Young Turners Training Days 2010

August  20th & 22th  Stuart Mortimer's workshop, Grateley, Hampshire for 10 students (Note Charge of £10 for the weekend.)

October 30^th      Basic techniques with John Brooks Barry Bird at the Treknow Woodturners & Carvers  Club

                            69, Higher Bore Street Bodmin Cornwall.

                                     Candidates are to be between the age of 11 and 18 on January 1st of the year of the YT event.

These courses will cover safety in the workshop, safe turning techniques, tooling, and finishing.

For Application form CLICK HERE  

YOUNG TURNERS DAY CWMBRAN

The AWGB Youth Training Programme continued with Crow Valley Woodturners hosting a Youth Training Day on Saturday 17^th July at the Torfaen Community Education Centre at Cwmbran in South Wales.

Four enthusiastic youngsters attended the day, Eleanor Barrell, Benjamin Price, Matthew Underwood, and Will Jones. The day started with an induction on basic workshop safety and then an introduction to the tutors, Mark Sanger and myself. A functional bowl was the project for the day, for the youngsters take home and use for their cereals or porridge etc.

Throughout the day the workshop had a special atmosphere and buzz, with youngsters enjoying the experience of learning new techniques, and their workshop safety and discipline was excellent. Crow Valley members Jim Hitch and Robert Barrell was on hand as workshop support, and Jim did the very important job of making the tea!

The day ended with the youngsters being presented with a certificate of attendance and free junior membership to the AWGB. Feedback from the students suggested that they all enjoyed the day and that they were well chuffed with their projects that they took home. In addition to the AWGB membership, the youngsters will have free membership to Crow Valley Woodturners.

To conclude, the day was a great success in getting young people interested and enjoying the craft of woodturning, but this is only the start, we must have initiatives in place to give these youngsters opportunities to further develop their skills. Eleanor, Benjamin, and Will live fairly local to Crow Valley Woodturners, and they will be encouraged to attend some hands on sessions at the club. Matthew travelled down from Worcester, and he will be encouraged to contact a club that is near to him.

Group Photo: (From left to right)

Matthew Underwood, Mark Sanger, Benjamin Price, Will Jones, Peter Bradwick, Eleanor Barrell.

YOUNG TURNERS DAY CWMBRAN

The training day was fully subscribed, with more youngsters on a reserve list. Six enthusiastic youngsters attended the day, Eleanor Barrel, Tom Brookes, Noel Facey, Chris Hyde, Will Jones, and Tom Williams.  The day started with an induction on basic workshop safety and then an introduction to the tutors. Chris Eagles and Gordon Rich had two students each and gave instruction on basic spindle turning techniques, and producing projects such as a garden dibber and bud vase. The two other students produced thin walled bowls under the instruction of Mark Hancock. 

We were very lucky to have very competent tutors sharing their skills with the youngsters, that gave me the opportunity to take the role of having an overview of the day, supporting and giving instruction when needed. (general goffer). Throughout the day the workshop had a special atmosphere and buzz, with youngsters enjoying the experience of learning new techniques, and their workshop safety and discipline was excellent.

Peter Gibson representing the Worshipful Company of Turners attended the event, giving his support and encouragement for a good part of the day. Members of Crow Valley Woodturners were also on hand giving their support, including the ladies, Sue and Delyn cheerfully providing delicious refreshments throughout the day.

Barry Surplice of Hamlet Tools kindly donated three full sets of woodturning tools for use on the day, and due to the generosity of Barry, these tools will now be available for use on future Youth Training events.

The day ended with the youngsters being presented with a certificate of attendance and a one-year free membership to the AWGB. Feedback from the students suggested that they all enjoyed the day and that they were well chuffed with their projects that they took home. In addition to the AWGB membership, the youngsters will have free membership to Crow Valley Woodturners.

To conclude, the day was a great success in getting young people interested and enjoying the craft of woodturning, but this is only the start, we must have initiatives in place to give these youngsters opportunities to further develop their skills. Crow Valley Woodturners are planning to have Saturday morning sessions for young turners to have further tuition, and in addition I’m in talks with Torfaen Community Education, to look at the possibility of running a woodturning course for young people. 

Eleanor Barrell - Noel Facey - Tom Brookes - Tom Williams - Chris Eagles -  Mark Hancock - Peter Bradwick

Michael Porosa, Elizabeth McColl, Lewis Elmes,

The days Work