essentialARB

Copy sent via Ian, Adam. The article can be found on: essentialARB-current-features under Issue 46.

Hi Adam - PDF copy on its way to you tomorrow. There will be a link to the article on our website tomorrow too, which I shall post here. Apologies for the delay, my daughters been in hospital and I've not been in the office for a while. Margaret

You can subscribe to it online... but I'm guessing you mean can you read it online? Only a selection of features are available online, not the whole mag. Can't see us ever going to an online magazine. You can see this a selection of this quarter's features here essentialARB-current-features

No problem Ian - it turned out great.

You're very welcome - it made a good feature in the end. And of course, all the other features make good reading too! If anyone else is thinking that they'd like their company on our pages, drop me an email at [email protected], give me call on 01387 702271 or stop for a chat at Woodfest or the Arb Show.

There will be a follow up article, hopefully in the next issue of Forestry Journal (Jan 2013) to this first article, following a second meeting, held with contractors rather than woodland managers. Figures quoted by HMRC are that in their initial investigations (mainly with establishment and maintenance contractors), they have spoken with 11 contractors engaging 175 workers. The potential 'income' for these workers was identified as approx £820,000 - of which only £200,000 odd had been declared (by any means - self assessment or self employment) to HMRC. This figure was declared by, I think, 31 workers - meaning that over £500,000 is unaccounted for. Of the 144 not declaring an income - 60% were claiming unemployment benefit. Based on these figures it is perhaps easy to see why HMRC have embarked on their investigation. HMRC have confirmed to us that they will be looking at all areas of the forest industry, not just establishment - so harvesting contractors will be included too. The main crux of their argument is that self employment is not a matter of choice. Your employment status is determined by the terms of your engagement - not by you. The CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) was put forward as a possible solution - but is not likely. This is something that the industry would have had to lobby for... as HMRC pointed out - why would they implement such a scheme when clearly PAYE should be operating in some instances? I am also not sure that numbers in the industry would warrant such a scheme.

oops...that was me I think. I like the t-shirts, I just couldn't get my head round the red and orange together at first - the more I saw the more it was growing on me! Thanks to everyone who came by our stand. Having moved to what we thought was a better position, it ended up being one of the muddiest there I think - but was a good show, and well done to Justin for pulling it off..and thanks to Steve and Andy for getting us and our kit off the site (and apologies to the guys up on the roadside who may have seen me and Anne in the hedge changing out of our filthy jeans and into something a little cleaner.....

Hi Guys (and shame on you Tom haha) - our website is currently being overhauled. The new site should be live by the end of this week and will contain the article referred to. It did make for a good story - helped by the excellent pictures. I have no objection to a scanned version being used on here - I don't have the original file at home and we currently (thanks to a service provider cockup) have no internet access in the office. If anybody else if interested in having a feature done, we are always on the lookout for companies to profile. Just send me a pm on here or email [email protected] with some basic details - who you are, where you are, type of work undertaken etc - and I will get back to you.

We are currently looking at the pricing structure. I would have to say that we tend to encourage people to take the whole package - Forestry Journal plus essentialARB - which is a far better deal at £59 for 16 mags (12 Forestry Journal 4 essentialARB). Both mags are only available by subscription, not at retail outlets. All comments taken on board ... watch this space.

hmmmm ok - the info@ address goes directly to the editor of Forestry Journal. I will check with him tomorrow what happened and why he hasn't replied. It may be that he passed it to the writer.

Sorry - missed this completely. Did you send an email in? I wasn't working on Forestry Journal for this issue but I'm sure if you emailed, the ed will have responded to you by now. With regard to the awful photo in essentialARB also mentioned in this thread I can only apologise. I had seen it, and discarded it, but it got included in error in the images I sent forward for design. I didn't realise what had happened till I saw it print... it won't happen again. (though the equally worrying thing is that the photo was real life!?!)

Yes the email is still correct - [email protected] We are always on the lookout for articles and reviews so contributions are very welcome. Look forward to hearing from you.

Being on our doorstep so to speak, we could hardly miss this one! It was an excellent show, feedback we had on our stand was very good, shame more people didn't fill in the feedback form (yellow one you got on the bus). We gained a whole load of new subscribers so no complaints here...looking forward to the next one. There will of course be a full write up in the next issue of Forestry Journal, along with piccies.

