AA Teccie (Paul)

Hi Les, Obviously some of the questions you raise we cannot answer as we didn't keep track of where people went but reasonably assumed they came to the show...why ever would they not? Clearly these are very much headline figures for marketing purposes so I have enquired with our "marketing man," and the show organizer (my colleague Simon,) to see if we can supply anymore data to help. Hoping to post back soon.. Paul

Hi there, thank you for your post here and I'm really pleased to hear the event was a success for you and we look forward to welcoming you back to the next one (thank YOU also for supporting the event and exhibiting ) Best regards and "see you again soon" Paul

Thanks Steve n Mark, comments noted n will be fed back. Cheers Paul

Hi all, with further press releases to follow: Key statistics: Visitor Stats 6834 Visitors 3486 more visitors than 2016 - 96% increase 3128 more visitors than our record year in 2015 - 84% increase 3015 Visitors on Friday 3819 Visitors on Saturday Exhibitor Stats: 109 Exhibitors 26 more exhibitors than 2016 (31% increase) 65 exhibitors returning from 2016 (78% returning) 39 exhibitors attended for the first time 17 Exhibitors selling wood chippers Climbing and competitions: 48 Climbing Competition Entrants 3:36.00 – Expert Climb Winning Time 14:25.00 – Premier Climb Winning Time 5 Arborist Knots in 17.09 seconds – Knot Tying Competition Winning Time 150 children enjoyed the kids climbing tree Arb Ale: 1700 Pints sold by Stroud Brewery (1100 Friday, 600 Saturday) I'm away for the weekend so will pickup any replies Sunday evening / Monday. Thanks all n have a good weekend, Paul

Can't they park somewhere else...under a 'safer' tree Cheers, Paul

Adopting the BS3998 'risk assessment' approach to deadwood removal, recognizing it is a niche habitat and therefore important, generally speaking, does it need to be removed or is it a perception of danger rather than actual. If so, can it be reduced in size / length, as opposed to removed all together, to lessen the likelihood of falling and the impact if it does / did. I would only remove if absolutely necessary and as a last resort. Playing "devil's advocate" a little bit here...and reminding us what the BS recommends in terms of a risk management approach. Cheers, Paul

Yep, got one in the back garden, C. frigidus(?)

Respectfully, you need an arboricultural report to support your claim that the tree is unsafe / hazardous. Once armed with such, and assuming it concludes the same, you can then reapply to the LPA and, if refused, you are in a much stronger position to appeal. There are many who will doubtless contribute here whom are well positioned to undertake this for you but we operate an accreditation scheme specifically for arbor. consultants so I can direct you to that if required (in appointing somebody alongside the prerequisite arboricultural / tree inspection skills they need to have good report writing skills and be very familiar with the Planning / TPO system too.) Regards, Paul

Thanks "5 Shires," we really do appreciate you taking the time to post here but, more importantly, we're really pleased to hear you enjoyed the show and it worked well for you...and many others You're right about the APF, which is a fantastic show / event, but, unlike ARB Show, it isn't every year and it isn't 'arb specific', albeit an increasing presence of such. We honestly do try to do the best with the resources we have available...but that's not to suggest we can't improve which of course we always try to do. Regarding "dates for 2018", subject to confirmation by Westonbirt (so a big "BUT"), it will be the same weekend, i.e. 11/12th May (2018.) Thanks again, Paul

Kev, Jake, 5 Shire and Mr Oz, thanks for your posts here and apologies for the delayed reply as I was with Network Rail all yesterday n travelling etc. I'm in Head Office today so will endeavor to get some more accurate information to feedback...but this is reliant on us having received info from Westonbirt (re-visitors nos.) and agreed dates (re-2018 event.) Cheers, Paul

Thanks for your feedback here. No sure how much influence we can have here as the tree / arboretum aspect is down to Westonbirt. I will ensure your feedback is heard. Thanks again Paul

Great stuff, glad you had good day n lucky you being Westonbirt "Friend" Cheers James Paul

Thanks Matt, I hear you n we will try our best. Regards Paul

"Nice one Tommy", thanks for that, good of you to say, and glad you had a good day. We will be feeding back the "running out of stuff" to the suppliers which, hopefully, might entice others back next time Cheers again Paul

