WTA goes from strength to strength

It is a pleasure to report that the Western Timber Association (WTA) is a vibrant organisation with an increasing membership of over 30 companies from the southwest and south Wales. We have a wide range of members, from small merchants through to major producers, and can therefore truly claim to represent all sectors of the timber trade in our area.

We hold four meetings a year which include a speaker relevant to our industry and an update from a head office member of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF). I have long maintained that the regional associations offer a crucial opportunity for the dissemination of information from the TTF, and this is borne out by our excellent attendance. The light lunch which follows is a great opportunity for networking.

Our annual dinner is on February 15 next year at the Bristol Royal Marriott. This is the main social event in the southwest, with a regular attendance of around 180 timber traders. We always have a big name celebrity speaker and keep the formalities to a minimum.

Crucial to our purpose is promoting the use of and interest in wood products to a younger generation. We recently provided materials and funds to architecture students at Cardiff University to explore the use of timber and natural materials in the construction of a Japanese tea house and we hope to develop a long-term relationship with the university's School of Architecture. We are discussing a collaboration with another university in the south-west to develop students' interest in the practical and environmental benefits of using wood.

Bridgwater College has a well-respected department running carpentry and construction courses, and the WTA helps to fund additional training for students taking part in national competitions promoting excellence in the use of timber. Students have achieved brilliant results at these competitions in the last few years and we are delighted to have played our part in encouraging involvement where it otherwise may not have happened.

For more information on the WTA, or to get involved in our activities, please visit our website western-timber.co.uk or email me at richardb@robbins.co.uk.

? TTJ Industry Updates are a forum for trade bodies to address key issues.