Gloucestershire Association of Woodturners

[Anonymous]

Thought I'd give a quick review of my first meeting at the Gloucestershire Association of Woodturners (GAW).

Turned up at 7:15pm last night thinking I was a little early. Discovered the car park was jammed and had trouble finding anywhere to park. Walked into the room and there must have been over 50 people sat about waiting for the meeting to start. By the time things did start there must have been nearly 100 people (or not far off).

Most of the meeting was taken up by the guest turner, Gary Rance ( http://www.asso47.dsl.pipex.com/). He impressed everybody with his amazing speed at turning. He told stories of knocking out 5000 pheasant and partridge eggs, 1 a minute. A very informative and amusing couple of hours.

The club appears to offer several benefits:

Guest turners
Library of books and videos
Sale of tools, finishes and abrasives
Special demonstration days
Trips to Yandles, etc.

The only downside to the club is the average age of the members. I'm a youngster where as most of them looked like they'd been retired for several years. Given this fact I'm glad the meetings are only once a month.

I got home at about 10:30pm (past my bedtime) but feeling like I wanted to go straight to the workshop and try out some of the things I'd learned. Glad I made the effort to go and will definitely stick with it.

Dave

 

[Russell]

Dave I go to 3 woodturning clubs iam 43 and feel like a young whipper snapper when I am there most of the people seem to be way past retirement age. There are a few younger members at one club and they hold there own with the old uns so don't give up you will benefit greatly from the club meetings.

I adopt the policy of if I like something or I am offered advice i try it, if it works great, if not move on and try something new. Every one has there own opinion on how things should be done and there is no right or wrong way just as long as its safe and it works then that's Ok

 

[SVB]

Dave,

I am also a GAW member and saw Gary both on the Wed evening and on the Thursday for a whole day workshop.

I can only echo your comments, the precision and skill was impressive, but the speed at which he could turn to that standard was something else.

10/10!!!

PS At 32 I am doing my best for the average age but like most clubs, there is some way to go!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Simon,

I did wonder if there were any other members on the forum. I'll look out for you at the next meeting and say hello.

What exactly happened on Thursday? Gary seemed like quite a joker so it must have been fun as well as educational.

Dave

 

[SVB]

Gary did a full day demo:

A propeller ***** stick
A pocket watch stand
A refresh of spindle techniques
Faceplate techniques
An apple
A box with an ebony insert in the lid
A thin stem goblet

Plus I am sure there were some other items that I have forgotten (information overload!)
Plenty of banter (mostly at Les Thorne's expense!)
All in all, a top day.

 

[Paul.J]

Sorry to intrude,but do you know of any clubs in the Birmingham area. :?:
Paul.J.

 

[jpt]

Sorry to intrude,but do you know of any clubs in the Birmingham area. :?:
Paul.J.

HI

There are a couple, if you check out the AWGB site under branches you can choose which one is closest. http://www.woodturners.co.uk/

john

 

[Paul.J]

Jpt wrote
There are a couple, if you check out the AWGB site under branches you can choose which one is closest. http://www.woodturners.co.uk/
Thanks for that John.
It seems Water Orton is my closest.
Paul.J.

 

[andys wood shed]

Hi Paul

Sorry to intrude,but do you know of any clubs in the Birmingham area. :?:
Paul.J.

you could try http://www.woodworkersguild.co.uk/

I've not been but understand a lot of woodturners also attend

Also try;

http://www.blackcountrywoodturners.co.uk/


Andy

 

[Paul.J]

Thanks Andy.
They're closer.
Paul.J.

 

[cyanide]

Hi Have been a member at the GAW for on and off twenty years, tried one or two other clubs whilst in different parts of the country. When I moved back to Glos one of the conditions was that I would rejoin GAW. So glad I did. Yes the membership may largely be people who qualify for U3A, however the amassed experience between them is like having Wikapedia sitting next to you. The club manages at least 10 different demos a year on club night with some of the best turners in the country on the mike. We also have several club members who are prepared to demo and trust me they are good. So ignore the age spectrum, we all have to get old thats life. In twenty years time you will be one of the older members. Most clubs I've been to have an older age of members, but don't forget without their support most clubs would close. Just look at the organisers for whatever club you go to and I bet most of them are in the retired age bracket, but by the heck do they put some work in. So ignore the age of the guy (or girl ) sat next to you sit back and enjoy and if you want to know something ask one of the old guys you might just find what you want

 

[SVB]

Valid post but note we are all a decade older now since this thread was started!!

:shock:

 

[treeturner123]

But some of us are still on 'Catch-up'!!

And yes, I'm a member and have been for some time.

Phil

 

[SVB]

Good to know still going strong. I was a GAW + ABWT member at one point but family / work etc have left less time so both have now lapsed. Maybe when kids bit older I'll get back to club stuff as did always look forward to club nights and esp the all day demos.

S