About South Downs Woodturners
We are wood turners in East Sussex and West Sussex interested in woodturning and related
crafts such as carving, inlays, pierced turnings, pyrography etc. There are no barriers to enjoying
wood turning, you just have to have an interest in wood. We are an associate club of the AWGB.
We welcome people from all walks of life and of any age. Some of our members prefer more traditional woodturning such as bowls showing the natural beauty of the wood,
whilst others incorporate other materials like metal, glass or plastic into their turned items. Some experiment with adding colour and texturing to enhance the design. All are good ways of producing
interesting wood turned items that can be either decorative or functional.
If you don't have tools yet, come along and get some advice. Turners who are progressing sometimes have tools they are happy to pass on to those starting out at realistic prices when they upgrade.
See the Recycle section at the bottom of our Turnings page for tool sales or items wanted.
Meetings are on the last Wednesday of each month at Beeding and Bramber Village Hall from 7 to 10pm - See our Contact page for details. Check the
Programme details for what is happening each month - we usually have either a demonstration from a professional turner or club turner, or a hands-on evening. For some meetings, there is an afternoon
hands-on session as well where a particular skill is covered or there is a class from a professional turner before they do their demo in the evening meeting.
Meetings
We have demonstrations and practical evenings, details can be found in our Programme below. Radio microphones ensure people can hear everything that is being said, and a video projection system so members can see exactly what is happening on our 8 foot screen
Chairman's Challenge
These are run each month unless we have a competition. The topic is announced the month before when our Chairman challenges members to turn something associated with a word / topic or phrase. Entries that particularly attract the Chairman's attention will receive a small token of appreciation
Tool Bank
Club tools are available to members on short term loan. Some are illustrated above. We also have an Axminster AT1416vs lathe, Evolution Chuck & jaws, together with a Sorby Pro Edge sharpening system. These must be signed for, and returned the following meeting
Raffle
We run a raffle each meeting to help offset the cost of hall hire etc. Please support our raffle by buying tickets or donating prizes
Refreshments
Tea, Coffee and biscuits are provided free of charge to members at the break. This gives time for members to socialise and look around at the other things that are available that month
Club Shop
Our Club Shop sells a variety of consumables and tools at attractive prices. All profits are ploughed back into the club for the benefit of members. Members can also sell their tools for a small commission
Library
Our Library has a selection of books and DVDs on wood turning and related topics which are available on loan to our members. If you would like to see a particular book / DVD added, please make suggestions to our Librarian
Practical Evenings
We organise Practical Evenings several times each year where members have the opportunity to enjoy hands-on time with other members to explore techniques and ideas in a social environment
Competitions
Competitions are a regular feature in our calendar. Members are divided into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced turners to give as many as possible an opportunity to compete
Tools 'n' Turnings
Our Tools 'n' Turnings table is a favourite element of our meetings where each month we encourage members to bring in some of their work, either completed or in progress, or their tools, so that members can see what others are doing and what they use. The objects often promote lively discussion
Health & Safety
We are keen to help members enjoy their hobby safely and take health & safety seriously. All members should read and understand the instructions for their tools and materials. We have a Club Health & Safety Policy which members should familiarise themselves with and we also recommend you read the HSE 5 steps to risk assessment. You can never fully eliminate risk, but you can minimise it and still enjoy our activities
SDW HS Policy v1.1a.pdf
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HSE Five steps to risk assessment.pdf
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Committee
We have a committee who run the Club and our Constitution can be found in the link below
Membership fees
£35 per annum for adults and a discount of 50% is offered for those under the age of 18. To join, please come to one of our meetings and meet our Membership Secretary who will be happy to welcome you. Whilst we have no monthly entry fee for members, we ask visitors for a £5 contribution when they attend professional demonstrations
Insurance
Cover has been arranged to cover our activities at Club events and, subject to a completed risk assessment, for members in each others workshops and where they represent the Club at craft events. To make use of this you must comply with our insurer's requirements which are summarised in SDW Insurance Requirements. Risk Assessment forms and posters are available on request from the Club Secretary.
Our insurance does not cover members making a charge for tuition or demonstrations. Please ask if you require further details.
Programme
Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month from 7pm to 10pm in Beeding and Bramber Village Hall
Tea or Coffee will be provided, however please bring your own cup, mug or glass
A raffle will be held each meeting to help fund hall hire, any donations of raffle prizes will be gratefully received
| 2025 | Draft Programme |
|
January 29 |
Club member Sam Frick will be airbrushing a platter Freestyle Competition and a hands-on evening |
|
February 26 |
Professional woodturner Richard Findley - afternoon workshop and evening demo |
|
March 26 |
Professional woodturner Kevin Hutson - afternoon workshop and evening demo |
|
April 30 |
AGM and member demo TBD |
| May 28 | Professional woodturner Martin Saban-Smith - afternoon workshop and evening demo |
| June 25 | Professional woodturner Mick Hanbury - afternoon workshop and evening demo |
| July 30 | Professional woodturner Emma Cook , aka The Tiny Turner - afternoon workshop and evening demo |
| August 27 | Hands-on evening |
| September 24 | TBD |
| October 29 | Hands-on evening |
| November 26 |
Professional woodturner Les Thorne - afternoon workshop and evening demo |
| December 17 |
TBD |
| 2024 | Programme |
|
January 31 |
Norman Billingham will show aspects of pen-turning and we will have our usual Freestyle Competition - any item as long as it includes a turned element! |
|
February 28 |
Professional demonstration: a return visit to our club for the ever popular Kevin Hutson who will show projects using spalted wood |
|
March 27 |
Member demo (for May competition) Subject: "From Log to Bowl" - Gordon Eaton takes us on a journey from a bit of tree trunk to a finished bowl via rough turning etc. |
|
April 24 |
Club AGM, election of officers etc. Member fill-in demo: More fun with Barry Chidlow who will demo the making of a child's chair inspired by Ray Jones. Plans and instructions by Baluster Plans & Design |
| May 29 | Competition: Bowl - plain or fancy, show us your best bowl creations. Anna Cates demos the making of a wonderful wooden spoon |
| June 26 | Live IRD from renowned turner and author Colwin Way. One of the very best around - not to be missed! https://www.colwinwaywoodturner.com/ |
| July 31 | Cancelled due to hall renovation |
| August 28 | Cancelled due to hall renovation |
| September 25 | Demonstration: "Something with a Lid" A welcome return from our former chairman and club founder Chris Grace. Expect the unexpected! |
| October 30 | Member demo from club member and experienced carpenter Jubal Prevatte - his first club demo! Chairman's Challenge |
| November 27 |
Anna Cates demos the making of a wonderful wooden spoon Competition: "Something with a lid" - enter your lidded creations following Chris's September demo Afternoon session - a Q and A session with David Watson and Dave Smith, with club lathes available from 2pm. Contact David Watson by email to let him know if you will be attending. |
| December 18 |
Fun Competitions - Mince Pies - Decorate the Christmas Tree - a hands-on evening so bring some wood, tools and eye protection. Tool Auction - bring your best bidding face to take part in an auction of tools. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members! |
Club Newsletters
Here is the Club's Newsletter Archive. If you have any items to be included in future newsletters, please let new newsletter editor, Matt Hall, know. You can send items to Matt at this email address: newsletter@southdownswoodturners.com
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If any members have suggestions or requests for meeting topics and / or demonstrators or speakers,
please email the secretary with your recommendation. Secretary@SouthDownsWoodturners.com
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