A very warm welcome to everybody for our first Club meeting in our new home. We have spent the last four Turning Tuesdays getting things set up as you now see them – no doubt things will continue to evolve. Thanks to all the members who have got involved and contributed their time, expertise and enthusiasm.

 A few bits of ‘housekeeping’ about our new premises. Toilets – there are two toilets, one in the main section behind the seating, and a disabled toilet as you come in the entrance. Notices – there is a Notice Board on the left as you come from the lobby into our area. Fire – in the unlikely event of a fire, please leave promptly by the same door that you entered. Do not attempt to use the large vehicle doors. One of the Club Officers will ‘phone the Fire Brigade. Kitchen – when we break for coffee etc., please collect your drink and bring it back to the main area. Biscuits will be on the table below the Notice Board.

 General Workshop Notes – at all times, leave the workshop as you would wish to find it. If you are not confident about using any piece of equipment, then don’t; ask for help from someone who is competent with that piece of kit. Workshop machines can bite; make sure they don’t bite you ! There are two First Aid kits, one on the wall next to the small toilet, the other in the workshop area.

 The purchase of the superb new monitor was made possible by generous donations from Mrs Betty Howard and Mr David Wright; a big Thank-you to them both. The Committee felt that a new larger monitor would be of benefit to every member at every demonstration and would be a sound investment.

 We have also bought a range of turning workshop ‘stuff’ – callipers, Jacob’s chuck, drills, sanding pads etc.

 There is a maroon folder on the Library shelves which contains copies of Project Notes and Presentation Notes from previous meetings. These are for reference – you can print a personal copy from our new web site.

 These Notices, Competition results, a Calendar of events and much more can all be found on the web site. Phil J would love some more pictures for the Gallery section on the site.

 March

 The competition item this month is your interpretation of a Greek urn.

 The topic this month is a demo of making a Pepper Mill and a chat about the AWGB from Dave Grainger.

 April

 The topic next month is ‘Holloween’ comes early, a discussion and demonstration of standard and specialist hollowing tools. If there is sufficient interest we may run a hands-on, have-a-go type session the following Saturday. There is a sign-up sheet on the Notice board; please put your name down if you are interested.

 The Competition item is of course – a pepper mill. We have tried to make life easy for you – the Shop has pepper mill mechanisms in stock at just £5 each. We also have salt mills at just £3.20 each. The Shop may be available at a Turning Tuesday not just the monthly Club meeting, ‘phone Phil J or Phil H to check before making a long journey to buy something.

 And finally . . .

 The Shop has ready to turn blanks for you to buy. Very reasonably priced, much less than any woodturning supply store and all proceeds go to the Club – we need every penny. The ash is fairly dry, the spalted beech and elm is wet, so treat them accordingly.

 In the workshop, you will see an area labelled – ‘Please help yourshelf’. If you have something that you no longer need, bring it along and put it on the shelf. If you can use something on the shelf, please ‘help yourshelf’ and put a donation into the tin or give it to the Treasurer.

 The February Notices included a few ideas for you to consider regarding possible uses for our workshop :-

             run Turning Tuesday in the afternoon for the retired folks

            then in the evening for the workers

            occasional workshops on topics suggested by members, daytime, evening or Sat/Sun, your choice

            run a session on the Saturday after a Club meeting to follow up on whatever was demonstrated

            a public Open Day

            public Have-a-go day

            project sessions where several people work together on a project, possibly one that they may not feel confident to tackle alone. Suggested by Judith who would be willing to nominate the first project, probably something covered in Woodturning magazine.

 We asked for your views and ideas to any Committee member, so far we haven’t had much feedback . . .

 Our finances look OK for the rest of this year but we could run low about this time next year. Therefore we need to run some sort of fundraising activity this year – ideas to any Committee member please.