Club Night Report
Wednesday 10th December 2025
Club Christmas Party for Member and Their Guests - Wednesday 10th December 2025
Report and Photos by Paul Kohn
The entertainment started in the form of three wonderful demonstrators, Arthur Kingdon, Dave Branscombe and Martin Barrett, putting on wonderful displays of skills and techniques which were well attended by many an interested participant. At the same time items made through the year and brought along by quite a number of members were being inspected, handled, discussed and enjoyed on the "show" tables. Arthur demonstrated his wonderful Rose Engine machine creating a number of star-like medallions to an enthralled audience, who asked many questions. Dave worked tirelessly throughout the evening demonstrating techniques that were good to use with skew and bowl gouge chisels, again answering many questions in the process. Martin continued to astound all who watched, taking down a piece of wet ash from branch to a very thin stemmed goblet, an almost impossible feat, but achieved by a master!
The evening continued to everyone's delight with sumptuous delicacies provided by David and Louise Hawes, who spent their whole evening dedicated to providing mountains of food, coffees, teas and excellent gluhwein. We all sat down with much enjoyment of each other's company, lots of happy conversations, consuming lovely sandwiches, sausage rolls and countless other delights. What stars they are! Louise like the best story heroines always seems to get the best out of her man. The catering department excelled and we were all fully restored and renewed ready for the handing out of the Secret Santa presents. Will Moran, our excellent new raffle manager with the assistance of George Gansbuehler who he has taken over from, then proceeded with an expansive flourish to hand out Santa's gifts to each worthy recipient; there were moments of excitement throughout the room on choosing exquisitely wrapped secrets. Santa has once again not failed us although there might have been the odd lump of coal, in some of the presents as many chose not to reveal their gift at that moment!
The two competitions, after a lengthy secret voting process, were won by Mark Cable with a beautiful "gonk" on the Christmas Decoration table and by our excellent chairman, Tim Mortimer for the best-turned item of the year, a deeply turned jar-shaped creation with resin infill in the gaps. Both worthy winners; the second and third places for the Christmas decoration went to Dave Branscombe 2nd with Paul Kohn and Tim Mortimer equal 3rd. Second and Third places in the best-turned item section went to Martin Barrett 2nd and Graham Furze 3rd.
All seemed at ease during the evening, enjoying the lively ambience, moving from one to another, voting, eating sumptuous food and enjoying the almost family atmosphere that existed in the room.
The committee thank all those who played vital roles in making the evening such fun and we now look forward to an exciting coming year.
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