Axminster at Rycotewood

[woodbloke]

I thought this might be better as a separate thread. Ian wrote to me this morning regarding Rycotewood on the weekend of the 13-14th Feb (Sat and Sun)

Rob Ingham, David Charlesworth and John Lloyd have all said yes so the line up is looking good.

To clarify would UK workshop like to have a bench you would have to get someone to turn up each of the days and talk tools which sort of fits in with the idea of a Forum!

I'm happy to turn up on the Saturday, but ideally we would need two bodies min each day...anyone else?

 

[Chems]

Out of interest, what would be on the stand, piece of furniture that we've made here perhaps?

 

[Doug B]

I`ve just been back to the original thread to find out more details of the Rycotewood event but the link no longer works.

Would it be possible to post more details.

 

[woodbloke]

Out of interest, what would be on the stand, piece of furniture that we've made here perhaps?

My guess is that it's pretty much what Ian said..."talk tools" There would probably be a space somewhere to display a selection of small pieces produced by UKW members. I intend to bring along a selection of handtools that I use (plus some small bits of material to work on) and a small project that I made a while ago.
I see the day being very flexible, with a chance to chat to people and also to do some practical demos at the bench ( say joint cutting, planing techniques, use of 'shute's, honing regimes etc etc)
It's also a great opportunity to go and see what else is happening on the day around and about the college (that's why a min of two bodies per day is needed) but I think the keynote thing is 'flexibility'...nothing is set in concrete so you can do pretty much your own thing.
I reckon it would be a great day out - Rob

 

[wizer]

Like I said in the other thread. I see no point in this other than to stand about chatting about woodworking, which we can\will do anyway. What benefit does this have to Charley's forum? Again, if you are aiming at increasing members then you need to ask Charley if he can handle the influx of members against the increased amount of banner clicks.

I really think you need to think about why this is happening rather than just going ahead with something that, IMHO, has no value to any of us.

 

[Doug B]

I think this is a great idea, i would jump at the chance of learning first hand, more about hand tools, not that you can`t learn from the forum, but to see things demonstrated is always better.

Any chance of seeing the Kell 111 jig??

What time does it start & finish?

 

[woodbloke]

Like I said in the other thread. I see no point in this other than to stand about chatting about woodworking, which we can\will do anyway. What benefit does this have to Charley's forum? Again, if you are aiming at increasing members then you need to ask Charley if he can handle the influx of members against the increased amount of banner clicks.

I really think you need to think about why this is happening rather than just going ahead with something that, IMHO, has no value to any of us.

Clearly a naysayer then Tom and fair enoughski, but it's got nothing really to do with increasing forum membership...if that happens as a by product of talking to folk then it happens.
As I said, it's a chance to meet other woodies, do bit of nattering, few demo's etc and the chance to see what happens at Rycotewood as well as seeing what DavidC are RI are getting up to.
It's also a way of supporting a major Axminster event and it would seem a bit churlish of to me to turn round to Ian and tell him that UKWorkshop can't be bothered and can't be ar$ed to make the effort, especially in the light of the last two competitions where Ian Styles has supported us very generously...not to mention Axminster laying on a 'Special Event' for us at no cost to ouselves.
Another aspect is that if this is a success (and I see no reason why it shouldn't be) then it could lead to other events later on with UKW participation.
You need to look past the trees Tom to see the wood :lol: :lol: - Rob

 

[wizer]

I'm not against it Rob, I'm just trying to work out the point ? It's not a case of can't be bothered, but a case of why bother ? We are all capable of arranging our own get togethers. What you're asking for is members to 'help out', but what are they helping with? What is it that Ian expects from a UKW stall?

More questions than answers IMO

 

[woodbloke]

Like I said in the other thread. I see no point in this other than to stand about chatting about woodworking, which we can\will do anyway. What benefit does this have to Charley's forum? Again, if you are aiming at increasing members then you need to ask Charley if he can handle the influx of members against the increased amount of banner clicks.

I really think you need to think about why this is happening rather than just going ahead with something that, IMHO, has no value to any of us.

Since this will be an official representation of the forum, would it be right to presume that Charley has already cleared it?

No...but then I had to wait weeks for Charley's official 'nod' on the recent competition, so when the 'nod' didn't materialize I went ahead and just organized it - Rob

 

[wizer]

I've just re-read what Ian said and it appears he is asking for demonstrations from our members to the public at the Axminster event. So am I to assume those demonstrators will be offered a similar financial reward to DC, etc? Or is this intended as 'payment' for the intimate event that they are providing our members.

 

[wizer]

It sounds like I am being terribly negative about this. But it really gets to me that this forum could grow and be of much more value to it's members if the owner only took more notice of what's going on. I fully appreciate the owner's position and his generosity in setting it up. But things have become stagnant and whenever we want to do something we have to arrange it ourselves or wait for weeks to get it done\ok'd.

This forum is successful because of it's members. That shouldn't be taken for granted.

