Another good club night - May 2007

There is a moral to tonight's club night article, don't say anything even in passing or jest co's it will backfire on you big time! A while ago I casually mentioned to Don our chairman and turn in organiser that I could demonstrate Thermed turning it's so easy, and yes you've guessed the rest. So I've done my homework and got my list of what I need for the night plus some other odd bits to show with the theme being based on members being put off turning for the competition we have. There really is no need and I say that from personal experience, I think what happens is the detail for the project can make it look complicated, so its dismissed, now I mean no disrespect, these members are good down to earth hard working people but they have busy lives and so they don't give it a go.

I immediately adopted the demonstrator's stance, that's leaning on the lathe to talk to people; funny that, it wasn't intended it just sort of happened, I haven't mastered it yet as I kept stabbing myself on the tailstock Steb centre, but given time! My intention tonight was to show that even with the basic skills, lathe and tools even the most difficult looking project can be easy peasy. A useful asset is the basic understanding of Face edge, Face side as in joinery terms mixed with a bit of imagination and geometry, am I loosing you? I think its best explained at the lathe otherwise I'll be loosing more than I gained.

Anyway I think it went well, , I kept my audience right up until I suggested we take a break, big mistake that as some didn't come back right away and I had to work hard to get them back, I do remember looking up and seeing a lot of people at this stage, I wondered if I had a big grease mark on my nose or something but they where interested in what I was doing so I'm pleased with that, I really enjoyed it, well who wouldn't, the members are the best most friendliest you could wish for and with them asking questions and helping me when I forgot something it had to work.

I was very privileged to be turning along side John Davis and Rick Smith, two guys I have a great deal of respect for, I have to admit though I had to asked Don what they did for this report as I didn't leave my lathe all night, so John Davis brought some tools and let members try them out on various projects and Rick did various shapes for light pulls and newel post tops, both had a good crowd taking it all in.

Sorry if this report seems to be all me me me, but have you noticed its been sort of leaning that way for a while now, for me its easier to write my experience on the club night as I don't need to make notes, I may have to ask Don something once in a while but I don't make notes. Now I've completely forgotten where I was? Oh yes, me me me, tonight I turned and I needed to explain what I did and why, that's personal motivation from myself so its easy putting it in writing, when it comes to John and Ricky I don't see that side of them so I can only comment on what they did and no more, I've lost you now haven't I.

Moving on, I gave my camera to young Kayleigh to use tonight but forgot to tell her to go all around the hall, so all my pictures are of my demo, how convenient you say, not really, the pictures are good all but one thing, some of them have me in them? So its Ray's pictures this time, many thanks Ray, I've had to rely on his pictures a numbers of times now. Dave did the tea/coffee tonight with a number of helpers so they got to come out and see what was going on, Phil and Colin the treasury dept where busy keeping things up to date, and I mean up to date, when they go home its all but done and dusted, I must try that with my bookwork! Trevor sorted the raffle, nothing for me/Steve as he gave me his tickets, I forgot to buy some.

I sorted a number of things with members; I hope I get it all done now I'm home. Derek was here again tonight, seems a slight improvement with the leg, Bill came for the first time for what seems like for ever, looking very fit and healthy. Simon and Cliff came from the Learning Zone, don't think I've seen those two since the open weekend, Mike seemed in pretty good health and another Mike mentioned the Heart Foundation cycle ride he is doing soon. Angy had a disc with Grant turning at our open weekend and set up the tele and had it running for all to see, Bill will have wanted to see that as he knows Grant from his demo's at PDS Craft.

Didn't see the competition table but I believe there where 14 entries which is encouraging, I need to visit Kens to take a closer look sometime as his piece was held up at the end of the evening, lovely piece. I hope, no I'm sure Ray will have a picture for me; you see I'm writing this before I get the pictures from Ray. Ken sets the competition projects and I came across a glass sample and I really loved the colour, so to sort of get our own back I/we the members challenged Ken to produce a piece using this piece of glass, well tonight he did, it was part of this months competition piece, very clever, well done Ken.

Well I think that's it, any more and I'll just bore you all? It was a very busy night, lots going on, forgot to mention the café area was busy. As usual the times gone and its time to pack up, of coarse I'm no where near ready so I'm the last lathe standing and its raining for loading the van, never mind, lots of help, loads more things to sort and the hall is clean and tidy. Just Don and I again with the last few bits to sort and its lights out and doors locked. And there goes another good club night.

Pictures by courtesy of Ray Mathews

Boots - May 2007