Here’s what one of our newest members has to say about a training day with the GAW :
Thoroughly enjoyed the day and came home buzzing with enthusiasm. If the committee are in any doubt of the value of these training days, please don’t be. I, and I’m sure all that attend, increase their skills and are very grateful for the time the tutors give for free. Now, with the guidance I received, I have made my first box and learnt a lot.
Demonstrations @GAW
September : Simon Hope RPT
This month we will be joined by Simon Hope for the normal club demo on the Wednesday evening and then an all day demo on the Thursday.
At the age of 26, Simon was the youngest to be on the register of professional turners. Simon has vast experience in demonstrating to woodturning clubs across the UK and Europe, including being a full presenter for the UK premier seminar at Loughborough University twice, the Irish main seminar, and tutor for La Moulin in France as well as many shows in Germany and Austria. Simon has also been a judge for the worshipful company of turners main competitions. Simon specializes in artistic turnings and boxes with the use of silver and pewter as well as making Scottish small pipes.
Simon’s main focus is now the design and development of his own range of tools and accessories which he has developed since around 2005. His tools can be seen in stock by many retailers around the world and used by hobbyists and professional turners alike. He strives to produce tools that he would want to use as a woodturner himself!
Simon intends to demonstrate:
Wednesday:
- A beaded box including a cast pewter textured rim and a blackwood stem.
Thursday:
- A threaded acorn tape measure holder;
- A seashell-shaped box salt shaker;
- An easy intro to a resin-filled platter for entry-level resin users.
If you’d like to come to the all-day demo on Thursday 10th September (c. 09:00 – 15:00, cost £20, bring your own lunch) then talk to David Wooley (membership@gaw.org.uk) or pay your £20 to Dan in the shop on Wednesday and he’ll add you to the list.
August : Katie Armstrong RPT
We were joined by Katie Armstrong who demonstrated how to turn the Square lidded box shown here, so we saw how to turn squares and some jam chucking too. We also saw some problem solving ‘on-the-fly’ as the high temperatures that day had damaged one of the wood blanks she had intended to use.
Katie was a very knowledgeable and entertaining demonstrator so I’m sure we’ll be seeing her at the GAW again in the future, possibly for a full day demo.