kevinjohnsonmbe

It's a really tough call... As much as I dislike the man, James O'Brien progressed a line of thought about this the other day. His suggestion was that the dull witted are more likely to react intuitively because their thought processes are slower than the sharp witted who are able to process the scenario and make an appropriate judgement call more quickly. Dull witted - rush in regardless of the potential consequences Sharp witted - analyse the implications and make an informed decision (yes, he's twat) His analysis omitted certain key realities like leadership by example, responsibility, loyalty, team cohesion. By looking at what could loosely be described as a similar scenario (Tobias Ellwood / Keith Palmer), but with opposite personal actions, it's clear to see these instantaneous judgement calls are subject to exceptional personal character differences. I don't think it's necessarily fair to be critical of the bloke for his actions at that time in that place - because they were his shoes not mine. But, having been tested, in what could be considered the ultimate manner (life v loyalty) and having chosen as he did, to remain in post is not an honourable outcome.

Easy for you to say..... That's a holiday destination for you! It's a world of poop for the rest of us......?

...and if that is what you're happy to insert in your training record which would be a part of the documentation that could be examined in the event of an investigation, then that's fine. Best of luck. I still look back at the maintenance & crosscutting course - the first, the entry level course - and I have no hesitation in very strongly recommending it to any chainsaw user that I have the opportunity to talk to. A couple of things that have always stuck in my mind since then: I remember the frustration and resignation that the instructors expressed when talking about people that joined that course and started with the "...I've been using chainsaws all my life..." line. Which invariably translates to "...I've self learnt or watched and copied the incredibly dangerous and inefficient way to do something which I'm too pig stubborn to change and there's nothing I can learn, or need to consider on this course, I'll just do the exam and be on my way..." Which generally resulted in a failure to achieve the qualifying criteria and has the knock-on effect of creating an ardent anti-training individual because they thought they knew better than the trainers but couldn't deliver the goods when required to do so. If that is NOT the case, and someone genuinely IS a very competent casual user having benefitted from self taught or learnt good practice then doing the course actually will be a doddle and there is still the potential to improve and / or advance and share some of your experience around the course colleagues. It's a relatively short course, it's also a minimal expense. For me, it was the first step on a journey which has come far and continues. If you choose your trainer wisely, there is very little to loose if you get to the end and find it was a waste of time / money but there is so much that can be achieved from that very first small step in the right direction.

Spot on! The commercial world has outstripped Governments' ability to keep pace - always will probably, but in the last 15-20 years the pace has been olympic. Can't see it slowing down anytime soon either what with robotics and automation already making strong headway. Those that thought the concept of a universal income was bonkers may need to readjust sooner than they thought...

Here's a really useful link: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader

You’d have been OVER qualified in Cornwall!

The comments are funny! There's a chap down hereabouts called his outfit Tree-2-1... Gonna send him the link for a giggle!!

A PLANE IS ON ITS WAY TO TORONTO , WHEN A BLONDE IN ECONOMY CLASS GETS UP AND MOVES TO THE FIRST CLASS SECTION AND SITS DOWN. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT WATCHES HER DO THIS AND ASKS TO SEE HER TICKET. SHE THEN TELLS THE BLONDE THAT SHE PAID FOR ECONOMY CLASS AND THAT SHE WILL HAVE TO SIT IN THE BACK. THE BLONDE REPLIES, "I'M BLONDE, I'M BEAUTIFUL, I'M GOING TO TORONTO AND I'M STAYING RIGHT HERE." THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT GOES INTO THE COCKPIT AND TELLS THE PILOT AND THE CO-PILOT THAT THERE IS A BLONDE BIMBO SITTING IN FIRST CLASS, THAT BELONGS IN ECONOMY AND WON'T MOVE BACK TO HER SEAT. THE CO-PILOT GOES BACK TO THE BLONDE AND TRIES TO EXPLAIN THAT BECAUSE SHE ONLY PAID FOR ECONOMY SHE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE AND RETURN TO HER SEAT. THE BLONDE REPLIES, "I'M BLONDE, I'M BEAUTIFUL, I'M GOING TO TORONTO AND I'M STAYING RIGHT HERE." THE CO-PILOT TELLS THE PILOT THAT HE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE THE POLICE WAITING WHEN THEY LAND TO ARREST THIS BLONDE WOMAN WHO WON'T LISTEN TO REASON. THE PILOT SAYS, "YOU SAY SHE IS A BLONDE? I'LL HANDLE THIS, I'M MARRIED TO A BLONDE. I SPEAK BLONDE." HE GOES BACK TO THE BLONDE AND WHISPERS IN HER EAR, AND SHE SAYS, "OH, I'M SORRY." AND GETS UP AND GOES BACK TO HER SEAT IN ECONOMY. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT AND CO-PILOT ARE AMAZED AND ASKED HIM WHAT HE SAID TO MAKE HER MOVE WITHOUT ANY FUSS. "I TOLD HER, 'FIRST CLASS ISN'T GOING TO TORONTO”

It was interesting to watch the nomination and election process for the BSL advisory panel recently. I have to admit to having a healthy cynicism for such bodies since it will always be the big boys that get a seat at the table to the exclusion / disadvantage of the smaller / independent players. This will inevitably result in the deck being stacked in favour of the conditions and restrictions which favour them and become increasingly difficult to achieve at the smaller / localised level. To hell with it, they'll never stop rural folk from burning wood and they'll never be in a position to monitor the product effectively (at the smaller / local level.)

