kevinjohnsonmbe

A pic of a 'steeped' Devon hedge - Bringing right down into contact with the ground is referred to as 'layering' "...encouraging laid stems to root where they touch the ground..." I'm just a (keen and interested) novice mind! Hoping to get along to some competitions this season!!

I did think of you, and wondered what sort of retort I might get, when writing that Mr Eggs! Absolutely no offence intended to Mrs Eggs! (there's no 'bunch of flowers' emoji!) I was careful to say I've "...yet to find..." so it can only be applied to those that I have encountered not those that I haven't! It's an opinion based upon that which I have experienced with 5 of the PCs in my immediate area - each of the below is a just a small snapshot of differing examples, each from a different PC, that I've encountered: 1 - Corruption, nepotism, ineptitude, theft and disregard for financial diligence. 2 - Letting a contract for which there was no knowledge of the requirement resulting in paying a contractor for work that was never, nor ever, needed to be done (even after the deputy chair of the council had previously experienced the work of said contractor who had charged her >£600 for 4m of post and rail fence! 3 - Continuing to dig graves adjacent to a TPO'd tree that I'd been asked to remove dead / dying limbs from and advised against further graves within RPA. 4 - Letting a contract for felling & reductions to previously surveyed trees to a "jobber" who quoted low, didn't have SLG, road closure licence, dropped v large limbs into the road resulting in surface damage (and a remediation fine) and, to top it all, felled the wrong freaking tree. 5 - Objecting to TPO applications for reductions of overhanging cemetery trees into neighbouring gardens whilst digging graves within RPAs. Maybe it's just my bad luck to have encountered them, or maybe it's my very low tolerance of idiots, or maybe we just don't have the 'quality' of people on PCs - mindful that it is voluntary, unpaid and generally well intentioned that do volunteer. And yes, I should, and probably will in the future!

I was going to say the same! It's a regional variation. Laying right down tight to ground on top of the bank allows dormant buds on the lower side (in contact with ground) to form new root whilst upper side buds form new hedge growth. It's an interesting question though now it's been raised, does a more 'angled up' lay result in faster, thicker re=growth? Perhaps laying down tight to ground is better for filling low gaps and creating a dense hedge - albeit perhaps slower, and an angled up lay is better for encouraging regrowth in a hedge with mid height gaps in the hedge? I'm just guessing / asking..... Not sure?

Good point! I had that conversation too..... Specifically asked about clutch as an example. If clutch goes after a relatively short milage, I'm given to understand that Ford for example, don't include clutch repairs. Fair enough if the driver rags the clutch, but not if it's a mechanical failure. Obviously brakes / consumables not covered. If I understand correctly, you can't just sign up to NFU and get discount straight away, it has to be over a year or something, that's interesting that some of the others you can. 15/16/17% not to be sniffed at! We're good to go with Mole Valley discount so happy days! Considering the other threads about VAT registration etc, if you consider the VAT as a discount (I know, it's a stretch!) and the 16%, you're looking at 36% less than list....

Hang in there! Can't add anything to that which has been offered above, other than to say I feel your pain! There's something about baby / child noise that blokes are just not manufactured to be able to tolerate. What frustrated me was both of us trying to fix the same problem. If I got up, 2 minutes later wife would be there too. That just results in both getting worn out. Find yourself a quiet place and try to get an hour there, then come back into the fray refreshed. I wouldn't recommend using this rhyme, and be advised, it's Samuel L Jackson so not for the faint hearted, but I bet if you listen to it, it'll be in your head forever! He totally captures the feeling!! [ame] [/ame]

S'right!

I see a lot of that, several local parish councils, despite advice to the contrary, seem more interested in wedging the graves in regardless of the adverse impact upon nearby trees - some even TPO'd. It's frustrating when some halfwitted, poorly informed, self important parish councillor wants to get a hairy shirt on about a TPO application whilst at the same time apparently riding rough shod over the RPA guidance for trees in cemeteries. Parish councils..... Yet to find one that's worth a toss!

It was standard on the Invincible, not sure other variants.

Just had test drive, spec check, delivery lead time and price meeting with Toyota. Its looking favourite so far on all fronts except it is 3.2 tow (but that's not too critical for me) For anyone that didn't know, Toyota have a 16% discount scheme for Mole Valley account holders! That brings the Hilux double cab Invincible down to a very comparable price with the Ranger double cab Limited. Just need to look at tech details now and make a decision.

Dhoh!

At last....... A good news story!

Isn't that the one that breaks in half?? I mean, a leaking window I could, perhaps, suck it up.... But a truck in 2 halves is a tough sell.....

I hear you! It's opportunity rather than necessity that is pushing change rather than necessitating it! I hate buying and selling, I'm more of a hoarder (you know what you've got and what its + & - points are rather than taking a leap of faith) It seems there's a horror story for every pick-up and it seems like a game of Russian roulette! The one thing I am pretty sure of though... Whichever PU I do choose, I'm sure it won't have the same resale value after the same period as the 110. Similar conversation with Toyota dealer, no difference in design / manufacture of the vehicle, just rated different for UK.

If it's the back, isn't that a problem with the back rather than the truck? What were the other issues?? (head in hands!)

Yes, dealer conversation today was along those lines, it's plated 3.2 now, but likely to be 3.5 soon. No good it you buy it at 3.2 because it wouldn't apply retrospectively. No difference in chassis apparently, just plated like that - someone dropped a bullock there? I'm not going to worry about lead time to deliver, just rent/lease a filler in the meantime so might well be worth hanging out for a few months and see if the plate weight changes to 3.5 Agree, Hilux looks to be at the top of the price range for the like-for-like competition.

Currently running a 110 Utility SW (08) at 92K. It's time to let it go. I was in for a Utah double cab test drive. Can't fault it for 5yr warranty, 3.5 tow, price comparison, spec and (pre-sales) dealer cooperation. Trouble is, I just didn't take to it - didn't 'like' it.... I know that's counterintuitive, illogical, subjective.... But I also knew I'd regret it every day and never 'enjoy' driving it. In almost every way, it goes against what might be 'sensible', but I can't do it.

It's bloody blue! You've got a barge as well!!??!! This would look good in blue! Sea King, MK 4 Helicopter, #77744 - MOD Sales, Military Vehicles & Used Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale

Oh no* (substituted for a less polite word) Last week I had test drive of DMax & Ranger. DMax not a contender but pretty impressed by Ranger. Doing Hilux tomorrow but it seems high on the pricing and still at 3.2 tow. Do you mind if I quote your rant (anonymously) to Ford dealer??

It's possible to opt out - details here worth a read: https://www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions/about-workplace-pensions

Surfs up dude!

Hadn't heard of that before! Looked it up here: Register of Tree Work Operatives - R2 The "register" page is not available due to maintenance and here's the key question I'd ask - how do you see who's on the register (either as an interested party within the industry, but perhaps more importantly, as a member of public wishing to examine the list to see who's on it before letting a job? As was stated in an earlier post, Joe Public may not even know what NPTC stands for or represents, how on earth would they know of the existence or value of this register and how would they access it? The "latest news" tab shows an entry for Apr 2014.... Is it live and lively??

I'd suggest it's a "workplace" rather than a domestic / DIY scenario so HSE regs would (should) have been applied. He's done it..... Nobody died..... Can't be un-done.... - shouldn't be too bothered really. Worse things happen....

Is it Stefan and his pash carrying a stump?

Glad it didn't end in tears! Could you describe the circumstances that you think caused it to kick back / the type of work you were doing when it did?