Timber trade celebrates opening of £800,000 woodland centre

As well as individual companies supporting the project to build Belfairs Woodland Centre in Leigh-on-Sea, several firms were also involved in supplying materials, including the timber frame and cladding.

For timber industry consultant Geoff Rhodes, who attended the event with Terence Mallinson, president of the Forest Education Initiative, and Laura Ladd of the Plywood Club of London, the opening was the culmination of more than 10 years' support for the scheme.

"For a Heritage Lottery bid to be successful there needed to be a demonstration of support from all interest groups including industry," Mr Rhodes told TTJ.

"Having a number of companies from the industry, as well as people giving up time to get involved, added huge value to the process."
It was a donation from Weyerhaeuser Europe, which at the time had its offices in nearby Southend, to FEI to support the project that kick-started industry funding.

It was later followed by additional support from the Plywood Club of London, James Latham plc, SCA Timber Supply, Wood International Agency and the East Anglian Timber Trade Association. In total, the trade raised approximately £10,000.

Meanwhile, the centre's timber design created multiple supplier opportunities.

Ipswich Timber Frame designed and manufactured the timber frame using timber products supplied by Lilleheden Ltd, Panel Supplies Ltd, Premier Forest Products and Falcon Panel Products. Brooks Bros (UK) Ltd supplied the Siberian larch cladding.

The centre is the focal point of Essex Wildlife Trust and Southend-on-Sea Council's work to protect south Essex's ancient wildlife and wildlife.

It introduces visitors to the 1,160-acre Belfairs & Daws Heath Living Landscape - containing ancient woodland and regarded as a crucial "green lung" for nearby urban areas.

Features include an education hall, shop information displays and a refreshments area, providing a hub for a programme of events, walks and volunteering.