Another good club night - April 2006

Tonight was the second meeting at our new hall; I arrived as arranged at 1800hrs to help Don our Chair to set things up. Last month we tried the demonstrator at the end of the hall, it worked ok but it produced a long narrow audience so we thought we would try side on as we used to at the previous hall. It looked good, all the cables reached and their was plenty of access for members from all directions. Then we had the tables for set items, the demonstration, monthly raffle, library, competition, open day raffle, notices, chairman, and the last two tables for timber. Now this last one was special and quite unique, Andy had some timber to loose so he brought it along for us; it was 4 open fruit boxes and three plastic ones full of various shapes, sizes and types. It was decided that as it was free to the club we would ask for a donation to help club funds, and free if you turned the piece for Angie's class of students to finish, more about that later in the year.

I don't know where the time went because all of a sudden there where members everywhere. All chatting about turning, purchasing raffle tickets and bothering me, not that I mind, as I do share them with all the other members and they weren't all bothering me, it just seemed like it. Please don't stop, I really don't mind. I wish I hadn't put that in now, that's going to come back and bite me in the behind isn't it. Moving swiftly on, as you do. Our demonstrator arrived and started to unpack the two cars of wares. First one lot came in, then another, and then loads more, somebody should have shouted WHEN because I counted 60 plus items on the two tables alone. Half a dozen or more small tables and chairs displayed in front, and another bunch of items behind where he was to stand including a hot glue pot on another very busy table.

With the demonstrator pretty much ready, the tea break guys up together, the competition pieces placed and the time fast approaching 1930hrs Don called for silence. We had the usual notices and promotions, some news of the passing away of and elderly member, which is always sad to hear. Don then handed over to Ken our programme officer. Ken explained a few things briefly and then introduced Kevin O'Connell who is a local furniture restorer. Kevin first explained just how many trades he needs to be proficient at in order to pursue his trade. Plus of coarse you need to know your history, styles, some geography, old-fashioned stains and treatments. Plus where to purchase those rare hard to find bits and pieces that help to revive these beautiful old pieces, and off coarse you have to know the market, as you need to sell things. There's no point wasting time renovating something only to find nobody wants it. Kevin went through various styles explaining in detail how furniture came to change going way back into history.

Now we are half way through the evening and its time for that welcome break to stretch the legs. Mel & Peter where on duty tonight and a very good job they did to, it's always better if people offer to do things rather than force them because they put more into it. Well these two guys certainly put more in tonight, for the first time ever the members around the hall where treated to a first class service of a free top up where they stood, our club just gets better and better, well done lads. We had the usual members around the demonstrator asking millions of questions. The library was busy and of coarse the checking out of who's done what in the competition, plus the last minute raffle tickets. Finally it was explained that next month it's a turn in and we are going to set out tables and chairs at the opposite end to the lathes with all night refreshments creating an area for talking turning around a table. The idea being if any members find they have seen all the demos over their many years of coming here there is now something new, they could pass on some of their knowledge to us novices. With that done we where back to the floor show again.

The last part of the demo was more on treating and repairing, added to this where a few stories of missed fortunes of sold items and how his son who help him tonight became involved in the trade. And as usually happens to quickly it was over, Don said a few kind words, the members agreed it had been an interesting evening and showed their appreciation with a round of applause. So with the last minute notes read out and competition results given we where into the monthly raffle. (I must admit, I'll be pleased to get our open day raffle finished with as it can get confusing) Both Derek and I got numbers up tonight, that's a first. The members cleared away the tables and chairs, library things and all the many other things that come out of our Tardis/cupboard. Sweeping and vacuuming, moving chairs from one end to the other because they were in the wrong place and the carrying out of the hundreds of Kevin's demonstration items, you had to agree, he came well prepared didn't he!

Many thanks go to the turners who made items for Angela's classes and all the helpers for the night. With everything put away we checked the doors and windows and the lights switched off, and there goes another good club night.

Boots - April 2006