabled as the result of an aircraft accident (an extremely unlikely event!). Normally these pay out a set amount for various injuries. This may well be several thousand pounds for the ‘loss of the use of a leg’. On closer inspection, if the insured was to break a leg and be off for 6 months they would get nothing as the loss of the use of a leg is not permanent. Unfortunately, they are marketed under names like ‘Accident Protection’, which gives the impression you are buying all-round cover, when you are not. There are some better versions around but be careful and take expert advice.
Hospitalisation Schemes
These pay out if you have to stay in hospital overnight. In theory they are a good idea, but again if you break a leg and don’t stay in hospital then you may well get nothing. The problem here is that there are countless injuries that could stop you from working for months, but will not require a stay in a hospital.
Mortgage Payment Protection Policies
These are often sold when you take out a mortgage. Although they offer basic protection they have a few bad points. Firstly, they are virtually always over-priced, especially if they have been bought from a bank or building society. They normally have a waiting period of at least 30 days and only pay out for 12 to 24 months. It is likely that you can obtain substantially better cover for less money elsewhere.
Accident Protection Policies
These come in a variety of guises and are sometimes attached to a public liability policy. Although often giving only basic cover, they are certainly better than nothing. There are also a few companies that market these direct to the public. Their main drawback is they generally only pay out a small amount of money, for a limited time.
Income protection policies
These are by far the best form of cover to have and generally speaking they have a number of advantages over other types of policy. Firstly, they have much shorter waiting periods, which can be as little as one day. They also cover all accidents, not just those that happen at work and all illnesses. Finally, they can pay compensation to the insured person until the age of 65 – considerably longer than other types of policy.
A variety of institutions market these products, but they are usually only
available through brokers. As you can see these polices offer substantially
better benefits. Now you are all probably thinking “OK, but how much will that set me back?”. Well the good news is that this type of insurance is
often cheaper than other options. Recently I replaced and accident and
illness policy for a client. His existing contract was with a well-known bank. Not only were the new premiums 14% cheaper, the cover would pay out 22 times longer and the waiting period was just 7 days compared with 30 days on the old policy. This is typical of the sort of situation we come across every day. Now if you are looking for accident insurance there are a few golden rules to follow:
• Be careful about buying insurance from banks, building societies or mail shots.
• If it only costs £10 per month then there is normally a reason for it.
• The most important point is to go to a specialist company that knows the market. You will probably get better quality insurance for less money.
By Simon Wilson of Income Protect
01732 363562 www.incprotect.co.uk
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» Celebration of Trees 2010 |
 Kick start the year at Capel Manor!
Celebration of Trees 2010, proudly sponsored by Husqvarna
Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th April, 10am – 5pm
Following the huge success of last year’s event, Capel Manor College are kick starting the year with Celebration of Trees 2010. Showcasing the best in Arboriculture and the Countryside, this show has become a firm fixture in the arboriculture calendar.
Sponsoring the event is Husqvarna, global leader in outdoor power equipment who comment, “It’s always a pleasure to work with Capel Manor College and to be a part of the inspiring work they do for both professionals and budding arborists. It’s for this reason that we decided to give them our full support and we wish them the best of luck.”
Andrew Eastaugh – Brand Marketing Manager, Husqvarna
2009 - Celebration of Trees
Last year’s event welcomed another high temperature attracting over 40 exhibitors and 1500 visitors and the new additions in 2009 proved to be very successful.
 Capel’s Climbing Competition (for Capel students), kindly sponsored by Winchester Garden Machinery (forestandarb.com), Honey Brothers and the ISA UK & I, was a great success. The Gwynedd Axemen, sponsored by Husqvarna, put on a fantastic show even giving away items they made on the spot to the loudest supporter. The addition of JB Raptor on Saturday with their falconry display gave a different element and the ever popular kids’ climb pulled the crowds once again - so hopefully we’ve inspired the young arborists of the future. All of these are set to be repeated in 2010!
After last year’s success we’re holding another Employer’s Forum in the Manor House on Friday 23rd starting at 3.30pm. This will look at Employer Responsive Training; understanding your business needs and in particular Short Courses, Apprenticeships, Train to Gain and Bespoke Training, as well as a presentation by Income Protect entitled Tree Surgeon Insurance
Services; understanding the complexities of Public Liability, Employers Liability and Accident Insurance. If you would like to attend this part of the event we do ask that you register as places are limited (to do so please visit www.capel.ac.uk/trees).
COURSES ON OFFER
Complete Tree Care, arboriculture’s leading recruitment company, has once again teamed up with Capel Manor College to offer discounted training to AA and ISA members at the show.
