Wood Awards benefit timber industry

When the former Carpenters' Award was relaunched as the Wood Awards more than 10 years ago there was one guiding principle and several objectives. The guiding principle was to celebrate not what is the best wood, but what can we best do with wood. The objectives were to raise the profile of wood as a material, inspire designers, architects and engineers to specify wood and so increase its consumption in the UK.

More than 20 enlightened sponsors, with massive support in cash and kind by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, funded the launch and various other associations, organisations and companies have helped along the way. The result has been longstanding and loyal support from organizations including the American Hardwood Export Council, Wood for Good, TRADA, American Softwoods and the Forestry Commission, and the most recent addition being Arnold Laver's support of the Wood Awards Gold Award.

The awards have grown in stature and respect; but there is more to do. The professions have embraced the Wood Awards partly to emulate the successes of their professional colleagues and partly because judging is by their respected peers; rather than being voted.

We have seen spectacular new buildings and interiors winning, from cathedrals to churches, schools to swimming pools, concert halls to clubs, barns and bridges, and museums to town halls. All of them have been exceptional in their different ways and gained much publicity for their designers, constructors and for the wood installed. Fine furniture has also been awarded and celebrated. There is little doubt that many of the entrants each year are very keen to win.

What has perhaps been lacking over the years is the engagement of the wider timber trade, the very community that stands to gain most from the success of the awards. Each year one of the greatest challenges for the organisers is to secure a comprehensive and representative entry of new projects to keep the standard of entries as high as possible. The trade is always welcome at the awards ceremony, but do not always take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate the best in wood with the professionals that influence its consumption.

Now is the perfect time to engage - at no cost! The entries for the 2014 Wood Awards are open, until May 16. This is the time for wood importers, distributors, fabricators and anyone involved in the timber trade to persuade or even cajole customers, and perhaps their customers too, to enter any wood project which they are proud to have been associated with. There are categories for Commercial & Public Access, Private, Small, Structural and Existing Buildings, as well as Furniture. The wood suppliers to the many winners and commended projects can gain great kudos and publicity, but participation and engagement is needed first.

There are so many good projects, some of which never see the chance for recognition that the Wood Awards can give. More's the point, the sponsors are still there backing this highly successful trade initiative and they also deserve the support of the wood trade and industry.

A new 'Trade Pack' is available from the organisers to assist in engagement, just email trade@woodawards.com.