Words from the Chair

At last! We may soon be back in the hall. Just six persons are allowed to meet in the hall at present but if plans are allowed to run their course we can look forward to restarting in July.

Event secretary, Louise, plans to invite the demonstrators that we were obliged to cancel, due to Covid, to be the first to visit us. That is something to look forward to. However, we must be prepared to face up to the sad fact that some of the regular demonstrators are no longer available to demonstrate at all. Covid has plenty to answer for and it is an unfortunate truth that many specialist businesses are no longer immediately available, there will be a lot of recovering needed for them to get back on track and we must be prepared to show patience.

There was more to discuss at our last committee meeting with the imminent changes of the next few months. Probably the most important item was the likelihood of a need to rethink the overall format of club nights. With the possibility of a shortage of visiting demonstrators we may become more reliant on member interaction. This does of course remain to be seen but any member who is prepared to share their thoughts or methods should speak to Louise or another committee member. They will be the ones wearing identity badges!

When we do resume meetings it is likely that there will still be precautionary rules in force which we will be obliged to follow such as social distancing and mask wearing. Please be aware of this and be prepared to comply with any such rules.

I am looking forward to presenting 2020 competition winners with their trophies which I must get engraved. (Got to get them back first)

And of course meeting you all again.

Stay safe and keep turning.

Barry

Newsletter

This month, we have the delight of reading the story of how George Locker got into turning from early childhood. This is a lovely ready about his story over your morning coffee. An extract from the full article:

When I reached the dizzy age of fourteen, the teacher thought I would benefit if I stayed on for another six months and the local vicar came in once a week to give three of us an extra maths lesson. Following this, it had then been arranged that I would serve an apprenticeship as a joiner but I would have to be sixteen before I could start.

What would I do before then? I got a job on a…

Recess Tool

I have just started to make some salt and pepper mills using the CrushGrind mechanism and realised that a precise recess needed cutting inside each mill to take the locating ridges. There are special tools for doing this but at a cost.

The other option is of course to make one if you have a bench grinder. After raking around in my tools drawer, I found an old Marples chisel that I had been using for rough jobs and so had a go at grinding it to shape. It was surprisingly easy on the white stone of my grinding wheel and in about 10 minutes I had a recess tool and a saving of £33. It worked perfectly.

From The Archive

Whilst going through the old website, I found this which I thought may be on interest to a few of you. Enjoy ‘Roy’s Tea Dispenser’ from 2003.

Woodturning Zoom - https://woodturningzoom.com/

Don’t forget to have a look and let us know what you think. It might just trigger a thought that you want to share about how we can do things to interest you.

If you decide to get involved, let us know your experience! - info@chelmerwood.co.uk

Conkers Live

The web demos brought to you by Chestnut Products.

The next demo is on the 12th May with Kirsty Dalton.

https://chestnutproducts.co.uk/conkers-live/

Show and tell - May’s Theme

The AWGB are now running a monthly competition called Show and Tell where you can enter to win a £50 voucher.

May’s theme - Turned Furniture

Function, form or a bit of both? We want to see what furniture you can make with your turning skills. With summer around the corner, will you spring for a few more stools for the garden? Do you want to try your hand at a pair of lamps? Or will you start an heirloom collection? How are you going to tackle it?

Deadline for entries is the 31st May.

Prize – £200 total voucher for Simon Hope Products. Simon Hope will add a £150 pound voucher in addition to the £50 voucher supplied by the AWGB.

See existing entries as the come in here - www.awgb.co.uk/show-tell/may-2021-show-tell-entries/

See how to enter and the rules here - www.awgb.co.uk/show-tell/show-tell-rules/