Roger Cutler has kindly offered to restart the Wednesday afternoon, 2 – 4 pm workshop sessions. Those of you who enjoyed this afternoon chance to meet at the workshop, when David Simpson generously came to open up for us, will remember how nice it was to come out, and return, in daylight. Wednesday evenings can be busy so the afternoon slot is quieter and there is more room to let the shavings fly, plus stopping for a tea break at 3pm seems more natural. Retired, shift worker, between jobs or got some time you can take off work then this is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

If you are interested in Rogers generous offer to come and open up for this Wednesday afternoon session please give him a call, or if you don’t have his telephone number you can email him at creetownstudio@gmail.com . The same procedure applies as for Turning Tuesday and Turning Wednesdays, namely you need to be a member, comply with all relevant and current Covid-19 restrictions, and put a pound in the jar if you are having a coffee break.

It is nearly February so, for those I have not seen yet, Happy New Year !

Sorry we could not fulfil my hope of a meeting in January, but it looks like we are now out of the majority of restrictions and as of 8th February we are back to 95% of normal.

Our next Monthly Club Meeting is Tuesday 8th February 2022, our demonstrator is Rodger Cutler who is demonstrating something practical for the kitchen, and the competition is a kitchen implement.

The committee meet this Tuesday to firm up our demonstrators for the rest of 2022, so if you have an itching to have a go at demonstrating something then let us know and we will support you in whatever way we can. 

Although Turning Tuesday and Turning Wednesdays are well attended and also our monthly meetings are also almost back to pre Covid numbers  I am well aware that there are a few key members who have not been able to return, we value you, miss you, and would like to see you back as soon as you are ready.

Rolf

Yesterday we held a Beginner’s and Refreshers course at the workshop. Carolyn and John undertook the Refreshers course as they can already turn but wanted to remind themselves of the basics, Daniel is new to tuning although he has had a go on the club lathes a few time, he also follows in his big brother’s footsteps in being one of our youngest members, and like his brother shows maturity beyond his years and promises to be a good turner.

All three worked their way through the key turning tools, namely the spindle roughing gouge, skew chisel, spindle gouge, bowl gouge, scraper and parting tool. 

As we were tidying up at the end of the day I had a wee look at the shavings on the benches and, like finding pearls, I found some of the most beautiful and perfect spiral wood shavings, so delicate and consistent that they demonstrated a sharp tool well used. My intention in these courses is not to produce an ITEM but a WOODTURNER, I feel we have three woodturners of great potential here and the Galloway Woodturners are fortunate indeed to have them as members. I wish you all well for the future.

Rolf

Happy Christmas to all our members, all our prospective members, and everyone else who we would we would love to have as members if only we had the room. Have a great Christmas time and enjoy your holidays.

Having agonised long and hard about if we could, or should, hold a meeting in January (traditionally we did not meet in January) I have decided that I would rather not expose anyone to unacceptable risks, and therefore a monthly meeting with the greater numbers that attracts would not be acceptable. Sorry.

The smaller numbers at the weekly workshops is more manageable, and if everyone sticks to 1 meter distancing, wearing masks at all times, and washes hands immediately upon arrival and immediately before leaving, plus not sharing tools unless they have been thoroughly wiped down with sanitiser first, then this can still go head. Remember that this depends on the good will of Jimmy and Phil J, and their good health, so be nice to them and comply with all of the above.

Roger Cutler will be our demonstrator for our February meeting and I look forward to seeing everyone fit and healthy then.

Rolf

November and December are very busy so I suggest we make a start on the December competition item which is a simple, rustic wooden toy.

It would be nice to see a big number of entries. Make them as simple and rustic as you want but if you intend to give the toy as a present you may want to look up the UK toy safety regulations to give you a guide. These regulations apply mainly if you are going to sell them. If you are going to make the toy for your own children or grandchildren etc then you do not need to mark them with the CE mark but you will want to keep these children safe so check for sharp edges, small parts, child safe finishes etc. It is not hard or complicated.

Looking forward to what you all come up with.

November already ! Only two more club nights before Christmas !

Our next Club Night is Tuesday 9th November, with Rolf as your demonstrator and the monthly competition item is something with multiple tea light holders. 

It would be great to have a good number of entries for the competition as everyone gets a point for entering, and the higher you get placed by the membership’s votes the more points you get. I would encourage you to make something every month for fun, for others to admire your skill, for affirmation that your skill is improving or just to make sure that Phil doesn’t win. 

Please be safe when you attend the meeting, not so much Covid (we surely have got the hang of that) but the car  park will be dark in November and the surface can be uneven so you might want to use your torch for the areas that don’t have any lighting.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday.

Rolf 

Thanks to everyone who attended this year’s AGM, special thanks to all those who helped with the practical stuff, our two new committee members Roger Cutler and Kenny Coats. Roger also did our demonstration on ‘Finishing’, which he is well known for doing well.  I was unable to attend the AGM myself and I was re-elected, unopposed, as Chairman – thanks. It is good to know that the club is in good financial health and in good hands with a competent committee.

The AGM draft minutes are on the web under Library and then click on the 2021 Annual General Meeting link.

 The year 2021 to 2022 looks very good for us this year with new members, a strong financial footing, a well equipped workshop and a keen membership.

I am grateful to everyone who over the years has built up the Galloway Woodturners so that we are in this position today.

Rolf Buwert

Chairman

Our AGM will be on Tuesday 12th October 2021, 7pm, at the Castle Douglas Workshop.

We are obliged to elect a committee and Chairman, and the existing committee have agreed to stand again, but we are two members short due to one death and one resignation, so we need two volunteers. If you are going to nominate someone to stand for the committee please ask them first ! before calling out their name on the evening.

Our finances are in good shape and they are available to read here should you be interested, a printed copy is also on the noticeboard in the workshop.  Click here and on the link GWT Accts 20-21

I will not be attending the AGM as I will be on the Isle of Man visiting my new granddaughter, but the rest of the committee will deal with all the business, and there will be a demonstration immediately thereafter. The competition will also be happening as usual, so get your entries in (mine is already done – I am amazed myself that it is finished) – the theme is as shown on the programme – ‘Make a Mooncake holder’ and is open to interpretation but must be able to hold one Mooncake. 

My Chairman’s report is also complete and someone from the committee will read it out at the AGM.

After the most unusual 18months we have just gone through this AGM is significant and I would like as many members to attend as possible. The business should not take too long to get through and there should still be time for coffee, competition and the demonstration.

I am sorry that I will not be there and look forward to seeing you all when I get back, and meeting the new chairman ?

Rolf  

Tuesday 14th saw a good turnout at the workshop for Phil Howard’s demonstration of how to turn a three inch thick bowl from a one inch board (I just made up the sizes, but the principle is that you can make something bigger than the original)

Phil has demonstrated for us several times before, he came up to his same high standard again, and he has also written up an amended version of his notes should you want to have a go yourself at home, or at the workshop.

Click below to read his notes.

Phil’s Notes in PDF format.

Rolf