UKIWS? (Woodturning Symposium)

[BearTricks]

Saw a couple of videos on YouTube talking about this.

Essentially it seems as if Mike Waldt and a couple of other wood turners are putting on a symposium in Coventry next June.

It's at the Hilton Hotel, which seems like an odd choice considering how messy wood turning is. They're being ambitious in wanting to live stream some of the event and to stream in demonstrations from around the world; I think they're pushing the YouTube angle heavily.

I don't think i have seen anyone talking about this on here. Is anyone planning on attending?

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

 

[themackay]

I have read about it on another forum not sure if I will go though

 

[Paul Hannaby]

The format appears to be more like the other trade/enthusiast shows like Yandles, Daventry, Newark etc. rather than like any symposium or seminar and all those always have more demonstrators working concurrently than the ukiws too. Perhaps they are relying on clubs doing some demonstrating too.

I hope it is successful but I expect the organisers will learn a lot from the first one.

 

[Robbo3]

UKIWS didn't register with me although I had been reading about the upcoming woodturning symposium. Any chance of changing the thread title ?

Woodturning Symposium

A new woodturning symposium is being organised by 3 regular YouTube woodturners ; Mike Waldt, Martin Saban-Smith & Steve Twydell.
Date : 18/19 June 2016
Venue : Hilton Hotel, Coventry
Web : http://www.ukiws.co.uk/

Organisers:
Mike Waldt: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCymruBoy
Martin Saban-Smith: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpHZv5 ... jXHDBxPLxw
Steve Twydell: http://www.youtube.com/user/stevo15771

 

[gregmcateer]

UKIWS didn't register with me although I had been reading about the upcoming woodturning symposium. Any chance of changing the thread title ?

I've no axe to grind for AWGB or UKIWS, (which reading between the lines seems to be the beginnings of a possibly disgruntled group looking to change the focus / style / management / ... of woodturning in the UK and Ireland, (happy to be corrected on this, of course)).

Notwithstanding that, I'm not sure the thread name should be changed - that is, after all, the name that the UKIWS organisers have chosen. (Though I agree - ain't to catchy, is it?)

As an 'outsider' to the workings of AWGB and beyond, does anyone here have any input as to where things have been, are, should be heading with Turning in the UK?

(Preparing to take cover)

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I hadn't heard of the event either though I think its a pretty bold idea to be fair. I rather suspect Paul's got it right when he says they'll learn a lot from the first one!!! I've delivered a large number of presentations in hotels over my career and just getting the technology to work for a single powerpoint can often be fraught. The idea of managing an event with global AV streaming live without a corporate budget behind it is not for the faint hearted.

They have gonads I'll give them that and I hope it works.

 

[Grahamshed]

No need to take cover Greg but I would make a few points before this line of thought expands.

Firstly I need to say that I am a member of AWGB but not part of the management, this is a purely personal viewpoint.

1... I am not aware that the UKIWS is any form of breakaway from the AWGB, as far as I can make out the organisers of the new 'symposium' were only vaguely aware of the AWGB and their 'seminars'

2... Again, as far as I am aware, there is no animosity coming from the AWGB towards them. They wish them well with the event.

3... There may be some confusion being caused by the fact that the planning of the new UKIWS event is coinciding with discussions about the future following the recent AWGB international seminar. but a coincidence ( as far as I am aware ) is exactly what it is.

 

[Rhossydd]

The idea of managing an event with global AV streaming live without a corporate budget behind it is not for the faint hearted

Much will depend on the standards they're aiming for. Delivering broadcast standard video is a major challenge, if they think that the sort Skype/phone quality they produce on their You Tube work is acceptable, the technology is simple and cheap now.

What is more likely to be a problem is the scale of the event on site.
I think most people that have been to a turning demonstration appreciate that more than about ten people round a lathe is impractical. Clubs get round this in small halls by using a couple of people with video cameras and relaying the demonstration to big TVs, this can work well if competently set up and operated.
Once you get to large conference rooms with over a hundred people, you either need a lot more TVs, or more usually big projection screens. Then any lack in the quality in the pictures becomes very apparent. Similarly providing PA in bigger halls is far more problematic than in small spaces. Plus it all takes time to set up, test and make safe
You have to consider health and safety at paid for events. It wouldn't be much fun for them if a fire officer turned up and closed the event down as unsafe because of trailing cables, lack of fire protection near piles of combustible shavings etc. Hopefully Hilton should provide some guidance and help explain how their H&S policies will impact on the event.

Maybe these guys know all this and have the experience to deliver a good event.
At £10/day it seems unfeasibly cheap and I can't see how they can deliver a good event at that price point.

 

[Bodrighy]

I too was initially sceptical but as someone pointed out to me, anything that will spread the word about turning to the non turning fraternity is worth supporting. If we all stand on the suiede lines and wait and seee what happens then wood turning in this country will die of old age. We really need to get the craft / art out to the younger generation and at least these guys are doing something. Wonder how many members on here are under 45?

pete

 

[Grahamshed]

Not sure how this, or any other woodturning event is going to do that Pete. By the very nature of things they are only advertised to woodturners. Any non turner finding out about it is just a happy coincidence.

 

[Grahamshed]

Which, I guess is why the AWGB has started taking the roadshow to non turning events like the country shows.

 

[Bodrighy]

Not sure how this, or any other woodturning event is going to do that Pete. By the very nature of things they are only advertised to woodturners. Any non turner finding out about it is just a happy coincidence.

