Linda

I keep telling them that as well!!

This is what I tell my students but they refuse to believe me!

Try http://www.treeworker.co.uk, Nod will sort something out for you.

No pain, no gain Abby!!

The 10 week course is a lower level than the ND and much easier to pass, given that you're motivated and have the energy to study while you are on the 10 week course. I'd definitely recommend the 10 week course over a 1 week course, you'd come out with a lot more knowledge, and have more opportunities to find good work. Oh, and Jack Kenyon (course leader) is such an inspiration!

Where's that video of Jo Hedger's footlock? (on the topic of speed...) Anybody got the youtube link?

Thou shalt not spit with your visor down

Here's a thread to the MW website with photos and a video. There were quite a few people there, but the turnout would probably have been greater had it been held on a Saturday and had the current students been involved as well. http://www.guildford.ac.uk/FacultiesSubjectAreas/LandManagement/Arboriculture/ArboricultureFortyYears/ArboricultureFortyYears.aspx Linda

Yeah, ha ha you should know, shouldn't you? ;-D

I had a chat with some young arb students today about the accident and the general consensus was that having such an accident is no biggie as everybody seems to heal ok, "2 months holiday - sweet!". So how can the sharing of these incidents really serve as a warning?! What the industry needs is role models that will not do that sort of stuff full stop and who will beat it into their new staff/work placement students/etc that they will not accept that sort of behaviour in their work place. If anybody finds themself in a similar situation, then I'm sorry but it's too late, s/he will already have cut themselves...

I can squeeze through the window if needed (yes, I've checked as part of my RA...) and perhaps climb down the as of yet unidentified climbing plants on the wall (yes, I'm lazy, I know, I should know all the plants within my first week...). I'm not quite sure whether the bars are for keeping things in or out...

Could you maybe do something to my office? Please? I can hardly breath from all the dust that's been accumulated since 1587...

Why on earth do you do it? Are you just plain lazy?! Is it worth it? The 20 seconds that you save?

There are still places left on the part-time Foundation Degree in Arboriculture at Merrist Wood Campus, starting on the 26th of September 2008. The course will be held on Fridays, for 3 years. If you're interested, check out the website http://www.guildford.ac.uk, e-mail [email protected] or phone 01483 448594 for more info or to make an appointment for an interview. The Foundation Degree is a higher education degree recognised world-wide. If you're not sure whether you should do the Foundation Degree or the Prof Dip, I'd say go for the Foundation Degree as there is a national failure rate of about 95% for the Prof Dip, whereas for the Foundation Degree all you need is some common sense, determination, ability to think independently, and a bit of time set aside for studying! From the website: "This course covers practical and theoretical aspects of science, management and ecology of tree and woodland management. The course is designed to combine knowledge of the arboricultural industry with practical skills for employment in supervisory, management or technical positions. Alongside modules in small business, operations and management designed to provide underpinning knowledge for work at a senior level in the industry, you will also take skills training to enable you to make informed decisions on arboricultural issues based on current reasoning and research. You will also be given the opportunity to undertake practical competence training in chainsaw use, maintenance and tree climbing."

So you went to Sparsholt did you? Met Jason in Wales, he's happy in his new job it seems.

Too simple...! I'd rather not have a title, it only complicates things and creates walls between people.

Depends on the job description - when I've worked as a consultant I've been an arboriculturist; when I've been doing practical tree work as well as dealing with customers I've been an arborist. Don't think I'd ever be able to be "just" a climber, even if I'm subbing for a tree surgeon, too much knowledge stuck in my poor head, even though I sure wish I could be at times (especially now that I've been supplied with a new cruciate ligament and am supposed to keep still...). In my head and heart though, I'll always be a climber. Question is: what do you call yourself if you work as an arb tutor? Arboriculturist may sound a bit posh to the learners...

Photos of finalists and UK&I Climbers of the Year. Congratulations to all! I'm really happy for Jo and Scott, they have really made 2008 into their year. Amazing achievements in the UK&I, at the Euro and at the Worlds. Next year's Euro team is massive so let's hope for good results there. Thanks for a great season, see you all next year!

Scary finger nails though...

Nope it can't! Are you going Steve? We could celebrate our first year's anniversary of having known each other!

That would be great actually! It could be like a challenge for the attendants, to see who could build a hoist in the quickest most imaginative way... Perhaps I should use the day to train my upper body strength...as long as I don't use my left knee I'm allowed to climb you see...

Not looking too bad for the weekend... http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=2855

What do you do for the cardio?

Hi Laz Thanks for your lengthy reply. I will make one last post to you on this thread as I think our posts has given good food for thought and might not be taken any further. And I can't be bothered to keep defending myself to somebody who seem to want the last word always!! So how would I know your harness was a good buy, should I just believe the salesperson without any proof? What I meant with the comps was not the competing because we all know that is not the way we would do it at work, what I meant was the getting together and networking that would not occur at this scale was it not for these championships. Not quite sure what this refers to, but I'm not expecting an answer. Over and out Linda

Passed by these blokes today on my way to...uhm..can't remember where I was off to but this site was in central Guildford. They're work was commissioned by the Guildford tree officer on a site he wanted to re-establish as a meadow. He's had some complaints from the public re his decision so decided to keep some trees and make others into art, until the meadow was restored. Check out the carver's website for funny pictures of himself and a gallery of his work: http://www.ad-treepirate.co.uk