Avon & BristolWoodturners |
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History |
AVON & BRISTOL WOODTURNERS: a potted historyFrom little acorns.....It all began on the 15th February 1989, at a cost of just £5.00! This was the fee required to hire a room at the 'Green Dragon' pub at Downend where 14 people eagerly gathered to further their woodturning knowledge and skill. They gathered in response to a rallying call, sent out by a man whose respect in woodturning circles was already firmly established. Having been a founder member of the AWGB (1987), he had the foresight to recognise that something was needed for woodturners at a local level in the Bristol area. Moreover, he had the enthusiasm to develop that idea. The instigator of what was to be the inaugural meeting of Avon & Bristol Woodturners was Don White, now running courses in his workshop in Cornwall. No doubt that first group meeting was more about setting-up and running a club than how to turn wood. Gradually as the word spread more and more people attended and the sessions evolved into a project and topic situation, much the same as it is now. For the next 5 years, Don's main task was to arrange regular workshops and seminars. These included the now internationally famous Ray Key, Richard Raffan, Del Stubbs, Meryll Saylan, Chris Pye, Melvyn Firmager, Maurice Mullins, John Hunnex, Ray Jones and Mike Scott. Locals Derek Bailey, Simon Keen and Chris Lindup (now sadly no longer with us having died in a diving accident) shared their knowledge and entertained the club and are still doing so today. Some of these meetings were held in Don's own workshop, at that time in Bristol some feat since his lathe was in a room about half the size of a small garage! (Bristol woodturners were skinnier in them days!). Over the years the membership increased and as it did, new venues were sought to house the swelling numbers. In January 1995, the club moved to the Fear Institute at Keynsham, but quickly outgrew the room and in June moved to the Baptist Church Hall, Keynsham. In 1997, the ever-increasing membership precipitated a move to the 'Huntsman Inn' at Downend, where the club was in residence until a move is being made to a new venue in Filton, Bristol.. As you can see, fear, prayer and drink play a significant role in the life of an average Bristolian woodturner! ActivitiesThe club has always been active in and around Bristol. As well as regular meetings, workshops and seminars, it has taken part in several shows and exhibitions. In September 1992 the club showed its skills at an ICI open day. Incredibly the club was paid £25.00 to attend and £3.00 expenses were paid to each member exhibiting work! In May 1994 and 1995, members exhibited at the Portishead Flower Show and in 1997 the club took an opportunity to exhibit at the Thornbury Arts Festival. Members also had the opportunity to display work at the opening of Yandle's Gallery, Martock in Somerset. Since 1996, Westonbirt Arboretum's 'Festival of Wood', now renamed "Exibitree", has been a major focus for the club. This is a superb annual event organised to raise funds for 'Tree Aid' a charity set up to fund the planting of trees in Africa. It is here that the club has a chance to sell and exhibit products made by members and demonstrate their skills. The festival attracts thousands of people over a three-day period and it is an opportunity for the club to meet other 'woody-minded' people. It has been great fun taking part and has become a great social occasion. In more recent times, the club has explored different avenues and in 1999 it held a sale and exhibition at the 'Homes & Living Show', Shepton Mallet. This show attracted an audience from a much broader background, not necessarily wood oriented. Here we concentrated on demonstrating woodturning and had an opportunity to expound the beauties of wood to the uninitiated. The club hasn't been content to stay within the confines of Bristol in its quest to soak up knowledge. It has paid visits to professional turners including Melvyn Firmager and Tobias Kaye, Interesting Timbers, Record Power manufacturing headquarters and to Dave Woodward's superb gallery at Hay on Wye. OUR MILL at PORTISHEAD(Bristol) (Max’s Hobby Room) by TICH (M) RENEE Max (our President) joined Avon & Bristol Woodturners in 1997. And my mum and myself first met him in November 1997, he said come and try it (woodturning) that is. At the same time Max was offering his workshop for all the club members should they wish to use it. Opening times started at 10.00a.m. until 4.00p.m on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the last Saturday in the month. We had approximately 8 or 9 lathes, 1 drill press, 2 bandsaws and everything was running off a 3pin 13amp plug. As you can guess it kept shorting out or blowing a fuse and in those days we had a gentleman in every sense of the word called John Endicott who took it upon himself to go down stairs and swap the fuses around, I for my sins tagged along as well. We both then talked to Max and suggested we had to change this set up before someone was injured. This was more of a task than at first thought. But through Max, myself and a few others we begged, borrowed but not stole all the electrical equipment that we would need. It then took us two or three months to install it. We now have a very comprehensive working Mill where we now have 21 lathes, 3 medium bandsaws, 1 industrial bandsaw, 2 drill presses, 2 planer thicknessers, 1 table saw, and all the wood anyone would want providing it is English timber you want to turn. We also started at the same time to follow on the same tradition of buddy buddy system and were blessed with some one I would consider to be one of the best tutor/woodturners we have in Dennis May also we were blessed by having his brother John May and Derek Harris, (he recently died of cancer). Also the Mill is used for demonstrations by Professional Turners in the Art of turning should any club member care to turn up, this is mainly on a Saturday. There is also a comprehensive training, course which was thought up by Simon Keen this is in the form of a printed manual and CD. We would ask all new starters to take part in this course as it will give the beginner an insight as to how to hold and use most turning chisels or the use of associated equipment within the Mill safely. For my sins I help in any way I can from tutoring to selling abrasives sealers blanks or anything that I have in my club shop all at discounted prices. The Mill is also open to all should the more experienced turner wish to turn any individual item of their choice. We can all learn just by watching others turn or even get new ideas and try putting that into practice for ourselves. Just a last thought, all those that attend Portishead can be guaranteed a laugh if nothing else It is a relaxed friendly atmosphere for all. Bring you lunch. Tea/ Coffee are there free but a £7 fee per day is asked for to pay for the electric used. So go on give us a visit and have yourself a good laugh. You will find photos showing members at work on our Gallery Page.
Charity involvementThe club has a proud record in supporting local charities including St Peter's Hospice, The British Heart Foundation, Children in Need at Frenchay Hospital and in Thornbury, the Siblands School for the disabled. In order to show an appreciation and foster awareness of the resource we use; the club is now a member of the Woodland Trust. With the worldwide destruction of so many forests it is important that the club promotes good working practices with regard to the most economical use of timber and bring relevant and current conservation issues to the fore. CommitteeOver recent years the committee has changed but the club has always been blessed with those who have been sincere in all they have done for the club. With their skilful management they have steered it to the successful, thriving club it is today. ......Tall Oak trees growThe burgeoning interest in woodturning has seen club membership reach 100 in the Year 2005. With recent acquisitions including a new lathe, sound equipment, enhanced viewing facilities and a club website, the club goes from strength to strength. The club remains active in arranging in-house workshops for small groups particularly with the novice in mind. Also, with an ever-increasing opportunity to demonstrate at more and more venues, 'demonstrator' workshops have been organised. These are designed to teach people how to demonstrate their particular skills, and gain confidence in turning wood in front of an audience. The club enters the new century with a keen interest in new technology and an open mind to the direction of our subject. It is keen to promote itself, the AWGB and woodturning in general. It encourages members to increase their own skills in a safe manner, enhancing confidence and to increase their enjoyment of this wonderfully stimulating activity whether as a hobby or at a professional level. The club looks forward to a bright and innovative future. UPDATED FRIDAY 20th JUNE 2008 |
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