janey

I've been umming and ahhing about commenting on this thread as it's a huge topic and covers so much more than the point raised in the original post. Modern, media based, virtue signalling, #metoo feminism is something to be ashamed of and is not what women have fought so strongly for and even died for. IMO. If women now want equality, then that should mean exactly that - no more ridiculous gender quotas or women only groups. We should accept being judged on our merits as a person and not given special treatment simply because of the chance mingling of our parents dna or our subsequent lifestyle choices. I believe that true feminism is being able to have the CHOICE in what we do in life, whether that's as a stay at home mum or being the CEO of a multi billion pound business. What I've seen more of recently is the objectification and belittlement of males in a totally hypocritical way and that the irony of this goes way over the heads of most wimmin doing this. And what so many so called modern feminists refuse to accept that with the priveledge of choice they then need to accept the responsibilities and consequences of their actions. Take going out and getting ratarsed for example - if you're going to wear provocative clothing and put yourself in a vulnerable position which thanks to changing attitudes we can now do, then, although it should NEVER happen, you shouldn't be surprised if you end up being a victim. Arb is still a very male dominated industry and that's absolutely fine. Women now have so many choices in what they can do in life and encouragement to be whatever they want. If they don't want to be an arborist or Tree Officer then that's fine too as it's their choice to make and no amount of gender quotas will (or should!) change that. I've worked with some bloody amazing people over my career, men and women, and I have only encountered discrimination from one individual: that was because of their personality and NOT because of my gender. I like to have an un PC banter and I like to have a hug from my colleagues without there being any hysterical recriminations about inappropriate behaviour. I'm intelligent enough to know what's just good natured messing around and robust enough to deal with anything more sinister if the need arises without resorting to being a princess about it. That's my tuppence worth, anyway.

Thanks hon. Despite the current lack of work and income, I feel so much better having walked away from my last employer. Sometimes doing the right thing means more than financial security. I'd love to stay with LA, either in Arb or Highways, as being able to make a positive difference to "my" community is important to me, but given where I live the options are limited. I don't suppose you could bump off one of my local TOs as a massive favour to me, could you?

I recently quit my safe, reliable LA job in protest about the way things were being run and my Plan B didn't go quite to, ermm, plan. It's great taking the moral and professional high ground but I'm now scratching around trying to decide what I want to do with my career. While I'm mulling this over, I'm after some short term work until I can commit myself fully to a new opportunity. I have 20 years of industry experience (including practical), Tech Cert, PTI, CSCS Card, LANTRA Highway Inspectors Cert, NRASW Supervisor's Units etc, a great attitude and high standards of work. I'm based nr Didcot (but please don't hold that against me) and I'm happy to travel reasonable distances. PM me for a copy of my CV and contact details. J.

That just adds weight to my theory that I was born old if that's one of the symptoms.

It's Cryptomeria. Ignore Wikipedia (most people do ).

Tisk, Tisk, crossing a solid white. Shocking ignorance of the Highway Code.

That Steve bloke, he's not half bad at website building.

Alnus incana "Laciniata" would be my bet. I've planted a few in and around Hammersmith and they're pretty nice street trees - when the little oiks leave them alone long enough.

I tend to use that ol chestnut quite successfully (I think) for new bike boots, new bike trousers, new bike jackets, new bike... Oh you get the idea. If I was to ever to start prancing around in high heels and matching handbag, more serious questions than "is it new?" would be asked.

That's because she's quietly building up her own impressive collection hidden behind the ironing board - the place that no man will ever venture

You can't beat a good bit of M&S quality bedding. And they've not pink paddock bobbins as very sadly, they don't come in pink, so I had to settle for red. They still make it look like a girl's bike though Ummmm... This is where i have to admit my ignorance and admit that I don't know. I can't even go and check because Mr Janey has kidnapped it and treats it as his now. Sighhhh, it keeps him happy I suppose. What's the latest with the oak ownership? My money's still on it being a boundary feature and as such is the responsibility of the adjacent owner.

"Quite old tree, possibly a few hundred years" doesn't have quote the same headline grabbing potential I wander what's going to happen to the old girl now. It would be good to hear that all or at least part of her will be left in situ to complete the whole cycle and provide valuable habitat.

Ah, right, gotcha. I got fixated on the "single" part of srt and it didn't even cross my mind that you could/would use a secondary anchor point when work positioning. Doh.

Poor terminology on my part. The original question was about using srt for access AND work positioning. It was the latter bit that I was referring to.

The closest I ever got to Scouting was trying to strangle my brother with his woggle.

Ditto for my vote. But I'm way too young and sprightly (cough, cough) to remember it from that far back

What does it say in the generic and site specific RAs? How you access a tree is not coved by statute, but you're going to have to give a good reason why you decide to go against industry best practice.

I haven't had that pleasure yet, but you're not the first person to say that he's slightly, ummm, unconventional. The promo pics are quite telling.

Sooooo.... I was good and left it to the correct people in the chain to book this and guess what? They never got round to it and it then sold out. Grrrrrrrr. I then went rogue, put my name down for the extra day that they were considering running and now have a confirmed place that I've gone ahead and booked myself. I am so ridiculously over excited about it already.

I'll try that new fangled iPlayer thingymajig

@Gray git it won't be long now until I'm out with my the Dragon Patcher, I'm sure. One day I might know what it does, too. There's actually an amount of tree knowledge required for this ticket, which I was surprised about. And so were the Highway Inspectors, judging by their reactions. So perhaps a cheeky Radio4 sesh tomorrow would really, honestly would be in their best interests.

Yup. I am single handedly responsible for the one massive sink hole that is the highway in the area that I cover. All Officers, regardless of our specialism, in our LA are now expected to be proficient in assessing and actioning highways defects as well as our "day job". It's the way of the future.

Because they send Tree Officers out to look at them and supposedly action their repair. that explains a lot...

(That's LANTRA Highways Inspecting. Everything you always wanted to know about potholes but were too afraid to ask).

I wonder if they'll put off the start time of my LANTRA just for this? Personally, I think that it'd be perfectly justifiable and should actually be mandatory listening for the course.