Stafford Woodturners

27/06/2024

It's a long time since we posted on facebook due to various computer problems resulting in a complete reset.

However we would like to promote next month's demonstration by Emma Cook, The Tiny Turner, on Monday 8th July at Hopton and Coton Village Hall near Stafford, postcode ST18 0AW
Arrivals from 7pm for meeting commencing at 7.30 and finishing at 10pm.
Further enquiries 01785 603304

08/02/2022

08/02/2022

This month's meeting will be next Monday, 14th February, at Hopton Village Hall 7.10 for 7.30 start. Our demonstrator will be John Johnson, final confirmation awaited. John visited us some years ago and was well received. I am looking forward to reacquainting myself with him.

The following meeting on 14th March we will welcome Wolfgang Shulze-Zachau, a new to our club demonstrator. I am unfamiliar with Wolfgang's work but did look at his website (under his own name) and he is well known in the south midlands area. It's always exciting to welcome new demonstrators to our club!

We are aware that some measure of care in the setting out of the room will be necessary but we will dispense with the table 'barriers' from this month. Sanitizer will be available in the lobby area as previously. The wearing of masks is entirely at your discretion, most people have been wearing them to come into the hall but removing them when settled, one or two preferring to keep theirs on.

We welcome new potential members at any time of the year. Please make yourself known to me on arrival if possible, I should be near the entrance and will hopefully spot an unfamiliar face, although that's been a bit more difficult since the mask wearing!

12/01/2022

Lovely meeting on Monday evening's Hands On, only 19 present but everyone got up at some point to look at what was going on at the lathes which had been brought in by Chris and Terry S and turned out to be a matched pair!

Pen turning method and equipment shown by Chris and Dave Murdoch demonstrated using a skew chisel. Several members tried their hand at using the skew under Dave's watchful eye and at least one person with made a pen barrel with Chris, who also provided kits for those who wanted to try at home. Thanks to all those involved in whatever form.

07/01/2022

Left this to the last minute just in case any announcements from Government altered the Covid restrictions in any way that would impact on the meeting this coming Monday, 10th January. It would seem that we can go ahead with it subject to the usual cautionary procedures already in place.

Sanitizer will be provided, seating will be spaced suitably, mask wearing is at your discretion but you may be more comfortable if wearing one whilst moving around the room as this is a Hands On evening.

Tea/coffee and biscuits as normal.

15/12/2021

Thanks to Mike Taylor we were well entertained at the meeting on Monday evening with an update on his work throughout the last 18 months, a selection of anecdotes and demonstrations of 'log to chair' leg spindle turning and carving a butter spreader.

The homemade mince pies were delicious and several of us enjoyed a second one. Biscuits went to those who do not eat mince pies. Thank you Phil for helping with the drinks service and drying up. Thank you all for stacking chairs and tables before leaving as requested.

Chris is in the process of finalising the programme for 2022, but current thinking is that the January 10th meeting will be a Hands On with 2 lathes being brought along. I hope you will support this evening and participate, Covid restrictions and weather conditions permitting. We will confirm the arrangements in the week before.

Have a peaceful and healthy festive season, stay safe and we'll all be back January.

10/12/2021

Important update.

Following the government announcement yesterday everyone will need to wear a mask or face covering on Monday evening unless exempt for medical reasons. Masks can be removed to allow eating and drinking at the interval, and we ask you to remain seated while we bring refreshments to you.

The room will be set out as it was for the September meeting with the demonstrator at top end centre so everyone will be able to see what is going on.

We hope you are all happy with these arrangements

09/12/2021

Our December meeting is on Monday 13th and Mike Taylor is our demonstrator. As many of you will know, Mike has his own shared woodland in Shropshire which he manages and operates in order to provide income. He is an interesting speaker and producer of items on his pole lathe. I am very much looking forward to hearing what he has been doing during this year.

