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Andy Collins

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Everything posted by Andy Collins

  1. Andy Collins
    [quote name=Stephen Blair;272069 Andy' date=' there was a question on a quiz show the other night, true or false is there a council in britain removing loads of trees due to problems with doggers? i was shouting, true true, Andy is doing it just now:thumbup:[/quote] What kind of channels do you watch? Not your regular University Challenge question! We'll be back there when the little birdies have finished nesting to carry out some more work, the woods are to be thinned out, remedial tree surgery over the best dogging pitches, and a couple more rides to widen.
  2. Andy Collins
    The ride widening job, finished today. All rides chain harrowed and rolled level after the cutting finished.
  3. Andy Collins
    I think he's about where he wants to be, with a bit of fettling here and there. But it goes to show that with enough drive anyone can achieve.
  4. Andy Collins
    For the aspiring younger people waiting for thing to happen for them bemoaning the fact that they dont get a break in life, take leaf from my sons book. He wanted to be a garden designer, do work that he wanted and the way he wanted. He couldnt get a break with any of the local successful design companies, so he grabbed the bull by the horns, and set himself up having finished his degree. He also bought a small rundown plant shop, and has turned it around selling good quality plants and offering a personal service advising customers. Today, he took his show on the road, to a local high-brow plant fair, and pushed his business further, sales mixed with meet and greet, and had a very successful day. So dont sit back thinking it will never happen, Just Do It!
  5. Andy Collins
    I always admire your attention to the smallest detail, I'll look at something and think "Wow!" then I'll study it further and other little things pop into view. Stunning work as ever:thumbup1:
  6. Andy Collins
    Sad but true Josh, sad but true.
  7. Andy Collins
    FTR Mods generally delete entire posts with bad language, but on the whole I totally agreed with you sentiments Mikedrum, so I just removed the offending word. I took a long time to get into the job I wanted to do, and in fact was 30 before I got there, so at 22 your doing well.Focus your energies on where you want to be, rather swearing that you cant get there, and I'm sure you'll get there:001_smile:
  8. Andy Collins
    RE-edited to guarantee success:thumbup:
  9. Andy Collins
    I'd say just be well presented, clean & tidy, casual clothing would be fine by me. Have your ppe with you, you may be asked to have a go. Dont come out with a load of bull, be as you were when you 1st met me. Where's the interview? And bet of luck, hope you get the break you need:thumbup1: You can put me as referee if you want.
  10. Andy Collins
    Its a good point Stevie, in the past I have been the one to sort out client disputes while working for others. Many worker havent the tact & diplomacy to sort what can start a very basic issue, and it can escalate into something far more serious when it doesnt need to. Some people can be very condescending to younger staff, and even downright rude, best to just ask them to speak to the boss/foreman.
  11. Andy Collins
    A few pics of the last couple of days, cutting (expanding) rides through a woodland.
  12. Andy Collins
    Appears to be a lot of black smoke coming from that fire:sneaky2: Pirrelli firelighter perchance?
  13. Andy Collins
    Both of my boys have come and worked with me, and enjoyed it, the youngest is a mechanic and even he said the other guys wouldnt be able to stick the hard pace we work at! I think he was actually chuffed to have lasted a few days with his old man, and realised what the job really entails (bacon, sausages, curry and naans) Mostly the teamwork and camaraderie and bull and feeling like you've actually earned your days money than just putting your time in.
  14. Andy Collins
    Will impressed me on his 1st day, which I'll add he was willing to turn up for nothing just to have a looksee. He mucked in all day, so I paid him out of my own pocket, as I hadnt priced the job for a 3rd man. This chap has paid for his own tickets, and his own PPE so he can further himself, and this deserves credit in this day and age. On the 2nd day I paid him fair and square as he earned it. I have recommended him to someone else, who has had him in for the day, and if anyone else wants someone who is keen and hardworking, then Will is your man, if its in the Suffolk area. Its difficult for youngsters like Will, they try improve their lot, but few are willing to give them the chance. Oh and he certainly doesnt come across as arrogant, in any way.
  15. Andy Collins
    What ancient woodlands need is proper, adequate protection in law!
  16. Andy Collins
    I do agree about the wildlife. When I was planting a couple of weeks ago, right in the middle of the countryside, I even commented about the lack of birdsong, given that its spring. One solitary skylark did pipe up, but no sparrows, starlings, plovers, not even a pigeon. I may be wrong, but landowners rarely seem to care about this unless they get a grant or payment to encourage them. You can plant all the trees you want, but if wildlife has migrated elsewhere over decades, then its going to be a long time returning. Many amenity plantings nowadays have to meet a whole new set of requirements, people bemoan that there are less trees in town, but they dont want spiky ones, ones that drop leaves, or have lovely fruit that they either can slip on, or the birds can eat then defecate on the Porsche/washing. Trees to many are a PITA.
  17. Andy Collins
    Though it all very commendable to wish to plant more trees, and I in fact do a bit myself, we are soon going to saturate the country with these plantings. The countryside is fast being filled with small woodlands in any nook and cranny in the corners of fields that arent practical for modern day farming machinery. How many of these will survive to maturity? How long before the farmers receive yet another payment to grub out all the hedges and trees again. There are now more woodlands in Britain & Europe, both in area of woodland and volume of timber, than for many centuries. In Britain woodland coverage has increased from from 9.2% land coverage in the 1980 FC census, to 11.6% in the 1998 FC census. So far from trees being in decline, they are actually thriving under our stewardship. These trees are now better managed than they ever have been, whether amenity trees or timber production trees.
  18. Andy Collins
    I'd say they are dormant, waiting for warmer weather?
  19. Andy Collins
    I've also bought a couple of bits and pieces from ARB IRELAND, no issues, quick turn around of orders:thumbup1:
  20. Andy Collins
    Haha, maybe they are worried about what it might mean:lol: Is arsing waste matter from the arse?
  21. Andy Collins
    This is just another knee-jerk reaction to accident stats by H&S, Why not just make us leave the chain off altogether, after all a chainsaw with no chain cannot possibly cut you. Oh and leave out the engine so nasty noise, fumes and vibes cant get you. Might as well say stay at home in bed, be safer....but wait... dont more people die in bed than anywhere else? Ban those too then. Utter load of bull:banghead:
  22. Andy Collins
    80 sounds reasonable, given the effort it will save:thumbup1: glad to see the wee beast in action
  23. Andy Collins
    I think I have an idea for the Arbtalk stand at the shows this year!!
  24. Andy Collins
    Lets not get this out of context Matt, the "criticism" here is good constructive criticism intended to aid, not hinder, a new trainee. Little pointers like these teach you more than any pat on the back will do. Tools lying scattered about can a hazard, maybe not on this fell, but in the future. Comments like these stick in your mind better when you look back. Comments on the gob, the hinge etc make it easier to avoid basic errors later on. Yes we all know the risks of dropping stuff into the road without the correct signage, but Jack showed (to me anyway) that he'd assessed the risk level for the area, placed people either side of the fell area to minimise the risk to others. Not necessarily ideal, but there you go. Jack, lease carry on posting your exploits, take on board the advice, and hopefully we'll watch you grow into a damn fine tree surgeon.
  25. Andy Collins
    Cheers Charlie, forgot I was due for an upgrade:thumbup: gonna make sure my new one is wifi enabled too, and its got unlimited internet useage, and takes good pics, and has loads of extra apps, and push email and... and.. and oh it needs to make/receive calls too:thumbup1:

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