Avon & Bristol

Woodturners

WESTONBIRT

Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury in Gloucestershire is a beautiful place to visit in any season. Close to Bristol it is closer to the hearts of Avon and Bristol Woodturners.

First and foremost it is a living museum of trees, dedicated to displaying and preserving the natural material that we work with.

It is an ideal place to wander and forget work, the hustle and bustle of daily life or even that piece of woodturning that went wrong. Even at the height of the visitor season in October it is possible to find a secluded walk away from the crowd.

There are activities throughout the year to add to the natural interest.

The highlight of the club year is participation in the annual Festival of Wood. The August Bank Holiday weekend is the culmination of Sculptree, a weeklong event in which whole tree trunks are carved into lifelike and fantasy sculptures. These magnificent works are then auctioned to support the charity Treeaid.

The Festival of Wood weekend features woodworkers of all persuasions keen to show their skills to the public. Displays in both marquees and the open air allow participation and the purchase of momentoes. These displays of course include club members demonstrating and sharing their hobby.

Close neighbours the Gloucester Association of Woodturners hold their annual show at the Festival and the two clubs enjoy a friendly rivalry each year.

If you are able to visit, we look forward to meeting you.

Ray Jones makes a bowl at Avon and Bristol Woodturners

Of course Westonbirt is not the only show we attend. Bristol is well placed to reach shows at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, Yandles at Martock in Somerset (twice a year).

We are privileged to be invited to display at the Thornbury Arts Festival.

We also take part in the Model Engineering Show in Thornbury during August.

;                         UPDATED  FRIDAY  20th  JUNE   2008