Newsletter – June 2009

Meeting Report –Sunday June 6th

Morning started with a more than usual air of urgency, Club stalwarts setting up lathes, losing bits, getting in the way of our more sedentary members and generally causing confusion. Today was judgement day for those who had responded to Peter Coxall’s demanding challenge to produce a condiment set — the response was excellent, especially in the Advanced section. In parallel with the judging four stations were set up to demonstrate various aspects of our common passion — Alan Fielding and Jim Young showing how wet turning should be mastered while Ray Jackson sharpened innumerable gouges for a queue of hopefuls and Peter Coxall relieved himself of judging duties by demonstrating the use of a skew gouge in spindle work. All in all a successful and instructive morning.

Denys Dollin and John Byford judged the condiment competition and initially commented on the very high standard in all sections. After much handling and expert mutterings they declared the following

Competition Results
First Second Third
Beginners Terry Hooper Dave Deadman Peter Whitmarsh
Intermediates Judy Reed & Bob Easterbrook   Dave Newson
Advanced Colin Willetts Gary Parkinson Stan Coombes

Club News

W.L.West’s Wood Show on May 8th and 9th

Our presence at W.L.West’s Wood Show on May 8th and 9th was much appreciated as was the Club’s contribution to the Amberley Museum’s “Woodland Crafts” show on May 31st. Thanks especially to Keith Greenfield and his team for sterling efforts. See Keith’s report later.
Thursday morning saw Tony Twine and Keith G build the stand (shared between the AWGB and us) setting up 3 lathes to save time on Friday.
Friday had Tony Twine turn an elm bowl, whilst John Byford turned his first bowl, (nothing like being thrown in at the deep end), with Keith turning a cherry dish. Lunch time had Jim & Judy Reed turning out 3 small dishes, with new member David turning a bowl, with the help of Keith. Roger Dinnis was on vocals along with Mike Collas from AWGB, giving a well educated talk on anything including turning.
Saturday had the 3 lathes at full capacity, Tom Bradbury turned tall stem goblets, Don Pollard was on egg cups, Gary Parkinson produced a couple of finial pots, Colin Willetts raced out a couple of pots, while Tom Streeter amazed the crowds with several small bowls.
It was really nice to see many club members give us both support and abuse. Thanks to you all! Names have been recorded for future events to make your own shavings. Thanks to all who loaned turnings which sat alongside the names of Dave Reeks, Jenny Starbuck, David Springett and Greg Morton, to name just a few, and received many comments and praise higher than some of the professionals work, well done club members, give yourselves a pat on the back.

The membership waiting list is now 14. Chris Miller and Tim Burton were welcome guests at the Club meeting.

Next meeting — July 5th

Professional Turner Mark Hancock will be demonstrating. A sample of his work appears on the last page of the current issue of ‘Woodturning’ magazine and more can be reviewed on his website

Miscellaneous Items.

Joyce Kenward has finally emptied her treasure chest of prizes for the monthly raffle so please bring in any items you think may be raffleable (sic!) or you would like to inflict on fellow Club members!

Stan Coombes produced photos from “The Vintage Motor Cycle”’ showing a 1920’s motor cycle and sidecar on which was mounted a separately powered lathe. Could be the next challenge for Dave Dean!!

Bill Bailey, our coffee czar, is still recovering from a dodgy knee. We wish him a speedy return to the samovar.

Les Thorne, who demonstrated at our May meeting, has a new DVD entitled ‘No Turning Back’ coming out in the next fortnight, price £20. If a sufficient number of members want to buy it he will do a deal for £15 if more than 20 copies are ordered. We will ask for expressions of interest at the next meeting and take it from there.

For Sale and Wanted

A member is urgently seeking a small and easily transportable lathe, with scroll chuck, for demonstration purposes.
A member is searching for a reasonably priced texturing tool. Any offers!
A lady in Burgess Hill wants to sell the contents of her late husband’s workshop comprising a vast range of quality items including a Record CL2 variable speed lathe, scroll chuck, chisels and gouges and other accessories.
We have a request from gentleman in Rustington who would like someone to make a circular picture frame to house a piece of embroidery. Diameter about 8 inches viewable from both sides.

For more details of any of the above please contact the webmaster.