AA Teccie (Paul)

Probably ACAS is the equivalent here I England

Hi Ben besides the good advice you get here on the forum i don't understand why your ARB Approval +FSB Membership (perhaps £200 a year) doesn't keep you suitably compliant and give you peace of mind? Cheers Paul

Excellent, I'll see if we can prep a landing pad / runway Joking apart, THANK YOU, that's one hell of a commitment for you and your guys. Again, perhaps more involvement with the Scotland Branch, granted this tends to be more Edinburgh / Perth centric, could result in more activity in your region...ish. Thanks again Paul

Albeit "a long time in the offing" but this new membership opportunity, primarily aimed at 'bidding' Approved Contractors', is being launched at the show. This 'new' membership category is aimed at those contracting businesses who want to be acknowledged as "working towards" ARB Approved Contractor status but either need assistance / guidance with some aspects, e.g. "paperwork" or training updates, or more time as they don't have the prerequisite two years trading under their belt, prior to applying. The application process will involve a desktop review of your submitted documents, including H&S statement / risk assessments / LOLER / qualifications / 'tickets' (upto CS39, as was) AND piccies of your work, albeit this could be by reference to your websites. The cost is £250 (+VAT) per year and the first year includes a £50 (+VAT) review fee submitted at the time of your application. Once membership is achieved various 'benefits,' including FREE entry to future ARB Shows for the nominated manager and discounts on AA training courses and events become available. Further information and application forms to follow but if you want to know more please either 'post back' or come and see me / us at the Show. Many thanks all and I sincerely hope this is something you feel you'd like to get involved with Paul PS Just to confirm from the outset, this is a membership opportunity and not an accreditation, i.e. ARB Approved Contractor, and hence it will not include entitlement to any logo use nor promotion by the Association.

Hi Kev, and "bravo" ...be sure t'call in at the AA tent n I'll make sure you're served up a double-portion of biccies. Joking apart, I'm glad to hear you feel the journey is so worthwhile, thank you See ya soon, Paul

...and to blow dry mi'er too a'course as have to look good for you guys SUGGESTION (to all norf'eners) - get involved with the Northern Branch and facilitate events yourself via this mechanism. This approach works extremely well for the SE Branch and they often host main stream events too. Cheers, n hope to see you at the show. Paul

Hi Edward, Unfortunately the ARB Show is unlikely to be moving from Westonbirt anytime soon, sorry However, hopefully the draw of visiting The National Arboretum at the same time will compensate...at least a little. A big issue here for the Association is one of logistics and resource. Believe it or not the show "build up" started middle of last week and hence the fact that 'most' AA staff are within 30-40mins drive of Westonbirt it makes it much more accessible and thereby viable as a venue. Conference, is another story, with more to follow in due course. The Association aims to be more active "up norf" delivering training and seminars but the reality is still that some are cancelled due to lack of take up...hopefully this will change in the future. Should you feel inclined to "rattle anybody's cage" about this at the show, aim for Stewart (CEO) and/or Simon Richmond (Training & Events Manager)...PHEW Anything to do with accreditations, i.e. ARB Approved Contractor of AA Registered Consultant = "poke me!" Thanks for the post and hope you have a great, great show.. Paul

Hi Ed, the 'Barchams' workshop went very well, circa 22 people there from about 15 different businesses = Unfortunately we won't now be in E. Anglia again until next year but there are a couple near...ish, kinda 1. Chelmsford, Essex (August) see Arboricultural Association - Course Detail 2. Seagrave, Leicester (Sept.) see Arboricultural Association - Course Detail Failing those, there's one later in the year in Kent (Hadlow.) Cheers, n see you at the show.. Paul

"BUMP"...if I might be so rude as to interrupt your Bank Holiday viewing Cheers all n hope to see you here Paul

FC have also been quite active in some areas where outline planning permission for development has been approved by the LPA but this does not override the felling licence requirement. In both cases the contractor had checked with the Tree Officer who'd said no restrictions, but of course he's not responsible for FLs....apparently he too was equally surprised the FC got involved. BE WARY!!

Hi, "good question." Indirectly the Arb Assoc (AA) is working with HSE on SRT by virtue of working with industry on production of revised tree climbing guide which will be 'endorsed' by the HSE on completion...hopefully. This project should commence in the (very) near future along with other, new, technical guidance (rigging / cranes.) Because of the above, i.e. the absence of any authoritative guidance, the AA stance is difficult one as we equally recognize it is used in industry, and climbing comps, and in fact we offer a course in such to raise awareness (see Arboricultural Association - Course Detail ) So, not an absolute answer coz there isn't one currently I'm afraid...but it is moving in the right direction, I hope. Thanks for yer post Paul

Shudda guessed that...you Maverick you

Firstly, French law 'v' English law = dunno? Secondly, hindsight is both a wonderful thing AND something that is oft implied after trees have failed...and/or accidents have happened. Thirdly, and as I interpret it (but, as always, to be corrected) - in a legal context the bigger the tree the greater the risk, regardless of condition. IN one respect this doesn't makes sense, at least not to me, but it would appear to be about the potential consequences of tree failure should it occur...even if 'unforeseeable' (is that the same as an 'Act of God'?) Sorry, just some, probably inconsequential, ramblings Cheers, Paul PS Ty, well done for not being rattled here by their, perhaps understandable, approach.

