Another good Saturday morning.

As you regular readers know our meetings are always interesting, with the occasional wow…more on that later……I was later than usual and I forgot to bring the sticks for the boys to glue/make things with…..however we managed as you do. All ready by 9.00 am, the Christmas decorations were done and the tree decorated, and very nice it looked to with all the crackers under the tree, oh by the way... its CHRISTMAS…well it is here at Crafty Turners…..

I said hello to everybody and said a warm welcome to Paul Nesbitt (Chairman of Surrey Turners) and his grandson Alfie, Paul is a very welcome regular visiting turner at our September meetings, Paul always manages to bring something new and exciting with him and today was no exception.

Lots to do all round the hall and Paul was set up mid hall, from the minute he got the turned tricks out on the table he captured the attention of all the children, this meant that us others were a bit quiet for a while which gave us time to set up properly and chat.

 There were plenty of craft things to do and Dave was busy with Bill, Barbara and Grant, Grant made a lovely lidded box. All those that hadn’t turned part of our special project did their bit with me this morning, the project is a bit to big for the lathe bench we have here so it wobbled a bit and left a lovely spiral inside, Paul had a look and decided that yes the bench is to light in weight and that it’s a hard piece of Ash, never the less with care and patients those that did their bit did it safely, (more on this piece next time)

The picture to the right shows the inside of the special project being turned.

 

 

Eric was kept busy although somebody chose a rather nasty piece of wood for a project and after a short session they decided not to carry on, (Picture to left). I’ll remove those bits from our stock.

 

 

 

Ron was busy on the computer downloading pictures and produced a letter headed doc for me to write official letters with. Lots of Christmas type nibbles at the half way break and Alex keeping an eye out and helping with cameras.

Angy till midway and Sue all morning kept people busy at the craft table and sorted the refreshments and tidied the kitchen with Audrey, thanks go to both of them. No special project for the lads today but they did well and kept busy here and there.

Picture shows a table with a collection of puzzles on it.

Paul helped James turn a Rocket and a nice Sapele bowl in between teasing the children with the tricks, the wow is that Paul was very impressed with young James natural ability to turn, I didn’t tell Paul he’s only turned a couple of projects as he’s new to Crafty Turners, I must admit I think James quickly picks up an understanding of tools, he has been to my workshop and looks destined to be a regular visitor there.

The picture to the left shows some of the puzzles Paul brought with him.

Later in the morning Paul started to turn a lady, modelled on young Sarah, the more he turned the larger the crowd grew around him, a good round of applauses was given as Paul presented it to Sarah, it was made from Walnut and next meeting she will turn a base for it, I must remember to select a nice piece of wood for the base, when finished we should send a picture to Paul.

Sadly nobody took a picture of the Christmas tree and decorations…its all Paul’s fault…he shouldn’t have such interesting things that distract the children…still they did enjoy putting them up…fancy lights and an inflated Father Christmas and all.

Well there it is another busy meeting over; everybody got stuck into clearing up, and before you could say Happy New Year the hall was tidy again…and there goes another brilliant meeting….

Mick