WSWT Newsletter – May 2008

Meeting Report Sunday May 4th 2008

Announcements

Chairman Ted Hickford opened the meeting with what started as a joke but as he lost his way it became more a tale of illegal poultry eating – I think. More importantly, he updated us on Denys Dollin’s health. Denys is recovering post surgery and slowly getting better, but does appreciate phone calls! Ted then asked for volunteers to stand as competition judges. The hope is to have an inexperienced judge working alongside one of our longstanding experts; this will provide both useful training for the volunteer and also enable an experienced turner to take part in the competition. Prepared to give it a try? Contact Ted or Caroline Dorling.

Jim Young then confirmed that we do have a Wakehurst slot over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend May 24th-26th. Contact Jim if you wish to take part. The 18th - 19 October event also looks on, but a wedding may restrict the traditional August long weekend to the Sunday and Monday 24th/25th only.

Don Pollard, who considerately cancelled the snowfall for this meeting, has published the revised program which can be viewed here. He then introduced ‘stand-in demonstrator / stand-up comic’ Charlie Martyn who, with very useful prop Ron (sanding-slave) Wicks and straight man Bill Whitaker educated and entertained us for the rest of the morning. Starting with design, Charlie, with examples of his creations, took us convincingly through the ‘ 3rds principle’ – and then showed us a few exceptions to the rule! He also pushed the need to spend a lot of time to create a high quality finish – pushing Ron into a morning of abrasive labour to prove the point. The editor is still not clear when a vase becomes a hollow form, and vice versa, but he is easily confused… The morning included excitement as high speed yew left the lathe, divinely(?) guided safely to the floor. Deep hollowing, cunning sanders, plenty of sound advice and an RAF spoon (or was it RoyalFlying Corps?) also featured. The brave team of three, and especially Charlie who had clearly spent much additional time preparing the demo, thoroughly deserved Don’s closing words of thanks and the ovation that followed.

Miscellany

Newsletter publisher, Mike Cope, is in need of a small lathe (an Axminster or Perform M330 model would be ideal) to fulfil a one-day demonstration at a charity event. He is happy to purchase or hire. If you can help contact him on 01243 604634

A Miranda Phillimore has a trunk of cherry, ca. 3m long, 70cm diameter at base, in her Charlton (near Singleton) garden. Contact Don Pollard if you can help.

Keith Greenfield and team won plaudits at W.L West’s show from the hosting company, the three professional turners and the AWGB for their stand &ndas; and the help they provided in manning the AWGB stand. Wests have invited us for next year, too! Our thanks are due to Keith et al for putting us on the map and impressing our national association. To find out more about AWGB, visit their website.

Future Events

Our next meeting is Sunday, June 1st, and is the vase competition. It will be interesting to see if any of the entries look like hollow forms…

The Bentley Weald wood fair is held over the long September weekend 12-15th. It is held on the site of the Bentley Wildfowl reserve, 09.30 – 1700. £10 entry (£9 for seniors).