Just a quick thank you from a knackered Classic Hand Tools team to everyone who were able to support this event. Lots of friendly constructive and welcome ideas on how to tweak and improve any future events so that the visitor's enjoyment is further enhanced.
I'd love the forum folk to have some ID as it is always nice to put a face to a name (actually thinking about that statement for a moment that's not always true) maybe Waka wigs, no that wouldn't work..how about Philly wigs.
We'll try and put on a good show for you at Westonbirt. Sadly having "booked" the Great Oak Hall in 2006, and re-confirmed the booking at last years event I have been advised that we cannot now use this at all this year which has scuppered my plans to put the masterclasses in there. Things happen despite of other peoples efforts rather than because of them sometimes! Enough said!
But to sign off with a few snippets..Rob Cosman will be running 4 hour teaching seminars at this years show, genius planemaker Bill Carter will be there (Sunday only) with young Mr Sauer returning to improve his soccer skills, Philly will be showing them both how it should be done properly plus a certain Mr Charlesworth, a guitar maker, an Italian woodturning school, The Austrian woodcarving school, shingle making, oak beam dressing, the making of "The Westonbirt Windsor" and hopefully some boatbuilding to add to the usual fun with our "regulars" - Mark Hancock, John Lloyd, Nick Gibbs, Chris Pye, Mick Hudson & James Mursell...The masterclasses will run as last year (any of you guys fancy doing a turn?) and we hope you'll help make this the best event of its kind in Europe (I believe it can be).
Back to West Dean, many thanks to Rosemary Marley and Allison Baxter from the college who helped me set it up. Yes CHT would like to do another event at West Dean next year with a slightly expanded format - but lets let the dust settle on this first. We do want to do one "up north" possibly Edinburgh so any possible suggestions for a venue would be welcome (250 square metre floor space, food, toilets, good parking, something for the other half to do, affordable, good local beer and an interpreter for Deneb Pulchalski etc. required).
Michel AURIOU is the correct spelling. Auriou Toolworks hope to start production this autumn.
Who ever bought the Chris Vesper made Red Gum Oak bevel - can he/she give me a call please - we goofed up big time on this and I need you to dig me out of the pooh if you can.
THANKS, Mike & the knackered crew