AA Teccie (Paul)

Dear Scottish 'Arbtalkers', hope yer all well! As a precursor to the FREE 'ARB Approved Contractor' assessment (+2 half price) scheduled for 6, 7 or 8 September 2011 (see earlier posting) we are proposing to run a preparation workshop day on Wed. 13th July 2011 (10am-4pm) at the Royal Highland Centre nr. Edinburgh Airport (FoC). Before we commit I'm seeking an indication of likely numbers (we need a minimum of 10 businesses really to make it viable.) Can you PLEASE respond, and / or 'pm' me, if this would be of interest. Many thanks...and hope to see you there! Paul

Cheers Penfold, Bob's contacted me directly. Thanks.. Paul

Hi Rob, You're quite right Tim Beckley is Northern Branch chairman but I tend to think of him being NE owing to his base at Hull (along wiht Jo (Ryan) In York of course) and Ken, usually supported by Paul, is active in NW and particularly Lancashire (my 'home' county...awww!) I'm sure that Ken would be only too happy to get involved in any events you may propose, and of course with your input as well, as he is an active member of the Association's Media & Communications Committee. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Ciaran, T'be honest I'm not sure if there's any pre-requisite no. years in the industry before doing the Consultants course but it does talk about 'significant expereince' so maybe one for the future when a little more experience under yer belt in an advisory capacity. Look forward to seeing you in Wrexham. Cheers.. Paul

'Monkey D', hope you're well! As a PTI training provider, usually Tiff will ask if delegates have prior industry experience, i.e. in tree inspecting, and a relevant qual., i.e. Tech Cert, and if so she'll book themn straight on. If however that's not the case then, usually, she will tarnsfer them to myslef, Guy or Simon, to effectively 'interview' them prior to attending. During this process we make it clear if we think they may struggle with the assessment aspect but provided they understand this we will book them on the course. In summary, arb quals / prior expereince are not pre-requisites for the course BUT are very useful and certainly those who pass, and pass at a good level, are qualified and experienced. This screams out on the 'tree inspection exercise' in particular where the expereinced inspector will major on the significnat deefcts/issues where the inexpereinced 'hedges their bets' and catalogues everything. Sorry, I'm waffling. Cheers.. Paul

Ciaran, Perhaps consider: What's it worth? Tree valuation methods in the UK BS3998: 2010 Tree Work - Recommendations Arboricultural Consultancy Amenity Conference - Arboricultural Association ...and anything TreeLife do is always valuable. Good luck..! Paul

Banter time eh?! I'm a 'noverner' moved sarffff to escape the wet stuff, trouble is I stayed on the left side rather than the right...no complaints tho the Palm trees r luverly down ere! We are trying very hard to forge stronger links 'up norf', much thanks to Ken Linford (AA Northern Branch) and Paul Bullimore (Lancs. Woodlands) AND Jo Ryan. We would be delighted to bring more of the AA training courses and seminars 'up norf' but traditioally they've alwasy been low on numbers. A thought, IF you, as the norven collective, would consider getting more involved with the Northern Branch then no reason why you couldn't also run your own events. Certainly the Cornwall, SE and E.ANglia branches are very active regionally. Regarding shows there was a previous sugestion about alternating the 'ARB Show' north and south, but the logistics of making it happen are challenging, to say the least. Does anyone know 'HOLMFIRTH' well, thinking between Manchester & Leeds, and more particularly a tree friendly landowner who may be willing to accomodate us? Cheers all.. Paul PS Regarding the HOLMFIRTH issue please 'pm' me in case I can't find my way back ere..ta!

ISA Certified Arborist scheme, and Euro. Tree Worker exam are equivalents that may be more accessible? Good luck..! Paul

Not sure I get to um all t'be honest Danavan, despite my best intentions. Hence PLEASE give me a poke in the AA Forum if I miss summat...many thanks! Cheers.. Paul

Dependent how it is registered he may be able to legally drive it, i.e. as an agricultural vehicle (AKA tractor) BUT it is a piece of work equipment and he would require 'adequate training' prior to using it. Someone 'competent', i.e. expereinced and knowledgeable (and ideally qualified), to train him and supervise him for a period of time until satisfied he's okay to let out alone. Cheers.. Paul

THANK YOU Andy, much appreciated, and let's hope we can improve it further for next year! Gud'on'ya..! Paul

Hi all, tahnks for your posts...good stuff. YUP, the FOOD issue is one we still haven't cracked, and it's an importnat one! We wanted to move away from the standard 'burger van' thing and bring something a bit different, whihc I think overall kinda worked, BUT the queue issue was one to be avoided, particularly on the Saturday (good for us tho as the end started in the AA tent so got to chat with some we probably wouldn't have ordinarily!) Sunday was a bit better...I think. There was alos supposed to be a 'jacket spud' van on site but that didn;t materialise...not sure why but will chaeck it out! On the cost issue, the outside event people who assit us build and manage the show reckong the prices were about avaerage (AND apparently much cheaper than at 'Take That' gigs, not sure who they are...HONIST!!!!) BUt I acknowledge if you didn;t enjoy what yer eating then expensive it is. I tried both and, whilst I prefer my sausage skins a bit more cooked, thought both options were very tasty. THANK YOU for your comments and, as always, I'm watching and lsitening so keep them coming. Cheers all.. Paul

