It is with great sadness that we report the death of Linda, wife of Stuart Mortimer known to most of us in the woodturning fraternity.  Linda was taken into Winchester hospital in the afternoon of Monday 12 March and died of a massive brain haemorrhage at 21.00 on Tuesday 13 March.

Below is a short obituary from Sam Webber, a close friend of Stuart and Linda.

I first met Linda some fifteen years ago when I started turning under Stuart’s tuition.  Since then both Linda and Stuart have become firm friends and, like all of you that have met her know, she was truly a lovely lady. She has supported Stuart in his long and successful career not only going around the UK and the world with him for his many demonstrations but also, for example, cooking for and hosting the many Young Turners that have appeared at Hope Cottage for Stuart’s annual YT weekends. In one of his publications Stuart referred to Linda as his “most valued critic” of his work for she had learned so much about our craft, had a rare eye for form and an enviable knowledge of woods.

The family funeral will take place in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on Tuesday 27th March, and a Memorial Service will be held for Linda at St. Mary’s Church, Amport, Hampshire at 11.00 on Tuesday 24th April.

I, along with many of you, have lost a dear and valued friend who will be greatly missed, but to none more so than by Stuart and his family to whom we send our most sympathetic condolences.

The Annual General Meeting of the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain, (a Company Limited by Guarantee – Company No 8135399) will be held at Little Yeldham Village Hall, School Road, Little Yeldham, CO9 4LH, on Sunday 22nd April 2018, starting at 1pm.
With regard to Director/Trustee positions on the Executive:
Paul Hannaby, Russell Gibbs, Derek Puplett, Peter Bradwick, Dave Wilcox, John Montgomery, Pat Murphy, Howard Hughes, Mike Wilson and Mark Hogan have been co-opted during the year and will be re-elected formally at the AGM.
Under Section 234 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Articles, a member is entitled to appoint another person as their Proxy to exercise all or any of their rights to attend, speak or vote at the meeting. The appointment of a Proxy must be in writing and notified to the Secretary, before the meeting.

A Corporate Member may nominate a person to attend on their behalf in writing to the Secretary, before the meeting.
As usual, there will be tables on which to exhibit attendee’s work which they are happy to submit for judgement and submission for the Travelling Exhibition coupled with the award of the Chairman’s Prize. There will also be tables on which to place tools and the like for sale. Nigel Fleckney will be in attendance with a selection of his fine timbers for sale.

The AGM will be preceded by a meeting of Members and Branch Representatives, which will start at 11.00am and will be chaired by Paul Hannaby.
If you are attending, please inform the Secretary on secretary@awgb.co.uk or 01335 360388 by 8th April.
The Agenda for the AGM will be as follows:
Apologies for Absence
Acceptance of the Minutes of the 2017 AGM
Matters Arising from the minutes of the 2017 AGM
Treasurer’s Report for year ending 31st December 2017
Chairman’s Report
Announcement of the ballot for Trustees
Vote on the appointment of Accountants/Auditors for the AWGB
Result on ballot of any resolutions

An initiative taken on as part of the 30th anniversary was to complete the archive of our Revolutions newsletters. This provides a history of AWGB activities and some interesting articles along the way!

The archive is there for anyone to view revolutions-woodturners-newsletter-archive

Dave Atkinson has resigned as chairman and Sam Webber has resigned as vice chairman.

With effect from January 1st, The following changes will be in effect.

Chairman – Paul Hannaby

Vice Chairman – Russell Gibbs

Trade & Business – Roger Cutler

Webmaster & data manager – Paul Middleton.

Contact details for all the above can be found on the AWGB organisation page

We are pleased to announce that Derek Puplett has volunteered to take on the role of secretary. He has been co-opted as a volunteer.

Request for Applications

www.turnersco.com/turning/bursary-awards/

For 2017, The Turners’ Company is offering one or more Bursaries, worth up to a combined value of £10,000, to assist talented woodturners to develop their craft skills and to move to a higher level of achievement. The awards are open to UK resident turners whose work is well regarded by their peers and who can put forward a clear plan of how the award will advance their work, expand the boundaries of the craft of turning and raise the profile of the craft. There is no upper age limit.

 What are Turners’ Company Bursaries awarded for?

• To fund further study, research or training and practical experience for craftsmen and women, who want to improve their craft and trade skills.
• Bursaries may not, normally, be used for premises or other business set-up costs.
• Bursaries may be used for acquiring specialist equipment, provided it is part of the whole request.

 What are we looking for?  

• Well thought out proposals which will contribute to the excellence of our craft in general.
• On the submission you need to explain clearly why your proposals will improve your skills and what you expect to achieve as a result. You may have assistance in writing your submission.
• You also need to give a reasonably accurate estimate of the full cost of your proposals.

Who can apply? 

• You must be 18 or over to apply, but there is no upper age limit.
• You need to demonstrate an ambition and commitment to develop your skills to a higher level within the craft and that you are firmly committed to the craft of woodturning.
• Only those who live and work permanently in the UK are eligible for the award of a Bursary.
• The Bursary is available to all Turners; amateur and professional.

The Application Submission

The entry form should include the names of two referees (who should be members of the Turners’ Company, the RPT, AWGB, SOT or APTGW) and must be accompanied by:

• A short curriculum vitae.
• One or more photographs of turned items made by you, with descriptions of the production methods and materials you employed;
• A written proposal outlining your aspirations and an outline plan of what you want to achieve from a Bursary (techniques; skills; training; equipment; new products).
• A costed action plan showing how you intend to use the Bursary money.

What next?

All Submissions will be carefully read and appraised, and if your submission captures the attention of the Turners’ Company Bursary awards committee you, and others selected, will be invited to attend an interview. The interviews are usually held in London. Those selected for interview will be sent further details of the award process. They will receive reimbursement of their documented travel expenses.

The Interview.

At the interview you will be asked to make a short presentation in support of your proposal. You will be expected to show relevant samples of your work, to highlight what you would like to achieve should you be given the opportunity of funding and generally display a passion for your craft. Applicants will have already been turning for some time and will, therefore, be able to demonstrate a reasonably advanced level of skill.

The decision of the Bursary Committee will be final.  In the event that it finds more than one candidate of outstanding ability, the Bursary may be divided among them or, if there is no suitable candidate, the award will be held over.

The timetable

Applications must be received by the Turners’ Company Clerk before 15^th May 2017.

Those invited for interview will be notified during the week beginning 5^th June 2017.    Interviews can be expected to commence shortly after this date.

Details of those selected to receive awards will be published during July 2017.

The Application Form

Application forms are available on the Turners’ Company website:

www.turnersco.com/turning/bursary-awards/

 or by request to the Clerk of the Turners’ Company at the address below.  Forms may also be available from the Secretary of your Turning Club.

Queries or Clarification

Queries about any aspects of the Turners Company Bursary 2017 should be addressed to the Chairman of the Turners Company Howe Committee, Peter Gibson.

peter-h-gibson@ntlworld.com

The Worshipful Company of Turners

Skinners Hall

8 Dowgate Hill

London      EC4R 2SP