CHAPTER WORKSHOP,
TOGHER
12 Nov. 2016
We had two of our own turners demonstrating for the November
workshop in Togher. There was a good
attendance of almost 40 members.
Before getting on with the business of the day we had a minutes
silence in memory of our much esteemed past Chairman, Michael Box, who passed
away over the weekend and whose funeral takes place from St. James’ Church,
Mallow on Wednesday, 16th November, 2016.
Rest in peace, Michael. We
shall miss your gracious presence in the front row at future workshops.
Brian Goulding opened the demonstrations. He first made a ring holder from spalted
beech. He made the little spindle first,
suggesting it was easier when making the little recess to fit it into in the
bowl to bring the spindle to the bowl.
In fact in Brian’s expert hands it fitted perfectly first time. He also cautioned us that we should consider
making the upright spindle suitable to hold a lady’s ring, rather than a larger
man’s ring, as these items are mainly
appreciated by the ladies in our lives. Brian
went on to finish the little bowl and had the whole project completed to
perfection in very little time.
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| Brian Goulding with his ring holder |
Brian then made a candlestick from beech. He pointed out that in items like
candlesticks and lamps care has to be taken to get the proportions right. The candlestick he made was in a teardrop
shape with a cove between the main part and the base. He suggested that the measurement from the
base to the narrow part below the “belly” of the teardrop should be the same as
from the cove to the widest part of the item.
Sanding has to be at a minimum at out venue and accordingly Brian
had completed and finished examples already made for passing around.
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| Brian smiles. Happy with his candlestick. |
Both items were made in less than an hour, which caused a few people
to talk about how little time time we might spend in making an item and how
much more time we spend sanding and polishing.
After the break Paddy Lynch demonstrated a beautiful cake-stand made
from poplar (tulipwood). It was in four
parts; being the main plate on top, a support under it into which an upright
spindle was fitted, the spindle itself and the base. Paddy, as usual, completed the whole project
with great dexterity and precision and all the time keeping up a humorous
commentary that sometimes focussed on some hapless observer who happened to
catch his eye but also receiving some accurate repartee with great
hilarity. Again Paddy had brought a
couple of completed cake-stands (as well as a few sets of the “makings”) to
pass around – and to sell (in fairness at very reasonable prices) if anybody
wanted to buy them.
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| Paddy Lynch with his cake stand. |
During the break the winners of the monthly competition were
announced by Leo O’Donoghue, whose gavel and sounding block made at the last
workshop were the subjects. In “Advanced”,
Charley McCarthy was first, Jim O’Donovan was second and Hugh Garrett was
third. In “Intermediate” the winner was P.J.
O’Brien with Joe Kennedy second. There
were no entries in “Beginners”.
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| "Advanced" winners - in order from left |
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| Intermediate winners - in order from left |
Saturday, the 3rd December, is the date for our A.G.M. Members who want to have an input into the
affairs of the Chapter are urged to let their names go forward for
election. Every officership and
membership of the committee is open for new blood.
In line with our Chapter policy of encouraging new/young Irish
demonstrators the day will open with a two-hour demonstration by Donal Ryan
from the Limerick Chapter. Donal has
made quite a name for himself and, by no means a one-trick pony, he really has
made a mark with his thin hollow forms topped with really delicate finials. He will start at 10.00 a.m. and the venue is
the usual Togher venue in the old school across from the R.C. Church.
After the demonstration the A.G.M. will take place and this will be
followed by our little Christmas party – bring your own, but enough to share.