As I’ve said on more than one occasion in this column, I am not one of life’s natural optimists but I had been looking forward to the diamond jubilee – until, that is, Mervyn King burst that particular bubble. The UK economy would contract between April and June due to the extended bank holiday, he said dolefully at the end of March, effectively putting a dampener on the whole proceedings long before the heavens opened and the weather threatened to do that for us anyway.

"Lighten up man – give people a break", I said, in one of my less erudite exchanges with the BBC television news. Of course, a break is exactly what a large percentage of the population had earlier this month, but could one extra day out of the work schedule (given that one of the days had been borrowed from May) really result in the 0.5% drop in economic output he predicted?

Of course, I don’t know – I can only bow to his superior knowledge. Apparently precedence, too – Will and Kate’s nuptials had the same effect on our productivity last year, we’re told.

I’d say the jury is still out among the timber trade. Some contacts cite the jubilee/Euro 2012/Olympics triumvirate as being the cause of a current and projected slowdown in business, while others are enjoying a more positive experience. Cheshire Mouldings’ decking accessories business has gone "bananas" in recent weeks, a fact which could be attributed to people preparing for their jubilee garden parties, it said.

I haven’t heard Mr King’s predictions of the impact of Euro 2012 on the economy – I guess the match timings have reduced the temptation for the nine-to-fivers out there to throw a sickie – but he has suggested that the fast-approaching Olympics will provide a much-need boost.

There’ll be an injection of cash from the influx of visitors from overseas and no doubt we’ll all be putting our hands in our pockets more as we get behind Team GB, and the feelgood factor usually associated with these stupendous sporting occasions kicks in.

So, to paraphrase Ian Fletcher, head of deliverance in the BBC mockumentary Twenty Twelve, "that’s all good then".

Hot on the heels of the Olympics is another "feel good" event – the TTJ Awards. The invitations to vote for Hardwood, Softwood, Panels and Plywood Traders of the Year and Small Timber Business of the Year will be posted out shortly (telephone voting is already under way) and the call for entries for the judged categories has well and truly begun.

If you have a preferred supplier, please vote for them – and have your own achievements recognised by entering the Excellence in Marketing, Environmental Achievement, Career Development, Website of the Year, Achievement in Engineered Timber and Timber Innovation categories. Details can be found at ttjonline.com/ttjawards2012

And, finally, don’t forget to book your ticket to the timber industry’s top networking event. The TTJ Awards take place on September 14 at the Savoy Hotel in London. The host and guest speaker will be businessman, marketing expert and Lord Sugar’s right hand man on The Apprentice, Nick Hewer.

Last year’s event sold out – so book now.