Another Good Club Night January 2008

Tonight was a turn in, I arrived early but Bill and a few others where already there getting the lathes ready, Don had been to the dentist today and was told not to do any lifting, he behaved himself and left it to us, and quite right to. With some new faces helping we were ready just in time. Don called for quiet, as we where slightly before the official start time I explained some Open Weekend things, Dave explained or should I say encouraged the members to go down to their workshops and get turning, then it was time for Don to do the official bits, with that over he handed over to Bill to explain the turners for the evening.

And another club night gets underway, me, well I've got nothing to do but help out at the end or pop in and help in the kitchen if required, Dave and Jo had it covered so well done to them. I had mentioned to the members earlier that we would be talking turning in the café area should anybody wish to join us, JC did and showed us a tool he had problems sharpening, that was soon sorted but he didn't know the timber he had used to make the handle, over to Brian, the master, who immediately told us. The discussions went on all night, it was good to see members mixing together, helping out with those veritable words of wisdom over a cup of tea/coffee.

As for me, well, I managed to scribble all sorts of diagrams and bits all over my A4 pad, it seemed ok on the night but at home here it's a different matter completely. For example, on just one A4 page I have the following notes & sketches: - My notes to tell the members at the beginning of the club night, details of what we need for the open weekend, what paint I need, I then had a list of names and gifts offered for our Open Weekend. A list of whose turning what tonight, 4 drawings, details from John Davis about plates, goblets and all things turned on a pole lathe before pottery came into fashion, a message from John to Steve and a note to remind me to pop into PDS Craft, I seem to remember my school teacher telling me off about scribble like this many years ago, hum?

Our turners for tonight were, Bill turning apples, John on light pulls, Derek on wok stirrers and Dave on hollowing and blow spray painting, many thanks you guys, lots of interest shown as usual. I did try to suggest the turners had a break but got way laid. I was pleasantly surprised to see John Davis walk in during the evening, and he was very soon attached to a hot drink of tea, and in a china mug no less. He looked well; he spoke to a good few people tonight.

Angy had printed off some notes for members to take home and hopefully they will rummage around and bring us some useful things next time. Sadly as always the evenings gone and again I didn't get to see the demo I set out to see, sorry Dave, I'll email you ASAP. So a few words from Don and our thanks went to Bill then it was over to Trevor for the raffle, I had one number up, nearly missed it talking as you do. The meeting time for juniors was announced as the hall was cleared. Before you could sneeze it was just Don & I, so with the last bits vacuumed up it was lights out and lock the doors, and there goes another good club night.

All pictures taken by Ray Mathews as I didn't get time to take any, many thanks Ray for getting them to me so quickly.