Archive: June 2022
Vastern Timber joins Business Declares
June 9, 2022
Before we start, let’s be clear. We fully acknowledge the climate emergency. And recognise that we humans are the cause of it. We also understand that our business has a choice right now. We can carry on as normal and be part of the problem. Or take action and be part of the solution. Our decision is to act. And to be accounta...
Wood backstories: Oak logs from West Dean
June 1, 2022
Where's this wood from? West Dean Estate in West Sussex. In 1086 West Dean was listed in the Domesday Book as a manor with Hunting grounds. King Edward VII was a regular visitor. More recently the house and estate was home to the poet and surrealist art patron Edward James (1907-1984). Fortunately for us West Dean is also home ...
Five reasons why timber is so expensive right now
May 10, 2022
If you’ve been looking at buying wood lately, you may have been surprised. The price of many of the popular wood species has doubled over the last couple of years. And, while standard building softwood seems to have levelled off or dropped back a bit, more specialist woods like oak are getting more expensive. The big question is: ...
How we turn trees into beautiful oak planks
February 3, 2022
It may be hibernation time. But at Vastern Timber, we couldn’t be further from hibernation mode. In fact, if you popped down to our sawmill right now, you’d witness a hive of activity. These cold, damp days are actually very helpful for us. When the temperature drops and the humidity increases, it’s the optimum time for sawing oa...
What is biophilic design and how can it help you feel better?
November 17, 2021
Want to feel better, recover faster, concentrate for longer and be more productive? Then, here’s how. No, it’s not the latest fad diet or the newest exercise craze. It’s much simpler than that. Spend more time in nature. During my film series ‘Wood For The Trees,’ I spoke to Suzi Martineau, from the Tree Sisters Charity, a...
“Value productive woodlands in creating good quality timber”
November 4, 2021
‘Wood for the Trees,’ is a series of short films about Britain’s forests. We asked experts about their hopes and fears for woods and woodlands, and for one suggestion to help them grow. During COP26 we're sharing these suggestions. Dr Jo Clark is Head of Research at Future Trees Trust, and she spoke with us about her work in part...
“Use British-grown wood to restore Parliament”
September 17, 2021
"To genuinely try to use local material we have to start very early and look at what's possible," said Tom Barnes. This September, Vastern Timber MD Tom Barnes joined the All Party Parliamentary Group on Forestry and Tree Planting, to discuss the role that British timber could play in the repair and renewal of Westminster. Tom told ...
British timber summit at Sylva Wood School
September 8, 2021
This week, Tom Barnes, MD of Vastern Timber, visited the Sylva Foundation. He gave a short talk on the British grown timber supply chain to Sylva Wood Summer School students, and then joined a fascinating tour of the Sylva Wood site - which includes a young forest, several woodworking workshops, a teaching 'barn' and more. Later that da...
The timber store is a treasure trove
September 3, 2021
The Timber Store at our showroom and sawmill, near Wootton Bassett, is a treasure trove for timber lovers. It's where the 'smaller' pieces from our sawmill are on sale. The selection varies, but there's plenty to choose from, including oak, elm, yew and sequoia - and most of the timber is sourced from UK forests. Please note that items ge...
