Andy Collins

[quote=TRADITIONAL LOGGERS;613786 Don't know how the folks running the site manage to cope with all those different sections and postings. it's tough, but being sat here most of the day at the moment it gives me something to do I suppose have to enjoy it too, that helps.

I have often thought this, but it shouldnt stop people having an opinion and posting pics of trees and stuff.

I did pass your details on, mate isn't looking for anyone right now, but this can be a fickle industry, and some jobs demand extras at short notice. Never say never, and I'm out of action for a while, so there is a gaping hole in the Market for a good bloke!!!!

Im not a college student, and never have been but my thoughts are to stick it out to the end of the course, get you tickets a nd then you will be more employable. By quitting you may appear to be the sort who will quit as soon as your bored/can't do something, and despite your protestations this may be what employers will think. Good luck

Interesting feedback here, particularly on some of the mods approach. without defending anyone, at the end of the day we are first and foremost, tree guys. We all do the job, and most of us have done it for some time. This doesn't mean we know it all, but what I mean is we are not "professional" moderators. We give our time to try and help things run smoothly. But as I said, we are ordinary folk, and sometimes our opinions may be strong on certain topics. As Dean said, there is a report button if you aren't happy with a posting, whoever made it, mod or not, and it will be looked into and acted upon. This is everyone's forum, and we want everyone to feel it is theirs to use, after all without active members the site would die. Being "shot down" for making a comment is unfortunately par for the course, I think most of us have experienced this, but it's part of active discussion, and occasionally people will have differing opinions on a topic, that's how we learn and move forward. Thanks for your replies here so far, I'll take on board constructive comments and see how we can make things better for you all. Don't forget, if you feel someone is offensive or rude, report it, that what we mods are here for. That and the beer

funding for what? Training? To set yourself up? To buy ppe? You may get funding for training if you've come from the Armed Forces, if you're part of a large redundancy, if you've been unemployed long term and it's part of a back to work scheme, other than that I can't think of any help, but I am out of touch. Surely if you're offered a job with one company, it should be on the books? Contact you local HMRCE for free advice on being seLf employed, they really are very helpful, and will tell you facts rather than hearsay.

corrected

Why put anyone in prison? If they are fit for work, and they don't, they don't eat, simples. Putting them in prison would train them better in criminal ways, and cost us even more than giving them benefits. I believe all should work for their food, their home, their family, and the benefits should be their to help when things go wrong, redundancy, ill health etc. But benefits should never be there as a sole means of income if you can't be bothered to help yourself. I have struggled to bring up a family on at times very poor wages, and it's only recently that the benefits have supported low income families properly, these are the ones that deserve help, those who work. Even this is unnecessary, if a proper wage is paid to all, there would be no need for top up benefits to make it affordable to live, the additional revenue raised off a higher income would mean there is more money in the governments coffers, each person could afford to have private health insurance, instead of having to turn to the State in times of hardship. Make each person responsible for themselves, this rot has to stop.

Thanks for sharing your house with us, lovely

I can just imagine Cameron et al rubbing their grubby little hands together listening to all the disgruntled people ringing into all the radio talk shows slagging off single parents, illegitimate kids, absent fathers, benefits and everything else, laughing at the success they've had in turning this around. The simple fact is that this is SOCIETY'S FAULT, and the governments through time that could have easily prevented it from ever happening. But no, they (collectively) have swindled, lied, dodged and fiddled their way to the top, with no real concern for those who put them there. So spare a thought before leaping on the latest fashionable bandwagon, read between the lines and see whats really happening to this Septic Isle.

Thinking about this topic on and off all day, I don't believe it's possible that they do pay out anywhere near £26k to anyone, anywhere in this country. It's just not realistic, but the government has once again caught our imagination hook line and sinker. Clever political spin, put the focus on a common enemy that can't put up a fight, I'm surprised they didn't accuse the benefits recipients of having WMDs, except that would be too tall a story. No, IMO this is political spin generated to take our eyes away from something else, the economics down turn and look who they can blame, not themselves, not Labour, not Europe, but the people. It's all ou r fault, and we fell for it. Nice one.

Sorry, I may be missing something here, but why can you not access to put a gob in? Are they away from the pond edge?

I mean, it's not like it stands out at all is it, just blends in nicely with the furnishings, may have to get one, so very this year

Well, a bit of drizzle out there, 5deg, but nothing too bad. Might go out for walk in a little while.

Nearly right, I had savings!! Plus my savings did not exceed the maximum allowed, it was savings for a rainy day plus my tax bill. I shall get something else, eventually, but it will not come anywhere near £26k!

I dunno where any of the figures quoted come from, Ive been incapacitated through illness since early October, I get £89 a week for me and the wife to live on. To date, we have had no help with the house rent or Council Tax, even though a council official came to the house to assess us in October. If it wasn't for our savings we would not have managed. We have just beenin touch with the council again to pursue our claim, stating that our saving are nearly gone, and how will we manage then, and their statement is that it is our responsibility to ensure the Council Tax is paid, or face legal proceedings. So the benfits system certainly doesn't dish out money free and easy, and certainly not £26k a year. The country is on it's knees, it's been bled dry by the people at the top, not the bottom of society.

Think I'll sit here and moderate, drink coffee, and eat a sticky bun

He is here too, one cop to cover a 30mile radius area!!! BUT things will improve, theyre talking of increasing the taxes so they can afford to "streamline" the force!

Terrible times for the staff and all concerned. doubt they'll be the first or the last victim of this downturn in the economy.

Are we sure this is correct this time, seems the rumour-mongers love to have a dig at Fountains every time they're bored on here. if it is true, spare a thought for all those who work for them.

Now I have a bit of time on my hands, I was thinking of doing something community spirited. And guess what they need volunteers to man the speed gun for the Community Speed Watch. The good thing is that the info is then passed onto the Police so they can deal with the offenders. I feel like Victor Meldrew today. I hate people speeding on my patch, especially when I'm incapacitated.

A right result!!

Todays tree-thugs, tomorrow's tree surgeons. Not really that funny or amusing, but I wonder how many of us started out as kids climbing up trees, or using a knackered bow saw to take down a tree, or were we all little angels?

I really don't get the argument that anyone has a lot of competition. here in Suffolk we must have one of the most over populated regions for tree surgeon/firewood merchants in the country. One company employs around 250 people, who have use of trucks and equipment at the weekends, the YP is full of something like 90 companies, plus all those who do not advertise. this hasn't really pegged down the prices, well not that I have seen, some go in cheap to win the work, some go in dear and still win the work. it's more about targeting your clients, and setting your sights on where you want to be, instead of chasing every small under-paying job just to try and keep your competition out of the area. price wars are no good for anyone.

I think we all know a "David", what a fitting tribute Pete RIP.