Hello, All,

Thanks to everyone who joined in with our fund-raising completion, where we were challenged to make something interesting out of a donated and randomly allocated lump of wood. We had twelve entries, and we were asked to judge them on skill and ingenuity, given the starting point, and then to suggest a suitable selling price. The selling price was clearly quite a challenge, as the valuations varied widely…by a factor of fifteen in one case!

I don’t have the IT skills of Phil J, and have relied on pen and paper, with the backup of a £1.99 calculator. Nevertheless, having done the sums twice, I have come up with the same answer.

Winner for skill and ingenuity is Rolf Buwert, with an average score of 8.8 out of 10. Roger Cutler came a close second with 8.5, then David Simpson was third with 8.0.

David Simpson topped the valuation table with his five items totalling £32.25 in our estimation. John Brown’s two items were judged to be worth £29.67, and Rolf Buwert’s single bowl, £25.56.

It may be that we shall raffle Rolf’s bowl and David’s five items, if we have a suitable event at which to do this. All other items will be offered for sale to the public, possibly at the Dumfries Show, with the proceeds to club funds. I have them safely at home meantime, as the heat in the workshop may damage them.

Bryan Jardine and John Brown both told me that they had buyers lined up for their items, so I suggest we work on the assumption that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, and let them sell their items on behalf of the club. If anyone has any objection to this, could they please let me know? Otherwise, Bryan and John, if you contact me in a week or so, we can arrange to get your items returned to you to pass on to your buyers.

Happy Turning!

Judith Simpson