Andy Collins

Why "rip off"? How much you can build a set for? How much time have you spent on R&D? Easy to slag something off, hard to write constructive criticism.

Mike, (Chipper) is there another angle you can look at, involving what you do have. We seem to keep paddling with one paddle and going around in circles, it isn't getting you anywhere. Think up a list of the positives of your situation, and post them here. Ie 1) chainsaw ticket. I'm sure there is more to MIke than you put across. If you are serious about pest control, with an air gun, you would need liability insurance, ideally. Cheap and available through BASC I believe. Do not forget, these are very tough times for many, money is tighter now than for many years, tree work is thin on the ground, and the weather isn't helping. Try and be patient, keep focussed on the positives in life and what you CAN do, not can't do. Get a bike, and get on it.

Shane's list of Top Ten Tips, spot on You have something like the first 15seconds to make the impression. Good or bad. Might as well make the effort and win the job.

Fair enough, thanks for clarifying

Dry here....again.... Over-hyped on the forecast with "don't travel unless its essential" helllllllooooo it's not doing anything....FFS. Out and about last night till about 12, saw about ten gritters laying it down as if we were getting a lot....nothing. I spoke to a resident of Huddersfield, he said it was cold.

£5k may not seem a lot to some, but I know several who have gone bankrupt for similar figures. I know one person who had he asked need not have lost his £320K house to HMRCE, for £6k!! Jan 2012 I had a £4k tax bill, but I'd lived off my savings and paid all my bills while in hospital, I had no way of earning any money for the foreseeable future, and didn't know when I would even get back to work, if ever. That could have bankrupted me, my saving grace was having sickness insurance, which I then paid off my tax bill. It was a balancing act, and a stress I didn't really need. (I got all the £4k back not long after anyway, but it wasn't any easier at the time) In a roundabout way, I'm trying to say that what can appear a trifling amount of debt to one, can be the end of the world for another. It's ok when you can afford to keep up with bills, payments and loans, not so easy when the income is no longer matching your needs. My recollections of a friend on a IVA were that it was a long uphill struggle for something like ten years, had he gone bankrupt, the situation would have eased after a couple of years.

Dry here, gentle breeze, tad chilly, but nothing extreme as yet.

Is that price per man per day? Or for a team truck and chipper?

We had a Fastrac with a 12" Entec for quite some time, it was an awesome piece of kit. And simple controls, electronic shift and stuff, made a Mog look prehistoric. And when it broke down in traffic, we pushed it off the road. Wouldn't want to push a Mog. But it's horses for courses, which would I prefer if it was my money...... A Mog, because it's more versatile. For towing a trailer regularly, Fastrac. Confused myself now.

I don't think you've been conned by a cheap product, I think you've had the life expectancy from it. Buy cheap, buy twice. Hopefully you've earned enough with the tool to buy some better kit for this year.

I'm not qualified as in college quals. I have several NPTC units, UA units, I've done advanced rigging technique training, and I have a Scouts badge for knots. I carry the Ladybird book of Trees in my bag, and a marmalade sandwich under my hat. I learned on the job, as I went, working for various companies in Arboriculture and woodland management, as well as felling some big timber and felling for firewood.

Big Arbtalk group hug everyone, then can I get on with me mug of tea

All the best Alex, I mean that sincerely, for a "non-Arb" you are more than capable, and I hope it goes well with Steve. All the best for your future plans to. I'm sure you'll do well at anything you turn your hands to.

Fortunately Tim does not possess the skills to accurately drop a limb from six feet onto a greenhouse, let alone a shed. So I had no worries in that area.i did point at the greenhouse frequently so he could focus his myopic eyes upon it, to no avail. I think having someone new on site with minimal tree work knowledge helped to raise our game, and with a few essential pointers from Alex we got through the day without the need to refer to the Ladybird Book of Tree Dismantling (now available in large print) at any point. Happy days.

I think tht thread is so interesting, from so many angles, the machinery, the wildlife, the scenery for starters. Nice find that

He who snoozes loses, I was looking for someone for today, advertised on here last night. Glad you got on well with Greeenacres, and MB Trees, both good, well-known local firms, with a wealth of experience.

I forgot to add, Alex has experience with rope work, an unexpected bonus for me, simple things like thinking to tie a figure 8 in the lowering line so it doesn't whip back through the block is always handy! And not having to teach him bow lines and so on made the day easier. Thanks again.

Update: I'm a very happy bunny, Alex Purser turned up to work as my "gopher". He was punctual, polite, attentive, did all that was required of him. He fitted into the team like a hand in a glove. Anyone in the Sudbury district looking for an extra pair of hands on a job, I can thoroughly recommend him. Thanks Alex, pleased to have had you on board

Cancer took my dad, a while back, well done Jennie for doing this donation made

Haha you're just a little bit late, sorry. Maybe next time eh

Well, there is a god, (small g ) and I have a pair of extra hands coming in for the day thanks AHPP (Alex) for getting in touch. see you later this morning.

Well, on the off chance that someone might just want a days work, I shall check my pms first thing in te morning so if you're thinking of letting me know, leave a contact number in the pm so I can get in touch straight away.

Ok times ticking by, and no resolution. £65 cheque or BACS, you can wear all your chainsaw gear if it makes you happy, but you are only going to be dragging, pulling ropes etc, no glory but hey that's how it is.

Full ppe for what? Helmet protects head, gloves protect hands, and capped boots protect feet. The worker will not be near a saw, or a chipper, there is a fuel station near by, so perhaps a flash over suit may be more appropriate.

Personally, I have done the Stop/Go thing countless times, held traffic on red/red, as have countless others before. But you need to maintain a polite and courteous manner if you expect cooperation from the public. To lose tempers isn't really ideal, is less than professional and reflects badly on the whole team. Though I can sympathise if the driver did actually tap him, I'd bear in mind that he maybe trying to justify his actions by exaggerating the truth somewhat, in an endeavour to get off the hook.