Ray Key passed away on the 14th of September 2018.
Amongst his achievements are:
Becoming the founding Chairman of the AWGB in 1987.Awarded life membership in 1997 and appointed President in 1998.
In 2001 he was made a Life Member of The American Association of Woodturners (At this time the only non-American afforded this honour).
in 2002 Ray was made a Freeman by presentation of the Worshipful Company of Turners. In 2011 through the Worshipful Company of Turners he became a Freeman of The City of London. In 2012 the Worshipful Company of Turners presented Ray with their first ever “Master in Turning’ award” and in 2017 he was awarded the status if Liveryman by presentation.
In 2015 Ray was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List (for services to the craft of Wood Turning).
Ray left a large number of part turned pieces of work which his wife Liz and son Darren have kindly agreed can be used for this collaboration project.We plan to use this opportunity to celebrate Ray’s huge contribution to the AWGB and turning worldwide
We are inviting turners from around the world, who have at some point had a connection to Ray, to select one of the unfinished pieces of work, finish it in their own style and to return it to be included in an exhibition (in July 2019). We also intend to produce a book documenting all pieces and contributors. Ultimately the pieces will all be sold and the proceeds will be shared between Ray’s widow Liz and the AWGB development / grant funds. The AWGB plan to use some of the funds to set up a commemorative bursary or award to honour Ray’s memory.