Tom Mabbutt

Hi there, Have some spare days next week. I hold cs30, 31, 32, 38, 39, 41, MEWP & more, I have my own climbing kit (Loler'd) and saws. Will travel up to about an hour from Harleston. Can supply references if needed. Hard working, high work standard, and easy to get on with. I may be able to give regular days in the future too. Cheers, Tom

Hi everyone, I’m a freelance climber looking for regular (and odd days), and to increase my contacts in general. Ground work is also considered. I have recently developed some availability, normally at the beginning of the weeks (Mon, Tues and sometimes Wednesdays). I have tickets; up to 32, 41, MEWP and theory qualifications (apart from B+E or towing capabilities). Four years experience in the saddle. I’m keen, a grafter, I am very reliable, always strive for quality and to do my very best at everything, and I’m more than happy to work on the ground for the day too if needs be. I’ve worked with, and continue to work for various reputable contractors and organisations; I can supply references if required. Please feel free to ask. I am willing to travel up to an hour away from Harleston (near Diss). I have saws and Loler’d climbing kit. Feel free to contact me for a chat. Cheers, 
Tom Mabbutt 07773676465 [email protected]

I would recommend speaking to your nearest college that does arb courses. They can talk you through the minimum requirements for their own courses. If you need to reach any kind of minimum level, for example with your basic skills (numeracy and literacy) then they may also be able to help you with that too? They may also be able to put you through a general Land-Based level 1 'access' type course that can give you the skills/knowledge you need to get onto say a level 2 arboriculture diploma. For example; Capel Manor do an "Access to FE (further education) in Land-based & Environmental Studies", which can then get you onto the lv2 Arb diploma by the sounds of it (if you do well that is). Other colleges may have similar options?? Good luck. The deeper you look and the harder you work, the easier it is

Another fan of the knut here, but needs a bit of playing around with to get the cord length right. Once you get the length right it works like a treat, the wear on the cord is localized though so keep an eye on it.

Unsurprisingly, this is in Russia (apparently).

Thanks guys. Martwizz, good tip with the portfolio, I'll get that sleeved and ready for the interview. Nice one.

Hi everyone, I've searched previous posts to try and find this but with no joy. I've got an interview to discuss the possibility of carrying out some surveying work on a freelance basis for a consultancy firm. I was just hoping to get a rough ballpark figure towards a reasonable day rate for such work prior to the meeting, although I'm aware that this is dependent on a numerous factors such as experience and qualifications. I have FdSc Arb, RFS Cert., PTI on top of practical tickets. I have four years contracting experience, and one of these years was spent at a high profile estate where I carried out tree inspections and work recommendations, on top of practical arb duties, which is as far as my surveying experience goes. I'm guessing I will be working off their PI insurance too. Thanks all. Tom

Great advice. You've helped:thumbup1: to clear up some confusion I had over the matter too. Nice one.

Thanks CJM. That's what I thought.

Hi everyone, I'm a little bit confused. I've been trawling previous posts trying to find out whether I, a subbie arb/climber need to get PL cover. I'm hired on a day to day basis and I don't (yet) acquire and price my own jobs (still trying to get my own set up). I'm starting to dip in with more and more companies now. Was chatting to a prospective client and he was questioning whether I had PL, which got me thinking. Am I covered by the PL insurance of the contractor I'm working for? Or do I also need to have my own PL cover to also be covered by his/her cover? (As I believe I read another post?) Or do they need to have specific sub-contractor cover for me to be covered? Sorry I couldn't figure this one out from other posts. I am confused.com

Hi, Looking to fill some days next week (Weds, Thurs, Friday). I'm based in Harleston nr. Diss and will travel up to an hour away. I have 30, 31, 32, 38, 39, 41, CSCS, Mewp, many theory quals and more. Own saws and kit. High standard of work. Have previously sub-contracted with Urban Forestry, the Royal Horticultural Society and more. 3-4 years climbing experience. I'm not an egoist and I work hard. Day rate is £120-£130 depending on the travel. Oh, and I have a brew-kit! Cheers, Tom 07773676465

As mentioned above an adjustable ropeguide or cambium saver is a good option. A decent adjustable cambium saver which can be choked around the stem is the Multisaver by Teufelberger ::Teufelberger:multiSAVER, plus its relatively inexpensive (when compared to a ropeguide). Its also ideal to use with a hitch climber because the small amount of friction on the rings means that your not holding all your weight when your body thrusting/ascending. I swear by mine.

