essentialARB

essentialARB have a writer going to cover this event, so should get a good write up in the Jan 2010 issue - perhaps any of you that do attend would like to give me your feedback too - then we can add that to our coverage...

Tut tut - and why are you not a subscriber??? Just shows ya - FJ and eA readers get the news first lol. Hope the article arrived with you safely - we only had access to the PR photo unfortunately - you have some great shots there - would make a great article for the next issue of essentialARB David - d'ya fancy putting pen to paper for me?

No-one gets away - Now things have calmed down a bit, I'll be in touch this week, with everyone - Co Durham aint that far fae Dumfries

Thanks for your replies - I will be in touch with those who have said they would be interested. Slight family crisis going on at the moment so bear with me...

There is some reference to it on the treelife training website, as part of a paper entitled 'A View of ARBORICULTURE 1854-2008' - doesn't give a great deal more info though http://www.treelifetraining.co.uk/PDArb%20-%20%20History%20of%20Arb%201854%20-%202008.pdf - extract below: Skilled tree surgeons where thin on the ground in 1964 when the Association of British Tree Surgeons and Arborists (ABTSA) was founded by contractors. Standards of professionalism were low, the production of BS 3998: Tree Work in 1966, a world first set the standard to be attained for the industry. The ABTSA group held their annual conference at Merrist Wood Agricultural (now Guildford) College. As a result the very first college department of Arboriculture headed by Peter Bridgeman was established in this country in 1968. Another initiative prompted the funding of the Arboricultural and Advisory Information Service (AAIS) managed by Derek Patch. The Arboricultural Association (AA) was founded in 1964 to serve Local Authority Tree Officers as they could not be seen to be working in cooperation with contractors. The unfreezing of attitudes led to the amalgamation of the AA and the ABTSA in 1974.

I've seen a few of you comment on the Axmen series on the History channel, and I know when we ran a competition with the 3 DVD set as a prize it was extremely popular, so I just just thought I'd point you in the direction of bid-up tv - who have the 8 DVD set up for auction at the moment - the auction closes on 26 Oct - but they only have 4 sets - the current price is £16.89 for the set (plus 7.99 p&p) - not a bad price for 8 DVDs. Link below. bid tv - 8 DVD Ax Men - History Channel - The UKs Bargain Shopping Channel

In the Jan 2010 issue of essentialARB we are running a feature on chainsaw carving - best way to get started, best equipment, the preference for different types of wood etc etc, along with details of forthcoming courses and carving events scheduled throughout the year. Would any of you carvers out there be interested in sharing with me how / why you got started? Or sharing tips for those just looking to start out. I also think (and I hope I'm not wrong) that there is a carver who lives close to me - I'm based in Dumfries - I'm sure I've seen him mentioned but I can't for the life of me remember his name or find him again now...help! Anyone interested in helping out can pm me their email address or contact details. A lot of the info I would need could be done by email or over the phone - I'll do all the writing if you're just prepared to talk to me (Oh...and possibly let me have photos too)! Cheers Margaret

Just thought I'd bump this up. Naturally I'm slightly biased , but there's always great reading there....... and these are the sort of roundups/reviews we want to include in essentialARB as well. I tend to try and use the forum discussions to see what it is you guys are keen to hear about - but if anyone has suggestions as to what they would like to see more of...please contact me. You can either pm me here, or contact me via the website (see link on the essentialarb pages at Forestry Journal

Many thanks to all those who responded. Sean and Stevie are going to be testing them out for us - look out for their comments and views in the next issue of essentialARB.

is it not channel 47 on freeview?

quite right too - there's always the next issue

I so wish I'd had that picture for the magazine

Many thanks for all the responses and pms. I will get back to you all in the next couple of days. The response to the goggles was very positive - the main problem appearing to be the all-round strap. I will pass on the comments from here to the company and hopefully they may consider addressing some of the issues raised. If anyone wants to take a closer look at the goggles, full details can be found at Safe-Eyes | No Misting, No Scratching, Un-fog-able Eye Protection The glasses which we are looking to trial now are not featured on the website yet, but are made of the same mesh material, the only difference appearing to be the 'spectacle arms' as opposed to the all-round strap. Thanks again Margaret

In the October issue of essentialARB we have a review of the Safe Eyes mesh goggles. Safe-Eyes have now offered us two pairs of their new product, launched in late September - mesh specs, rather than goggles (designed to EN 1731-2006F) - to try out. If any of you are interested in trying them out, and then supplying us with 400 - 500 words on your experience with them, please pm me on here and I will get back to you.

