Here’s a news update from the Royal Cornwall Show, there’s alot going on so if you live nearby or are visiting the area in June, it would be well worth clearing some space in your diary.

Competition recognises value of woodland industries

Businesses that add value to Cornwall’s forestry and woodlands industry have been highlighted in an important, biennial competition.

The Forestry Woodlands Competition is run by the forestry section of the Royal Cornwall Show (7-9th June) and is designed to draw attention to the county’s need for a healthy and developing woodland estate.

All aspects of forest and woodland operation are covered in the competition – amenity, landscape value, new planting, recreation, management, broadleaved and coniferous plantations.

A new category for 2012 is for any business operating in Cornwall with the primary objective of using and adding value to round timber produced in the county.

Judges will look at examples of value-added products and take into consideration the efficiency of the business, environmental factors, quality of workmanship, local marketing, simplicity or complexity of the process from wood to end-product.

Nominations are now open and close on 1st March. Judging will be completed and results announced before the show in June.

Once nominations are in, the judges will tour the county, visiting individual entrants, large and small.

While the county’s woodland coverage is the smallest in percentage terms in England, it is nevertheless an important asset, and there are woodlands of great antiquity and heritage value to be found.

Although Cornwall is not a highly wooded county, trees do play an important role in the lives of its people and make a significant contribution to the local economy.

The new category will highlight “just how much is being done to make good, productive use of locally-grown timber,” said Geraint Richards, secretary of the forestry section.

Sawmills and manufacturers of sheds, benches, fences and household furniture are amongst the enterprises that the organisers want to see taking part in the competition.

Woodlands are not only useful in terms of timber production and subsequent employment, but also for recreation, amenity, landscape value, as wildlife habitat and they are recognised for their value in carbon offsetting.

Efforts are now being made to build up a much larger and diverse woodland estate in Cornwall and the competition aims to add impetus to that drive.

Chairman of the woodland section, Roger Pook, says that it is important to support the generation of jobs and business within the county and woodlands had an important role to play.

Over the last two years, he said, some 300 hectares of woodlands had been planted in Cornwall, encouraged by grants from the Forestry Commission.

The planting schemes range from small areas up to 15 hectares to much larger projects on private estates. Mainly broadleaved species have been planted, which represents a long-term investment in the future.

The need for new planting and good thoughtful management has been emphasised in recent years with the clear-felling of swathes of larch, in an effort to combat disease.

For competition details and entry forms, please contact Roger Pook on 01566 773935 Mobile: 07971 517795

Also see www.royalcornwall.co.uk.

The Wood Centre at Kelly Bray is a sawmill that converts locally-grown softwood and hardwood into a comprehensive range of products – from logs, planks and sheds to chairs, gifts and oak coffee tables.

Franks Wells , who runs the enterprise with his wife Lyn, daughter in law Leah and son Dan, says the flexible approach allows them to respond to need.

“For a sawmill like us, with the range of skills we have developed, we can take the raw material and process it all the way through each stage and get the added value all the way through to the end.”

They will be entering the competition, said Frank.

“It is a good way to be going and will bring attention to the work people like us are doing,” he said.

Issued for the Royal Cornwall Show by

Paul White Communications

01579 348743 (try this one first)

07768 451100 (patchy reception)