Plymouthwoodturners
Introduction
Plymouth Woodturners
Plymouth
Woodturners was formed on 15' July 1999 and is affiliated to the
Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB), a national organisation
which promotes all aspects of the art and craft of woodturning. All members of
Plymouth Woodturners are also members of AWGB. The club members are people who
come from all walks of life brought together by a common enthusiasm for wood and
woodturning. Some members have been turning wood for a short time, others for
many years, but we all have new skills to learn.
If
you have never turned wood, you should try it! It is extremely satisfying,
despite the occasional frustration. Forming a shapeless lump of wood into a
thing of beauty; working with hands, eyes and brain; devising shapes; actually
producing something you can cherish, use, give away or sell. It is one of the
most gratifying activities there is....
Our
monthly meetings alternate between quarterly business meetings and
demonstration / educational evenings. We have a management committee of members
and try to keep the business dealt with at the general meetings to the minimum
necessary for the smooth running of the club. Even at our business meetings we
usually find time for a club member to demonstrate some aspect of turning.
We encourage members to participate in decisions,
after all it is their club.
We also encourage the exchange of ideas and
techniques between members as in this way we can all improve our skills and
knowledge.
In
addition to our monthly meetings the club organises a number of exhibitions and
sales of member's work each year. Also we have had a "stand" at a
number of local village fayres, church fetes and charity events where we
demonstrate the craft of woodturning. At all these events there is a wide
variety of turned items for sale by individual members. Items range from large
to small, from the rare and exotic to the common timbers, from difficult to make
to the less complicated, from expensive to inexpensive. Each item is hand made
and unique.
The
club always tries to give some financial support to local charities through
these events.
The
club has it's own lathe for use by members at club events. We also have
libraries for members to borrow videos and books for a small monthly charge.
We
hold a competition each month to make a specific item. Participation is
voluntary and entries are judged by the members. This is a fun way to improve
our skills, there are always lots of questions along the lines of "how did
you do that?"
If
you would like to join the club or just want to have a "quick look"
before you make up your mind contact our secretary Richard on 01752 778671 who
will give you details of our next meeting. If having come to our meeting you are
still not sure whether woodturning is for you why not ask about our "loan a
lathe" scheme.
Events already held include:
Demonstrations
on woodturning techniques by -
TOBIAS
KAYE -
woodturner
NICK AGAR –
woodturner
DAVE REGISTER -
woodturner
PAUL BICK -
woodturner
BOB NEILL -
pyrographer
HENRY ALEXANDER - walking stick maker
LES THORN WOODTURNER
GARY RANCE WOODTURNER
Self-
help clinics on –
Subsidised coach trips to woodturning and
machinery shows.