The owners of an Essex timber yard have made an amazingly generous offer to supporters of the Shotley pier project who were left disappointed and outraged when huge chunks of wood from the historic structure were taken away without them getting the opportunity to salvage bits as mementos.

Janine and Deb Davies-Tutt, the bosses at Ashwells Timbers were so moved by the Nub News article (full story here...) and the reaction by a wide variety of people in response, they have offered to gift off-cuts free of charge.

Although they are closing today for the Christmas period, Ashwells are looking to arrange for people to visit their yard near Upminster in the new year to take souvenir pieces.

Jill Willis, on behalf on Ashwells Timber, told Nub News: "We were saddened to learn of the news that Shotley pier supporters had been unable to take home off-cuts of damaged timber from their beloved pier.

"As the UK's leading timber reclamation specialist so much of our work is about the preservation of memories and protection of architectural history.  From our timber yard and mill in Essex, we reclaim hardwoods; repurposing the timber for future use in an FSC® certified process that prevents further deforestation and saves unwanted timber from landfill.  

"On this project the Shotley Heritage Charitable Community Benefit Society (SHCCBS) invited us to survey existing pier timbers, and to remove those which were found to be too degraded for safe future use on the restoration project. It had been hoped that all of the Douglas Fir in this case could be repurposed and used in the pier restoration, however, due to many years of neglect our expert timber surveyor found that this was not the case for some sections of timber.

"At the request of SHCCBS our team removed the unusable timber, so that it could be repurposed for projects that do not demand the same high levels of strength and durability as a pedestrian pier structure, e.g. garden pergolas etc. We were not party to conversations between SHCCBS and Shotley Pier supporters, nor did we know of any request for sections to be made available.  

"This story has touched our heart and we would like to help if we can. We are therefore more than happy to make available a selection of Douglas Fir off-cuts, free of charge to Shotley Pier supporters, at our own expense."

Barrie Powell, a director of the benefit society which runs the pier project had been upset by the disposal, which he set was a wasted opportunity.

He today said: "I'm delighted that Ashwells have taken this action which will benefit the supporters who wanted a piece of the pier. In turn I can see these off-cuts being put to good use and also benefitting the wider community."

Saffy Scholes who had also been outraged by the group's action, said: "This is a wonderful gesture which I'm sure many people with a connection to the pier will greatly appreciate.

"I know, for example, my friends at Rustic Wooden Gifts in Shotley, would love to take some of this genuine pier wood and make things for charity and other local groups to actually benefit the community."

Shotley Pier supporters who would like to arrange to visit the yard to collect a piece of timber should email [email protected] and Ashwells will contact to arrange during January.

John Davit, chairman of the Shotley Heritage Charitable Community Benefit Society, has been asked to comment but has still not responded.