Embedded Files
From Little Acons
It all began on the 15th February 1989 at a cost of just £5. That apparently was the fee required to hire a room at the Green Dragon pub in Downend where 14 people gathered to further their woodturning knowledge and skill. Their gathering had been 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 in 1987, he had the foresight to recognise that something was needed for woodturners at the local level within the Bristol area. Moreover, he had the enthusiasm necessary to develop that idea.
The instigator of what was to be the inaugural meeting of Avon & Bristol Woodturners was Don White.
No doubt that first group meeting was more about the logistics of 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 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 shared their knowledge and entertained the club members.
Some of these meetings were held in Don’s own workshop, 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, so 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 had to move to the Baptist Church Hall, Keynsham. In 1997 the ever increasing membership precipitated a move to the Huntsman Inn, Downend. As you can see, fear, prayer and drink play a significant role in the life of an average Bristolian woodturner!
The Man With The Vision
The Man With The Vision
It is always a pleasurable experience to talk to somebody who, after 40 odd years of being involved with an activity, is just as enthusiastic and emotionally involved with it now as he was in the beginning.
I recently had that pleasure when talking to the man who was the motivating figure behind the formation of Avon & Bristol Woodturners some 25 years ago – Don White.
When I asked him how it all began he replied in a very self-effacing way, “Well it just sort of happened.”
When I pushed him a little further he recalled how he had been invited to the first seminar of the AWGB at Loughborough a couple of years earlier by Ray Key and the idea of local area clubs affiliated to the AWGB started from there.
“I booked a room at a pub and invited everybody I knew who was involved in woodturning in the Bristol area,” continued Don. “A few people turned up and we went from there.”
When I told him that the club archives record him as the first chairman he laughed and said he didn’t think he had ever been elected formally.
“Things were very different then. The internet didn’t exist so there were no videos to watch on YouTube and learn from. There were no dedicated wood turning publications and less than half a dozen good books on the subject. Wood turning in this country was only just beginning to get organised and locally we tried to get as many demonstrators to show us their different areas of expertise as possible. People used to ask me how I managed to get them to come – my reply was always the same – I just ask them. I am proud to have been involved in the early days but I gain most pleasure from knowing that something we started has grown and progressed and is still alive and active now 25 years later.”
For the last 15 years or so Don has lived near Bude in Cornwall. He is still a prolific turner, offers courses in his own workshop and exhibits his work at some good galleries throughout the area.
A bout of illness had meant that he had not been able to be in his workshop for a month or so before I spoke to him.
“But I’ve been turning a couple of bowls today,” he said. ”As soon as the lathe started and shaving began to fly I felt good. It satisfies your soul!”
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse