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 around sixty, spanning a wide spectrum of abilities from veterans to novices but all with a common enthusiasm for woodturning. We continue to welcome new members, many of whom are beginners, reflecting a growing interest in the craft scene in general and woodturning in particular. If there are specific areas of membership the Club would like to see grow it is those of younger turners and lady turners.  For some reason, as in many Clubs, members tend to be older - maybe reflecting the tendency to take up this craft in retirement.  

The Club prides itself on its friendly atmosphere.  New members soon feel at home and are encouraged to take part in the activities for instance, the monthly competition and hands-on evenings, the latter being of real value to those with less experience.

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, bowls, two-part hollow forms, boxes and other items suitable for all levels and experience of wood 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 at Wimpole Hall for several years 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 saw us making our debut at at the ever popular Ashwell Show and in August 2011 we made our debut at the Cherry Hinton Festival.  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.