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AGM 2010

The 2010 AGM was a lively affair with short presentation given by Dave Atkinson to the branch reps on the latest situation on insurance, Peter Bradwick gave a overview on the new arrangements for Training and members development, Adrian Needham went through the major points on finance, Andy Coates gave a few words about the way the Association was leading the way as the National focus for woodturning in the UK. Our chairman summed up 2009 (click HERE to see) with encouraging words about the progress of Association activities.

Proposals had been submitted for the existing committee members requiring re-election and with no other contestants for these posts no election had been necessary.

The following members were co-opted for 2010.

Newsletter Editor - Lionel Pringle

Membership Secretary - Sandra Needham

Trade and business - Paul Howard

The Bring and Buy table was well used but by the end of the day there was nothing left.

This year the Instant Gallery was well populated with some superb pieces. See pictures below

The Max Carey Woodturning Trust

The launch of the Max Carey Woodturners Trust took place on the 21^st February 2010 at Portishead in Max Carey’s workshop which is the main training and instruction facility used by the Avon & Bristol Woodturners club. A not-for-profit charity the Trust has been created to train, educate and encourage a section of the public interested in attaining the skills of woodturning. The Trust considers the training of the youth section of the public of immense importance. The event was opened with a toast of champagne to Max Carey by Peter Ellis the High Warden of The Worshipful Company of Turners.  A contribution to the Trust for training purposes has been gratefully received from The Worshipful Company of Turners. The event included an excellent full day demonstration by Mark Baker (Woodturning Magazine editor) on woodturning techniques. Sixty four club members and invited guests attended the event. Burt Marsh, one of the invited guests was unable to attend due to ill health but graciously donated to the Trust one of his works of art, a paduak thin walled bowl. He requesting that it be auctioned off at the event and the proceeds be donated to the Trust. The auction raised £400, the kind donator being Ian Burke who joined the club only two months ago. Any one considering donating to this worthy charitable Trust please contact :-

Peter Ellis - Max Carey, Opening the Trust.

Stuart Bradfield – Max Carey – June Carey – Mary Ashton

Back row, Peter Bradwick - Ray Key - Reg Hawthorne - Nick Agar – Mark Baker

Mark Baker – With his bowl project

Bert Marsh’s work of art given for auction to raise funds for the trust

DEMONSTRATOR TRAINING January 2009

A second very successful day has been held, this time hosted by the Suffolk, Essex, Cambs Borders Branch at the premises of Peter Child in Essex. The Day was expertly led by our training officer Peter Bradwick supported by Brian Partridge. Three budding demonstrators took part with a fourth having to drop out at the last minute for family health reasons.

The three candidates were first given a briefing on presentation skills and were then asked to give a pre-prepared 5 minute talk. The talks were evaluated and advice given. This was then followed by a briefing on the key things to be considered by a demonstrator, one of the main points was "how to keep your audience happy". Then each candidate was asked to give a 20 minute demonstration, on the lathe, of a simple item which he had chosen and prepared for beforehand. A further evaluation and advice was given.

All this took place in a friendly and non confrontational atmosphere and was considered by every one to be a very useful event likely to lead to a good standard of demonstration skills. All Candidates had good turning skills and  there was no attempt to evaluate those skills.

TURN EAST 2008

Pictures and Report By Andy Coates

Turn East, the bi-annual seminar organised by the Norfolk Woodturners group, and supported by the AWGB, began in good form on Saturday 16^th August, with a short address by Norfolk club Chairman, Tom Kittle.

The demonstrators booked to educate, enlighten and entertain offered something for every taste: Jean-Francois Escoulen, Stuart King, Joey Richardson and Phil Irons, each demonstrating from their respective areas of expertise.

The event was a great success, and improves year on year. A full report will appear in a later edition of Revolutions. In the meantime here are a few pictures to keep you going. This event was supported by the AWGB.

Woodturning Training Workshop

Coombe Abbey Woodturners have opened a new Training Workshop.The workshop based in the visitor centre of the beautiful and picturesque Coombe Abbey Country Park has been made possible after the club were successful in being awarded an £8002 lottery grant through the “Awards for All” programme of the Big Lottery Fund. The Training Workshop will initially be open on Sundays and Tuesdays throughout the year.

On Saturday 25^th, August 2007 club members and invited guests from the A.W.G.B. and other  Midlands clubs together with the Coombe Abbey Park staff witnessed the opening of the Workshop by Chris Eagles, Vice Chairman of the A.W.G.B.

Graham Ball (secretary) of Coombe Abbey Woodturners said:- ‘This workshop will help us to achieve our aims of bringing the craft of woodturning to a wider cross-section of the community, teaching our own club members and interested members of the general public, including the elderly, disabled, retired, all ethnic groups and young people, how to transform a mundane piece of wood into an item of beauty to be admired and cherished’.

Joe Taylor, Head Ranger, Coombe Country Park, added:-" We are very pleased to be in partnership with the Coombe Abbey Woodturners, and this workshop allows good ideas to become reality. There are now great opportunities for even more people to get involved in the art and craft that the Woodturners are so passionate about. They will be able to show how our woodland trees here at Coombe can be turned from tree to household item or to a thing of great beauty. They will bring a real extra attraction for the 430,000 members of the public visiting the Country Park annually.

TURN ESSEX 2007

The East Herts winning display

It was great to see Richard Bicheno one of the "young turners" demonstrating at our Chelmer Valley Branch this week November 15th.  He demonstrated a small flower and showed us how to hand chase the threaded top and bottom of a box. We were all very impressed with his articulate explanations as he turned and particularly his grasp of the safety aspects of turning. He explained that he would expect normally to use a safety helmet but for our benefit he would not use that during his demonstration. We were very pleased to give him this opportunity. 

TURN EAST 2006

12^th August

What a great time we all had as guests of the Norfolk Woodturners Society. This event, which has been running for over 10 years, is held every two years at the Fakenham  High school in North Norfolk.  This year we were really spoilt with demonstrations from Jimmy Clewes, David Springett, Les Thorne and John Berkley. There was also an instant gallery, various trade stands and of course super meals and refreshments. Each presenter gave 4 sessions during the day. Jimmy had everyone enthralled with his relaxed way of showing not only his skill but also all the “hows and whys”. Les gave his usual robust and sometimes provocative demonstrations and we all I am sure learnt a lot. David confused us all with his unusual shapes (I really must have a go sometime). As for John, I don’t think I have ever seen hand thread chasing shown and explained in a better way, I am sure that a few more turners will now have a go. Well done Norfolk Woodturners, a great event I look forward to the next Turn East.