Another Good Club Night - October 2006

Tonight was to be my busiest night to date. Bill and I decided to run the evening to give Don our chairman the night off to enjoy the evening, Bill and I were elected co-vice chair at our September AGM so it only seemed right to step in right away and take some responsibility. Probably our last chance to do it if we get it wrong, I'm sure the members will let us know soon enough.

So back to being busy, tonight's demonstration was down to me. A while back we where looking at something other than another turn in for tonight and circumstances led me to put my hand up and say, "not a problem, I'll sort something out" as you do. October seemed along way off then but boy how time flies when you've got to get a booking arranged, especially when your own life is very busy. Anyway, I've had this idea about chainsaws for a couple of years now but never managed to find a suitable person for it. So now was a good time to do my research and get stuck into putting something together. I've had a couple of guy's interested for a long time but sadly when it got to the Friday before club night they weren't going to make it so with six days to go I'm still looking. I did a search on the Internet (using a method of searching I showed the members) and Bingo, one name came up. I contacted him and went to see him on the Monday evening, If I had ten guys to choose from for the demo I would have picked Chris without a doubt. More on this later, back to my busy night.

So there I am at home sorting my long list of things to take and things to do when I get to the clubhouse. I had two member's competition pieces to enter for them plus my own, notices to put up, bowl blank to take and some turned ideas for next months competition. Also loads of things to help Chris with his demonstration, good job I have a van me thinks. I finally leave home having left nothing behind, and that's a first. I arrive at the clubhouse to be greeted by Don who's first words where "I haven't done anything honest" this is a response to a couple of us making sure Don doesn't end up doing everything, and I have to say it's working well.

Within a few minutes the tea urn is switched on and everything goes into top gear with people asking questions, chairs placed around. Chris turned up with young Stuart and he started putting together a very impressive layout of chainsaw's and associated items for his demo, along with my branches and other small timber's piece's it wasn't long before he was ready. Carol and Dawn made sure they both had a coffee to drink as they went through their routine one last time. The members did well as always, there where tables and chairs everywhere, three tables had committee members taking fee's and Master class tickets, somebody had brought in boxes and boxes of bowl blanks for sale at very reasonable prices and John managed that lot all evening. I had a number of extra bits handed to me to add to my list for announcements and so it went on till 7.30pm.

This is where Bill comes into his own, one brief call and the meeting is called to order, he handed over to Don telling him he was on the clock which got the audience laughing. Don got his items out the way quickly and it was over to me. I briefly went through my list and introduced Chris our demonstrator for the night.

Chris introduced himself and explained his work with trees and that he is an Arborist as opposed to a Tree surgeon. (An Arborist is a specialist in the care of woody plants, especially trees) He briefly explained how important the safety issues are with regards to chainsaws and then showed us the equipment. Stuart started putting on the equipment as Chris explained its safety elements; it wasn't long before Stuart was melting what with the trousers, jacket and hard hat on indoors. A cool drink was supplied and they carried on, now we where into safely starting the saw. Part way through Chris suggested sound effects and he did, Stuart pulled the cord and he burred away like a chain saw, which was received with great laughter by the members and applause. From this point on the pair of them felt very much at home and you could see they where enjoying the demo as much as the members.

The tea break was a welcome break for our two entertainers. Chris and Stuart received a round of applause from the audience as they got up to stretch their legs. I failed to mention Angy's Christmas cards before the break but she dealt with that, the committee members went into overdrive again sorting fees and things and the last minute raffle tickets where sold. I managed to spend my time looking totally confused with so many things going on and loosing my paper work more times than I care mention. Angy, being the thoughtful person she is took my two list for the John Davis tuition classes and managed to get a good list of names interested, so well done Angy, very much appreciated. The members browsed around the competition pieces and galley table whilst talking turning and we where back to the demo.

A good measure of quality in a demo is if they attract any members during the tea break, I am pleased to inform you there was a good crowd of people around the pair of them at the demonstration table and outside while they had their drink. After the break Chris moved on to chains, blade and sharpening using the Nobo board to show detail. He also talked about timber, burrs and other interesting lumps found on trees. A very interesting point was just how big the growth was in the tree and how it slowly destroys it when it has a bracket/fungus attached to it. Chris suggested a group of members could visit him so he could show/explain in more detail either chainsaw use or the various fungi and other interesting things in the woods around him and this rounded up his demo nicely. I thanked Chris for his enthusiastic approach and the members applauded the pair well. Throughout the evening Chris answered a good number of very interesting questions which is another good sign of quality in a demo.

It has to be said this was a first for Chris, he only had two days from when I went to meet him and explain what we needed to put something together. Getting young Stuart to dress as he explained was a stroke of genius I think as it calmed the nerves. I chose this subject because I have considered purchasing a chainsaw for some time and the only thing I was sure about was that they are very dangerous without any knowledge and there are hidden dangers you would not appreciate until its to late. I'm glad now I didn't make a purchase and I'm sure when I'm ready Chris will put me right.

So with the demo done we had those last few notices. I'll put in a quick thank you to the judges for tonight here as I mention the results where read out and then the raffle was drawn. I had the last ticket and won the surprise parcel, thanks to Angy for watching my tickets for me and thanks to the members taking fees and things tonight. The members quickly put the tables and chairs away, Chris cleared his equipment and I cleared my bits and as usual it was time to say goodnight and put the lights out, where does the time go? I though it was a brilliant night again as always and so there goes another good club night.

Boots- October 2006