That is down to the rest of us Graham. If it is onoly advertised on wood turning forums and pages then I agree but I am sure we all have non turning friends out there and it is up to us to promote our craft not just leave it to the few. As it is no longer taught in state schools or colleges (may be a few exceptions) very few people under the age of about 45 have ever tried it. With the huge use of social media nowadays it should be easy to get the word out if we all bothered. i am as guilty as anyone of standing by and doing nothing so I am not pointing the finger at anyone just saying maybe it's time to all pull together.

pete

 

[Rhossydd]

By the very nature of things they are only advertised to woodturners. Any non turner finding out about it is just a happy coincidence.

If you weren't a turner, would such a specialist symposium entice you to spend the money and spend a day attending ? I don't think so.

If people are evangelical about 'spreading the word' and recruiting new participants, demonstrations of the basic skills at more general events like craft and country fairs are more likely to reach a receptive audience.

 

[Bodrighy]

By the very nature of things they are only advertised to woodturners. Any non turner finding out about it is just a happy coincidence.

If you weren't a turner, would such a specialist symposium entice you to spend the money and spend a day attending ? I don't think so.

If people are evangelical about 'spreading the word' and recruiting new participants, demonstrations of the basic skills at more general events like craft and country fairs are more likely to reach a receptive audience.

I agree up to a point. I do a have a go session at some of the shows I do and don't have time for all the people who want to try it. The cost of a day at the symposium is not a lot and gives people a chance to see turning in practice and possibly have a go themselves. Anything that can promote turning in a positive way has to be good surely?

Pete

 

[Grahamshed]

Woodturning is said to be getting more popular. I have a theory ( but not a very productive one ) that woodturning is being taken up by newly retired people who have always been interested in DIY that has contained a woodworking element. This has largely been brought about by the fact that newly retired people are fitter and better off than they used to be.

It is nice, and good, that some younger people are also involved, and it should be encouraged at every opportunity but the target market should still probably be those in their sixties. There is nothing wrong with that and it is a growing market.

 

[Grahamshed]

I live near a small market town called Abingdon ( Pete will be familiar with it ). It has a shopping precinct that contains a 'community shop' that is used for a week at a time by local groups of all types.
Next week it is being used by the Didcot Woodturning Club ( Monday 16th, Thursday 19th, Friday 20th & Saturday 21st to showcase woodturning and our club to the general public so there will be a couple of lathes in use and visible to passers by. It will be interesting to see what happens and who comes in to watch.

 

[Bodrighy]

That is the sort of thing we need Graham. As you say. be interesting in the reaction and response from the public. I have done shows at Abingdon and there was certainly interest from people who came. have to remember Iam there to sell things not just talk about wood turning LOL. Saying which I need to be in the workshop, got half a dozen shows bewteen now and Christmas and someone for lessons on Thursday so need to get pro-active .

pete

 

[Rhossydd]

I have a theory ( but not a very productive one ) that woodturning is being taken up by newly retired people who have always been interested in DIY that has contained a woodworking element. This has largely been brought about by the fact that newly retired people are fitter and better off than they used to be.

I'm sure you're correct on this from what I've seen.

it is a growing market.

That may be less true. Right now a lot of people are retiring with generous pensions, however a vast number of schemes that have provided these good pensions have been closed in recent years. The longer term outlook is less rosy for those in their 40s now, these will also be the people who have never had any craft eduction too.
I find it remarkable that many people in their 30s & 40s now won't attempt the most basic DIY and regard building a flat pack as a major project.

 

[MSabanSmith]

Hi Everyone,

Thought I'd drop by and say a quick hello as one of the organisers of UKIWS. Thank you very much to the guys here who are are giving our event a thumbs-up - nice to find more support, and we hope to see you at the event.

This is an interesting thread and not the first one with a dose of scepticism about our event. I would greatly encourage you to take a look at the website and Facebook page to see how things are developing and moving at a lightning speed. The support we've received from the UK, Ireland and all over the world has been immense. Our facebook page is buzzing with close on 500 followers and if you look, you'll be able to keep up with what is going on. We only started organising this less than a month ago, by the way.

I must point out a few things though to clarify some of the comments here.

Firstly, we are not a splinter group of the AWGB and are not in any way in competition with them. The three of us wanted to put an event on that is different in atmosphere and scale to that presently seen in the UK.

We have two very experienced H&S officers with us who are looking after that aspect of the event.

Broadcasting demos in and out of the symposium? Yes, why not? We're experimenting with the best way to do this as we have interest in attending the event from all over the world. In our update video, nothing was confirmed on this front, but we will let everyone know if it will be possible.

£10 tickets are an earlybird offer. The actual entry cost is £15.00 for each day and includes all the public demonstrations by the pro's and up-coming demonstrators. We sold out of the Saturday tickets and combined Weekend earlybird tickets within 48 hours when they were released to the mailing list. The tickets go on general sale tomorrow evening (11th November) if you're interested.

The only way that our symposium could be classed as 'specialised' is that it is for turning only. There is no elitism about it, this is a show for all turners to come and meet each other, encourage others and inject some more energy and enthusiasm into a growing pass-time.

We have a legacy funding project in the early stages of development where we will be looking at investing money back into promoting woodturning back into the community and encouraging younger blood to take it up and keep it going. There is a long way to go with it yet, but it will happen.

Anyway, as I said, I thought I'd drop by to say hello. If you have any queries about the event, please do contact me via UKIWS website. I'll be pleased to help.

Cheers all, hope to see you there,

Martin

 

[chipmunk]

The longer term outlook is less rosy for those in their 40s now, these will also be the people who have never had any craft eduction too.
I find it remarkable that many people in their 30s & 40s now won't attempt the most basic DIY and regard building a flat pack as a major project.

+1 for those observations. The membership of our turning club certainly bears this out.

I also feel that the outlook for the traditional market for our woodturned items is also going the same way.
Cheap imported goods can always undercut hand-crafted items and our designs (a generalization I admit) are not always what they might be to persuade younger buyers to part with their cash.

Jon