Traders urged to supply wood for Papal visit

Timber traders are being offered a significant PR opportunity to supply European oak for furniture for the papal visit in September.

The Timber Trade Federation has emailed members with the specification required by joinery manufacturer NEJ Stevenson Ltd, who is looking for first quality of even colour with regular grain. The wood should come from as few logs as possible and with wane removed.

Items to be produced include a celebrant chair, two server chairs, tabernacle stand, lectern, altar, eight congregation chairs and eight kneelers.

Timber suppliers will not be paid for the wood, thought to be worth £1,500-2,500, but are being promised PR in exchange.

Arbor Forest Products training and QA manager Peter Kelly, who is co-ordinating the wood supply, said two or three traders had so far been in contact about the job. He believes the PR opportunities for traders supplying wood will be considerable.

Manufacturer Neil Stevenson, who is also giving his services free, said he would be happy with shorts, but would prefer 8ft plus sections. Width isn’t crucial, as long as material is not too narrow.

Quantities required are 12ft³ of 62mm product, 8ft³ of 50mm and 20ft³ of 25mm.

Mr Stevenson is willing to send someone to view the material.

Once manufactured, the items will be installed in the Papal Nuncio’s residence at Windsor for the visit on September 16-19 – the first time the Pope has been in the UK since 1982.

For more details call Arbor Forest Products’ Peter Kelly on 01469 535436 or email pkelly@arborforestproducts.co.uk.