StephF

Done it!

We post our blades, and they get posted back,(Gateshead) costs around £30 but if I drove to workshop and back to collect would loose a days work and fuel costs for c.120miles.

It was not her, but I know what you mean, it did look like a local bloke making a few quid by being 'entrepreneurial', cant blame anyone in this financial climatefor doing that!

That is what it looked like, but as you say, there could be other explanations! It definately did not look like the person who would have lived in the house, it was just stange to see someone unloading logs into carrier bags to carry up to the house. Could have been a friend I suppose...

Have you got a photo of an empty cage, so we can see how you've done the bottom?

We saw someone selling logs this week at a big posh house, using an old car, logs in boot and carrier bags to unload. Can it get any worse?

Are you having training before the assessment? the trainer will presume you know nothing, show you exactly what you will need to know, so dont worry! they want to teach you the basics so you can gain experience safely as you start to climb.

Agree with Steve, (above),the mad rush was Sept/Oct (trying to be prepared after last winter) ,orders dried up this week with mild weather, but -0 is forecast for weekend then the phone will start to ring.....

OMG! didnt know you could do all that and I've used it for years, back up on data stick.

After 20 yrs manual books Sage revolutionised the book keeping. Press a button and vat return done! Need some one to show you the ropes, its not as easy as some accounts packages, I get into problems when I enter data wrong, or get the vat wrong etc. But it makes the books so easy to do. I have sage support in case I get into a mess, but its not been used this year, so perhaps I should cancel it?

It would be good to write letters to Mp's etc, they only do anything when enough people make a noise. Moaning and trying to turn your yard into 'Fort Knox' wont stop the problem

Does this mean we should be taking the law into our own hands? the police are useless!

Softwood is the way forward, I sell 100's tonnes of the stuff and people love it on their wood burners and boilers.

6 loads of firewood

Sorry to hear this, Lets hope they get caught very soon, and get locked up. It makes me feel sick remembering how it affected us when we got hit, hope you get the kit you need sorted out soon and manage to carry on working.

are those the going rates rates for your area, or you undercutting everyone??? We are very rural, I'm a bit over the average price I think, I see plenty of cheaper logs advertised. But I only sell seasoned and barn stored logs, so get plenty repeat orders. Also we dont tip logs, they get handballed off into a log store or wherever, and that is not charged for. would like to sell for more, especially the hardwood logs

Very windy, wet and wild, gloomy and grey..oh and freezing cold too!

I agree, always try to keep the price of our S/W lower to provide a cheaper fuel, £50 m3 this winter, selling H/W £75m3. Sell 2/3 Softwood, and most people are buying it because it is cheaper I think, also its pretty good stuff!

We find this is the best way too, some days we get 2-3 Tree work jobs as well happy customers. I no time for the 'Sell me cheap logs' brigade, they dont care if they get wet or dry logs, rarely have a log store, or place repeat orders.

Have sold firewood over 25 years, Have not found a 'steamlined' delivery system that will suit all our customers. To invest in vented log bags / lorry and crane would mean 50-60% of our customers would not get a delivery due to : access not suitable,(too narrow/steep/unsuitable surface/no driveway etc) tipping not possible on many drop offs: no driveway/steps/ shared access for example, etc. Only tried and tested method we have found that works for 100% customers is the ability to unload and stack or barrow from a pick up, all other methods would exclude the bulk of our customers. Most 1st time customers have no idea if their drive/access suitable for a truck & trailer or a waggon etc, and to turn up with a waggon and find the access impossible, or no where to drop bags etc would mean undelivered logs, and loss of a customer. We sell 9 metres a day minimum using a truck and trailer and find it easy, 100% customers can take a delivery of firewood. ('We' are 2 girls that load/deliver and unload logs, and 1 man processing firewood)

Family and friend all spent boxing day and next day climbing the scots pines at home for fun, even got my 72 yr old Mum in a harness and off the ground, was more fun than the tobogganing last year!

This summer we got given some used sheets made to cover sugar beet, which we have used to cover some dry cordwood. They have withstood some serious gales, the fabric is breathable and kept rain and snow out. Will be trying to source some more as they are better than tarps, what is underneath has stayed dry.

Not sure what you mean Steve?

We have a Public footpath near proposed site, does that mean it is near a public right of way?

My Mum lives in S wales and was charged £80 m for SW, think you could up your price, that is very cheap, its £30 tonne at roadside, + £10 tonne haulage/labour/fuel costs etc, how can there be any profit in it ???