WSWT Newsletter - March 2009

Meeting Report Sunday 1 st March

Ted Hickford called us to order with a very good joke; within seconds of congratulating our three recent/about-to-be Octogenarians he then undid all the good work with the joke (of similar age, but, just like Charlie M, Peter C and Ron W, as good as ever) at their expense! How does he get away with it?

Ted also pointed out that we are still in need of some one to ‘shadow’ our events organiser Don Pollard with a view to taking over at the year-end. It is not an especially demanding role timewise, but it is crucial to the club’s ongoing success. And volunteers are so much better than pressed men!.Having been reminded of the age of several of our regular demonstrators, Don then made a plea for other members to volunteer; there is no doubting the talent in the club and help and encouragement to ‘take centre stage’ will be provided.

Charlie Martyn then spent a few minutes taking us through his recent ordeal. His consultant was quite clear that his seriously bleeding nose was down to damage caused by hardwood particles – and Charlie pointed out that filtered air-fed masks are by far the best means of protection. Sites www.ubeaut.com.au and www.laymar-crafts.co.uk have specific wood dangers listed.

Jim Young then confirmed that we have booked space at Petworth Park over 2nd - 4th May, and 1st -5th August and also at Parham 11 th /12 th July (their Garden Festival) and on October 18 th. We cannot expect the ‘footfall’ we experienced at Wakehurst but facilities seem OK and well worth a try. Contact Jim if you wish to participate.

Ron Wicks confirmed that he will again coordinate our appearance at the Worthing Craft Fair over 24 th -26 th July. The organisers have promised to address the glitches that (for us, at least) blighted last year’s first attempt. Contact Ron for details.

On a similar subject, and getting urgent, Keith Greenfield, is still seeking bodies to help out at West&rsqu;s Wood Show 8th/9th May - to man our exhibits and the Associations table. Keith requests that items, either for display or priced for sale, with craftsman’s name attached, be wrapped and handed to Keith at the next (April) meeting.

Split Turning Competition

Judges Tom Bradbury and Terry Rowell certainly had a challenging task! Just about every shape and sized item was on show, and as they commented, it made their job extra difficult. However, they praised the quality of the entries and with help from Caroline’s mathematics came up with the following:-

Competition Results
First Second Third
Beginners Terry Cooper Chris Grace Pete Legge
Intermediates Judy Reed Jim Reed Dave Newson
Advanced Colin Willetts Gary Parkinson Mike Spence

Thanks to Charlie Martyn for the tuition and inspiration, the members who responded so well, and Tom, Terry and Caroline for the administration.

The ‘Wood Identification Challenge’

Ted’s words on the subject are as follows: “The challenge by Mark Hughes, Ron Inglis and Georgia created a great deal of interest and enthusiasm and the winners’ score of 13.5 out of 40 brought home the difficulties in identifying our indigenous woods and the incredible variation within a specific tree.” He added thanks, but we did receive plenty of those on the day! Looking through the winners’ sheet (congratulations to Gary Parkinson and Dave Newson. The editor was initially surprised that the walnut wasn‘t recognised. However, it would have been better placed in the ’garden‘ group! Also, a good clue would have been ‘see pink, think prunus’! One big plus was that it gave lots of time to chat!

Miscellany

Ron Inglis has received a grateful letter of thanks from the Poling (near Arundel) based childrens’ hospice Chestnut Tree House. He and other members provided turned items for their Christmas fund raising efforts. Well done all.

And finally, members are asked to not park in the set down area at the hall front as doing so makes it difficult for our wheel chair users and dangerously so when the grass is wet.

Next meeting

Is on April 5th and is an all day demo by the famous professional Les Thorne. Don't forget your grub!