A pen maker and gardener are among people that have reclaimed wood from the Shotley pier, which are now being housed in an Essex timber yard.

Ashwells in Bulpher, near Upminster, took away planks, handrails and other sections of wood from the pier opposite the Bristol Arms in Shotley after they supplied the greenheart used to restore 30 metres of the Victoria pier.

The company first issued an invitation to anyone interested in obtaining timber from the pier when Nub News approached them last December but the pandemic restrictions meant few could take up the offer at the time.

However, the offer is still open even though some pieces of wood have already been taken by those keen on mementoes.

A spokeswoman for the firm based near Upminster today confirmed: "Ashwell's invitation to the local community to arrange an appointment to visit the yard if they'd like a token piece of timber as a memento of the original pier is still open."

Following the first invitation a local pen maker visited the yard and was thrilled to take away pieces of timber to handcraft pens from. He returned to present the firm with pens of their own.

Ashwells has also sold small sections of re-milled timber to a keen gardener who intended to use the reclaimed timber, for things such as planters, as they had fond memories of their grandad visiting the pier.

The project to renovate the pier, which now has shiny metal railings, was started after an initial public meeting in September 2015, and was given an initial £20,000 grant by Babergh.

Supporters of the pier project were outraged when they found out so much timber had been given away to Ashwell's, with some believing more should have been kept to renovate the pier, such as the handrails. (Full story here...)

The group recently estimated in a regional television interview it had spent almost £500,000 so far to restore the 30metres but are concerned they will not be able to afford to complete the rest of the remaining 200+feet.

To arrange an appointment to collect pier wood from Ashwell's call: 01375 892 576. Please mention you have seen the invitation in Shotley Peninsula Nub News.

Wick Place Farm, Brentwood Road

Essex, RM14 3TL

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