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.

Rolf 

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).

Rolf

Hi guys,
I only started in Sept 2023 and don’t have a lathe at home nor any tools or other equipment. Can somebody suggest a beginners’ list of essentials to get started at home? And costs? And from where I should (and shouldn’t buy). And any other advice gratefully received…
Thanks,
Dave.

I will be opening the workshop for members on Wednesday afternoons from 1-3.00pm starting on Wednesday of this week, (1st November 2023).  If we have enough attendees I would hope to continue with these sessions until March 2024, (given a break for the Christmas/New Year festivities).

This is especially intended for, but not restricted to those who do not like driving in the dark.

I have a dental appointment on Wednesday 15th November and hope that someone else will offer to open the workshop on that afternoon.

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.

It is on our web site under Classified, or, if I have done this right, by clicking here > https://gallowaywoodturners.co.uk/classifieds/show-ad/?id=19058

contact Rolf if interested. Transport can be arranged.

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.

Chairmans Annual Report 2023

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:

Rolf Buwert  (Chairman)

Notice is hereby given of the AGM on Tuesday 10th October 2023 at the club’s workshop in Castle Douglas. 

Also attached are the Notices from the last meeting.

55 Notices September 2023

Mature category
Arthur Young (winner)

Colin Marshall (2nd place)

Ken Power (joint 3rd)

Mick Schofield (joint 3rd)

Novice category 

Finlay Mitchell