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
| 2026 | Programme |
|
January 28 |
Club member David Watson will run the afternoon workshop session on Chess pieces. Matt Hall will demo at the evening meeting - 'Back to Black'. Blanks available from The Woodturners Shed Open Competition -anything not previously entered into a club competition |
|
February 25 |
Professional woodturner Dan Smith - afternoon workshop and evening demo Multi-phase competion - bring in a blank |
|
March 25 |
Professional woodturner and club member Stewart Furini with some colouring and texturing - afternoon workshop and evening demo Multi-phase competition - bring in a blank |
|
April 29 |
AGM and Professional Woodturner Rick Dobney Multi-phase competition - take a blank and turn to shape ready for embellishing (leave a chucking point!) |
| May 27 | Professional woodturner Paul Hannaby with spinning tops and threaded boxes - afternoon workshop and evening demo |
| June 24 |
Club Members Workshop - afternoon session with Dave Smith and David Watson followed in the evening with a member demo or a hands-on session Competition - spinning tops Multi-phase competition - get a turned blank to embellish |
| July 29 | Professional woodturner Jason Breach - afternoon workshop and evening demo |
| August 26 |
Club member workshop and evening demonstration or hands-on session |
| September 30 | Professional woodturner Kevin Hutson with the afternoon workshop session. Evening demo from a club member or a hands-on session |
| October 28 |
Club member workshop and demonstration Competition - judging of the pieces made in the Multi-Phase Competition |
| November 26 |
TBC |
| December 16 |
Fun Competitions - Mince Pies - Decorate the Xmas Tree! Hands on evening with 3 or 4 lathes set up for member competitions - bring some wood, tools, eye protection and join in! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our members! |
Club Newsletters
Club Newsletters
Here is the Club's Newsletter Archive. If you have any items to be included in future newsletters, then email our newsletter editor, Matt Hall: 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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