jaime bray

Just got off the phone to vosa, if your vehicle gross vehicle weight is 3500kg, then the weight of your trailer can weigh zero kg, my chipper weighs 850, so in order to be exempt from the operators licensing requirements for running a ford transit and chipper, i can not tow with the transit and would need to look at something that can tow upto 850kg and still with the combined weight of the gvw and chipper be under 3500kg. A renault clio van can tow upto 1150kg, and its gvw is 1515kg. so added together my gvw =2365kg, so i do not need a operators license. So if we all buy small vans for towing kit and chipper around, and get a member of staff to drive the transit without a trailer/chipper, then we are covered. Or fit a big winch onto the transit and carry it to the bloody jobs, Im speechless, but I will not be getting a ol license, Did you know that the ol yard has to be able to do a 360 turn in forward gear to be complient as an ol yard, and you have to have service agreement with a garage that ensures your lorry has full service oil air fuel plus repairs every three months. sweet baby hesus

Sunny, and calm here, thought we were due horrific rain, if this is a reversed michael fish moment, look forward to the posts later in the day if it is. There will be 'mispelt' words because people can not type due to the high winds and rain.lol

Hopefully with good feedback from the industry, there will be a wide range of topics being talked about and discussed, so there should be something for everybody. I think this may be a little different from the isa show, in that you will be gagged upon arrival, and there after between 9.30-5pm. What about if a business bank manager was there telling people how to set up and run our own businesses, also what about someone giving helps and hints on how to create and market a business, hoe to create or recognise a good advert, I do not mean someone from arboriculture, but someone who has specialist advice and services for their particular occupation. Like Arborists, have particular skills and experience,so do the right people talking about their topic, because its what they do, not that they have a little bit of knowledge in the chosen topic attained whilst working for a council.

Sorry, that last post may read as if it was aimed at cost of attendence, the cost is currently being broken down to the bare penny, to ensure that this is ran as a cost effectively as possible for arborists, the what would you pay for was in relation to what topics would wet the appetites of company owners, so much so that it would be foolish for them to not support the attendance of employees to the type of event anticipated.

One of the theorys behind this event is to engage company owners in the development of staff knowledge, so by having it on a weekend what it says is okay, as employees you are not going to be getting paid for this learning, however if you want you can go, and as a gesture from employers, they would consider the option of paying for it. So, if the content of the event is such that it would very much be in the interest of employers to send staff on this reasonably priced event, then they may pay for employees to attend, in the knowledge that they will be receiving a wealth of valuable knowledge to their company and contracting operation. So, if your gaffer was paying for you hama, would you go? dont forget there are many arborists who have no interest in this sort of thing and are just there for the job and the money, those that are interested may persuade gaffers to pay and highlight the interest of others to it, So, to company owners, what would you pay for, for your staff to attend to get value for your money for you sending your staff?

But in the dark it would only be their voices,

Camping near the woods, night fungi foray!!!! tempted yet hama?

Im already in the growing process, I have had hydroponics on my moustache for two weeks, My intention is to get friends to sponsor me to grow a dirty; ginger, tash, and if the moneys right ill wax it off. id want £250 for the waxing though, donated to cancer research.

It will go where the demand and feedback comes from id imagine, no point in putting something on somewhere if there isnt going to much attendance in that particular area, this is intended to be up north forthe first event though, is that correct tony?

Sorry hamadryad was someone else that commented on research.

Hi Tony, just to give a bump, do not mean to intrude. To add to Tony's introduction of this event, this event has been brought about by the demand for northern arboricultural events, an additional question that needs answering is, does it matter if there are seminars running parrallel to each other? When I attended the ICF conference there were parrallel sessions and I personally found this annoying, the only benefit of it is, is that if you have no interest what so ever of a particular subject you can go to another, alternatively, if there is to be practical demonstrations taking place to; of some sort, you could always nip along and view and chin wag with like minded people. If the AA are to continue to try and put on events nationwide then they will need your support and communication for events to be held locally. This event/idea has been welcomed with open arms by the AA, and they want to put it on for us, with your interaction and feedback; of topics for discussion, how you think this event would be favourable to your sector of arboriculture or if you know of a cracking venue, then let them know through this thread. Hamadryad, what type of research are we talking about, the more direct the responses can be the easier it will make the AA's job of sourcing the right people to talk about the topics. Get involved with this one folks, and make it an event to remember!

