The Wood Awards 2012 Will Go Ahead, But Need More Backers to Become a Bigger Event

The Wood Awards 2012 will go ahead after the loss of £15, 000 of sponsorship from the Forestry Commission (FC), but need more backers to become a bigger event. That was the message from Tim Gregson, clerk of the Carpenters' Company, which, with The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), TRADA and Wood for Good, is one of the Awards' core supporters. Mr Gregson said the FC had earlier warned that it might not renew its sponsorship for the annual competition for the use of wood in construction and furniture, and had now confirmed it. Another sponsor outside the main four, which this year provided £3, 000, was also reviewing its support. "We still have sufficient backers to put the Awards on, but to make them more ambitious we do need more support, " he said. "In particular we'd like more main sponsors at £15, 000. With two more on board we could really mark the Awards' coming of age. " AHEC European director David Venables backed Mr Gregson's plea: "The Wood Awards are a major opportunity and high profile shop window for the timber sector to show what wood can do and really inspire architects and designers, " he said. "But they rely far too heavily on a few sponsors and deserve and need more support from the wider industry. " Head of analysts Roger Coppock said the FC regretted ending its Wood Awards sponsorship "for the foreseeable future". "We have had to make some difficult decisions about priorities to deliver our savings under the government's Spending Review, and the Wood Awards has unfortunately been one of the casualties. " Source: ttjonline.com