Andy Collins

Not bad Cerne, it's only taken you about 3 threads to find something I tend to agree with you on

Gents, I respectfully ask that this form of "banter" ceases, it doesn't read well, it degrades the forum and I for one don't like it. Thank you.

I think there are several good ID apps out there already. Why not concentrate on stuff that is specific to our industry, such as a diagnosis of disease and decay? I did think of a Rigging app too, but I think this could be added on to the Knot papas an update? Of course the workload to produce either of these may be too much and not be viable given we are such a niche trade.

Something really cool about that!

I too am totally baffled by the mentality behind it. I'm now wondering whether they have some kind of duty of care once your on their system, and they have to ensure you are capable before releasing you from their care. I still don't understand though.

This is exactly why I wanted the cash flow stopped, plus Im a firm believer that if you're fit for work, you work, end of!The system is thereto protect those who need protection, to help those who need help, not to be abused. Interestingly, when we went for an assessment a couple of weeks ago, we were shepherded away from the wasters into a nice little room with coffees and biccies, the wasters just got a plastic chair to sit on. They (staff) k ow which section people fit into.

Just recently I've seen this from the other side. Due to ill health, hospitalisation, and a long recovery period of some 4months now, I spent my savings on living, I spent my overdraft on living, then found out we could claim benefits (never had to, didn't know how to,) and a nice chap from the DWP came around and filled out the forms with my wife. Enough to manage on, but that's it. Anyway I'm now fit enough I think to return to work, so I ring them up and inform them I shan't be needing their money anymore thank you very much. Oh no, they says, you need to keep claiming something in case you find youre not fit enough to work every day. But I will be, regardless, stop my cliaims now. It's not that simple, we have to ensure that you are ok financially. It seems that now I'm "on the system" I can't get off. They have the money and want to give it away. I actually got quite annoyed on the phone, as this country is in the poo and all they want to do is keep people on their books. I don't understand it. It's like they have to justify their positions and jobs by keeping us claiming.

I used to go to Glemham every year, but it seems the organisers are running this show down, every year its just less attractive and more of a fairground. NOt for me this year, hopefully Cutters and Climbers this weekend, at the Norfolk show ground, then the Weird and Wonderful Wood in Haughley Park in May.

I've been on the club for a good 6 months through Ill health, I am now txting, emailing, ringing and leafletting my heart out, and the results are productive to say the least. never give up, never wait for the work to come to you, push push push all the time.

Not raining here.....yet!! Going off to foreign lands this morning, well Diss auctions Norfolk is abroad isn't it, they talk different up there don't they. Best be careful, should be going to Cutters and Climbers over the weekend so best not upset them! Keep dry chaps/chappesses!

BEat me to it Justin

I just noticed your location Jennie, it'll not rain much, this is just a blip then it's back to dry and sunny for months on end. just stay indoors for the couple of days a year we get rainfall

Thanks for adding a lot more clarity to your original posts, Aiden

If you can afford it I would go for the Clarks Cut and Climb jacket, expensive but does what it says on the tin. Clarks have a side banner link to their website on here

Apologies for my tardiness in responding to this thread, but well done, having watched countless splices at shows it's no mean feat.

Looks like they had some Mickey Mouse outfit in....... Coat.... I'll get it now

Do you have to keep popping up spoiling the thread that you started (just joking before the next round starts) and in answer to you, it wouldn't appear so.

I've done quite a bit of thinning works for local council owned woods, all that's left on site is the tops for environmental reasons, the rest is forwarded out and sold off, no messing about. This pays for the labour of the felling, a harvester to do the sub60cm stuff, and forwarder to get the stuff roadside. Sells at about £55/ton roadside, not a bad rate! Of course you have to graft too!

Hope it all goes smoothly, trying to maybe get up there Saturday as a spectator, trying to salvage a career at the moment so we'll see on the day!

Why does her smile scare me

Once again, we are only hearing one side of the story. The devil is in the detail here. I find it hard to believe that any instructor would suggest it was ok to intentionally hit any part of a rigging system, or any other tool in fact. But if asked if it could withstand a glancing blow, he may have said it should be ok? As it was your equipment, I take it you took it on the course so you could learn to use it properly, or were you a little cocky and thought, "I'll show them how good I am" Believe me there are a lot if people out there who don't like to listen and pay attention and that is why injuries happen and tools get broken. It seems, from Aidens posting, that there was a little friction between himself and the instructor. You know what, as a father of 2 lads now in their 20s, and working with many youngsters since, I run out of patience trying to explain the why's and wherefores of things, some days you just bang your head against a wall. I wonder if the instructor felt he was having one of those days? Sorry Aiden if I've got it all wrong, but just trying to get some balance from this.

Not since the Spud Famine

Just a thought, it takes no more effort to do cuts correctly, than to do them badly, so even if some low priced budget job was ordered, there is no excuse for poor workmanship. This applies equally to line clearance, roadside clearance and privTe domestic work, as well as LA works. I remember a few years back getting the call to go and rectify poor pruning carried out by the line clearance guys. an entire avenue looked as if a grenade had been lobbed into each tree, and it was the pride of the Town Council. We reduced each crown symmetrically, they filled out and look ideal now until the next time they are "trimmed"! The fact was though, the work per tree didn't take us very long to put right, so why not do it properly the first time around?

Look for the Wilson "Little Wil" antenna, about 2feet in height.

Pure class Mr Bullman