 The courses are being run in support of the Celebration of Trees and as such will be on a non profit making basis – resulting in some very attractive prices! As well as discounts for AA and ISA members, Complete Tree Care is offering the training free of charge to the thirty arborists it currently employs on temporary assignments for local authorities and leading employers within the industry. The two courses being offered are LANTRA Chipper Training & Assessment Course on Friday 23rd April and Appointed Persons First Aid on Saturday 24th April. These courses will be filled on a first come, first served basis and so we would recommend you contact Complete Tree Care as soon as possible to take advantage of this
offer.
The ISA will also be running their Certified Arborist Exam on Saturday 24th April and the Consulting Arborist Society (CAS) will be holding seminars on Friday and Saturday as well as their AGM on Friday evening. For more information on all these courses visit
www.capel.ac.uk/trees and click on ‘Courses on Offer’.
As well as bringing together working professionals, students, general public and youngsters wanting to discover more about the industries you can also expect:
 · Exhibitors launching new products and services
· Network with other industry professionals
· Equipment sales with the key industry suppliers all in one field
· Career opportunities and training advice for Countryside and Arboriculture; full-time, part-time, short courses, Apprenticeships and Train to Gain
· Capel’s students competing in the work and speed climb
· The Gwynedd Axemen, sponsored by Husqvarna
· Friday – schools day to encourage the Arborists of the future
· Climbing demonstrations and advice
· Refreshments and bar
· Archery, falconry displays and kids’ climbing
· Chainsaw carving
· 30 acres of themed gardens
· Easy access via the M25 and free parking
· Free entry to students
For more information, to exhibit at the show, advertise in the show programme or find out how to apply for the courses visit http://www.capel.ac.uk/trees
Admission fees apply so make sure you request your Advanced Trade Discount Voucher for a reduced entry fee of just £3. Visit www.capel.ac.uk/trees
We hope to welcome you all back in 2010. Put the date in your diary!
Capel Manor College
Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield EN1 4RQ
E: Laura.diggins@capel.ac.uk
T: 08456 122 122 ext 252
W: href="http://www.capel.ac.uk/trees"target="_blank">www.capel.ac.uk/trees
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» Cutters and Climbers Competition 2010 |
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CUTTERS AND CLIMBERS COMPETITION - 24TH & 25TH APRIL 2010 “Don’t worry about the weather… I’ve booked two solid days of sunshine.”
 It’s time again for the East of England Game Fair which means it’s also time for the Cutters and Climbers Competition. Running since 2005, the main aim of the event is to show off to Joe Public with the aim of raising the local profile of arboriculture.
As last year, the competition runs in three parts, testing climbing, spiking and chainsaw skills. The idea being that if we show people what real climbing or real chainsaw work looks like, they may think twice when the ubiquitous cowboys rock up with no PPE, no insurance and no idea. The  education aspect works both ways. For the competitors and the judges the benefit is a friendly, open and cooperative environment where ideas and techniques can be shared. To help that noble aim along there’s a beer tent as well…
Created and organised by Tree Worker Training proprietor Chalky White, and ably assisted by past and present employees and students, the competition is open to qualified climbers and chainsaw operators regardless of age and gender. The competition consists of three individual events with separate and combined prizes and rankings for each. The vast majority of competitors compete in all three, with the chance to win the much coveted Most Employable Person title. Based on scores from all three events, this honour was first won by Alex Talbot of Tree Surgery Services in 2005 who is now one of our senior officials in the chainsaw arena.
Climbing
The work climb is adjudicated by me, hopefully with commentary by Nick Pott of www.arbjobs.co.uk. Traditionally a head to head event, our concern over the impact of sending 40+ climbers stamping out all over our regular  Oak has lead us to redesign the event for 2010. A new tree has been selected for a solo event with a variety of targets and aerial challenges – I’m determined to fit a zip-line in there somewhere! A simulated limbwalk will be set up as a separate challenge to test how far competitors can get out on an artificial branch without setting off an alarm.
Cutting
Our cutting competition is organised by Andy Campbell (a top ranked competitor in the UK loggers). This competition takes the most to  organise, so there is a large group of volunteers behind the scenes to help set-up and run this event smoothly. Competitors are expected to fell a standing stem, cross cut and snedding. Points will be awarded for the precision of cuts and the time taken to achieve them.
Pole Climb
Proving very successful on its first outing in 2009, the third event is our unique take on a traditional pole climb. We pit two competitors head to head up the largest poles we can transport down the road. Although these fall short of the 80ft monsters that you might find at the UK championship, they more than make up for it in speed and splinters. This event is run by Martin Platton of MDH Arb Hire Ltd.
As if this wasn’t enough, the Forestry Area has more to offer than just competitions. We have a Trade Area headed by Tree Worker Training’s sister company T.H.F. Countryside who offer forestry contracting and mobile saw milling services. Other stands include those that have been around since the first event and who deserve an honourable mention including,
- Alderhill Ltd; Mr Chris Hall and his company demonstrating their equipment for fence erecting and tree planting, etc.
