OUR SECOND JUNIOR MEETING.

The meeting started with a 10 min chat, this was to suggest the idea of creating a signature to put on their finished work and for each junior to have a name tag on so we know who's who. They where all given a folder with sleeves inside to keep their paperwork together, one handy thing is to draw the tool end shape and write its name, fairly soon I guess they will remember it all, we will do parts of the lathe next. Anyway, immediately I said "Now go away and enjoy yourselves" they all went for the pyrography tables, we had to encourage some to start with some turning, the problem was we suggested they all create a signature to put on their turned pieces, their initials or an animal, something related, and they all thought that was brilliant and went straight for it, I must try to think ahead on such matters if I'm to come anywhere near to succeeding here.

All but a couple of changes to the format things were pretty much as the last meeting, the theme this time was to turn a small platter, take it home and bring it back next month having done something to it that reminds them of this summer holiday. Because of the holidays we only had 7 this time, the benefits of that of course was that those that did come had more time on the lathe. Derek was on the pyrography this time and was kept very busy, Angy showed mushrooms similar to the ones they turned last time but with some decoration on them transforming them beautifully, a good example of how the turned piece can be enhance with just the simplest of additions, there where wooden spoons for burning patterns on to.

Unfortunately the Oak we had to turn was not good so it took some turning, we did result to sanding which we promised not to do with the juniors, (that's one of the many issues we discussed), so the vacuum is very useful here. Keiran was a knew member today and he turned with me, a few days later I received an email saying how much he enjoyed the meeting and attached were 2 photo's, one here see inset. He is fortunate enough to have his own lathe at home; I'm impressed coming from such a young turner. Just proves my point though, there is a real need for junior clubs, you listening all you clubs out there in the great wide world?

We had four lathes set up, Bill was with us today and tried out the new Coronet lathe on the new stand he made to suit the shorter juniors, apart from a couple of diagonals the stand works very well. Ken and Don where busy with pupils and Ron, a knew senior member came with some helpful ideas, this junior club is growing week by week, next month they will have the computer all set up and ready to go, they will have a camera to use to record and store what ever they like, with just an little encouragement from Ron and perhaps Tyson as to how best to store information and how not to scramble a computer, please don't scramble the computer, at this point Id like to say a big thank you to James who's computer business is called Innovations, James is a computer wizard who has an advert in our club magazine, he has taken my old computer and prepared it for the junior club members to use, he will be maintaining it so please don't scramble it, he's a busy man. James has done quite a bit of work for the club members in the past year or so and all the feed back is very good. James has an advert in every club magazine so if you need computer help, he's your man.

So as with all club meetings it's all over far too quick and before you know it you hear the cries of "Here comes grand dad" or "My mum's here" that'll take some getting used to. So that's it gone, three hours of fun gone in no time at all, still it shows I enjoyed it to so who's complaining, not me. Quickly the gear is away and the hall is swept and tidy. We said goodbye to seven happy juniors and locked the doors, and there goes another junior meeting.

Boots - August 2007