Woodturner, toy maker, storyteller (author of Beatrix the Bad Fairy and Haggis Hunting, a short history) and maker of Haggis Hunting Horns.
I own a very small woodland where I grow my own timber and talk to the birds.
I trade under the name of Created Woodcrafts.
AWGB Accredited Woodturning Tutor.
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.
Remember there are only two more (Club Night) meetings left this year.
This Tuesday, 14th November we will have the pleasure of Phil Jones again, as he demonstrates how he does a ‘reversible bowl with pointy bits’.
The club’s monthly competition item will be ‘any item with two or more woods’, which is fairly open so should be within anyone’s capability. Be as quirky or conventional as you like, but play to your strengths – and remember to use two different woods.
Les Reeves has brought in a pile of woodturning tools which he no longer needs, and they will be available for sale at the back of the workshop before the meeting or at coffee break time.
Also a reminder that if you have not already paid your annual subscription (£40) then please do so, either in cash to Jimmy at our shop or by BACS to the club account.
Looking forward to seeing a good turnout for Phil who is also entertaining and informative.
Galloway Woodturners have a tree at the Dumfries & District Flower Club Christmas Tree Festival held within St. John’s Church Dumfries. The festival runs Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th December.
Our ‘Tree of Trees’ will be one of 80 trees on display, and we are looking for you to make a tree (or two) maximum height 4 inches, that can be hung from the branches of a real Christmas tree. The tree can be a contemporary design, like Sarah’s, or traditional like mine. Please either mark your name (and type of wood if there is space) on the bottom, and bring them along to one of the sessions 28th or 29th November and I will decorate the tree on 6th December. In the evenings the event will be lit only by trees so there is scope to make trees that are themselves illuminated.
Here is a chance to extend our turning into something special, using wood of course, but also resin or composite materials, plain wood, painted or dyes, blinged up with sparkly things or whatever pops into your head. Be creative and let’s see what we can come up with.
This is the time of year where there are more Craft fairs, and the discerning buyers are looking for handmade and local Christmas gifts.
Some of us will produce and sell items as a way of financing our hobbies, making a living, or just to have our work quality validated by people prepared to hand over money in exchange for our labours and skill.
There is a Craft Fayre in the Church Hall at Castle Douglas Parish Church on Queen Street on Saturday 18th November from 10:00 to 3:00. This is our local market and hopefully some of our members have either a stand or have contributed items to someone elses stall.
I would encourage everyone to consider selling their work at craft fairs and markets, it is good for you, for the club and for the local community. Although the Chinese are experts at making items at very low prices there are several negative consequences of shipping things 5,000 miles around the globe and not supporting local craft workers.
Please support local craft workers at these local markets, especially the one in Castle Douglas (I won’t be at it as I have a stall at St.George’s Church Christmas Craft Fayre in Dumfries that day).
Selling on behalf of a friend and ex member a Delta variable speed lathe and stand. Almost identicle to the SIP 01938 12″ x 36″ Swivel Head Wood Lathe.
I have been informed that one of our members has tested positive for Covid-19 very recently. We are now in the ‘flu and Covid season so the risk of both is higher. As most folks have been vaccinated several times I think the risk is low, especially if we all take precautions, as such the AGM will go ahead this evening, however, if you are feeling unwell, or have not been vaccinated then please stay at home, if you are coming then consider all the ‘old’ precautions of handwashing and wearing of masks (over mouth AND nose), keep a distance from others and take extra care at coffee time. The risk is much lower than in the past but COvid and flu will never go away so lets be carefull tonight.
Welcome, and a heartfelt ‘well done’ to our four Beginner’s Course particiants Dave D, Eric, Brian Chris and David H.
Especial praise should be heaped on Dave H who missed the first day but came in early today and still achieved everything required at the end of the day (that was a lot to take in and your mind must be buzzing tonight). I was genuinely impressed that everyone managed to make a spindle turned item and also a bowl – and every bowl was really good with pleasing aesthetics, well finished and nobody went through the bottom.
As with every course the real learning comes with confidence, which comes with practice, and I ask that if you see any of these new members then you please give them all assistance and support at this early stage of their woodturning journey, just as you have in the past.
It is with great sadness that I must inform members that one of our members, Ian Spencer, died on Friday evening in Dalbeattie, doing what he loved, driving an HGV. Ian had been one of our longest standing members, always keen, always wanting to learn and was a very regular attender at monthly meetings weekly meetings, professional demonstrators and their masterclasses (whenever his driving duties permitted).
Ian’s health had not been good in the last few years, especially his heart, and he had been advised not to drive HGVs for a while, but had returned to driving after treatment and the doctor’s blessing quite some time ago. It seems that on Friday he had been returning his lorry to Palnackie, where his wife Jan was waiting for him, when he had a massive heart attack and died at the wheel.
I will miss Ian and his enthusiasm, his different way of looking at things and his dedication to the club.
Our sympathies go out to Jan and the family.
Ian Bendall, Funeral directors announce the following:
Very suddenly on 15th September 2023, Ian Spencer (Joe), Marle Terrace, Castle Douglas. Beloved husband of Janet, loved stepfather of the late Emma, loving grandpa of Kyle and a much loved brother in law and uncle E. Funeral service will take place in Castle Douglas Parish Church on Saturday 7th October at 10.00am followed by interment in Castle Douglas Cemetery. All friends are respectfully invited to attend. Family flowers only please, If so desired, donations to The British Heart Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support may be given at the service.
I will be holding the next Beginner’s Woodturning Course on the two Saturdays 16 and 23 September at the Castle Douglas Workshop. If you, or anyone you know wishes to attend get in touch, there are two spaces left.
The majority of the information is on our web site.
