WSWT Newsletter – September 2007
Meeting Report Sunday September 2nd
Chairman Ted Hickford brought us to order with a very good joke, courtesy of Ken Payne, and then congratulated John Woolgar adorned with a flashing (give away!) lapel badge, on his 65th birthday.
Secretary Tony Matthews then updated us on preparations for next months AGM. He has nominations for all the key offices but invited the floor to add to these before the end of the morning. He also mentioned that he had received two email contacts. From ‘Lumberland’ (www.lumberland.co.uk) a description of their activities from sourcing timber to selling masterpieces encouraged him to investigate further. However, he found very little of substance to assess without committing to a joining fee of £30! Mrs. Vera Tickler of the Old Shoreham Tollbridge Community Trust has space for a woodturners table (£20) at a fundraising event on December 8th. Contact her on 01273 885994.
Jim Young then advised us that our exhibition/sale at Wakehurst, helped for once by good weather over all three days, was very successful with ca. £4,000 being taken.
Our four demonstrators, Sorcerer David Gwynne with his apprentice Ron Wicks on one lathe and Charlie Martyn with Jim Young on the other, then showed off their talents at fruit turning. There was a bias towards yew as starting material but Jim used beech for his textured and coloured lemons. Although Ron graciously declined to tackle cucumbers and bananas, we were treated to pears and apples of the highest quality. Thanks all round!
Involuted Turning Competition
While the fruit was being turned, the judges Peter Coxall and Denys Dollin were assessing a wide range of entries from rattles through vases to ornaments and a lighthouse! They were clearly delighted with the collective quality of the entries although would have preferred to be judging a few more.
| First | Second | Third | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Gary Parkinson | Bob Easterbrook | Judy Read | |
| Intermediates |
John Bulgar
(flashing birthday boy) |
Mike Spence | (only two entries) | |
| Advanced | Charlie Martyn | Charlie Longhurst | Don Pollard |
The judges in their commentaries were very positive about our efforts – ‘best overall quality seen in a competition’ I thought I heard, and paid the biggest compliment possible to Gary Parkinson, winner of the beginners section, with maximum marks. Congratulations Gary, and many thanks to Peter and Denys.
Miscellany
Stan Coombes (01903 504191) is looking for someone to produce a couple of 10-12inch bowls. Contact Stan for details.
After nearly three years of running the tools/engineering shop, Peter Arthur is looking to stand down. Anyone interested in taking over the venture should contact Peter, who would be happy to provide advice and on going support to ensure a successful handover.
Ken Payne has a Panasonic 800W Microwave (suitable for drying wood) for sale. £20 o.n.o. Contact Ken on 01903 234846 and make him happy!
Next Meeting
Is the AGM on Sunday 7th October. Following the all important business, there will be a short presentation on sharpening cabinet scrapers and Peter Coxall will then talk us through some of his work.