Apol's for derail.

(1) Yes, of course, totally agree. My original question which highlighted the potential issue of employment status as relates to current employment law was on the basis that some reading an open thread might not be as aware of potential issues as others might be. New to the sector / newly qualified climbers might not be as aware of the potential implications as those that are more experienced. AT is a broad church. (2) The intention of the comparison was that the fell / cyclist issue (being the most recent example) of AT members 'looking' at and discussing the working practices of others was, I felt, a valid comparison in that it directly affects no-one here other than the people directly involved in it but that is not seen as a barrier to open discussion. This employment scenario affects no-one here other than those directly involved in it. 2 scenarios where a very limited number of people may be directly affected but 1 seems to be open season for discussion, the other seems to be suggested is closed season. Who decides what is open season and what is closed season (apart from the obvious Mr B? since it's his train set!) (3) Yes, also agree, I guess all this is just background noise and could be a disincentive to post job vacancies here. On the other hand, it also has the potential to open up lines of debate but to be sure, the S/E v PAYE topic has been 'done to death' previously. (4) Agree again - no more after this! ? Final point, and from the perspective of totally understanding the flexibility and advantage of using subby assistance (and providing it), the decision doesn't rest with the employer or the employed as to which category they think they sit in - that decision rests with HMRC alone (unless challenged at Tribunal when the Judge will decide) and can lead to significant headaches if any party disagrees with them.

I don’t have a horse in the race but frankly, if everyone adopted that attitude we’d just as well discard 100’s of years of legal history. What about the appalling tree fell many are commenting on? Just leave it to the saw man and the cyclist? Its a forum, you should expect differing opinions but the law is the law....

I guess you could chance your arm. But if youve quoted for a fence replacement, been paid to instal new and remove old, by the regs, removing the old requires higher tier registration. Same for many trades that remove after fitting new. Policing it, getting caught outside of compliance is a whole different story but say you got pulled at a multi agency check point, you could have plod, VOSA, HMCE and EA looking at yr vehicle, roadworthiness, weight, diesel, and cargo. Thats a world of hassle and they seem to have ‘purges’ targeting trade vehicles every once in a while. Soon gets the message on the streets.

It’s not an either/or scenario though is it...

What? Nobody going to mention 5 days a week isn’t self employed? The ad fails in the first sentence...

Alright, granted, BBC and Wiki are a joke, just as well go straight to the comedy then! How is your apparent patriotism acceptable yet you see mine as bigotry? Is that irony completely lost on you?

Unprocessed 'green' waste - ie arboricultural arisings, hedge trimmings straight from the tree etc would require a Lower Tier registration if removed from a site on a commercial basis. Any processed (painted, tanalised, treated) timber eg fence posts or window frames would require Higher Tier registration. It's a bit of a joke really - plumbers, chippies, sparks, window fitters, brickies etc (if removing arisings from a job) should be registered.

Those that shout ‘bigot’ the loudest can often be seen to be blinded by their own bigotry.....

Quite so! In fact, I recall wearing the Cornish hunting tartan kilt to the France / Scotland 5/6 nations rugby at Parc des Princes in ‘99. I was living and working in Glasgow at the time. I travelled with a gang of Scottish pals and it was an awesome weekend. In part because I had no interest whatsoever in the outcome of the game - France / Scotland, who cares who wins! But also I completely missed the game, woke up in an apartment with a French girl and a Japanese girl... but that’s a story for another day!

Stop being such a dick.... You're creating a self fulfilling prophecy ? Allow me highlight the part you chose to misquote "...(but experience (and Wikipedia..." Where Wikipedia is clearly the subordinate partner to experience.... I have lived, worked and recreated quite extensively in Scotland - from the Central belt to the Highlands and Islands. Even had an article published which examined the significant social, political, economic and cultural comparisons between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Your "aggressive aggressive" (rather than passive aggressive) puffing up like a bantam does little to dispel the myth. Is the BBC more credible than Wiki for you? http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2006/07/scottish_experiments_1.html Get y'self lathered up with the blue face paint, I'll wrap myself in the glorious magnificence of the Cross of St George and we'll meet at Berwick for a ass whooping - put this one to bed once and for all.....

Haven't had a chance to watch it yet.... But the 2 posts above (which clearly shouldn't be viewed as a representative opinion of the majority (but experience (and Wikipedia shows that it probably is accurate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglophobia))... They love the inalienable right to express their deep rooted Anglophobia but puff up like a bantam at the merest reciprocation. I think Grounds Keeper Willy says it best:

I’ll look the whole thing up on YouTube Mull and see what Al makes of it all. I rather expect, having seen him live several times and followed much of his comedy, documentary and political career, that if he draws any conclusions at the end of the piece that they won’t be far removed from my own. Mill let you know after watching....

Was it on the Velo route? Where was Stubby when this happened? just asking loike....?

Has your phone been stolen / account hacked?? ??