Andy Collins

ARB Aid kit recieved today, thank you very much Arb Aid and Steve and everyone who helped make this possible. it's a great prize, and one I personally hope I never need.

1970s.... 3 day weeks, strikes, pay cuts, blackouts, extortianate costs of living 1980s.... 1 in 10 unemployed, no chances no breaks no good, I had to do three part time jobs, starting at 5am til midnight to earn enough to live on. 3million unemployed. The plus side was lack of crappy tickets needed, I could finish a job Friday, start a new one Monday, no problems, it just wasn't full time. Went plastering, loadsamoney!!!!! 1990s another crap decade begins, slump, took a crap warehouse job to ride the economic slump, had a fiver left over after bills were paid. 96 things finally pick up and I earn good money in tree work. It took me 16 blooming years to strt to earn sensible money. No easy route, no good wages straight from college. Life is tough. Would I want to be starting out now in this game? Definitely not, too crowded, too many in it, fighting for crumbs, the Arb sector will collapse under its own weight sooner or later.

Back to the OP, I must admit I read the first few pages and skipped to here, but if you are regularly working for a company, they should be employing you surely? You are being denied employees entitlements, the HMRCE is being denied taxes that should be due and NI payments. This state of affairs is being addressed by the Taxman currently, chasing up those who are not paying their dues, and they are now targetting this industry.

There is nothing in the picture to say it ever went onto the Queens highway, it's stationary in a yard.

I heard a report the other day that the handles just don't stand up to use, anyone else found this? It's wasn't on one or two but quite a few saws.

When dicks in, wits out

I use a mixture depending on the task in hand. Plastic, hi lifts magnesium s all have their place. I use a deadblow hammer as the wedges last longer, it's lighter to carry and more efficient.

I did some indirectly for GC, Tescos, Morrisons, AW sites. Be prepared for 90 day payments if you're a main contractor IIRC.

Bad luck, not a good start to the week. Hope someone finds it and gets in touch either here or hands it into the Police. I've found Arb saws, helmets, ropes and carabiners laying around when I've gone along the road, we must be quite a careless bunch. Never put gear in a chipper hopper, I've lost signs out of one, and someone I know lost a huge ammo tin full of tools on the A14 in the same way. Put locks on shutter doors, more to stop tea leaves when you stop.

I never had IBS, but I did have a form of IBD called Ulcerative Colitis. All the foods that are generally accepted as "healthy" for a non sufferer, were the worst kind for me to eat. Fresh fruit and veg were the worst. Wholemeal bread and fibre providers were a no no. Basically I had to turn everything upside down, and give it a good shake. All I can recommend is seeing a proper dietician and eliminating anything that will aggravate you, ie cigarettes, beer, and stress. Peppermint oil and infusions help ease the symptoms. I think peppermint oil capsules are available on prescription, called Colpermin.

I wear one on the ground, for the very same reasons you give. I don't do up the chinstrap, simple. I'm self employed, I do my own jobs, it's my head, I don't really care what the small print says, everything has gone stupid these days.

I can't really pigeon hole myself. I'm not a "true" arborist, I don't climb. I used to be a self employed groundie, now I'm just self employed. I find work, I cut some trees, at ground level so I don't have to climb them. I think through and plan awkward jobs, I think Arboricultural Technician would be a sort of cool title, without delusions of grandeur. Or Pleb

would that be 50 mies as the crow flies, or 50 road miles, or 50 Lincs miles?

was it one of those blacksmiths cut nails, they can be beggars

How far will you travel for odd days, multiple days etc? And good luck with this

I guess there is no harm in trying, see how it goes. You've started it

I haven't read all this thread, but I've cast an eye over the last few pages. I don't want calling at 7.40am on a Sunday, my phone is set to silent, answer phone is on the landline, no problem. I have a separate phone for my "best" clients which means they can get a hold of me in case of emergencies, they work in the City and need someone to pop in and deal with situations. They do not abuse this privilege. It is not rude to have office hours, you can still provide a full and professional service, it relieves stress, and makes for a far more pleasant world. We all have different ways of handling calls, I'm sure we can learn something from each other.

That's soooooo cool

Very interesting

I think Sir Edmund Hilary would wince at this climb Everest was a Sunday stroll in comparison.

I'd like to think that this is a step in the right direction for us as a trade. But how many out there have any real interest? Of all those involved in the trade, how many are members of trade organisations? How many attend the Trade shows? How many read the trade magazines? Dare I say it, how many have never heard or used Arbtalk? Look at the number of responses to this thread, hardly inspiring is it? I can't see many having the interest to pay for registration, most people moan enough when something is free. I think you've got a long climb to the top with this one.

Damn missed it, now I got to iPlayer it

I like the picture, I agree with the others that I wouldn't like the logo, just personal taste though. But it's your shirt, your design and does look rather cool.

Don't be afraid to ask for a more for your labours, I think £60 is too cheap. I like the "improver" status idea, and agree with the reasoning behind it. You are improving as you do more and more, so a good case to put forward. To put your position in perspective, as a groundie s/e back in 96 I was getting £80 aday, I got a fiver extra a day for each ticket or assessment I passed. A climber of your level (approx) back then was on £100 a day, we were paid well, with good incentives to learn more and progress, it helped us and made the company all the better. So maybe suggesting similar to your "boss" may help you?

I use Barchams and Deepdale, Deepdale for the better selection of larger semi matures, and excellent quality and service from both companies. Large shrubs, ie Rhodes, laurels I can't fault Palmstead Nurseries for quality and service. I tend to hand dig whenever I can, of course some trees are just too big and awkward to handle without mechanical assistance.