..but at least now you're covered from an insurance point of view should anything untoward happen where the device is implicated...or even if not sometimes

Hi Ben, needless to say the situation you describe is not uncommon in the industry but I don't know the "ins and outs"...which I'm kinda glad about as it is something of a challenging area (AKA 'minefield.') Two suggestions, in addition to the feedback here: 1. See ACAS website Zero Hours Contracts | Acas advice and guidance | Acas 2. Join FSB for advice (remember if you join as an ArbAC, or AA Member, you get the £30 registration fee waived...and the AA 'research fund' gets a donation (£50.)) I think the recent changes, as described in the ACAS link, mean the preference / expectation is that you will guarantee a min. no. of hours per week, e.g. 16, and go from there but then that's effectively p/t employment is it not...aghhhhh. Good luck n sorry we can't offer anything particularly to help Cheers, Paul

"White flowering variety" ...trouble is there are so many. Doesn't look like P. avium, Wild Cherry, which flowers white, probably more Yoshino or similar. Sorry, not much help at all Cheers, Paul

Some, general, accompanying information here Working near power lines and cables Cheers, n stay safe.. Paul

Hi, the '3 ATC' Comp takes place on both days for novices, experts and premiers (see Arboricultural Association - The ARB Show and scroll down to the bottom right to find the links to book.) Cheers, Paul

But keep it "in reserve" for the Saturday maybe as if the weather's nice what better place to be than taking a 'quality time' walk around the country's best arboretum....it'll be tree'mendous If not we'll see you next year Cheers, Paul

Great news, we'd be honored n privileged 'Sir' Do "call in" if you get there Cheers Steve, Paul

Your invite to the ARB Show Don’t miss the most action-packed ARB Show yet – we’d love to have you there! The Biggest ARB Show Ever With over 100 Exhibitors we had to expand the site due to unprecedented demand, so there’s more kit, equipment, help and advice on hand than ever before. main sponsor STIHL and their fantastic demo arena, displaying a host of the latest professional product range with the team of product experts on hand to answer any questions you might have. Check their timetable for hands on opportunities, the art of chainsaw carving and more. Tree Climbing Competitions, Arb activities and Ninja Assault Course The ‘3ATC Climbing Competition’ sponsored by Arbjobs.com returns to test the mettle of tree climbers over 3 different skill categories. The Tree Climbers Forum’ sponsored by TrainU2, will bring together arborists to talk, interact, discuss and demonstrate a range of modern techniques to provide safe, effective work at height solutions within arboriculture. There’ll be regular sessions throughout the day. The Main Arena sponsored by FORST, will feature a ‘Ninja Warrior UK’ style Assault Course, 360° Looping bikes and a ‘Gladiators’ style travellator challenge which visitors will be able to participate in at certain times. There’s also knot tying competitions, throwline competition, Utility skills demonstrations and exhibitor demos throughout the day. Workshops, walks and talks The Arborists' Workshop offers visitors a great range of expert presentations aimed at the practicing arborist and tree care professionals. From Single Rope Technique, to Veteran Trees and iTree, there's a full schedule of workshops on both days starting at 10:00am Keep the little ones entertained with the Kids’ Tree Climbing area next to AA HQ, there will be informative Pest & Disease walks lead by Forestry Commission and Ancient Tree Forum walks with Ted Green and Jill Butler to keep you busy. Free App and Free entry to Westonbirt(AA / ISA Members ONLY) Don’t forget your ticket also gives you free access to the Arboretum – so you might want to consider sticking around for 2 days as we recommend a day to enjoy Westonbirt. To celebrate the event, we've launched an app for the first time ever. You’ll be able to download it using the free wi-fi at AA HQ, (None AA / ISA Members = £10 per day, with some concessions - see website) Useful links – ARB Show site for full list of exhibitors, events and admission prices: Arboricultural Association - The ARB Show Register for climbing competitions: Arboricultural Association - 3ATC Climbing Competition Booking camping: https://billetto.co.uk/en/e/arb-show-2017-12th-13th-may-camping-and-after-party-the-holford-arms-tickets-177134

At the "ARB Show" of course (12th & 13th May - Westonbirt, Tetbury) see Arboricultural Association - The ARB Show there'll be loads of opportunities Cheers, Paul

PS This event also qualifies for CPD & CEUs, 6 & 5 hrs respectively.

Hi all, There's been quite a bit of discussion about the 'ARB Approved Contractor' Scheme, what it's about, how it works, what's involved, 'pros n cons', benefits and costs etc. recently on forum so why not come along and find out? Okay, I know, and appreciate, you have to take a day out from work but the event is 'FoC' and you could qualify for a 25% discount on the initial assessment fee by attending...this isn't "too good to be true", and okay 'sales' is not my forte For further information, and booking , see Arboricultural Association - Course Detail ...and don't hesitate to ask if you've any questions. Thanks all, Happy Easter, and hope to see you on 24th May Cheers, Paul

Cheers Wes, I'll look out for the chap in the 'ski gear' who's struggling to get through the door ATB, Paul