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.
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
Adobe Acrobat document [89.3 KB]
HSE Five steps to risk assessment.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [113.8 KB]
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
| 2022 | Event |
| 21st December | Christmas Social Evening, including the Chairman's Challenge of turned seasonal items for the club's tree. Note this is the third Wednesday of the month. |
| 2023 | Programme |
|
January 25th |
Freestyle competition: Any item/items with turned elements Interactive Remote Demo (trial) by the ever-popular Stewart Furini |
|
February 22nd |
Member demonstration: Chris Grace returns with a demonstration - Vases/bud vases - any style, any decoration to give some inspiration for the April competition |
|
March 29th |
Chestnut Products "Roadshow" and Demo Terry Smart From Chestnut Products will demonstrate many different finishes and finishing products. There will also be a display of products available for members to purchase at discounted rates. Terry visited our club several years ago and is always informative and entertaining. |
|
April 26th |
Competition: Vases - any type or style including bud vases Club AGM, election of officers etc. Member fill-in demo: "A Clever Trick" - Barry Chidlow shows how to make a fun illusion! |
| May 31st | Interactive remote demonstration from professional turner Chris Parker aka "The Bald Woodturner." Chris will demonstrate a variety of texturing and colouring techniques. This will be the inspiration for our July competition - "Embellishment of Turned Pieces" Website: https://www.thebaldwoodturners.co.uk/ |
| June 28th | Member demonstration: Talented turner Anna Cates is back with another entertaining and informative project. Subject to be confirmed but may be turning of green wood. |
| July 26th | Competition: "Embellishment of Turned Work" Taking inspiration from Chris Parker's remote demo in May - any kind of turned piece with additional decorative effects, colouring etc. Member fill-in demo, subject TBA Demonstrator: TBA |
| August 30th | Practical/social evening 3 lathes set up for member participation - bring some wood, tools, eye protection and join in! "Show and tell" Tools n' Turnings table Chairman's Challenge |
| September 27th | Visiting demonstrator: Patrick O' Connell from Ashdown Woodturners Club Subject: TBA |
| October 25th | Competition: subject TBA Fill-in demo: "Pens" by Norman Billingham |
| November 29th | Professional demonstration: We welcome back Kevin Hutson who proved very popular and entertaining when he visited us last year. Subject: TBA |
| December 20th | Christmas social evening, full content tba Note : NOT last Weds Christmas tree Chairman's Challenge, festive items, mini competition, mince pies, wine etc |
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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