Here’s what one of our newest members has to say about a training day with the GAW :

Thoroughly enjoyed the day and came home buzzing with enthusiasm. If the committee are in any doubt of the value of these training days, please don’t be. I, and I’m sure all that attend, increase their skills and are very grateful for the time the tutors give for free. Now, with the guidance I received, I have made my first box and learnt a lot.

Next Month

In October we will welcome back Wolfgang Schulze-Zachau who last visited us in June of 2023. That was just after he had been accepted onto the Register of Professional Turners and while the TV show “Britain’s Best Woodworker 2023” was being aired, in which he finished second.

The subject for the demonstration has still to be agreed, but whatever it is Wolfgang is sure to keep us entertained both on and off the lathe.

Frampton update

Despite the slightly dodgy looking weather* the club had a good day at Frampton Country Fayre this year. The final totals are still being calculated, but it looks like being one of our highest sales – all good news for this year’s charity, Cotswold RDA (and we may have managed to find them an experienced horse loving volunteer too!).

Wood sales went well and the tombola was it’s usual reliable source of small donations though the lack of early prize winners did have us worying that the winning tickets hadn’t been put into the drum. A quick audit proved this was wrong, people had just been unlucky and the chances of winning were increasing all the time…

(* It was dry all day until 20 minutes from the end when everything got soaked.  Thankfully Mike’s big van meant we could just pile the tent into it loose and try to get it dried later in the week.)

Last Month

In September Mick Hanbury joined us for both an evening demonstration and an all day demonstration on Thursday 12th September.  Both demonstrations featured decorative turning including excellent tool handling skills and techniques. On the Wednesday evening the subject was a textured shield / wall hanging. The all day session on the Thursday featured an eternal ring on a stand from one piece of wood, a trinket box and, by audience demand, an extremely thin walled goblet.

“What a great day, I really enjoyed Mick’s demonstration, one of the best I’ve seen.”

“Was excellent, enjoyable and fun while giving loads of info.”

“Fully agree. That demo takes some beating. Yes, one of the best, if not the best. Tool control and overall presentation, excellent.”

“Magic day. One of, if not the best, day demos we have had.”

Just some of the comments on the club’s WhatsApp channel after Mick’s all-day demo

It is essential that your EMAIL ADDRESS IS UP TO DATE for you to receive the latest details from the club. This will include the log on details for each zoom demonstration.  The details are also posted on the ‘members only‘ web page.  If you’re not receiving your monthly newsletters than please check your ‘junk’ folder and if you still can’t find them then contact membership@gaw.org.uk

Latest News

There is one remaining vaccancy on the committee that needs to be filled. If you would be interested in helping your club, then please talk to any committee member for more details – without sufficient volunteers there will be no club. Specifically the remaining vacancy is :

• Secretary (2024/5)
  • David intends to stand down as Secretary at the AGM in 2025 and so we will need someone to take over and continue this vital unseen role. We’d like to identify someone early so that they can benefit from a long handover and be fully equipped in six months from now. Duties include minuting all the committee meetings, publishing the monthly newsletter and dealing with any correspondence sent to the club.

If you could help with this position, or just want to find out more before deciding, then please talk to any committee member.

The password protecting ‘members only’ pages has changed. The new one is available in the newsletter sent to members on Friday 8th March or on the WhatsApp group.

The committee have taken the difficult decision to close the membership as there are currently more people in the club than we could accommodate if everyone turned up for a club night – as it is we are running out of chairs on busy nights. There will now be a waiting list in operation for new members, though there is a reasonable turn over so hopefully any wait won’t be too long.

Find previous news stories here

Len Thomas Trophy

Given the increased number of fairly new turners in the club we have decided to run the Len Thomas trophy this year. This is intended for reasonably new turners (up to about 2 years experience) to allow them to have their work assessed by experienced turners and get feedback on how they are progressing.

It is also slightly competative as each entry will be judged for its conformance to the plan, finish and overall appearance with the turner who produces the best results over the year winning the trophy and a small reward.

The first challenge (to be submitted at the July meeting) is a bud vase and the plan along with instructions is available from the web site. As an added bonus, all entries will also qualify for that month’s turn n’ win competition so you might leave with a bottle of wine.

New Charity – Cotswold RDA

At the AGM it was decided that our charity for 2024/5 will be Cotswold Riding for the Disabled who operate from their facilities on Cheltenham Racecourse.

Cotswold RDA provides a safe and friendly environment for people of all ages living with a disability. Riding with them not only improves physical and mental well-being but, enhances quality of life.

They are one of the largest RDA groups in the country, with excellent facilities including indoor and outdoor arenas, 10 stables and grazing, all of which needs funding.

Tool Sharpening

As requested by members, here’s an introduction to Tool Sharpening with Bench Grinders from John. If you’ve any questions please ask him – either at a club meeting or by email : chairman@gaw.org.uk

Members Gallery

If you’d like your work included in the member’s gallery then please send some pictures and a description to Phil – web@gaw.org.uk.

Project Plans

There are now over 60 project plans available and you can search to find anything of particular interest or just to get inspiration. They are also free – even to non-members!

Beginnings in Turning

An Extract from the February 2020 Woodturning magazine.
“A Turning Journey”

When Mike was still working five years ago he asked his daughter for a woodturning lesson as a Christmas present but then changed his mind, deciding it wasn’t such a good idea while he was still working. So instead she brought him a year’s membership for the Gloucestershire Association of Woodturners (GAW) and he has never looked back.
Want to know more then read the full article, click here: A Turning Journey