I Saw a transit that looked characteristically like a rogue traders van, with branches on the back, and in huge letters down the sides it had tree surveyor on it. I couldnt work out if it was the driver or ten year old son in the passenger seat that was surveying, but they were specialists too!!!!

Dear Joe, Bearing in mind the extent at which insurance companies will go to get out of paying an insurance claim, what I think you mean to say on this public forum is that your dad has just bought a new motah, and he has ever so kindly let you drive it occasionally, as he owns it and is the registered keeper and will be the main driver. you are very grateful to dad for this and hope to use it more than once a month. but you doubt it very much as dad loves to drive it. lol. Nice truck that, not as nice as my blue fall guy truck,pmsl, you would probably fill the back of your truck; 'dads truck sorry' with all the weld on my beaut. Fair play, congrats

if you have enough work to get on with doing the tree care side of things, then why worry about buying in more firewood, just tell any customers you not got any wood, then ring them when you have. I must admit i do not understand the firewood thing if theres tree work to be done, unless firewood is the business. just my thoughts anyway

Alan mitchells field guide to trees of britain and northern europe, the rest are just comics, haha!!!!!!!

I shal be there, jotter in hand, and a bag full of proplus to keep me awake after my hearty lunch, or as claus would do,ARGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

Im guessing your name is top of the list for the November Ted Green meeting, and Mr Lonsdale, Should be very good. I must admit since attending seminars, courses and this and that over the last two years, ive banged on twenty pounds in timber, but I just cant decline the grub is too damn good at these things. some days i do not want to leave. Its no wonder some consultants get a girth as they get older, and stop climbing.

Hi David, Yes apparently it was brimming, however 67 were booked in and only 53 attended. just gutted because I begged the girl for a seat and she said no at 67 were max capacity for that room. Priceless contribution imo. jaime

Am I having a rant or am I on the right lines, For the benefit of the sceptical people, I was not in attendance due to the full booking, lol The seminar held at Barchams this week; Barrell and Mynors, was fully booked a long time ago, yet as usual, the Barchams staff lay on all the facilities; for what I personally believe is a true gesture to our industry, only for 14 people to not attend, there would have been some people who had genuine reasons for not attending, but even so should this not be done at least 48 hrs before the event to allow others the opportunity to attend. In addition some people do not even have the courtesy to make the 'too' late phone call, and simply do not turn up, do not ring to apologise, and therefore totally remove any chance of the more grateful being able to attend. Its not just the prevention of more appreciative attendees being declined a place in place of non-attendees, but the charitable contributions made by attendees into the donations box will have had less donations as a result of what, in certain cases, is just plain rude and inconsiderate behaviour. Also the speakers often give up there time for us free of charge, so its a slap in the face all-round to be honest. Rant over!!! sorry folks, just gets my back up, I hope that Barchams continue to provide this excellent service to our industry.

Martyn, I personally think it is a good idea, if not for the more seasoned arborists to adopt the signals, at least for the next generation. What could be an option is if the appropriate signals are identified, then through the AA's AWG (arborists working group) we could get it produced and proofed and into a format, and it could go into the AA's help for arborists section on their website; where it can be downloaded, along with the other free templates that are being produced and made available for our ease of use and incorporation into our daily business activities. Just a bump to anybody else with similiar good ideas; such as making this kind of communication mainstream knowledge for new members of the industry, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] Thanks Jaime

There was a sole soldier in the PD Arb mang day on tuesday, in the woodlands section, the examiner only spotted it that day, and said hats off to anyone that spotted. I was gutted at that point as i took position for my writing up literally under neath it, know what it looks like, but because it was the R in DAFOR dur didnt mention it. Westonbirt arboretum, take its collection a a good excuse to get down and see maple drive

Im not being sarcastic, but I think the bear may be a yorkie terrier, perhaps done for a friend or customer off a photo. Hey,if im wrong and its a bear then apologies. Nice stuff, wish I had the inclination to carry out more craft based work, very rewarding by the look of it.

When a lady comments on your fine haberdashery skills, as you sow your trousers, AGAIN.......You then proceed to affirm your testosterone fueled gear junky status by seizing the opportunity for inuendo, and say 'yes im good with both my hands and my wood, wink wink'