Another good Saturday morning.
We arrived as usual at 6.30 pm on the Friday night to set up the hall, all done in about an hour and of coarse the usual turning chat and cup of tea. I pick Rob up and get to the hall for 8.30 am on the Saturday and unlock. I have my last minute things to set up and its 9am again, 17 eager youngsters are busy chatting away looking round the hall, some are already busy either on the computer or discussing what they have put on the gallery table, others are chatting away excited about things they have been doing since we last met.
By the time the bell is rung Angy and the pyrography tables are set up, the monthly news letters are passed round and as one they reply loudly “AUGUST 23rd” when I ask when the next meeting is, it’s always written on the bottom of the news letter. It’s a good opportunity to print indelibly in their minds the date and where to find it, plus I think it’s a little bit of fun.
My opening chat is done with when I remind them it’s a machine shop not a playground and they can’t wait to get busy, away they go all over the hall eager to get started. Kim used my lathe this morning so I moved around here and there helping out where needed, it always amazes me how keen and interested these young people are, they are going to be such inventive turners later in life. The older ones where finishing projects, stools and earring stands and the 12’s and under small mice, a rocket trick, and other small easy turned pieces.
At the mid morning break I was asked to say something as it was Jordan’s birthday and he had brought a lovely chocolate cake, so with all gathered round we sang happy birthday, what I didn’t know was behind the scenes a cunning plan had been hatched, it was my birthday this week to, a marked birthday is all I’m admitting to, my wife who by choice perhaps wasn’t here had been busy planning this with the helpers here for sometime obviously. I liked to think I was unpredictable as in not set in my way as they say, but it seems I am, my wife had told Angy that as soon as I realised what they had done Id be off, so Angy instructed Bill to stand behind me while sorting Jordan out, well as predicted as the cake came in I was off, I turned round and walked straight into Bill who flung his arms round me and didn’t let go, brilliant, I think it made it all the better for all those gathered. So we had the cake with the embarrassing picture on it and of coarse the collage of more embarrassing pictures, the juniors loved that bit. The banner was taped to the back of my van and both Jordan and I had a movie with sound made by the time the morning was done.
During the morning Angy had been getting the younger ones to be creative making cards, one was passed round for me to sign, I thought, that’s a nice idea, making a card for Jordan, you can guess what’s coming cant you, I had signed my own birthday card so I didn’t get suspicious, its painfully obvious I grossly underestimated this group of devious minded people and Ill have to be very watchful in the future. But it was good fun all round and very touching to think they where minded to go to so much trouble. It was very much appreciated, and I was particularly impressed to see that in all the excitement they all remembered that fun and running around was ok up the end in the canteen area but not near any of the equipment, you have to remember what ever goes on its still a machine shop and don’t take you eyes of the juniors where ever they are, I was very proud to be a part of the Saturday club today.
With the cake all gone it was back to being busy, Thomas and co sorting computer stuff and somebody cleared away all the kitchen bits, probably Aline so many thanks to her. As usual before you know it the mornings gone and its time to pack up, the hall looks like a tornado has been through it but in no time at all its all away and the vacuums have been round and tables and chairs stacked away and van loaded. There where the last few things to discuss and checking the windows are shut and there goes a very memorable Saturday club meeting, many thanks again to all involved. And there goes another brilliant junior club morning.
Mick July 2008