WSWT Newsletter - November 2006

AGM

This was duly held on October 1st and a new committee elected:-

Office Person Elected
Chairman Ted Hickford
Vice Chairman Jim Young
Treasurer David Parfoot
Secretary Tony Matthews
Events Don Pollard
Competitions Caroline Dorling
Amberley Tom Bradbury
Inventory – Club Equipment Terry Rowell
Other members Dave Dean and Keith Greenfield

All members are reminded that subs (£20) must be paid Dec 3rd latest

Meeting Report- Sunday 5 th November

With Ted absent sick, Jim Young opened the meeting and introduced Jenny Starbuck, from the Surrey Association of Woodturners, who presented us with a certificate recognising our second place in their recent open competition. She congratulated us on our table (it really was very impressive!) and stressed that our quality was tops but the judges wanted to see a bit more variety; we were short on "between centres" work.

Jimmy Clewes then took the stage and held it for the rest of the day! Very appropriate that it was Nov 5th ; a great display and, although nothing was actually launched, our lathe seemed likely to take off when he commenced his "oriental style" box. He stressed the need to maximize revs, as well as using sharp tools, to work efficiently and get a good tool finish. He uses very few tools, his workhorse(s) being the "long ground" bowl gouges he has popularised while several home made specials are used for specific tasks. In addition to the Chinese box in oak, he turned another box with an ebony lid, textured almost instantly with chatter tool (works well only on dense woods). In the afternoon we were treated to a cherry wood hat of great delicacy. All the time Jimmy kept up an amusing and informative commentary and even had us sniffing cyanide; a real master at work. Big thanks to Jimmy for leaving the balmy climate of the North East and giving us a day to remember. We were perhaps lucky that he did not know that there is currently a good run of sea trout in the Adur! Thanks also to Bill Whittaker for his additional perspective.

Turner of the Year Competition

Robert Brady was our winner, taking both 1st and 2nd prizes! Hopefully a fuller report will appear next month.

Competitions Summary

Caroline Dorling has tabulated the year's results for our three categories.
In summary,
Mike Spence, Glenn Jones and Judy Read> head the beginners.
Don Pollard, Frank Mallam and David Peffers head the intermediates.
Dave Dean, Charlie Martyn and Tom Bradbury are top of the tops!
Here is a tabulation of the results for those competitors who submitted entries to at least three competitions:-

Beginners

Name Dec Mar Jun Sep Total Average Position
Mike Spence 20 22 25 67 22.33 1st
Glenn Jones 17 22 26 65 21.66 2nd
Judy Reed 22 18 19 59 19.66 3rd
Bob Eastabrook 15 19 21 55 21.66 4th
Jim Reed 14 17 22 53 17.66 5th
Dave Harris 16 16 18 50 16.66 6th
Terry Rowell 17 12 15 44 14.66 7th

Intermediate

Name Dec Mar Jun Sep Total Average Position
Don Pollard 24 22 18 26 72 24 1st
F. Mallam 16 23 27 66 22 2nd
David Peffers 20 16 27 63 21 3rd
Robert Brady 22 19 16 57 19 4th

Advanced

Name Dec Mar Jun Sep Total Average Position
Dave Dean 23 24 25 27 76 25.33 1st
Charlie Martyn 19 25 24 26 75 25 2nd
Tom Bradbury 22 21 21 64 21.33 3rd
Colin Willetts 19 21 20 60 20 4th

Help!

A Brian Day (brian-mary@dayzt.wanadoo.com) is looking for a furniture restorer to repair a small area of split veneer on a table. Anyone up for the challenge?

Miscellany

A (very optimistic) company, Tuscan Foundry Products Ltd, based in Cowfold, are looking for a substantial supply of wooden hand wheels for radiator valves - 100-150 per week! Paul Stenning, 01288 321860, is the guy to contact. Anyone keen to set up a cooperative???

David Unsted, our favourite butcher, who runs the WSWT shop with Keith Greenfield, has just been through major surgery to rebuild and replace a hip joint. According to Keith, things seem to have gone well, but David has 6 weeks of boredom ahead. Tabloids would no doubt have had a field day reporting such an event (e.g. "Butcher knifed on slab"); all we wish to do is pass on our hopes for the best possible outcome.

Following Jimmy Clewes demo, we can confirm that his DVD's, including new ones out in a couple of weeks, can be purchased at discounts of 30% (5) or 40% (10). (I think) Jim Young will coordinate purchases, provided payment is made with order!

Peter Arthur has added narrow carbon steel bandsaw blades to his inventory, ranging from 6-25mm in width, and 60-144 in length at very competitive prices. Extra 10% discount is available for orders of three.

The 2007 program of events, courtesy of Don Pollard, has now been published on the website.

Next Meeting

Is on Sunday, 3rd December, and is an open competition. Well, not entirely open, as only turned items will be accepted. While the judging is proceeding Charles Hutcheon will talk us through the art and science of making walking sticks.

Signed items turned by Jimmy Clewes at the demo will be in the raffle at this meeting, so please look to overspend in favour of WSWT, a good cause if ever there was one.

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