- Rouse Power Equipment; a long term supporter, compete with a large selection of chain saws and other powered equipment on display along with anything the budding tree climber could ever want.
- MDH Arb Hire Ltd; Martin Platton, as well as doing a sterling job of running the pole climb, has a good selection of wood chippers and stump grinders for purchase or hire.
There are other various traders and companies all based around the tree services sector. Whether you are looking for firewood, tools or services you are bound to find friendly and helpful advice in the Forestry Area of the East of England.
Oh and did I mention the Beer tent???
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» Wierd & Wonderful Wood |
Wood is Man’s oldest natural resource . . . He has no older or deeper debt (Hugh Johnson)
Press Release: 12th January, 2010
Weird and Wonderful Wood 15th and 16th of May 2010
Weird and Wonderful Wood 2010 is to be held again at the beautiful Haughley Park, Wetherden (just off
the A14 near Stowmarket).
For those who love beautiful wooden objects, are fascinated to see how they are made and would like to try
making things for themselves, all in a truly stunning setting – both indoors and out – Weird and Wonderful Wood
has become an annual experience not to be missed.
We had a great turnout in 2009 and had more visitors than ever before. It was wonderful to see lots of new
faces, young and old, as well as many established artists and crafts people who come along each year for the
enjoyment of the weekend.
This year’s two day event is set to feature even more demonstrations and workshops. Visitors will be able to
meet over sixty artists and craftspeople, enjoy watching their practical skills and appreciate their work.
There will be lots of demonstrations including carving and sculpture, really fine designer craftsmen made
furniture, musical instrument making, displays by traditional fletchers and bowyers, chain saw carving, hurdle
making, wood turning, pole lathe turning, sign writing, as well as coracle making and wagon displays. There will
be a working mobile sawmill on site, so if you want to bring your own tree, it can be cut for you.
Workshops which everyone can take part in include activities such as archery, withy work, weaving,
papermaking, pole lathe turning, scrap wood, tree bogletts, puppet making, jewellery making, den building,
and Monkey-do tree climbing.
If you have not been before, you will find it a friendly, relaxed event with something for all the family.
Take time to enjoy yourself at your own pace and enjoy a wealth of excellent locally sourced and
produced food and drink (including a licensed bar) on offer when you want a break.
Weird and Wonderful Wood is a unique and exciting event which is never the same from year to year. There are
new things happening and new experiences every time. There are different demonstrations, different stalls, new
‘spontaneous happenings’, different workshops for children and adults - as well as established favourites.
But one aspect never changes, the event’s very special atmosphere that sees people coming back year after
year.
“It was one of the most magical days I’ve had, ever.
The people were fantastic, so open and warm and knowledgeable and passionate about their
crafts. It was so inspiring and so much fun”. Anna Morell, Kent.
“Interesting connections, a great venue and a wonderfully mellow atmosphere. - Alison Kent,
Wivenhoe
The event is organised by Stow Hundreds, a non profit making organisation, and Robert Williams has once again
kindly invited us to use his lovely grounds and beautiful barn in Haughley Park. Don’t worry about inclement
weather as we have fine furniture and demonstrations in the barn and other activities in the grounds, housed in
structures such as domes, tipis and yurts.
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th May 2010. Haughley Park, Wetherden, Nr Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 3JY.
Times: Saturday, 11.00 – 6.00pm; Sunday, 11.00 – 5.00pm
Admission per day: Adults £5, Concessions £3, Children under 12 £2, and under three’s free.
For further details please phone Tarby Davenport on 01359 240724 or email tarby@tarbydavenport.com
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» Proclimber |
Proclimber is proud to announce their new fast track Arborist training course.
This intensive 6 week course will cover most of your training & Assessments in one go without wasting months or even years for the next training course or assessment.
 With the ability to advance rapidly by giving you the knowledge & hands on experience, thus the confidence to progress into this Industry.
Enabling you to approach any employer as a qualified and sought after Tree Surgeon, which in this economic climate would put you in a most favorable position to gain employment, or if you decide to go into business for yourself.
It goes without saying that this course does not give you years of experience, but combine that with a great introduction to Arboriculture, with over 200hrs of contact with Industry professionals, the training & qualifications you achieve, now this is a recipe for success.
Invest in yourself (self worth), to increase your knowledge (your value) through the use of continuous personal development that Proclimber Training strongly advocates, just as the ISA certified Arborist program uses CEU's (Continuing Education Units) to continue education, & encouraging individuals to keep topping up their knowledge after they have become a Certified Arborist.
All this will open doors for you, not just in the UK & Europe but Worldwide.
Check out this and all our other courses at http://www.proclimber.co.uk
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