Report on our latest meeting 28-11-2024. Organized by Alan Smith and Nick Simpson as a joint venture into both exhibition work and training.

Our meeting on Thursday 28th November was a joint venture by Alan Smith and Nick Simpson, Alan was in charge of the exhibition lathes, one, two and four, Nick was overseeing lathes three and five as part of the training programme.

I was not in attendance due to illness, in charge of the meeting was Geoff Potter who did all the formalities in regards to opening the meeting. He also got Susan Drew to take the pictures. Here are those pictures along with a short report from Geoff Potter for each of the lathes.

Lathe 1, Dave Line demonstrated two bowls using a pin chuck as the initial work holder. The first bowl was laminated timber, the second was a solid piece.

Left, here Dave can be seen finally finishing one of the bowls. Right, shows Dave holding the two bowls he made.

Lathe 2, Marco Baglioni demonstrated an offset bowl, turned from a piece of Burr Elm decorated with two incised lines. The offset recess in the base results in an interesting “sun and moon” shape.

Left, sees Marco applying some finish to his work piece. Right, the base showing the “sun and moon “detail as mentioned above.

Lathe 3, one of the training stations had Tom Todd who was training with David Hobson, creating a pear from a beautiful piece of Laburnum.

Left, the pear almost complete. Right, Tom Todd with his finished Laburnum Pear.

Lathe 4, Chris Lycett demonstrating how to make a small box from a piece of Pine. The top lid was completed by using the base of the box as a jam chuck, before the base was parted off. The finished lid had a satisfying tight fit.

Left, Chris can be seen working the inside of his box. Right, here is Chris with his finished box.

Lathe 5, the second of the training stations had Alan Reedie being trained by David Ross. He made a series of beads and coves whilst spindle turning. His final piece was an Oak snowman (which will have a small sharp nose) and will be finished by being painted by his daughter.

Left, is Alan Reedie holding the piece he was practicing on to create the beads and coves, and in his right hand the snowman made ready to be painted. Right, the three individuals that took part in the organization of the demonstrations, training and of course the taking of the pictures, thanks to all three.

The meeting was well attended and there were some new features with new outside lighting in particular being installed by John Ruickbie much to the appreciation of all the members. Also newly arrived our outside sign from Susan Drew, it too was very well received.

Our next meeting will be on the 12th December and that will be the last meeting for 2024, it’s also the Competition for the MacGregor shield, a stand alone Competition where anyone can enter with more than one entry and it will be judged by the whole membership present. It’s also our Grand Raffle Draw with up to 100 prizes.