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. However, if you want a free tea or coffee, YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN MUG.
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
December’s meeting on the 11th will be a social event with a ‘bring and share’ buffet, along with a talk on the life of a lighthouse keeper. You are also strongly encouraged to bring along a tank – see below.
Due to the size of the hall numbers need to be controlled, so, if you haven’t already, please contact Dave, the membership secretary on membership@gaw.org.uk to let him know you’ll be coming and whether you’ll be bringing a guest along.
Prepare for Battle !
At the Christmas social there will be a “Battle of the Tanks”. Come prepared with your own entry ready to triumph! An outline plan is available here, but it is intentionally dimension free so you can experiment a make your own choices over size, weight, shape, power, decoration etc. Just be prepared for a series of dasterdly challenges – no one ever claimed tank warfare was fair…
Last Month
In a change to the published programme, Mike Luck joined us from Stratford-upon-Avon. He cames highly recommended having previously demostrated at Forest of Dean, Heart of England and Burcot Woodturners.
He demonstrated a technique for inserting of copper inlays into the rim of a bowl together with Milliput resin. Judging by the comments on the WhatsApp group afterwards this is something which several members are likely to have a go at.
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
The plan for the next Novice turner competiton is available here. Once completed your lidded goblet should be brought to the January meeting for evaluation and feedback.
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.
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.
