Caroline with Richard Mehmed, Founder and Managing Director of the National Community Wood Recycling Project

Congratulations were due to the Community Wood Recycling Project last Friday as the national network celebrated its 10^th birthday.

The network started here in Brighton in 2003 with an attempt to franchise the social enterprise model of the Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project.

Since then an impressive 25 similar enterprises have taken off nationwide, making the organisation the biggest social franchise network in the UK.

Collectively, the National Community Wood Recycling Project has diverted thousands of tonnes of timber from the waste stream and created hundreds of jobs and thousands of volunteering and training opportunities, many of which have been for disadvantaged people.

The organisation’s achievements received formal recognition in 2012 when it won “Material Recycler of the Year” in the National Recycling Awards.

As the picture above shows, I went along to cut the specially designed 10^th birthday cake, together with Managing Director Richard Mehmed.

I was delighted to attend the celebrations and wish Community Wood Recycling many happy returns!