South Downs Woodturners
Key contacts
Secretary – Graham Willsher
E: secretary@southdownswoodturners.com
Chair – Norman Billingham
E: chairman@southdownswoodturners.com
Membership – join us
E: enquiries@southdownswoodturners.com
Upcoming wood turning workshops
Meetings are on the last Wednesday of each month from 19.00 to 22.00
Who’s the group suitable for?
Everybody is welcome and no previous experience is necessary
Why attend South Downs Woodturners workshops at the Village Hall?
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. Whatever your goals or level of experience, we can help provide practical tips, equipment and live demonstrations.
How much does it cost?
£35 per year 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.
We don’t have monthly entry fee for members, we ask visitors for a £5 contribution when they attend professional demonstrations
Funding costs are also offset by our raffle each meeting. Please support our raffle by buying tickets or donating prizes
About South Downs Woodturners
We’re wood turners based in East Sussex and West Sussex interested in woodturning and related crafts such as carving, inlays, pierced turnings, pyrography etc. There’s no barriers to enjoying wood turning, you just have to have an interest in wood. We’re an associate club of the AWGB.
Meetings
We have demonstrations and practical evenings, full details can be found in our programme. Sometimes we use Zoom and 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.
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 within a social environment.
Chairman’s Challenge
We run a monthly 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
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. Club tools are available to members on short term loan and we also have an Axminster AT1416vs lathe, Evolution Chuck & jaws, together with a Sorby Pro Edge sharpening system for use. These must be signed for, and returned the following meeting.
Refreshments
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided free of charge to members during the break. This gives time for everyone 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.
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 and 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
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.
More about South Downs Woodturners
I was worried I'd be the only woman and that I'd feel a bit intimidated but it couldn't have been further from the reality. I've learned so much already and the team are so knowledgeable – I just love it.
Patricia