We aren't going this year (as far as I know) but we have attended in previous years and covered it in the magazine. If you want me to look out the articles for you I could email a pdf so you can see what went on? PM me your details if you want me to send it. Margaret

Forestry Journal and essentialARB also had a stand. It was a damn good show, well organised, well attended..so much so that we ran out of magazines at lunch time on the Saturday... and better still the rain held off! There will be a full write up in the June edition of Forestry Journal, complete with piccies. Can't upload the pics here 'cos I've left my camera at work. I'll try and put some on tomorrow if I get chance. Hope they keep it at the same site in 2013....

is that before Friday???? You could make a fortune if that's the case:lol: Needless to say essentialARB will be having a stand there - here's hoping some of you lot call in and say hello

No problem - and you'll certainly see us....we'll be at Arb Fair North, ..some will be at the Demo days at Ae forest, though not me unfortunately , the Arb Show and F R Jones' show...and any others we can squeeze the expenses account for !! It would be nice to put faces to names so the more that call by and say hello the better!

Well don't send them to me ...unless you want to appear in the calendar we keep planning..........

Hi Ben We don't mind anyone ranting... and thank you for picking us up on that. You are quite right - the editor of Forestry Journal, and I as the editor of essentialARB, have never worked on the tools... but that is no excuse. We do try and check over all the images used and believe me a lot are discarded because of hse/safety issues. We obviously need to be more vigilant - point taken. Glad you enjoy the mags though. Feedback is always welcome, good or bad.

Hope we're not in trouble Not all the regular staff will be in attendance on the day - other commitments unfortunately. If it was something specific you wanted to discuss you can contact me at the office on 01387 702272 Margaret Looks like being a good couple of days ...

I'll chivvy them up for you - I think I did mention at the show that they weren't the quickest at sending things out...but they will arrive!

Many thanks for all the offers of assistance with this - I have literally been inundated with replies! Wayne Elwell from abouttrees is going to undertake the test for us. I will keep names on file for future reviews. Thanks Margaret

To answer the above questions (hopefully!): We are looking for someone to test the trousers in a working situation, whether that be climbing or on the ground With regard to the review itself, the chain protection afforded by the trouser will have been tested during the manufacturing process; if you want to check whether they will stop a saw that is entirely up to you - but I'm not accepting any claims for personal injury :-). We are looking for comments relating to the type of questions you yourself would ask if you were considering a new pair of chainsaw trousers, or any PPE for that matter. Areas such as the ability to avoid snagging/tearing etc (ie avoidance of sharps etc); comfort/movement; weatherproofing/protection from the elements; ventilation and of course, price. If you usually wear a different brand a comparison between the two would be acceptable. And finally - yes, you do get a free pair of trousers for the review!

Hi all Husqvarna have kindly given us a pair of their new Chainsaw protective trousers to review. If you are interested in reviewing them for essentialARB, please email me on [email protected], giving your full name, details of the type of work you are involved in, and the size you would require. We would need a written review for the July issue issue of essentialARB - so deadline would be 21 June. We would be looking for at least 500 words, and high resolution images of the trousers being worn at work. I have copied the product description below: Chainsaw Trousers – Technical 20C These trousers have just been launched, offer the highest level of protection and are perfect for regular chainsaw users where extra safety is of the utmost importance. They cover the whole leg all the way around and are lighter and more comfortable due to a unique 4 way stretch material. This stretches in all directions providing freedom of movement and high durability. The extended back has a wide elasticated band for extra comfort and support. The entire garment is reinforced on the front and back of the leg with Cordura and Aramid for extended durable wear. These fabrics are known for their versatile and reliable qualities and Aramid is known to be a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers. The trousers are lined with mesh material for added comfort and ventilation. There are also two useful front and two back pockets, all with zip fastenings. The extended back panel is vibrant orange to provide better visibility. Available in Small, Medium, Large, X Large and retails at £214.99 thanks Margaret

Congratulations Justin (but more so to Eileen:biggrin: ) - wee Frankie looks adorable - you must both be so proud !