Minotaur

I went along to the meeting as its only a few miles down the road from me Would like to thank WAZ for posting it up and Bruce Rothnie of the Forestry Commission for arranging the meeting. It was interesting and informative, Bruce and his colleagues from FERA gave us a talk about the outbreak at Paddock Wood. Basically, the beetle arrived on site, a small industrial site, in wooden packaging materials from China. They found the first Beetle there in 2009, and have been monitoring the area yearly since. Unfortunately they have now identified quite a number of trees on site and the localised area - approx 100 metre spread - where it has been identified that eggs have been layed, and larva are eating the trees and at least 1 full grown beetle has been found - think thats right. We were shown some parts of trees with Beetle dmage and then walked around site looking at various trees, again damaged by egg laying, larva galleries and Beetle exit holes approx 9-11mm in diameter and almost perfectly circular - I for one was enthralled. They made it clear that if you find a beetle, or suspect a tree or trees, are infested/infected then to call the following number: 0844 2840071 - immediately The only two options for destruction are to chip any infected wood, it must be chipped smalled than 2.5cm sq, or to burn the wood on site. But please make sure you contact the above phone number before destroying any wood or removing from site. Make no mistake this Beetle is on the UN's 5 most dangerous creatures to trees and plants, in the WORLD! Hope that helps anyone who couldn't make the meeting.

Couple of years ago I was taking down some large conifers stopped to get fuel on way, but had left rigging kit in high sided Ifor trailer. Got to site and the Rigging kit was gone. Back to the petrol station and checked their CCTV, it was all on film - but the number plate had been removed from back of ***** wagon that passed, reversed, passenger gets out, leans into trrailer, grabs both bags throws them in their transit dropside and drives off! Could only see top and back of head clearly!

I've had a KM90 for about 5 years great bit of kit, but I generally loom after my tools, so I use it as a Pole Saw, ong reach hedge trimmer and occasional strimming - I would NOT use it for alot of or heavy duty brush cutting. If you do you risk over stressing and/or breaking the drive shaft. KM130R on its way!

Agree with you Rich, but bet its made a mess of his kneecap!

Good luck with the op, hope it all goes well.

The camping/camp site idea is the way to go, you could make a tidy living. Add in things like yurts, etc...... Also woodland adventure and bushcraft go down a treat, as does a clay oven where kids make and cook their own pizza, etc, etc, etc pm me for info and links

Have a Hayauchi - with the saw head its fine, but the lopper head is sh*te, sticks all the time. Then leant it to a mate who obviously kept banging it on the ground to release the stuck lopper head, and now the push in buttons have torn the aluminium - all in all, pretty much scrap!

Looks like you've got most of it right: Don't overstate your abilities - you'd soon get caught out Keep records Pay tax & NI Make sure you claim all your expenses But also charge yourself out at a decent rate, do NOT sell yourelf too cheap Groundie - £75-120 Climber - £100-150 If climbing maybe go with £100 ish, as you are not that experienced or particularly fast on bigger jobs/ Whatever you do enjoy and the best of luck

God I would so enjoy that!

The rare breeds idea, and if the land is attractive and has good views, you could look into the Camping/Yurts/glamping idea with maybe a bit of farming 'experience' for kids/families. There are loads of people camping and want the experience put the two together!?? Good luck, hope it works.

He probably turn up in a Devils outfit!

I contacted NPTC the other day to get a new card to prove my tickets, as my old credit card type had split. Asked about re-newing tickets, they said that there id no legal requirement to renew certs just a recommendation! But whoever you speak to has a different opinion. I'm with Andy, I would only re-new my tickets if forced to and then only if really pushed.

Nathan, I think Paul gave some good advice. To a my two penneth, you have just finished an apprenticeship, so green but hopefully keen. You paid for your own tickets which I see as a big positive - shows you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, but doesn't prove anything. Get on the phone, knock on some doors and present yourself and your kit as professionally as possible. If you and your kit look good it makes a big impression - if you look sh**e then most potential employers won't give you the time of day. If you get the old line about they need someone but not sure if you are good enough, experienced enough, don't have the time to train or show you the ropes, volunteer 2 or 3 days for free and if you do a good job they pay you what they feel is fair wage for the day, or offer a couple oof days for free. But I think the first is likely to prove better, as long as you listen and learn and put the graft in - from your initial statement I don't doubt that you would for a minute. Good luck.

Alot, but not necessarily all the Parakeets in the South come from an escape/release from the then Wellcome Laboratory site in Eden Park, Beckenham, Kent. Its was never explained fully, but there are huge Flocks of Parakeets in that area. They land, nest or visit an area, strip the trees and then move on. I think they should be exterminated before they ruin the habitate for native species of birds, insects etc.

No problems Hodge, said true or in jest - its true for someone and some people are still sensitive on this subject. However, life moves on and I'm not sure anyone could totally avoid German and/or Japanese products even if they wanted to! Also some German and Japanese products are brilliant - Land Cruisers for instance.

Coopers are good, but BFG's last longer inmy experience.

Too much in my opinion!

Taking it to his yard/house and try to explain what you agreed and had now been done. Then maybe he might pay a contribution or you might come to a compromise. Equally you might get nowhere! At that point weigh up your position, and subject to costs persue him for your loses or give it up as a bad experience. As others have said: at least you now have a working machine - get it working!

I agree with lots of whats been said by many but probably NOT all that has been said by any! Lets not mince our words here - basically the Smiths and those like them are Scum of the lowest order. Lying, cheating, bullying scum at that! The problem is that programs like Watchdog sensationalise the whole issue and what makes me really angry is that 'Matt' and his goon of a sidekick try to make fun of the situation or poke fun at the guilty party! There is nothing funny here, these lowlifes are bullying, conning and defrauding the un-informed, weak, naive and vulnerable, into paying for jobs that are either not done as agreed or unnecessary in the first place. Or they pressurise and cajolle, usually older people into agreeing to pay inflated prices for un-necessary work that they say/make up is needed done around the house garden - its makes no real difference whether we are talking Tree work, building/maintenance trades, roofing, etc, etc. Getting Matt or his mate to correct the mistake between an Ash and Sorbus is petty and fairly irrelevant - I'm pretty damn sure they couldn't of named the trees themselves! Just show these people up for what they are then get the HSE, Trading Standards, with Police in attendance to confront them. And if you are really the programmes expert why are you not willing to back up what you say. Naming James or whatever as a tree expert is completely irrelevant to you, me and Joe public without some sort of info to back up the claims - Tree Surgeon/Arborist, Consultant, etc, etc - quoting their qualifications will also help, naming him as a Tree Expert is sh**e. I could go on, but you would all get bored. The whole situation around this type of chancer/cheat should be shut down, but please don't say that pathetic operations like Trust a trader or checkachancer, or other 'independent authority that charges any mug a load of their hard earned (or not) to advertise is a joke. Its just a way of taking some of your money and most of the people who are on their are pretty dubious. Unfortunately I have very little time for any trade body, they just seem to want your money with very little in return. But would welcome any proof to the contrary. Rant over - for now! Chris

That is a truely brilliant piece of work - real talent!

Did wonder if it was right? But thenks for the reply.

Respect to your Grandad Hodge, totally understand your feelings.

Would you? Maybe you have your answer!

Totally agree with you - they just keep adding more to the list! Its like a tax on tree and hedge work - taking the proverbial if you ask me!!

And me - driving me frickin' mental!