ALL, Firstly THANK YOU for coming along and supporting the event over the past couple of days and I'm pleased to learn so mnay found it useful, and enjoyable, and had the opportunity to part with 'hard earned' cash in exhange for various "shiny things". Secondly THANK YOU for taking the time to post here, both good and bad, and I am watching and listening so PLEASE do let us know who we can improve things for next year for you. Cheers all, n thanks again! Paul

Matthew, thanks for your post and I will pass on 'your' thanks to my collegaues Simon Richmond and Mel Sutherland, supported by AA Director Nick Eden, who organised the event and indeed the rest of the team on the day(s) to helped to deliver it. When you say about seeing "more manufacturers" can you be any more specifc, if not by name then by product(s)? Thanks in anticipation,, Paul

IRONJACK, apologies I missed your post here (thanks to Tom for replying), hope you, and 'the hound', had a good day yesterday! Cheers.. Paul

Tom, I do recall your comments here and the whole issue of marketing and promotion, in particular with Google / Facebook / Twitter etc., highlights a lack of expertise in the AA. This is something we are increasingly aware of and hope to address in the near future. In the meantime I will, again, feed your comments back, thanks! Cheers.. Paul

Consider't'kettle on...not that advanced at the show but plenty of food booths and AA credit card....we're sorted, ha! Excellent, see you theer! Paul

SORRY for the random postings, didn't realise the 'Post QUick Reply' didn;t attcah to the roiginal message....DOOOOOOOHHHHH! Cheers all. Paul

We are trying, honestly. IF yu knew how hard we'd worked trying to get on the 'Rogue TRaders' show, but, regardless of speaking with severla programme researchers with promises of exposure (censored!) it just doesn't happen....aghhhhhh!!!!! We are trying to get more proesence at regional countryside / agric shows in the hope that helps. As you say tho more 'ArbACs' = wider expeosrure automatic. Cheers.. Paul

Thank you, I know theer is still much to do but hopefully we're now on the right track. Cheers.. Paul

T'be honest 'TreeGeek' (great name!) I'd rather discuss general matters in open forum so everyone benefits. If you have particular issues with specific companies have you spoken with them directly? I'm not naive to think they are perfect, by any means, and often, with expansion, standards slip, and sometimes significantly, and controlling them is very difficult. This is one of te reasons we have introduecd the more frequent re-inspections and I'm confident this will help. Ultimately tho I'm sure HSE would be most interested in osme of teh practices you cite...as indeed would I if you have clear evidence. Regarding the public not knowing about teh Arb Assoc, I know this only too well and I wonder if MoP know about NICEI for elctricians or BALI for landscapers etc. In part, it's down to those who see benefit and support the scheme to help spread the word such that compentent arborists / tree surgeons become associated with the ARB Approved Contractor sattus and logo. AA is never gonna be a household name, realistically other than maybe 'CORGI' (now 'GAS SAFE...how many home owners are aware of that change?), no industry scheme is. The FC, perhaps Woodland Trust and RHS but people, keen gardeners, can become memebrs of teh last two. In the current difficult economic climate several applications are being received form long established businesses, working principally in the domestic / residentila sectors, who are looking for a recognition to make them stand above the ''bob a job tree cutter'' and with the new small business accreditation they now can. So, where would you like me to send the applictaion form?, ha. At the end of the day all I ask is you consider my comments above and post back, call me, shoudl you wish to discuss further...tahnk you! Cheers.. Paul

At looooooooooooooooooooooong last we woke up and listened, sorry it took so long but better late than never (hopefully!) We always desired to be representative but, in ignorance, actually worked in splendid isolation....still that's in the past and moving forward we are...THANKs to you all. Best to all.. Paul

Excellent news, look forward to receiving it Tony. Cheers.. Paul

'b101uk', thanks for your post. You highlight a very important issue, that of 'choice', the scheme is not mandatory, there are 'others' out there, and the choice, or not as the case may be, is entirley yours. The scheme, I believe, is a real opportunity to gain credible recognition from a lead industry body for the service you deliver and the work you do. The set up in the photo, I acknowledge, could be improved but it is there for illustartive purposes and did not form part of an ARB Approved Contractor assessment. Lastly, any surpluses generated through the operations of the Association are re-invested to benefit it's membership and the wider industry...there is still much work to be done. Cheers.. Paul

In the Devon office (AKA 'home')...tel. 01803 845140 Look forward to yer call.. Paul