The Worshipful Company of Turners will be having a stall at the Red Cross Christmas Market at the Guildhall in London on the 27th and 28th of November. They are appealing for turners to donate items they can sell at the market. For more details and information on where to send your items, open the letter linked here – BritishRedCrossAppeal.pdf
News
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.
Would you be interested in attending a demonstrator training course in the Dumfries / Borders area? If so, please contact John Montgomery or complete the application form.
Mike Glover resigned as a Trustee and Secretary of the AWGB on 9 June 2017, the post is being covered by David Atkinson until a replacement is appointed
Using only timber from Royal Greenwich Park 14 UK professional turners and Michael Maisey (the organiser) are making pieces for a charity exhibition and sale. There will be a website for bidding and an exhibition at the Greenwich gallery, Peyton Place for ten days, followed by the full auction on Friday evening 7pm 17th November at Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich. all proceeds will go to Freedom from Torture.
The turners involved are:
- Simon Hope
- Stuart Mortimer
- Gary Rance
- Mark Baker
- Nick Agar
- Ray Key
- Bob Chapman
- Jason Breach
- Tony Southey
- Melvyn Firminger
- Stuart King
- Dave Register
- Les Thorne
- David Reeks
Thank you to all those who entered. It was a difficult task choosing the top sixty and even tougher for the judges choosing the top three! The winners and photos of the travelling exhibition, along with where it can be seen are now on the website here – 2017 Travelling exhibition
We are launching a new website for the 2018 Seminar. This will contain all the details on where, when, presenters, programme etc. as it becomes available. The new website is at awgbwoodturningseminar.co.uk
Take a look at the impressive lineup of presenters. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
This is to remind everyone that the AGM will be held on 23rd April at Yarnfield Park,Yarnfield Park and Training Centre,
Stone, Staffordshire ST15 0NL. There is a branch representatives meeting at 11:00 followed by the AGM at 14:00
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 15th May 2017.
Those invited for interview will be notified during the week beginning 5th 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.
The Worshipful Company of Turners
Skinners Hall
8 Dowgate Hill
London EC4R 2SP
Every Seminar we select between 50 and 60 pieces to take around the UK as part of our travelling exhibition. We keep the pieces for two years and in the past they have been returned in August before the Seminar. The current pieces go back in 2017 and as the next Seminar is 2018 we need to replenish the exhibition.
We are holding a competition. It is open to any woodturner in the UK whether they are AWGB members or not. There isn’t a theme – we just want you to send us some photos of your best pieces of work from which we will make a selection of the best 60 pieces. We will arrange with you for these pieces to be sent to Woodworks at Daventry where Ray Key and Reg Hawthorne will judge the top three and we will award prizes for 1st of £175, 2nd of £150 and 3rd of £125.
The rules are simple:
- You may enter up to three pieces
- You must submit three high quality images per entry by email to competition@awgb.co.uk
- Images may be sent on multiple emails if necessary; each email will be acknowledged.
- Images must be submitted no later than Friday 10 March.
- The images must show side view, top view and underneath view (or an “interesting angle”).
- At least one of the images must contain a ruler so we can judge the size of the piece.
- Your email should describe the piece including details of the timber used in no more than 50 words.
- You must agree that if chosen, we can retain the piece(s) until October 2018.
- You must indicate whether you are prepared to sell the piece.
- You must provide a sale price even if it isn’t for sale for insurance purposes. We insure the pieces for 60% of their sale value.
- If we sell one of your pieces we take 10% commission plus VAT.
We’ll discuss packaging etc. with you if your piece is selected.
That’s all, get making! We’re looking forward to seeing your entries.