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Andy Collins

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Everything posted by Andy Collins

  1. Blow lamp for smaller colonies, or bust open the webs and let the robins do their stuff, nature takes care of itself.
  2. Of all failed trees with braces that i have seen, the idea of the brace was to prevent damage to property. The bracing in no way prevented damage, in one instance, it actually ripped out even more of the tree and caused more damage, it also creatd a far more dangerous tree to work on for the team concerned. i totally agree that an inspection regime should be in place to monitor and improve the bracing where required, once installed, but I honestly believe that in this financial environment, it is not going to be so viable to justify such expenditure, and will fall foul of cost cutting exercises. How many well intentioned braces have been well inspected over the years, and how many have been neglected? I know Im coming across as negative on this topic, but Im trying to encourage discussion, and to make people think a little about why they are doing what they are doing? Is it another goose laying a golden egg?
  3. I have yet to see a failed tree where the cable bracing has done what it is intended to do. I have long maintained that this is yet another white elephant sold by the more "professional" companies to create more work, and to help them stand apart from the average Joes in the job. Does anyone have any pics of bracing preventing further damage to the tree, or saving the property below? Id be interested to see something that proves me wrong about this. IMO to brace something to make it safer(?) is admitting that tHe tree is dangerous, is it not?
  4. You say this tree was braced, in your opinion what did bracing achieve as an end result, other than lightening someones wallet at some point? Rom the pictures it doesnt appear to have done much good really.
  5. Im in two minds about this thread, i used to supervise a similar back to work scheme for the then Manpower Services Commission. In those days, the applicants got dole plus a tenner a week for attending. The days were not hard, (not by our standards) but the people just didnt get it, turn up, put in a days work and go home, easy. But they didnt see why they should have to turn up, let alone work. Crews turned over inside a week, they didnt care that their benefits would be stopped. H&S gear, well wellies and maybe safety glasses, I would think wet weather clothing is down to the worker to provide it, and why not? The long term unemployed need to get back into the working mindset, not fester on State handouts, waiting for someone else to give them even more money, those days should be gone by now. Im not having a pop at the OP, i think he is trying to highlight a problem with the system, i dont think he is your usual lazy sponger trying it on.
  6. I reckon Daves nailed it with that pic
  7. Anything like this? Patent US4304394 - Log lifting device - Google Patents
  8. The strongest it reached here today was 27mph constant, 44mph gusts. not the worst by a long shot, but given the rainfall yesterday and the leaf on trees now itsma good combination for tree failures. The wind is subsiding now, heavy overcast skies promising more rain this evening.
  9. And regarding the minimum wage and family members Family, friends or neighbours and the national minimum wage | Business Link Hope this is helpful to those who need the info, and as I said, its up to the individual at the end of the day to ensure he is operating with in the law.
  10. Ok facts for the OP and others who may need to know the law re EL and family members. Employers' liability insurance | Business Link
  11. No its not straightforward, and is the individuals responsiblity to ensure he is operating within the law, not mine and not Arbtalks.
  12. Well the Suffolk Show has been cancelled now, first time in its 180odd year history, due to high wind strengths making marquees unsafe. I just measured a 17mph constant windspeed, gusting 25, but its forecast to double in speed later. Ive cancelled todays work, coppicing understory below long leggy sycamores with a lot of dead tops, just not worth it!
  13. Exactly right, and the forum works well across the board of our industry. A person setting up a business now in any aspect of tree work can hit the ground running if he reads through this forum first. A lifetime of experiences in one place, what more could you ask for.
  14. Rest assured, i have no intention of censoring anything that is posted within the forum guidelines. However, if someone is getting lambasted for doing the same as many others have done in their past, i shall step in to add balance. Dont forget, though moderators, we also have an opinion to be expressed, and tbh I toned down my response as I am a Mod.
  15. 11years, then you recall the same scenario time after time as well. It always goes around like this, Ive been struggling too, since October last year, and Ive had to work really hard to pick things up again. Good luck, itll come good again
  16. I was replying to the thread, not the individual post, that you made. I came in from work had me tea had a shower and sat down and caught up with a pile of stuff including this thread that caught my attention, and to be honest it annoyed me that when a person came on here asking for help I read a load of pages of disgruntled professionals having a pop at the OP, which was more than a little unjustified in my opinion. Once again Hodge, sorry if you felt I was picking you out with my Man up comment, but I really wasnt.
  17. Yet the irony was he was training up those to take the work from him
  18. Sorry hodge, it wasnt directed solely at you, more generally at all those who were jumping all over the OP like a rash.
  19. Yeah youre allowed an opinion, and so am I, we differ in our opinions and I happen to diasgree with yours and others in this thread, so what.
  20. I bet the OP is really glad he came on to Arbtalk for advice, many of the replies on here are enough to put anyone off the forum. What a bunch of prissy prima donnas we have on here. i can think of many many people who started out in business in a simlar vein to this guy, some of them post on this forum, some of them are now AAACs. Its about getting a start on the bottom rung of the ladder. By law, there is no fixed price for doing work, no minimum wages for family, no requirements for Employers Liability for family members, and no requirement in law to carry public liabilty. If you want to advise the guy, then advise politely and constructively. So what if he wants to supplement a £19k job with a bit of extra work, if youre all so professional he is hardly going to be taking work from you is he? Man up
  21. Oh Im up and at it again, 3 day weeks, getting stronger all the time. had my Winter of Discontent and my Annus Horribilus all in one go, moving onwards and upwards lke a racingnsnake again now, thanks. but this isnt about me for a change, this is your thread.
  22. Firstly, congratulations Shaun, on a healthy baby After all youve bee through this was the last thing I expected this thread to be about. Look after them both, youre a lucky lucky man, right time right place, right country even. All the best to you and your family, and may it be straightforward and normal from now on
  23. No issues here...yet!
  24. Nice one Alex, congratulations Shaun, nice to have something good happen
  25. Kev, the OP is quite within his rights to pay a family member below the minimum wage, he also is correct in not requiring EL for family members. I would suggest his Dad is just trying to help him get on. Other persons not entitled to min wage are the self employed, those on Job Centre training schemes (up to 6weeks I believe) and volunteers. You may not agree with this, but its hardly the OPs fault, he doesnt make the laws.

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