I had tremendous pleasure in attending the gala evening for the North West TTBS at the Adelphi Hotel on November 20. What a superb night’s entertainment it was, and how much our corporate guests enjoyed the evening. Such superlatives are generally hard to come by.
The evening, as usual organised by Barbara Cartwright, was a fund-raising exercise for the Timber Trades’ Benevolent Society, and this gala evening has traditionally been able to swell the coffers of the TTBS.
It was disappointing, however, to note that the timber trade was not able to support the evening in its usual way. The numbers were considerably down on usual, despite the noble cause. It made me think that perhaps too many people and companies in our relatively small industry do not appreciate the need for the TTBS. Most of us live in our cocooned world of reasonable salaries and company pensions and may forget that many pensioners and former employees do not have the luxury of adequate pensions. The TTBS cannot possibly replace the welfare state but it can provide TV licences and Christmas hampers to those in need who have served our industry. I guarantee that not too many people or companies realise the hardship that occurs for a variety of reasons.
The TTBS visits and monitors many beneficiaries throughout the year but never has enough money to spread to deserving pensioners. It is the many fund-raising causes held nationally throughout the year that can add something, albeit small, but hopefully very welcome to the lives of these deserving people. It seems to be a travesty that the trade finds it difficult to keep this worthy cause near the top of the agenda.
My company and our guests enjoyed a superb gala evening, with excellent entertainment, which will be remembered for some time. My role in writing is to try to keep the profile of the TTBS as high as possible. Many congratulations to all fund-raisers and organisers of such events nationally.
Malcolm Cowley
Sales manager Great Britain
