Club Night Report
Wednesday 14th December 2016
Club Night Report for 14th December 2016 - observations by Vernon Hughes
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Set out on those tables on the right were the results of an impressive year's work by the Tools and Jigs Group with Mike Crawshaw in charge, Richard Branscombe's chuck and jig display, Ian Full's remarkable display of Pens and Eggs, plus Arthur Kingdon's table with one of his ornamental turning machines and ellipse chuck, along with a selection of elliptically turned boxes. Then came Ken Crittle unravelling expertly the mysteries of Chinese Ball making including finished examples, and finally Bob Sawyer was dispensing wisdom and grafting away with his usual confident, deftness of touch at hedgehog production. Bob was ably assisted by Georgina Brown who was adding the pyrographed features to the hedgehogs.
First of all we must recognise the work, imagination and effort by committee and helpers that had gone into the preparation and setting up. I only sat down fairly late on to take the weight off for a few minutes but there was enough to capture the interest of the enthusiastic turner, the gourmet, the beverage taker and Santa's secret bargain-hunters throughout the evening. The photographic record should help to re-create the mood and bring much of the event back into focus.
Highlights:
Watching Ken Crittle at work with his perfect spheres including a marked-out example, uniquely designed holding device in the headstock plus a purpose-designed toolrest and guide was fascinating and gripped our attention; but when the eye fell on the turning tools in use curiosity about sourcing was soon aroused. It turned out that the miniature cutters had come from France, Arthur Kingdon (who else) having had the necessary link to the supply source there. (From time to time we hear mention of French practice and specialised skills in woodwork and turning which leave a lingering impression of deep-seated and widespread craft ability there). Ken had clearly mastered yet another specialist technique and one has to wonder what challenges can possibly remain for him to tackle.
Ian Full's fourteen superb pens using Axminster component kits proved to be a surprise highlight worthy of detailed appraisal. The imaginative range of materials used was outstandingly exceptional, viz: Walrus Tusk, Cork, Water Buffalo Horn, Aluminium, Copper, Brass, Cassein, Bamboo, Textiles, Leather, Acrylic, Deer Antler and Polymer Clay (2 No.) Let's just focus on the fabric pen for a moment. It looked like ladies' dress material (source undisclosed), small cuttings of which had been patiently stacked, soaked in a cementing agent, compressed into a solid length and dried to make turning blanks. How many of us possess the imagination to go down that creative path? And the finish achieved on every one was both appropriate and perfectly pleasing. His exhibit of ten perfectly made eggs displayed yet another facet of Ian's command of shape, form and finish.
Another unexpected highlight cropped up in the Best Item of the Year display. Did you spot that small (say 8"diameter) plate with the rippled grain pattern? As some of us gazed jaw-droppedly at it (and someone muttered is it really wood?) there was a murmur that the grain pattern went under the descriptive term 'quilted'! Never heard that before but it does go towards being a fitting description of something eye-catchingly unique. Look closely and you will even see perfect images of fingers in the pattern!
The Tools and Jigs Group's offering plus Richard Branscombe's display covered a substantial length of tabling and pleased the eye immensely with the glory of perfectly designed and beautifully created tools and turning aids. To the eyes of those who have not spent their lives in the engineering environment but are possessed of sensitive natures there is something awe-inspiring about the quality of design, workmanship and finish achieved. It has an inspirational character all of its own.
Arthur's, Ken's and Bob's stands completed the displays/ workstations down that right hand side and were steadily patronised by enthusiasts throughout the evening.
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| Roger Hoare is the winner of the Best Item of the Year trophy |
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| Best Item of the Year - 2nd place went to Heather Crawshaw |
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| Best Item of the Year - 3rd place went to David Branscombe |
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Entries were up on last year and there were some magnificent pieces. I soon found myself in discussion with another member on the question 'Do you vote for pure technical turning/design excellence, or visual impact associated with fine design and turning? Thankfully it is a free choice and we can vote as we feel moved on the night. In the Year's Best Item I am prepared to confess that I could not resist Heather's beautifully pyrographed platter featuring "Maple and Oak Leaves" etc. complete with small central metalised bowl which came second; but the majority vote went to Roger Hoare's "Vase of Three Hyacinths" which must have made a huge call on patience, skill, time and resourcefulness. Well done Roger for the second year running! And with BBC 2's 'Eggheads' in mind one has to ask 'Can Anyone Beat You?' Third place went to the ever-challenging David Branscombe with his finely pierced platter (in Lacewood).
In the seasonal Show and Tell - the theme was "a Christmas Decoration" - first place went to Arthur Kingdon with three superbly shaped/finished Tree Decorations suspended from a nicely selected twig. Sean Snook came second with his much-praised, multi-layered Christmas Tree in Yew and Fred Lumsden filled third place with his Jigsaw Animals for which sounds of acclaim were clearly audible.
To sum up, North Wiltshire Woodturners had enjoyed a triple feast of excellent fare in woodturning/engineering, catering and organisational flair. Thank you!
| Show and Tell theme - a Christmas Decoration winner - Arthur Kingdon |
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| Show and Tell - 2nd place - Sean Snook |
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| Show and Tell - 3rd place - Fred Lumsden |
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