Another Good Club Night March 2008

Today was a busy day, Don and I met at the club house to load the Draper lathe into my van, just as we finished and to schedule Stuart King arrived. We all went back to Dons for lunch before travelling over to Warblington School; Stuart had agreed to do a free demo there, all to do with the back drop the pupils painted for our Open Weekend. The demo went well, a good number came forward to see close up how it was done, Stuart gave an interesting example of turning so I can see the Forest turners returning in the near future. Before we cleared away we where taken to the big hall to look at the back drop, it was amazing, even close up its very real looking, this has been a brilliant project for the school, I'm sure we will remain in contact and build on this first encounter.

Just a few minutes drive and we are back at Dons for the evening meal, Stuart is a very interesting person to talk to, he's so enthusiastic about everything. With the meal all done and the washing up dried were off the hall. The kettles on and everything starts appearing out of every nook and cranny, tables loaded with weekend stuff and the hall very soon becomes like Waterloo Station in the rush hour, minus the trains though.

Very soon Don is saying Hello and getting the chat out of the way, Bill said a few words about the turnin's and I mentioned the Open weekend and Ken's brilliant show of half bowl variations. Over to Stuart King, Stuart started with a few well chosen words and got stuck into his demo, he showed us a piece of spindle work done on a bow lathe, he explained it and remarked how quickly it's done. Stuart did a similar piece but it took longer on the electric driven lathe? Stuart turned a number of pieces this evening showing the intricate shapes that can be achieved, but for me it was the goblet made from green timber, Apple I think he said, cut down and wrapped in pallet wrap, Ill have to get me some of that, it was a well balanced piece and beautifully finished straight off the tool, what else?

As expected Stuarts demo was very entertaining, a good interaction between demonstrator and members, I think that's helped by a friendly club atmosphere. He finished with what are becoming signature piece's, flowers, people do love to watch him turn flowers, and we all wait for that garden trowel don't we, classic eye catcher that, brilliant. It was obvious by the applause as Stuart concluded that he's a very popular demonstrator.

Don thanked Stuart which was complimented with yet more applause. The last few notices where read out and a reminder of times for setting up the hall for the weekend, then it was over to Trevor for the raffle, no numbers for me this time, the hall was cleared apart from the lathe, this was to be used the following night. Don, Bill and I spent the evening introducing the young St John members to pyrography and wood turning, I have to say they are a very well behaved group of youngsters between 9 & 13 years old, I think we have one more for our junior club, one very busy young man so enthusiastic and very quickly thinks things through, he will be a real asset in years to come, plus you have to feed this exceptional attitude.

With the hall cleared, swept and chairs away we checked the doors, windows and kitchen, discussed the last few things to sort and its lights out and lock the doors, and there goes another good club night.