A great honour, richly deserved, by our very own Roger Cutler RPT

Our very own, past chairman, Roger Cutler has been deemed “capable” by the Register of Professional Turners and therefore is on the register of Professional Turners. This is probably the highest honour a qualification a woodturner can be granted, so, well done Roger Cutler RPT.
To become a Registered Professional Turner requires a lot of time and hard work, there are many tests and criteria which have to be met as the standard is very high. We know Roger is capable of producing extremely high quality work but the Register of Prosessional Turners examined his workshop, several finished pieces as well as his working practices. His certificate states he is a “capable” woodturner which seems a bit underwhelming but is actually high praise. So congratulations Roger.

Beginner’s Course February 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

Professional Woodturner Visits

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

 

Winter Wednesday afternoon Workshop Sessions

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

Beginner’s Course

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.

Christmas Greetings

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.

RolfGalloway Woodturners Christmas Tree Festival, St. John's Dumfries 2023

  

Club Competition December 2023

December’s competition brief was ‘a reversible bowl with pointy bits ’. At the end of 2023 the points situation is:

Mature category:

Ken Power (54), Mick Schofield (34), Phil Jones (23), Arthur Young (20), Colin Marshall (18), Rolf Buwert (13), Stephen Eccles & Tom Florey (5), Bryan Jardine (4), David Simpson (2).

Novice category:

Finlay Mitchell (60), Bill Dryden (5), Andrew Ratnam (4).

The scoring system awards 6 points for 1st position, 5 for 2nd, 4 for 3rd. All other entries, including those with no votes, receive 1 point.