40 members and guests of EATTA met at the Belfry Cambourne on Thursday 23rd October.
Due to multiple road closures in the locality the meeting started at 10.30am. Martin Gillingham (former chair) opened the meeting, welcomed members, guests and EATTA’s new secretary Tabitha Binding before handing back to EATTA chairman Greg Pickett.
After updates from Chris James on Softwoods and the Bark Beetle, Frank Consentino on Hardwoods, Mark Giles on Panel Products and Damian Thomas on Sustainable Sourcing, members discussed trading conditions, markets, sector, products, pests and diseases. Members requested a speaker on the Bark Beetle in the UK.
Laura Qualters provided updates on TDUK activities and Richard Jarvis, in his role as chair of the TRA Midlands Region, gave an entertaining and thought provoking talk ending with a quote from Charles Darwin – “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change”
The meeting concluded with a 2 course lunch.
EATTA’s next meeting is the AGM and GM on Thursday 5th February 2026 at Madingley Hall, we look forward to seeing you there.
