May
Both the Watch, Try and Buy Day, and the Sue Harker demo day were not very well supported. The Committee will need to review these events and try to work out why that was the case. Any thoughts you may have on the subject would be welcome; speak to any Committee member.
As far as I am aware no member came forward to represent the Club at the Vintage Machinery show on Sunday 31 May. This means that this opportunity to promote the Club was missed.
June
The topic this month is ‘Abrasives’ and the competition item is a bowl with textured decoration. The Wood of the Month is Lime.
July
We expect to be at the Kirkcudbright Country Fair on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July with demonstrations, the display boards and sale of work. Offers of help with the event would be welcome.
We don’t usually have a Club meeting in July but this year we have arranged a special evening demo on Tuesday 14 July, which would be our Club meeting evening. We will welcome Joe Laird, an accomplished turner from Ireland. This extra demo is FREE to members, £3 to visitors.
The Better Bowls workshop is arranged for Saturday 25 July with Rolf as the Moderator. We have run lots of courses for new turners but this is our first attempt at doing something for intermediate turners. This means that this is NOT A COURSE ON HOW TO TURN A BOWL – but it IS an opportunity for members who have turned a fair number of bowls to get together and share their knowledge and experience. There is room for five members, two places are already taken, leaving three places available. The workshop outline is on the Notice Board for you to read at your leisure. Speak to Rolf if you are interested in taking part. If lots of people are interested we could run another workshop at a later date.
If other members would like the Club to put on a ‘How to turn a bowl’ refresher course, we would be willing to do that. Speak to Phil H if you are interested in this; to date no-one has, so we assume you are not interested ???
August
As usual we plan to be at the Dumfries Show on Saturday 1 August with demonstrations, our display boards and your work For Sale. Offers of help with the event would be welcome.
At the Club meeting on 11 August, Roger will talk about and demonstrate Workholding ideas and gadgets. The competition item is a vase with a high gloss finish and the Wood of the Month is Apple.
ADVANCE NOTICE The next day the Club starts an exhibition and sale at the Kirkcudbright Tollbooth until 30 August. That’s over two weeks !!!!. We will need people to look after things every day during that period. Please consult your diaries, he/she who must be obeyed etc. and come to the July meeting ready to put your name down on the schedule.
And finally . . .
The Committee would like to see the Club take part in the inter-club competition at the Border Woodturners Open Day in October. Each club’s entry must consist of five items, no restrictions. We are asking you all to bring your best work, which needn’t be new, to our September meeting. Members will mark each item as per our regular competition, then the top five pieces will form our entry for the interclub competition. So get your thinking caps on and get turning your very finest pieces.
A reminder that the Workshop is now open on Wednesdays, 7 – 9pm as well as Tuesdays. John (Jake) Twiname and Bryan Jardine are looking after this initiative which will continue if it is supported by members. So, come on Tuesday, or Wednesday, or both – your choice.
We are taking bookings for the next ‘Introduction to Woodturning’ course, starting date to be confirmed. There are several people already booked on the course, but places are still available. The course fee is £50 which includes everything you need. Speak to Phil J if you are interested in taking part.
There has been some talk about the Club running a ‘ladies only’ turning day. So, ladies if the idea appeals to you, talk to Judith !
Simon Hope is demonstrating this Sunday, 14 June, at Border Woodturners in Brampton. Please let Brian Conchie know if you are going so that he can order enough lunches, 01387 265608. If you want to order anything from Simon’s range of goodies, also let Brian know ASAP.