Hi Steve (Bullman) You asked in a previous post about overall numbers to the show. My colleague Steve has just posted a figure of "over 5,000" visitors (so 5,001 ) which exceeds the previous 'record' of 3,600. Cheers, Paul

"Good stuff," thank you You're not the first to say about some suppliers "selling out" so we will flag that to those who were present. Thanks again, Paul

Thanks Rich, nice of you to say so here. We do listen, we act where we can, and where's it's reasonable to do so...and we don't always get it right and this is what we NEED to know (so thank you all), even if we can't fix it at least we know and if things change we can review. Nice one n thanks again for your time Paul

Nice one Rich, thanks for your post and for coming along. We are on "the beer case" for next time so hopefully your friends won't have cause to get upset next time Cheers, Paul

Hi there, thanks for your comments here. Unfortunately, as I've learned this morning, that is correct, i.e. no refunds, but had you come to see us at the AA tent (on the day) we may have been able to do something...sorry. I think showing of current membership cards was equally the case when we (AA) managed the show entry too (obviulsy now done by Westonbirt staff because of the collaborative working arrangements.) I hope the "social aspect," eventually, made for a good day overall and that we'll see you back there again next year Sorry again, Paul

Many thanks "Little Rob" for making the effort to join us at the show and I'm glad to hear you had a good day Cheers, Paul

Thanks all for your comments n suggestions, and I will ensure the request for a northern ARB Show type event is heard at the highest level but please understand, whilst I sympathise, I (personally) am not a decision maker and this is a massive decision for the AA to consider. Please do keep them coming as I'm still here and listening Thanks again, Paul

Hi Edward, thanks for your feedback here, very interesting and very useful...and quite challenging but I did invite "the ugly" too. I am sorry you feel I "paid you lip service", that was never my intention, but I did mention prior to the show that I am not a decision maker and I did try to direct you to either Stewart Wardrop, the AA CEO, or Jamie Bray, the 'vice-chair' who was mulling around but you'd disappeared when I tried to facilitate this. My point about the Branches was that many Head Office organized seminars / events, admittedly not including the ARB Show nor Conference, can be facilitated but this requires suitable activity and input at Branch level...which every member has an opportunity to influence. I don't particularly understand your reference to AA Membership being like a bank account. My current account has many 'fringe' benefits, all of which I utilize to best effect, and collectively I'm very happy with the service. It's down to the individual to take advantage BUT I do acknowledge location / 'geography' can be an issue and where you are in Carlisle isn't terribly well serviced by either the Scotland nor Northern Branches...wouldn't you care to move? The APF Show seems to have settled at Ragley Hall, Alcester, and hence I wouldn't anticipate that coming up north anytime soon either unfortunately. As a Lancs lad by origin (albeit now living in S. Devon,) I do understand your frustrations Edward, but the demographics of AA membership / staff / suppliers / exhibitors also means the ARB Show isn't likely to shift in the foreseeable future...I am sorry about this. I will ensure your views are 'aired' and considered and I will request you receive a direct response from somebody higher up the ladder than I (can you please supply a direct email or tel. number...perhaps by 'pm.') Regards, and I'm pleased to learn that overall the show was useful and meet your needs and THANK YOU for making the effort to join us Paul

Hi all, please also take the opportunity to comment on certain aspects of the show too, e.g. - Arborist Workshop sessions - technical demo's - tree climbing comp All very useful and valuable feedback, Thank you Paul

Hi John, thanks for your feedback here...I have to admit it did make me smile though, albeit a very valid, and important, point you make about the bar and (I think) "real ales" were considered to be very popular...but obviously not in the arb world....SORRY 'et al' I will ensure this is feedback and, fingers crossed, you won't be left as thirsty again next time Cheers, n hope yer well Paul

Aaah, sorry, DOOHHH!!! I'm sure (I know) there are many, many people on here who will help you virtually but I guess you mean "at the show." So, Steve unfortunately couldn't make it this year because of prior commitments but hopefully he, and ARBTALK, will next year and may be able to "take this on board." (I'm happy to support ARBTALK's presence at future events but Steve needs help to....over to you guys.) Cheers, Paul