It is with great sadness that I have to pass the news that Mick Fenton, a long standing member died on Wednesday 10th April, after a long illness, bravely bourne. Mick was a quiet little man with a strong north east english accent, and had been a member for over 8 years.

Mick’s Funeral service will take place at Roucan Loch Crematorium, Dumfries. DG1 4JF on Friday 3rd May at 11.00 a.m. 
Family flowers only please but, if desired, donations for Kirkcudbright RNLI will be accepted at service or can be given to Osborne Funeral Directors, 4 Gas Lane, Kirkcudbright. DG6 4HX 

It has been requested that mourners wear bright colours.

Several good things have happened, and are going to happen, at Galloway Woodturners.

In no particular order, but firstly it was excellent to have another Beginner’s Woodturning course last week, Sarah and Antoinette had recently done a Taster course, were enthused enough to immediately join Galloway Woodturners and a few weeks later came back to do the Beginner’s course. Both were lovely to teach and had a good time, going home with beautiful little bowls. Welcome to you both.

After many weeks of sorting through our (sadly deceased) friend Ian‘s tons of tools and equipment (“He who dies with the most stuff wins!” Ian, you were a winner) The team of sorters labellers and pricers managed to sell the vast majority of the stuff, and recycle the rest. A heroic effort folks, thank you.

The weekend of 23rd and 24th March will see THE TINY TURNER Emma Cook return to us for an All Day Demonstration on the Saturday, and a Masterclass on the Sunday. I will resist singing her praises too much here but all of you who have bought tickets for the weekend will be certain of a great day’s entertainment, teaching and encouragement. Some of you will have met her before at Galloway Woodturners, or at Harrogate, where she always attracts big crowds. Some of you may also have seen her many video demos where her approachable and articulate personality puts people at their ease. A most excellent turner visiting us – we are indeed blessed.

David Simpson has been extremely generous with his time and support in his Wednesday afternoon workshop sessions over the winter (Thanks Judith for letting David out to play). They will come to an end shortly while he and Judith tend to their garden, David tells me that at the end of the gardening season he is prepared to do it again. Thanks David, and thanks to those members who came along for his sessions.

Another ‘good thing’ has been this month’s competition. Who would have thought that ‘A Platter’ would have drawn so many entries, or that such an apparently simple item would have produced so many variations, every one of which was to a very high standard of design and workmanship. Congratulations to all entrants. Well done to everyone.

And lastly, we have two more professional demonstrators Mick Hanbury and Margaret Garrard to look forward to in our programme this year, as well as Brian Conchie RPT, John Brown, Sarah Burns and Mick Schofield from our own membership.

 Yes, lots of good things at Galloway Woodturners in 2024.

I am very proud of Eric Ann Edward and Rob who successfully completed the Beginner’s Course today.

Well done, you all produced some beautiful light and fluffy shavings and therefore some lovely bowls and dibbers.

You used all the tools in the tool roll and converted a rough bit of wood into a thing of beauty.

Rolf

Emma Cook, better known as The Tiny Turner, will visit our workshop on Saturday 23rd March for an all day demonstration, 10am to 4pm.  Tickets are now availalable, priced £25, which includes lunch.

Emma is an extremely good turner, what she lacks in height she more than makes up for in personality. 

This demonstration will be very popular and tickets will sell quickly so avoid dissapoinment by getting your tickets as soon as possible from the club directly or order via email Gallowaywoodturners@yahoo.com 

Emma Cook Poster March 2024

Dear Members,

A number of years ago, when our good friend David Simpson was on our committee, he responded to a request to the committee to introduce a Wednesday afternoon turning workshop session for members.

The was to allow members to make use of the club facilities during the winter months if they were reluctant to drive to evening club meetings, whether they did not like to drive in the dark, had a long way to travel, or generally wanted to do some serious turning without the hubbub and tea/coffee breaks associated with evening club meetings.

These afternoon sessions have been appreciated by those who have attended and have proved popular, but numbers have always been small.

There have been occasions when only one other member has turned up. David travels from his home in Borgue to open up and assist the lovely people who come to these sessions, and it is sad that only one comes. Three or four would be much more enjoyable and viable for David.

Please, these are great little sessions and if we want them to continue I urge you to come along in the daylight, when the roads are easier to drive and you can settle in front of the fire in the evening.

Rolf

There will be a two day Beginner’s Course at Galloway Woodturners workshop in Castle Douglas on Saturday 3rd and Saturday 10th February 2024 .

Up to 5 students can be accomodated on this beginners course, but usually I aim for just 3 at a time.

The course will cover all the essential points of woodturning and all materials will be covered. We have a choice of 6 or seven lathes of different sizes to suit most turners. At the end of the course you will be able to safely handle all tools, produce nice wood shavings and have converted a lump of wood into something smooth and shapely, it might even resemble a dibber, spurtle, bowl or mallet.

Course Fees are £120 for members, and £160 for non members (which includes the £40 membership fees, as the course is for members only) All you need is to bring your own packed lunch.

Your tutor will be Rolf Buwert, AWGB Authorised Tutor and Chairman of Galloway Woodturners.

Please contact rolfbuwert@outlook.com for a place.

Happy Christmas to all members, and their families. I wish you all a very happy and healthy festive season, and for those who are struggling I wish you peace. Hopefully Santa has been good to you and has sourced his gifts from Biven, Axminster and Ashley Iles (other suppliers are available).

Have fun and looking forard to seeing you all when I have digested all the turkey and Christmas pudding, which could take a few days.

Rolf

In the final run up to Christmas 2023 I wish you all a very merry Christmas and good health in 2024.

Our last meeting for 2023 is this Tuesday, 12th December, and I am very much looking forward to seing you all at the workshop. Feel free to wear Christmas hats jumpers etc.

I will be your demonstator and will attempt to make Festive Faith-based firewood or decorations. The competition will be a reversible bowl with pointy bits inspired by Phil J’s demonstration last month.

If you are looking for a last minute Christmas present for yourself we still have two lathes and plenty of tools for sale, see Jimmy our shopkeeper.

Rolf

At this evening’s demo Phil reminded us of the off centre jig which Rick Dobney made specially for us.

There is a video of it on our Facebook page, click below to see it.

https://www.facebook.com/100064931790797/videos/pcb.725456822962038/449689124585660

Just to remind you of what it looks like I attache the images. It is heavy so only use it on the biggest lathes, and use it at the LOWEST SPEED ONLY, 100 rpm or slower to begin with, and probably not more than 150rpm.

It is a good piece of kit for doing creative or artistic items, but also for other ‘tricky’ pieces.

Rolf