Was it on rotten wood? Looking at the pic I'd say Nectria peziza.

Hello, I’m looking for surveying and consultancy positions in the Norwich, South Norfolk/North Suffolk areas (I am based in Harleston). I have previous experience of tree inspections as well as commercial contracting experience. FdSc Arboriculture (Distinction), (University of Central Lancs./Myerscough College). Lantra Professional Tree Inspection. RHS Specialist Option Cert. Arboriculture (Distinction), (RHS Wisley, Surrey). RFS Cert. Arboriculture (Merit), (Myerscough, Lancs.). C&G/NPTC practical arboricultural certificates. I am currently working as a freelance arborist. However, I am now looking to move into more regular consultancy/surveying work to employ my level of scientific knowledge more effectively. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Tom 07773676465 [email protected]

Here's a little macro-scape of some Amethyst Deceiver's I clocked in Surrey.

Absolute scum. I'd be ruined if our beloved Border Terrier got nabbed, I will be extra vigilant as we're in the area. Glad you found her. Must have been dreadful.

I'd recommend going for a 13mm for your first rope. Yale XTC's pretty bomb proof, New England Hi V is ok too. As you get more experience, and perhaps start looking at mechanical devices and advanced climbing techniques then you may want to go thinner. And 37meters length is fine for most trees your likely to tackle using DdRT as a new climber, I wouldn't bother with anything longer just yet. A spliced termination with it makes sense too. Have fun.

Doh, just realised that the original post was from January, hope my post wasn't a wasted effort!

Don't let that put you off, I'm coming to the end of the on-campus FdSc course (final exam on Thurs WOOO!) A lot of the students had no previous arb qualifications. Of course it is an advantage, but not essential. Get stuck in, the course is as easy as you make it...the harder you work, the easier it is, if you know what I mean. I would recommend getting stuck into an ident book before the course (the latest Collins one is best imo), and maybe the AA Arborist's Fungi Field Fuide. Also an all-rounder arb book - the following might be a good option for starters (Trees: Their Use, Management, Cultivation and Biology - A Comprehensive Guide B Watson) - just to get a grounding of course, it will give you a little more confidence and you'll come to the class feeling more willing to contribute. If you're serious about getting into the industry then this course is a great option. Just make sure you get as much as you can out of the practical training (i.e. leave with as many of the practical NPTC/City and Guilds certificates as you can) and get as much experience as you can. As this is essentially what makes you employable for practical jobs. Best of luck.

That picture just about constitutes porn. I'm green eye'd looking at your various outdoorsy wares.

got me some of them safe-eyes mesh goggles the other day, got to say they're absolutely top. won't be faffing around with specs anymore, a great product.

It looks like the legs on the friction cord are a bit too long, certainly for a distel/knut. Buy a few meters of friction cord 10mm in 13mm rope, or 8mm on thinner rope and tie with fishermans termination knots. Experiment with the cord length and this will essentially fine tune the hitch. Sooner or later you'll nail it.

Deffo buy one, DdRT hitch climber & pantin combo is a winner. Well worth the money, one of may favorite little gadgets. The energy you'll save in the long haul is unmeasurable, a lifesaver when you're knackered. And if you ever do SRT stuff then you can put it to use there. Probably the best £40-something I've ever spent. If you use a pulley saver then that would be even more of a reason to get one.

Try this guy. I've got a pulley saver of his, and I'm very impressed with it too. Check his wares. He seems pretty sound as well: eBay My World - central-services-user_id

The extra hole is worth the few extra quid over the skywalker. Check out the "hitch climbers guide to the canopy", should sell it for you. http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/climbers-talk/45087-sherrills-hitch-climber-set-up-options-pdf-guide.html