Andy Collins

It's been said before and I'll say it again, the Mail never let the facts get in the way of a good story:biggrin: anyway we have Ogogo and Pendleton (funny she's from Herts) but cycles for local club so that counts. So

Yes Jon, I think

One other thing is how hard many of us will be working for that money. From start to end of the job, 2 or 3 men will be heaving cutting, dragging chipping sawing raking and blowing your garden. Sweat will be flowing virtually all day and the grot will stream into their eyes. I don't see many other trades who work with such tenacity and sheer hard graft for their money. You get a lot of sweat for your money in tree work!

An old car is only worth what someone will pay for it, anywhere. Worth only 10% of its value? Wow. 12% interest rate? Id be taking a trip somewhere else to buy. Or re-locating. Ive seen old cars in tidy condition for sale roadside here, just sit and rust, the market is just gone.

With 0% finance on a new motor these days its cheaper to scrap it than fork out to have it repeatedly fixed at garage prices. How much are you looking at per annum for repair costs, MOT, etc? I know it sounds ridiculous, but in the last 10 years or so Ive found it cheaper to buy new than try and keep an old motor running.

I disagree, the "System" could have won easily with such a cut and dried case. They had the guy bang to rights on every count. Given just those facts, I dont think there is one level headed person in here who would have jumped to his defence. but no one likes a sneak, a grass, a snitch, a rat. The case would have never got anywhere without that man reporting him and sending photographic evidence. If a cop pulls you for speeding 33 in a 30, you listen to him explaining why speed is dangerous, you take the caution and you slow down for a while. If a resident took a photo and sent it to the police, youd be slightly miffed, and it would be doubtful if it would even get to court as it would probably not be admissable in a court of law. I feel this case could have been handled in a much more proactive way, getting the point across to all around that such practises are outdated and downright dangerous in the modern world. i make no defence once again for his role as an employer not treating his employees legally.

Might I just ask if every one adheres to the letter of the law every time and on every job they go out on? Isnt it worse to have all the respective training and ignore it when it suits you? Or not to bother with the training? I have seen some of the top climbers at some companies working in exactly the same manner as this guy here, but they were a tree surgery company so thats ok? With respect to himself as the boss, I couldnt give a toss about how he climbs and how much gear he does or does not wear, but th eemployee is directly his responsibility and he should have be pulled for that. I think this fine has attracted attention to the H & S issue, but for all the wrong reasons, and its made the system look farcical in the publics eyes, just read the comments in that papers online article. The little man getting clobbered yet again by Big Brother, who of course knows best. So financially the "System" wins, and the little man loses, but in the public eye, its the "System" thats scored an own goal.

Timberwolf chipper & shedder finance this may be of interest to you Rob

Do you often loiter on street corners? Pays the bills I suppose

One thing, regardless of what you put in your Personal Kit, is what you put it in and where. its no good having the best kit (or the worst) and you cant get at it when you need it most. Dont forget, its personal, chances are youll need it for yourself in the first stages. So if its in a wrapper, could you unpack it with one hand, visualise this. Ok so you say you could bite it open, but the saws kicked back square in the mouth, aint gonna happen. So consider where you carry and how youre going to access it worse case scenario. I think this is as important as what your kit contains.

Right answer Charlie A deed of convenant is attached to the property and land. Once again it is a case of ignorance is no defence in law. A covenant is passed from owner to successive owner to protect in this case the trees. Let the client sort this out with his solicitor, its beyond your remit and tbh more than the job is probably worth in hassle. i checked this with a solicitor while discussing a planning issue, so I think its pretty sound advice.

Its not just about the winning, its HOW we are winning!! The girls cycling pursuit, we trashed the USA in the final, Jess ran her heart out to win, when she didnt need to. greg had leapt a gold medal, then topped it with 8.31m! And Mo just kicked on and on to win the 10,000m. Today we have Murray gunning for a couple of medals, dare we hope for two more Golds? Medals to population ratio we lead the world apparently, thats not a bad achievement. Lets celebrate this country for its achievemnts, not look down on it for its failings, as many are quick to.

Thats 3 more golds tonight nice ine Jess, Greg and Mo

Just watched the heptathalon 800m, what a run!! Come on GB, more to come hopefully

ive made 2 insurance claims in my life, one on personal accident a few years ago, big enough pay out, and one on sickness insurance, huge payout in the end. The accident claim was due to my actions, and stupidity, rendering me totally disabled for a 20week period. i filled in a claim form, sent my Gp his section to fill in, and they paid out. No further inquiries, no private investigators snooping in my dustbin, just paid out. Thats why we have insurance, to cover us when things go a little wrong. Ts their job to pay up, theyre quick enough to take the money for years without a claim. So most of the concerns are unfounded, myth perpetuated by hearsay and gossipmongers. I know from first hand experience. The OPs concerns? Well, you have a business to keep running, bills to pay and mortgage to pay, be safe be sensible, and just pop around the clients neighbours and check if they are NPTC assessors, you never know.

Professional people like a professional image, simples. Professional people do not like a scruffy beat up truck with rubbish blowing out of the doors onto their immaculate lawns, and dogs crapping on ths rosebeds. Launch party...superb idea, invite current clients and potential future clients, sanwiches with the crusts off and drinks. Big screen running demo vids, and Q & A session. Top stuff.

Or a couple of zaps with a Tazer, thatll dampen any urges

Well first off If yiure standing around waiting for two parties to sort themselves out, charge standing time, or go to another job. The client should have all the legal stuff in order. Although Ive never had to fell anything with a covenant on it, Ive worked on woodlands and new builds with them in place. On both occasions they showed us the paperwork, and we were able to work in accordance.Not much help Im afraid. Another case I heard of was a new build development where the frontages werent allowed to fence or hedge in the boundaries, about 8homes, all the residents did it and then told the developer to tKe them to court. He didnt,fences and hedges are still there now, several years on. in your case, walk away til the issue is resolved. PS surely the site was given a planning notice for all concerned parties to appeal within the 6week period for whatever reason, why did the person who put the covenant on the tree not appeal and sort it earlier? Its listed in local papers, internet, and notice to front of property, so ample opportunity.

Ithought it was just a couple of house bricks, well the NHS version, private health care use knives.

Summer prune espalier and other trained fruits now.

Wow! Nice truck, quality signwriting, top corporate image. Best of luck

Well done, now pick out your bestest vids, dust off your business cards and flyers, cleanest workshirt, or a jacket with a name badge, sell yourself like youve never sold yourself before. Dont be cocky, just a nice calm air of confidence in your product...you. YouLL be fine

Does anyone else find it just a little bit worrying when a bank, which has a bloomin great safe in a vault, manages to lose a few quid? Its not like the manager sat on a sofa and a few coins have dropped down the back now is it. I think its high time some of these banks were held to account, but properly, not just tapped on the knuckles with a school ruler.