There will be homemade mince pies to enjoy at the interval. Biscuits will be provided for those who are not fans of mincemeat or unable to eat them for dietary reasons. Tea and coffee as normal.

Membership fees are due now for those who have not paid and the regular fee of £3 at the door will apply to this meeting.

Hopton Village Hall, ST18 0AT, arrive after 7pm for meeting start at 7.30pm.

08/10/2021

Our next meeting is on Monday 11th October at Hopton Village Hall ST18 0AT, and the demonstrator will be Paul Bellamy from Woodcrafts, well known to many of you and more than willing to answer any questions you may have during the demo or the tea break. Looking forward to seeing him.
The meeting fee remains at £3 per person, £4.50 for couples.

We will be providing Membership forms at the meeting to ensure that we have everyone's correct details and providing information about the annual membership.

We have also booked Steve Cassidy for November 8th and Mike Taylor for December 13th.

Please arrive between 7.10pm and 7.25pm so that the Treasurer can collect the £3 meeting fee and record your attendance, and there will be a raffle also at £1 per ticket which is of course optional.

Refreshments will be provided in the form of tea, coffee and biscuits part way through the meeting and we shall end at 10pm.

Hope to see you on Monday evening for a friendly, informative and entertaining evening.
Visitors and potential new members welcome.

17/09/2021

Good morning all,

Great to see so many members on Monday night and a big welcome to six potential new members, some of whom had been waiting from the date of the 1st lockdown to attend a Club meeting! I hope everyone enjoyed the impromptu agenda. It certainly seemed to get people talking: thanks to everyone who contributed to the main discussions and continued to involve everyone in the following chatter.

Could the gentleman who left early please message me with his email address so that the club can keep in touch.
There was also one email address which failed to deliver to the recipient whose initials are BP. If you think that might be you, please message.

I will be trying to find a demonstrator for the next couple of meetings and will post any updates before the next meeting and hope to see you all on Monday 11th October.

15/08/2021

We are holding our first meeting since the first lockdown of 2020 on Monday 13th September. Our very own professional woodturner, Rob Till , is bringing a lathe and tools and is happy to remind people how to operate the equipment for those of us who have not been diligent in the workshed, answer any questions and probably show ideas that may be new to some members.

The meeting is at Hopton Village Hall, Wilmore Lane, Hopton, Stafford ST18 0AW commencing at 7.30pm and people are reminded to arrive between 7.10 and 7.25 if possible. Hand sanitizer will be available by the door. Your choice of whether to wear a face mask or not and I will not be asking to see proof of vaccination!

We have agreed that there will be no meeting charge on this date.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available at the interval (provided I remember to purchase the necessary supplies!) and anyone still hesitant about sharing refreshments is welcome to bring their own.

Terry will be bringing some of the walnut that he purchased and a small donation to club funds would be appreciated if you would like to purchase any of it. We shall also be bringing some mixed timber pieces that we have bought or received from other sources during recent months and again a small donation to funds would be welcome. Please arrange to bring some cash with you in case you see something to your liking, and there may well be a raffle also.

Newcomers to woodturning welcome to attend.

05/07/2021

We have been in consultation with Hopton Village Hall and will be able to resume meetings on Monday 13th September 2021 in accordance with their regulations and government advice, unless things change dramatically in the meantime and further restrictions are placed on group meetings.

We are renewing the the Annual Insurance Policy with effect from 1st September.

I envisage that this first meeting will be more social than instructive to allow everyone an opportunity to engage in conversation with other members, although Rob Till has kindly agreed to bring his lathe and tools so that he can demonstrate methods or show ways to use tools in answer to members questions and requests as some of us (?) may be a little out of practise after such a long time.

Refreshments will be provided in the usual format of tea, coffee and biscuits but you are welcome to provide your own if you feel concerned about community catering at the time.

We will send out again in the second half of August with a further update and reminder.

Until then, if you have any queries or would like to comment on arrangements please e-mail to above address.