This club was asked by Mary Steven’s Hospice, who are our preferred charity, to give a demonstration of our woodturning skills to the gentlemen day unit service users of the hospice, some more of an interest as everything is normally more aimed towards women. This could turn into a regular event for the club. We have already been asked to cover another demo event in December, which more of the women will be going to. For this event we had four members who volunteered for the event, these were Steve, Ian, Brian and Barrie.
Within the event room, we had a display table that showed some of the member’s work as to what could be done with wood. Prior to starting we had nine patients who were driven in by ambulance to Mary Stevens in addition to a number of the nursing staff.
Ian started the event with an explanation of what woodturning was about and how it all started with bodgers. Once again we had Steve who started by explaining the various items of the lathe and what they are used for and also how to use them. On the lathe he demonstrated turning a snowman and after explaining about the health and safety involved for keeping yourself safe, and giving a talk about the process of turning has he worked through the process. Steve also explained how the trees are prepared and cut so that we can have them to turn. Various pieces of wood blanks were shown and the type of tools that we use.
After Steve finished his snowman, Ian took over on the lathe and showed how to make a Christmas tree with carved areas along the length of the tree. Both Steve and Ian gave a running commentary on what they were doing as they progressed through the projects.
Question were asked during the event by patients and staff a like, who also showed an interest. After this first session was completed, we stopped for a bite to eat put on by Mary Stevens.
Whilst we were having a break the other area was set up by the staff so that the painting side of the event was able to start, when this got underway we had a limited number of people taking part in the painting of the items, and also an additional lady asked if she could take part whilst she was waiting for the ambulance.
At the end of the day, everyone who turned up to view the demonstration took either a snowman or Christmas tree home with them
Thankfully, we had a number of donated items from the club members for the event.
We were thanked by Ruth and the nursing staff for the day’s event, and they look forward to the next one. All four of us would like to thank them for looking after us all day with the food and drinks to keep us going.

Report by Barrie Fisher & edited by Steve Hackett

The club took up the option of taking a trip out to the Botanical Gardens who we are hoping to develop a relationship with, so that we can acquire any cut down trees and be able to turn some items in return for them to sell.

We were there on Sunday 10th November 2024, to represent the club at the Tremendous Trees Event, to display the works and also sell items from our charity table and other pieces members had for sale.  The event ran from 11.00 till 15.00, but we needed to be there by 9.30 to unload and get all areas of the demonstration and selling areas set up and ready for the public to arrive.

The area that we had been given for use during the day was undercover and out of the elements.  It was also a large area, this area was about 30 feet square.

They also made sure that we had enough tables and chairs for us to use, of which we ended up using eight tables for the three areas that we had taken with us.

Three tables were used for the turned items that were for the gallery and were looked after by Mike and Georgie, Steve’s wife, whilst on the table they were having a good many questions about how the various shapes were produced and the techniques that were needed to produce them.  This was ongoing throughout the day, and it was good to know that the public wanted additional information.

We also had three tables for all the charity items that were donated by club members, who we would like to thank again for their effort in producing them.  On the remaining two tables, we had members selling their own items to the public.

Once again, we had Steve taking his lathe to the event along with the required tools and required wood blanks for the day.  Steve was set up in the corner of the room with plenty of room for the public and kids to see what was being done and also to ask questions during the day.  Steve was producing a number of spinning tops and Christmas trees throughout the day.

The club’s thanks go out to all members who took part in the event.

When the gardens opened we had a steady footfall throughout the day looking, buying and asking questions of everyone.

Having spoken with the people of the botanical gardens, they are hoping that this can turn into an ongoing event for both of us.  We must also take this opportunity to thank the garden staff for the hospitality that we had from them during the day and also keeping us supplied with tea and coffee along with the biscuits  and the additional hot water during the day.

The feedback that we have received was that it went down well with the public, and they enjoyed the additional aspect of having a wood turning club within the confines of the gardens as it gave an additional aspect for the visitors.

Report by Barrie Fisher & edited by Steve Hackett