Of course, we all hope that the owner of the Swedish softwood slick that festooned a stretch of Cornish coastline last week will get fair compensation for their loss. Unless they scour every garden shed within a 100-mile radius, they’re unlikely to get the actual wood back.
That said, people’s reaction to enough ‘free’ timber to sink a ship washing up on their doorstep was fascinating. Obviously one reason the crowds scrambled over the rocks to grab their share was because they were getting something for nothing. The Cornish salvage and smuggling tradition may also have been involved. But clearly the prime motivation for people risking a soaking and splinters was that they were getting something useful. One couple planned to build a porch from their booty, others were variously taking it for flooring, fencing and a pig-sty. There was also the boy after a few planks for his tree-house.
Underlying the whole episode was the fact that the public generally appreciate the value and versatility of wood.
It’s further proof, albeit slightly off the wall, that wood. for good has fertile ground in which to sow the seed for increased UK timber consumption. In fact, at the time of going to press, the campaign was considering using local media to advise Cornish beachcombers on making the most of their salvaged pine!
And this week we have other examples of the industry endeavouring to capitalise on people’s innate enthusiasm for wood, particularly when they’re young. Among the guests of honour at the North East Coast Timber Trade Association Dinner were architectural and engineering students and representatives of the Forest Education Initiative. Meanwhile the new UK Timber Frame Association is contemplating how it can raise the training and education profile of timber in construction. No doubt that small boy picking over the pile of beached timber would be interested.
