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.
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA
Are you struggling to think of a new idea for a gift for someone? How about a woodturning experience? A year’s membership of the GAW and a starter lesson for just £60. If you’re interested then please contact Brian, our Treasurer – treasurer@gaw.org.uk
Here’s what one of our newest members has to say about the GAW :
Thank you all for making me feel so welcome last night. You are all so kind and helpful and even though I will probably never use a pole lathe it was very interesting to see how he did and what he could do with it. Again thank you.
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 and new members are welcome to join us. However, if you want a free tea or coffee, YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN MUG.
The next club meeting will be a return to the traditional Christmas social with a bring and share buffet. There will also be a quiz, bingo, a display of turned items (please bring one), an opportunity to display another hobby that you or your partner enjoy (has to fit on a table) and …. the main event, a Falconry demonstration – make sure you’ve finished your pigs in blankets before a hungry bird swoops down to help itself !
LAST CLUB MEETING saw our own member Keith Fenton take to the lathe to show us his skills. The first project was making a tea light holder out of a whisky bottle (Fettercairn preferred but lots of other single malts available). The second project was a glasses holder – something I definately need !
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 club is now the proud owner of its own wood storage shed. It is generously proportioned and will make Les’s job of looking after all out precious wood a lot easier (and drier!) with it all in one location. It was received, painted and assembled in just a few days by a small band of helpers (thank you!). Les built some custom storage shelves and arranged to move all our stock in from its previous resting places.
An introductory wood sale was held from the shed on Saturday 18th November and was a great success. Over £800 of wood was sold to members so Les will need to find some new stock !
At the AGM the club agreed unanimously to adopt Maggie’s (Cheltenham) as the association’s charity for 2023. More details of Maggie’s are available, you can also make a donation there. Our main charity fundraiser is selling items at the Frampton Country Fair in September, where we raised over £400. However there’s still more money to come so the final total will be more – more like £640. Thanks to everyone who donated items !
Find previous news stories here
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.
Network Crafts
Are you interested in woodturning but don’t have access to a lathe or anywhere to put one?
Do you already turn but would like some company while you do so?
GAW are aware of a facility in Gloucester which may be able to help.
Network Crafts are located alongside Fairshares at the Chequers Bridge Community Centre off Barton St, Gloucester. They have a variety of woodworking equipment available for use, including several lathes. All use is on a self-supervised basis, and they are unable to provide training, so we would recommend that any member thinking of using this facility first attends at least one GAW training session to learn the basics of woodturning, including Health and Safety (of everyone, not just yourself !). While the GAW is not endorsing this facility, it does look like a good opportunity to access tooling which you may not otherwise be able to access, and several members already make use of it. If you are interested in learning more then please contact Network Craft’s membership co-ordinator David Walesby (or call him on 01452 713888) – or have a chat to him at a club meeting.
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.
