Author: Alec Mutch

HWC were approached by Glen Albyn Explorers, Green Drive Hall Inverness back in the summer asking if it would be possible to have a woodturning demonstration that they could observe and possibly even experience.

This was agreed and arranged through one of their leaders Eelco De Jong and ourselves for the 1st November 2023.

Present for HWC was Alec Mutch, Peter Lawrence, Geoff Potter, we three were to handle all the liaison. Joe Webster was there as our Health and Safety representative and 5 Turners manned the lathes, David Hobson, Dave Line, Daniel Stewart, Alan Smith and Richard Comfort. All were making different things, it was agreed participation by any of the Scouts on a lathe was agreed under very strict supervision.

When the group arrived there were 3 Leaders, Eelco, Rachel and Chris, the Scouts were Juliet, Lucas, Chris, Cluanie, Fran, Gaby, Findlay and Aaron, all came with suitable PPE for observing the turning.

After the initial introductions the visiting group were encouraged to watch what the turners were doing, it was not long before one of the Scouts asked to take part, that led them all to want to have a go, which by the end of the evening they all managed to get the experience of using a lathe. Three of the Scouts managed to take part in an item that they were given as a keepsake by the turners.

Here are a few pictures from the meeting.

Top picture, here is Lucas being instructed by Dave Line on making a pen. Bottom Picture, Now it was the turn of Juliet to work with Dave also making a pen, both were allowed to keep the pen on completion.

Top picture, here is Thomas being instructed by Daniel Stewart on making a small bowl. Bottom picture, using some of the shavings to burnish the bowl, Thomas was given the bowl by Daniel.

Top picture, here is David Hobson showing one of the Scouts how to use the tools for making wooden fruits. Bottom picture, on Lathe 1, was Richard Comfort, he was making a much more elaborate bowl using a “Y” piece of Laburnum, much too risky to put any of the Scouts with him, they did however see the finished article.

Most of the turners brought in items for the Scouts to see, they were amazed at the variety.

Top picture, I brought in a selection of wood samples to let them see the type of woods we use, these are not all the woods we use but they are the most common, the Scouts paid particular attention to these sample especially the Spalted wood and the Burr wood. Bottom picture , the whole group at the end of the meeting.

The visitors gave us all their thanks for a most enjoyable and informative evening, we in turn enjoyed having them there and it was mentioned that a similar meeting may be forthcoming in 2024 with a different set of Scouts, we will keep in touch.

Our meeting on Thursday 26th October was organized by David Hobson, David didn’t put forward a theme for this meeting opting to allow each of the turners to make something on their own, he did have all 5 lathes in use by having 4 members plus himself doing all the turning.

Continue reading “Report on our meeting 26-10-2023, organized by David Hobson.”

Start time 6.45pm

Our next meeting is on Thursday 26th October 2023, it’s being organized by David Hobson, David did not select a theme for this meeting he arranged for all 5 lathes to be in use but the turners can choose to make whatever they want and feel comfortable doing.

Continue reading “Our next meeting, 26-10-2023. Organized by David Hobson.”

Our meeting on Thursday 12th October 2023 was organized by Dave Line, Dave’s theme for the evening was making wooden bowls, he had organized for 4 more turners and himself to man all the club lathes, all were to be making bowls of various descriptions.

Continue reading “Report on our meeting 12-10-2023, organized by Dave line.”

Start time 6.45pm.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 12th October 2023, it’s being organized by Dave Line and Dave’s theme for the meeting is making wooden bowls. Dave will be manning a lathe and he has organized 4 more turners to man all 5 of the club’s lathes.

Continue reading “Our next meeting, 12-10-2023 organized by Dave Line.”

Our latest meeting on Thursday 28th September 2023 was organized by Alan Geddes, Alan’s theme for the evening was to make wooden platters. He had all 5 of the club’s lathes in use, 4 of the members and himself doing all the turning. Although all were making platters, none of them were making similar items, there was variety in what the turners were making.

Continue reading “Report on our meeting 28-09-2023 organized by Alan Geddes.”

Start time 6.45pm

Our next meeting is on Thursday 28th September 2023, its being organized by Alan Geddes and Alan’s theme for the meeting is making Wooden Platters, Alan has arranged to have all 5 lathes working and making Wooden Platters.

Continue reading “Our next meeting 28-09-2023, organized by Alan Geddes.”

Our meeting on Thursday 14th September was a Showtime meeting, it was organized by Errol Levings using a new format and this was to be the pilot to determine the continued use of the new format.

Continue reading “Report on our meeting 14-09-2023 SHOWTIME, organized by Errol Levings.”

Start time 6.45pm.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 14th September 2023, it’s a Showtime meeting organized by Errol Levings. The Showtime meetings have been traditionally very well received, but after some discussion at committee level it was agreed that a new system be piloted with the format of these meetings and as Errol was the person tasked with handling the meeting on the 14th September he agreed to give the pilot a go.

Continue reading “Our next meeting 14-09-2023 A Showtime meeting organized by Errol Levings.”