The Gloucestershire Association of Woodturners (GAW) was formed in 1991 and today has over 100 members. We are a voluntary, non-profit making organisation which exists to promote woodturning in a friendly atmosphere. We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Hucclecote Rugby Club in Gloucester (7pm for 7:30pm start). At most meetings we have a top class demonstrator and a chance to chat to fellow turners. If you are interested then please come along and join us.
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. So why not get some wood on your lathe and make some pieces to be sold at Frampton in September!
There is still time to donate turnings to be sold at Frampton – just contact Daniel to arrange collection (Frampton Collection)
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.
Live Demonstrations at Hucclecote
Live demonstrations are now taking place and streaming over Zoom has stopped. There are no longer any restrictions on numbers attending at Hucclecote and refreshments are available. Visitors are welcome to join us. However, if you want a free tea or coffee, YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN MUG.
Next Month
In September we will be welcoming Mick Hanbury for both an evening demonstration and an all day demonstration on Thursday 12th September. Both demonstrations will feature decorative turning to include tool handling skills and techniques. On the Wednesday evening the subject will be a textured shield. The all day session on the Thursday will feature an eternal ring on a stand from one piece of wood, a trinket box and/or a traditional box.
Tickets for the all day demonstration which will go into more depth than time allows on the Wednesday are available from Daniel (Day demo tickets) and cost just £20 for the whole day. Tea and Coffee will be provided throughout the day but please bring your own lunch.
Last Month
August was a member’s evening with a chance to have a chat with fellow members toghether with demonstration / discussion points on the following topics :
- Tool sharpening
- Member’s Carving – show table
- Member’s tool sales table
- Scroll saw techniques
- Marquetry
- Pyrograghy
- Presentation on Network Crafts – a publicly accessible workshop in Gloucester
- Turn & Win table
- Competition – see below
The August competition was a spinning top, with a prize for the top that spun for the longest time. The only rules were that:
- it had to fit within a 3 inch cube;
- it had to be spun by hand.
There is one design on the website (link), but you might have ideas of how to get a longer spin …
The winner was Daniel with an impressive spin of over a minute.
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 will be several vacancies on the committee in the next year or two. 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.
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!
The GAW ‘WhatsApp group’ is a way of staying in contact with fellow members during the month and also a useful source of advice on anything to do with woodturning. If you’d like to be added to the group then please contact Mike (whatsapp@gaw.org.uk)
The members only page now has Chestnut finishing school information, not a complete list but pretty comprehensive.
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
Toolite of Mitcheldean are one of GAW’s sponsors. They offer all GAW members a discount of up to 10% on selected products. Please check prior to purchase. Take your membership badge as proof of GAW membership.
