News

News
Please let the Webmaster Know if there is any significant news which may interest members. Webmaster Brian Partridge, Email : brianpart@aol.com
SCOUT JAMBOREE "With the support of the AWGB, members of East Herts Woodturners spent 10 days at Gilwell Park, Chingford, the home of Scouting, raising the awareness of woodturning amongst the 40,000 young people attending the World Scout Jamboree. Four lathes were running throughout the period demonstrating turning and examples of woodturnings were on display. The demonstrations attracted large crowds, at times blocking the aisle. A star attraction in the display was the full size wooden hat made by a member of the East Herts Club . Following the event a Club Barbecue was held at Gilwell Park at which a cheque was presented to the Scout Association for a project at the campsite to benefit the youngsters. From the funds raised at the Jamboree, donations have also been made to the Parkinsons Disease Society and Prostate Cancer Research. All the turners thoroughly enjoyed the tremendous atmosphere at the event which generated huge interest amongst the young people and their leaders, surpassing all our expectations. It was a pleasure to be part of this event and to be involved with such polite and interested young people. No doubt this interest will lead to people taking up woodturning in the future. Look out for the next issue of Revolutions for more details." John Leach East Herts Woodturners


Woodturning Training Workshop Coombe Abbey Woodturners have opened a new Training Workshop.The workshop based in the visitor centre of the beautiful and picturesque Coombe Abbey Country Park has been made possible after the club were successful in being awarded an £8002 lottery grant through the “Awards for All” programme of the Big Lottery Fund. The Training Workshop will initially be open on Sundays and Tuesdays throughout the year. On Saturday 25^th, August 2007 club members and invited guests from the A.W.G.B. and other Midlands clubs together with the Coombe Abbey Park staff witnessed the opening of the Workshop by Chris Eagles, Vice Chairman of the A.W.G.B. Graham Ball (secretary) of Coombe Abbey Woodturners said:- ‘This workshop will help us to achieve our aims of bringing the craft of woodturning to a wider cross-section of the community, teaching our own club members and interested members of the general public, including the elderly, disabled, retired, all ethnic groups and young people, how to transform a mundane piece of wood into an item of beauty to be admired and cherished’. Joe Taylor, Head Ranger, Coombe Country Park, added:-" We are very pleased to be in partnership with the Coombe Abbey Woodturners, and this workshop allows good ideas to become reality. There are now great opportunities for even more people to get involved in the art and craft that the Woodturners are so passionate about. They will be able to show how our woodland trees here at Coombe can be turned from tree to household item or to a thing of great beauty. They will bring a real extra attraction for the 430,000 members of the public visiting the Country Park annually. The Coombe Abbey Woodturners club was formed twelve years ago when their late president, professional woodturner, Roger Warren-Finding started giving tuition in the park from which the club takes its name.

TURN ESSEX 2007 This event organised by the Chelmer Valley Branch raised over £1500 for the Essex Air Ambulance and gave those woodturning clubs the opportunity to show off to the public and compete for the Inter Branch Challenge shield. The work on display was of a very high standard
The 8 entries for the Chelmer Valley Challenge Shield
The winning entry from TheThameside Woodturners	One of the Fairlop young turners in action
The East Herts winning display	The Four Chelmer valley members with the star prize which they made for the charity draw
ONE OF OUR YOUNG TURNERS IN ACTION It was great to see Richard Bicheno one of the "young turners" demonstrating at our Chelmer Valley Branch this week November 15th. He demonstrated a small flower and showed us how to hand chase the threaded top and bottom of a box. We were all very impressed with his articulate explanations as he turned and particularly his grasp of the safety aspects of turning. He explained that he would expect normally to use a safety helmet but for our benefit he would not use that during his demonstration. We were very pleased to give him this opportunity. Well done Richard
TURN EAST 2006 12^th August What a great time we all had as guests of the Norfolk Woodturners Society. This event, which has been running for over 10 years, is held every two years at the Fakenham High school in North Norfolk. This year we were really spoilt with demonstrations from Jimmy Clewes, David Springett, Les Thorne and John Berkley. There was also an instant gallery, various trade stands and of course super meals and refreshments. Each presenter gave 4 sessions during the day. Jimmy had everyone enthralled with his relaxed way of showing not only his skill but also all the “hows and whys”. Les gave his usual robust and sometimes provocative demonstrations and we all I am sure learnt a lot. David confused us all with his unusual shapes (I really must have a go sometime). As for John, I don’t think I have ever seen hand thread chasing shown and explained in a better way, I am sure that a few more turners will now have a go. Well done Norfolk Woodturners, a great event I look forward to the next Turn East. Brian Partridge (Pictures by Bernard Rose)
Jimmy Clewes Makes it all Clear	John Berkley Gets Threading
Les Thorne gets Busy	David Springett Confuses Everyone