The Crowne Plaza in Liverpool was the setting for a Northwest Timber Trade Association (NWTTA) annual dinner on February 26, that experienced a revival with more than 250 attendees, many raving about a fulfilling evening of entertainment and fine food.
Nearly £4,000 was raised for industry charity the Timber Trades’ Benevolent Society (TTBS), which is a record for the annual event, while comedy was provided from ‘The Chase’ star and comedian Paul Sinha.
NWTTA president Ben Callas, of Graeme Holburn & Company, gave a rousing speech, and said the support for this year’s event had been overwhelming.
“The large attendance is a real motivation for our industry and will encourage us to work harder in the coming year,” he said.
“I cannot thank our sponsors enough,” he said. “Roscoes, LDT, Elka Holzwerke and Denholm Logistics, all made this year’s dinner a roaring success.”
Mr Callas announced the relaunch of the Student Architects Prize for 2026 but also celebrated an important figure in the Northwest timber trade – Jeanette Corner, former MD of Mike England Timber, who retired in January after 49 years. A toast was made in her honour, wishing her a happy and healthy retirement.
TTBS president Paul Snape thanked guests for their generous support to the timber trades own charity “at a time of year when we have many outgoings, this amount will greatly assist, and we would like to put on record our appreciation of their ongoing support”.
The TTBS has asked the industry to help spread the message of its help and support to former members of the trade who have fallen on hard times. The TTBS has also added debt management advice and mental health resources to its assistance services.
