Addington Working with the Forest Industries Education and Provident Fund
May 16, 2011 - 12:48 PM
It is ten years since the Education and Provident Fund (known then as the Association of Professional Foresters Education and Provident Fund*), approached the ARC Addington Fund to discuss how they might best work together in dealing with the human and business consequences of foot and mouth disease.
The Association of Professional Foresters administered the charity, which was only available to members. An extract from the APF annual report for 2001 portrays the situation:
There were two dominating issues during the year governing APF activity:
Firstly, foot and mouth disease, which led to the AGM and conference being postponed, as well as considerable restrictions and hardship within the industry;
Secondly, the negotiations with Timber Growers Association, which culminated in the merger.
Whilst there were many attempts to collect data to submit to the Rural Task Force to demonstrate the impact on forestry operations and businesses, the APF, negotiated with the ARC Addington Fund to include those working in forestry in their remit, then appealed and campaigned for funds, achieving around £14,000. This effort incidentally raised the profile of the APF through unprecedented coverage in a wide range of publications. Normal APF activity at the shows was not possible, although the Game Fair was held and was well supported by APF company members, due to the lack of other such events. The college-industry link had to be put on hold, as one college closed and field visits were ruled out. The student debate was also cancelled and could not be re-scheduled for September.
As it transpired, the generous response to the appeal exceeded demand and an agreement was reached with ARC Addington about use of the remaining funds.
The second point for APF was the merger, which was to be the first of two. The organisation is now the Confederation of Forest Industries (UK) Ltd, known as ConFor. Recently, the trustees, who are drawn from nominated ConFor members and nominated by its board, agreed to rename the charity more generically.
While the trustees refer applicants to other charities when appropriate, an effort was made in 2010 to raise awareness of the existence and objects of charities with similar interests. So the Education and Provident Fund made contact with ARC Addington once again.
The Forest Industries Education and Provident Fund was established in the 1980s from the proceeds of the APF International Forestry Machinery Demonstrations (now the International Forestry Exhibition), becoming a registered charity in 1997. It serves to support members in their professional development, as well as those who may be suffering hardship. Anyone with an interest in trees, forestry or timber is eligible to join ConFor and after one year’s membership can apply to the fund for discretionary grants.
Jane Karthaus, trustee, said, “It was great to re-establish contact again with ARC Addington after all this time. I would like to congratulate them on their 10th birthday and wish them success in continuing to help those in hardship.”
There is more information at http://www.confor.org.uk/AboutUs/Default.aspx?pid=150
* registered charity number 1061322/0