A Cornish furniture maker has been chosen to build meeting tables which will be used by world leaders at the G7 Summit in the Duchy this summer.
Falmouth furniture maker and designer Scott Woyka will build “symbolic and sustainable” furniture and see his design given a global platform and showcased around the world during the event at Carbis Bay, near St Ives, in June.
Seven Cornish furniture makers were asked to submit designs for the tables in a contest which was part of the G7’s commitment to showcasing Cornish talent, innovation and creativity.
The G7 – which is made up of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the USA and the EU – is the only forum where the world’s most influential and open societies and advanced economies are brought together for close-knit discussions.
Chosen by the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Woyka’s design will be used for meetings between the leaders across the Summit, as a celebration of Cornish craftsmanship, talent and design. The table will be profiled in press pictures and media footage shown right around the world.
Scott has been producing one-off furniture pieces for private clients and public spaces in his riverside “Woykshop” in Falmouth since 1995, before which he built traditional boats.
Mr Woyka said: “I think it’s brilliant that the most powerful people in the world are going to be sitting inside at the Summit next to my tables. Furniture is really valuable in these kind of environments, it brings people together and sets the scene for positive discussions.
“The piece I’ve made is based on the coast in Cornwall, the landscape here just inspires creativity. I didn’t think I’d get the job as I went a bit bold with my design but they seemed to like it so I’m really pleased.”
Ex-students from college furniture-making courses are due to be brought in to Mr Woyka’s workshop to help build the table in time for the G7 Summit on June 11 to 13.
The 10 tables will all be sculpted from sustainably sourced Cornish wood. Mr Woyka’s “Coast” design depicts the drama of the Cornish coastline, with laminated blocks of wood carved to reflect its sea caves, ravines, zawns, beaches and headlands.
The tables will also be engraved with Cornish metals to reflect Cornwall’s mining heritage, and modern industries such as lithium extraction. Each table will be unique. All-women laser cutting company Cut By Beam, in Falmouth, will be etching the G7 logo onto the tables.
The other furniture-makers which submitted designs were Henry Swanzy, from Falmouth; KOOS Furniture, Wadebridge; Max Marshall Design, based in Bude; Rozen Furniture, in Helston; Sam Walsh, based in Redruth; and Tom Raffield from Falmouth.
Kim Conchie, chief executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: “The eyes of the world will be on our beautiful, historic and innovative area for the G7 Summit so I’m delighted that the Government will be using tables for the talks designed and built here in Cornwall, celebrating local craftsmanship. It’s important for our whole region to reap the benefits from hosting the event.
“I’m pleased we can give a global platform to the best of Cornish talent and it’s a great opportunity for Scott’s designs to be showcased in meetings which will help set the agenda between the most powerful democracies on earth. Well done to all our furniture makers and designers who took part and well done Scott.”
At the G7 Summit, world leaders will be hosted by the Prime Minister at Carbis Bay, with neighbouring St Ives, Newquay airport and other parts of Cornwall playing a role in supporting the event. Media will also be based throughout the Summit at the G7 International Media Centre in Falmouth.
