Old News – 2025
October 2025
Ian Ethell joined us from the East Midlands and demonstrated a coloured, multi-axis bud vase with a test-tube flower holder. The picture above isn’t Ian’s vase, but one made in the following days by David, one of our members.
September 2025
Les Thorne joined us for the club demo on Wed 10th Sept and then for an all day demo on Thursday 11th. Les is both one of the most knowledgeable woodturning demonstrators and also a great entertainer – we both laughed and learnt!
In the evening he demonstrated how he goes about making a box, while the Thursday Les educated us on how spindle turners turn bowls, along with thin turning and spindle work and of course how much fun you can have on the lathe!
August 2025
August’s club night was a members’ “hands-on” evening with a variety of subjects covered:
Resin and woodturning – David Kenworthy will be visiting the GAW to answer any questions and promote his course on resin casting which is held in Cinderford (https://www.woodandresinbydavid.co.uk/)
Sharpening – the Sorby and Tormek systems – Mike & Phil C
Natural edged bowl – Martyn
Problem solving on the lathes – Keith & Paul (separately)
Pen turning – Phil Y
How to air-condition your workshop – Brian
How to make wood small enough to fit your lathe – John G
July 2025
Paul Hannaby of creative-woodturning.com made the short journey from the Forest of Dean to show us how he makes boxes and the use of thread chasing to make screw-fit lids.
In a demonstration packed full of useful hints and tips Paul took us from start to finish on thread curtting and box making. He was obviously persuasive – the Treasurer has admitted to parting with his own cash for a set of thread chasers!
June 2025
Another ‘local’, Steven Gordon RPT joined us from Evesham. He has been professionally Turning for over 35 years, alongside making bespoke Furniture for leading designers. His turnings have contributed to prestigious projects for many Royal Residences, Churches, Museums and Government buildings. In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, Steven reviewed his work:life balance and decided to start Demonstrating, Teaching and Assessing. He now teaches, demonstrates and champions ‘Therapeutic Turning’, supporting people with their mental health, learning challenges and neurodiversity.
He’s a member of the Worshipful Company Training Team and delivers the Certificate in Woodturning in various locations across the UK (including Stanton Guildhouse) and also assesses the Diploma course.
In a very enjoyable and occeasionally breath-taking display of his turning skill Steven demonstrated how he makes the thin stemmed flowers shown above. While there was definately some very skilled tuirning on display, there was something in the demonstration for everyone, regardless of thei level of experience and I’m sure we’ll be seeing Steven again.
May 2025
Jason Breach visited the club the club on Wednesday 14th May and then again for an all-day demo on Thursday 15th May.
The evening demo was an Owl and a Bunny, two fun little projects to test your skills and both of which would be excellent donations for the sale at Frampton in September!
On the Thursday Jason had the opportunity to go into more depth on his favourite topic – boxes!
He showed us how to make :
- Sun hat box covering basics of a good box;
- Wobble box, a very tricky box to make for something that looks so simple
- A bowl with an offset ring which again looks simple but take considerable skill to make.
Background image by Ivan Ilijas from Pixabay