Another Good Club Night - August 2004

Tonight there was timber for sale every where you looked and somebody had put a couple of large logs in the raffle. It was nearly all set up despite my early arrival. The club library of books and video's was laid out and the table ready to receive the competition pieces. I entered my piece and said my hello's. Don ran the evening due to the absence of both chairman and vice chair.

It was a turn in and the usual four lathes where set up to entertain us. Bill Thorne worked an earring stand with a great deal of attention to detail, Ted Farrow showed us spindle turning with pummels, Dave Cullen again spindle turning but he worked a long stemmed goblet, and Robin Lacy using the ring tool. This is not the first time Robin has demonstrated this, however there is still a good audience with many questions. I have to admit I have problems with the ring tool, I did make it work on one occasion but sadly no luck since. I have promised myself that next time I'm going to sit right in the front and get this mastered once and for all.

I offered to help with the mid break tea and coffee, and again I found myself deep in conversation and not being as much help as I should, apologies again to Ken. Since taking on the Web site I find some conversations lean towards computers, tonight it was about one catching fire and another was a lap top screen melting.

Lots of chat about how the competition is run, its surprising how cleverly it's all done to accommodate every eventuality. Its typical really your thankful to somebody for arranging something but you never really appreciate was goes into it unless you get involved. I have the entire list for next year so when I have five minutes I'll put it on the site. I must say I preferred it when you didn't know until the club night, you found yourself looking for the newsletter to see what you'd been set and then asking for ideas and measurements from those who know. I may just leave it off the site, shred my list and wait as usual.

Once again I forgot to get a book out of the library to write a review for the site, perhaps next time. There was a good turn out despite the heavy downpours we'd had all day, and lots of groups chatting away. Ken cleared up after the tea break and the second half went quicker than the first. W L West have a demonstration day this Saturday 21st August and I got Don to mention there was leaflets with details so hopefully some guys will go. Along with this were the competition results, last bits of chat and the raffle, My number came up and I picked a pair of safety goggles. There was the usual clearing away of lathes and sweeping up and again there goes another good club night.

Boots - August 2004