
The 70th anniversary dinner of the Plywood Club of London (PCL) attracted about 120 representatives from the industry at Stock Brook Manor in Essex on January 31.
The celebratory occasion at the location near Billericay saw Club Chairman Miles Kember give a heartfelt speech, describing the gathering as a celebration of the enduring bonds within the plywood industry.
The popular event, which this year featured a DJ and saxophonist, saw guests enjoying fine dining, dancing and networking.
Mr Kember, of James Latham, also took a moment to remember those who had been lost from the trade over the past year. His tribute was a poignant reminder of the significant contributions those individuals have made to the industry.
The dinner is a unique occasion where traders that compete daily in the market can come together as friends, transcending the usual competitive nature of the industry.
A number of PCL events are planned in 2025, including a curry night in March and a social gathering in April. The traditional Tuesday evening meetings held throughout the year continue to thrive, featuring a dinner and speaker presentation.
Recent speakers have included Rob Elias of MDF Recovery, who shared valuable insights the recycling of MDF, as well as Nick Boulton of Timber Development UK, who covered latest trends and challenges facing the timber and plywood sectors.
The PCL is open to new members and encourages anyone interested in joining to get in touch. For more information, visit the PCL website at https://plywoodcluboflondon.co.uk