 

[Mr Ed]

Tom - I think you are making some interesting and valid points. If this is a commercial venture, which for Axminster it surely is, then why would a group of individuals like us turn up and do demonstrations for free. I am sure that the 'celebrity' demonstrators get paid, because ultimately they are assisting in shifting product.

I have wondered what the motivation is for all the groups (most often woodturning) that demo at events like Westonbirt? I can only see that it is (a) to increase membership and (b) for personal gratification i.e. because they enjoy it. If you can't tick either of those boxes then why do it?

My 2 cents is that if people want to do it then why ever not, but it wouldn't be for me.

Ed

 

[woodbloke]

(b) for personal gratification i.e. because they enjoy it.


Ed

I'd tick box 'b' here...this is the sort of stuff that I like doing, the money issue is of no concern.
PM me privately (don't advertise it on the forum) if anyone's interested, but I suspect not. If I can get a group of like minded thinkers together in the next few days I'll let Ian know that we could organize something for that weekend, which I personally think would be great. If not, then I'll let him know that it's a non-starter.
Organising it out of the public glare would also get the issue away from the naysayers. 'Nuff said - Rob

 

[wizer]

In which case Rob, it doesn't need to be done under the UKW banner. That way, I think you'd get much more interest. I think it's the way it was worded that made it sound confusing. What Ian wants is some people to show off some woodworking skills, not people from this forum to have a 'stall'. That way, Ian adds value to his event and those of you who would like to demonstrate get to show off your skills. Worded in this way, I look forward to seeing what you have to show.

 

[Noel]

Much as I've said on the Mugs thread anything to do with this event is totally unofficial and as things currently stand anybody taking up the offer does so as an individual, not as a representative of UKW.
This of course can be discussed further with the mod team.

 

[Ironballs]

Think I'm with Tom in that I'd struggle to see what we'd be doing under a UKW banner - which now sounds like a non-starter - plus it's also a bit far away for me.

However, having helped out on the stand for Leeds college at Harrogate a couple of times I can vouch for the satisfaction to be had from talking about something you enjoy, passing your (in my case limited) knowledge and also having the public see what you've made.

I think it would be good for us to have a stall at an event at some point where we can talk rubbish, demo jigs and tips, push people down the slope and even show some pieces - a bit like "Old Designers"

 

[gardenshed]

[
Organising it out of the public glare would also get the issue away from the naysayers. 'Nuff said - Rob

Sorry, but this isn't the right way to go about this imho. some of the questions being asked are quite legitimate and preventing the "so called naysayers" from making a valid contribution isn't the way forward.





..

 

[woodbloke]

As far as I'm concerned this issue is closed and I've informed the mods that I'll let Ian Styles at Axminster know the situation tomorrow - Rob

 

[Nick Gibbs]

Tom - I think you are making some interesting and valid points. If this is a commercial venture, which for Axminster it surely is, then why would a group of individuals like us turn up and do demonstrations for free. I am sure that the 'celebrity' demonstrators get paid, because ultimately they are assisting in shifting product.

I have wondered what the motivation is for all the groups (most often woodturning) that demo at events like Westonbirt? I can only see that it is (a) to increase membership and (b) for personal gratification i.e. because they enjoy it. If you can't tick either of those boxes then why do it?

My 2 cents is that if people want to do it then why ever not, but it wouldn't be for me.

Ed

I think one can get a bit holier than though about the motivations for anything (not saying that Ed is). There are usually a whole mix of reasons why I'll demonstrate at an event.

a) It may bring me coverage and new readers which will fund what I do, and help me take what I hope if good to other woodworkers. Companies like mine have to believe we offer a better service than others, but do lubricate that service we have to make a buck.
b) I support the endeavours of those involved (eg Mike at Classic Hand Tools, and Ian at Axminster; both of whom I've grown to trust for the way they do business over many years). I particularly respect those who make the effort one way or another to spread the word.
c) Because it's fun. I've had some great times at the Festival of the Tree, and more recently at Cressing Temple. Met some great people, drunk some great beer.
d) Because it's our responsibility to get out there and promote woodworking. By the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time, I've got a lot out of woodworking, and I'm very happy to put something back (sorry if that sounds cringy).

I fear that because the Forum is so essentially democratic and free from commerce that people a suspicious of those of us who follow a different model. Of course there are folk out there who only want to make money, but I think you'd be surprised how many are also motivated by more altruistic aims.

Ian Styles may want to embrace the Forum. Who can blame him. I do too. But it would be a myopic Forum to consider it one-way traffic. I'm happy to promote what the Forum does because it serves a valuable service, but we're in a world of collaboration not confrontation these days. No one can afford to stand still. I'd take a bench if I was you, have a laugh, and enjoy it as a good day out.

Nick

 

[Mr Ed]

Nothing to do with holier than thou Nick. Also, I think all of the reasons you make fall into either my category (a) or (b). This is fine; if people want to do it then good for them.

Ed