Now's your chance to have your say..... The next issue of essentialARB will be out the first week of October, and is currently being laid out as we speak....or type! It will contain a varied mix of product reviews (boots/goggles...hopefully the headset but time's not on our side), as well as company profiles and show reports and the usual regular features.... However, we are also now starting to plan for 2010...there will be a gap of 4 months after the October issue, so eA will appear in Feb, May, Aug and Nov in 2010. We are putting together the features list - a lot of which will be based on the stuff I see you lot discussing here, but it would be really useful if you could have some input to the process - what do YOU want to see in the magazine, what don't you want to see, what product testing is particularly relevant. Are there specific areas where you need more information - training, business management, marketing etc? The more feedback we get, the more we can tailor the magazine to fit your needs, and help us to keep a good balance in the articles that we write/commission. If any of you fancy having your own company profiled in the mag, please drop me an email ( Forestry Journal - Writing and click the Contact box) ... depending whereabouts in the country you are, either myself (scottish end) or Anne (Midlands area) will come out and see you - we don't bite and it's really harmless - and gets you publicity into the bargain!

We have had a lot of positive response about the headsets, which I will feedback to the manufacturers, along with Bob's review. Many thanks for all your comments.

Many thanks to all who responded. Bob has kindly agreed to conduct the review for us. Hopefully, depending how quickly the supplier can get the kit to him, we will be able to get his thoughts and opinions into the October issue of eA. Once again many thanks, and watch this space for further requests for help!

Thanks for all the responses. It would certainly be good to get feedback from those already using them as well - would be a good add-on to the review. To those who've offered - I'll be in touch!

We have been offered the opportunity to conduct a product review of the latest arb offering from Talking Headsets. Communicating between two tree surgeons can be difficult, sometimes impossible, especially when chainsaws, chippers and heavy machinery are working flat out. Noise and poor communications can compromise safety and greatly reduce productivity. ARBORCOM is a safe, reliable, hands free, full duplex wireless communications system between two people up to 200m apart. With ARBORCOM you will greatly increase the operator’s safety and productivity through improved, reliable communications, leading to reduced downtime. Communications between operators is so simple, no need for any hand signals, shouting and having to stop work! No buttons to push and hold when talking, simply turn the headsets to ON and carry on working. The FULL DUPLEX feature allows both operators to talk to each other at the same time, just like talking on the phone. If you would be interested in reviewing this product over a period of 2 - 3 weeks, and then supplying us with a written review, please pm me or use the contact link in the top thread. Full details on the headset can be found here http://www.talkingheadsets.co.uk/arborcom_bluetooth_headset.php thanks Margaret

Yes you do, eA is still given as a 'free' supplement to FJ subscribers, but since its relaunch is also available as a stand alone subscription for those people who do not wish to receive FJ.

Unfortunately, continuing a situation where we effectively 'gave away' hundreds of copies did not make financial business sense, as I am sure you will appreciate. If arb, and not forestry, is your interest, you can take out a stand alone subscription to eA, without FJ. See our website for details Forestry Journal - Writing

Just wanted to add that we have two pairs of the Safe-Eyes goggles out on test at the moment - and will be featuring a review on them in the October issue of essentialARB for those that are interested

Now entering its second year since re-launch, essentialARB aims to present readers with opinions, research and up-to-date information about their industry, written by people from within the industry. In addition, we hope to include regular features, company profiles and product trials and reviews. In order to make essentialARB as informative and relevant as possible, to the wider audience, we would like your input to the process. What would you like to see in the pages of essentialARB? Are there issues within the industry that you would like us to investigate? Have you developed a new idea/product to overcome a common problem? Got tips for your pals about the best way to approach a particular job? We are now planning a series of product reviews for the forthcoming year on climbing equipment and PPE - ropes, harnesses etc - if you think you could review a piece of new or existing equipment, and write up the bare facts for us, we'd love to hear from you. Don't worry if writing's not your thing , we'll help! Alternatively, if you would like your company profiled in the magazine, get in touch with us and we can discuss it further. Suggestions can be made via the forum or through our website Forestry Journal - Writing