Social Evening - June 2005

Competition Dibbers

Ray Mathews and I arrived at about 7.10pm. to find the hall buzzing with chatter. About 53 people had turned up for the social tonight. There was a lathe set up at one end of the hall for the usual fun turning competition. Various quiz sheets were being passed around for the brainy ones to show their skills. Ray quickly went around the hall with his camera to get the pictures for me to add to this write-up, whilst I did the rounds of meeting the people who had input for me for the next magazine etc. I visited the club library and took out a video to use for my book/video review, (see elsewhere in this edition). Jim Morris our librarian told me that there had not been much interest shown in the library. Come on folks the library is pretty well stocked and it only costs 50p for a book and £1.00p for a video for the month, so don't be shy have a look what's on offer eh. I also took the chance to have a look at the monthly competition table which had six entries of eggs for the beginners and boxes within boxes for the remainder, and to have a short chat with Eric Warnecke the chief judge. He told me that the entries were of a good standard but few in numbers. There must be a reason for this, which the next committee will have to tackle very early next season.

Our club judge Eric

The usual chairpersons briefing was followed by Robin Lacey,( who is a voluntary worker for "Tools for self reliance charity") asking for help in producing 150 London screwdriver handles for an order going out to Africa soon. He supplied copies of drawings for us to follow when making them. I gave a quick talk to the members on Mick the webmaster's behalf explaining how the new web quiz, now starting on our website, will work. The prize this time is £25.00's worth of "Chestnut Products" donated by their Terry Smart. Don Smith then explained the turning competition for the evening, there were to be three teams of five turners each producing a garden dibber as quickly as possible from the supplied softwood.

The hall became alive with chatter and laughter, as the dibber turner's efforts were met with good-natured banter. All around the hall little huddles of people were trying to solve the quizzes. Most of the brainy ones seemed to be the member's wives. I took this opportunity to have another look around the hall. The gallery table was again showing examples of work to stretch the imagination. A lot of people visited the gallery table and many admiring glances were evident. On the library table I found that Bill Thorne had donated some items such as wood dyes and finishes along with some clock making parts etc. for people to take, for a small donation in the box. Well done Bill. I bumped in to Arthur Ellis at this point, it was very nice to see him about at the club again after his recent illness.

One question done, nine to go

It was soon time for the buffet. Due to the initial lack of numbers, it was decided not to have a BBQ this year. Instead Mrs Smith and Mrs Webb and helpers had set up a buffet in the back room. Well-Done Ladies! You produced another culinary masterpiece for us. Don was on hand to serve up the wine, and Ken White and Mick Scott made tea or coffee available.

Some members had asked Don Smith if it was possible to run a coach to the Axminster Woodshow again this year. All those interested should contact Don at the next meeting. Cost will be dependant on numbers, and is estimated at £13.60p for the coach and £6.00p for the show fee. The show will be on Nov.10th.11th. & 12th.

Eric was spotted with tools in hand doing his bit for the turning competition.

Team 3 won the turning competition with 33 points for their dibbers. Each winner won a can of beer. Mrs Gurney and Mrs Hilton won the quiz.

The winners of the monthly competition were announced, which was followed by the raffle.(I did not win anything again Mick).

That was the end of another good club night. We all cleared up the hall and said our goodbyes, before making our way home.

Derek Blake- June 2005