Club Profile
The city of Cambridge needs no introduction -
famous for its history, University and beautiful buildings. What may be
less well known is that it has a thriving Woodturning Club.
Origins
 Cambridge Woodturners was founded in 2000 with a
starting membership of around 20; some of the original members are
still regular attendees at Club meetings. Being an Affiliated Branch of
the Association
of Woodturners of Great Britain (AWGB) allows the members to
take advantage of all the benefits available - discounts, insurance etc.
Like most woodturning clubs its aims are to promote
woodturning within and outside the Club. The old hands are always
willing to give advice to the newer members and often prove the old
saying - ask 10 woodturners how to do something and you'll get
11 different answers!
A Growing Membership
 Club membership currently
stands at over fifty, spanning a wide spectrum of abilities from
veterans to novices but all with a common enthusiasm for woodturning.
The Club has recently seen an influx of new members, many of whom are
beginners. Chairman David Lewis says: "The fact that in this
computer-oriented age there is a growing interest in woodturning is
something that we find most encouraging. If this trend is reflected in
other clubs, then the future seems very healthy."
The Club prides itself on its friendly atmosphere. Being
smaller than some clubs has the advantage that new members soon feel at
home and are encouraged to take part in the activities for instance,
the monthly competition, hands-on evenings.
Activities
An interesting and varied monthly programme includes
demonstrators from outside and within the Club and hands-on sessions
with three or four lathes.
 Every month the club has a competition, designed
for everyone to enter. Entries are judged on design and finish so it
does not matter whether the item is large and complex or small and
simple. Topics so far have included platters, see picture to left,
two-part hollow forms, boxes and other items suitable for both
beginners and advanced turners.
The Annual Competition provides the opportunity for
members to really show off their skill and produce a subject of their
own choice.
 We have
also had a stall at the Cambridgeshire County Show for several years at
Wimpole Hall where we are now recognised as a prime attraction in the
Craft Marquee.
In July 2009, the Club participated for the first time
at the Cambridgeshire Steam
Rally and Craft Fair as well as the Gamlingay Show. August 2010 sees us
making our debut at at the Ashwell Show. Several
members attend craft fairs where they also promote the Club.
We hope to participate in more local shows to promote
woodturning in general and the Club in particular.
More Information and Contacts
Club meetings are generally on the first Thursday in the
month and visitors are assured of a warm welcome.
Please contact the Club
Secretary for more information.
|
