Learn & Improve
The activities are many and varied. There’s bound to be something to interest you and inspire you on your woodturning journey.
Improving your woodturning skills
To make the club enjoyable and rewarding for everyone, we’ve grouped members into four skill levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Master. This way, newcomers feel supported, improving turners are encouraged to push their boundaries and experienced members are challenged and celebrated for their work.
Throughout the year, members can participate in our Skills Progression programme, which is designed to help you grow personally and celebrate your progress. Four times a year, you can bring along themed pieces like bowls, boxes or candlesticks to get feedback from experienced judges. We focus on design, finish and technical skill, and we offer detailed private feedback to help you build confidence and improve.
Joining the club is all about having fun with woodturning, honing your skills and sharing ideas with other turners in a welcoming and supportive setting. Whether you’re just starting out or have been turning for years, there’s a spot for you here.
Moving up through the skill levels is based on regular participation and achievements, but we really focus on encouragement rather than competition. Beginners are especially supported and can progress naturally as they gain confidence.
We offer hands-on ‘improver’ workshops in the spring and autumn, just for members. These full-day, one-to-one tutoring sessions are held at the homes of experienced members. They are usually run with just two lathes at each venue to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. We typically run between 20 and 30 workshop sessions a year, as they are very popular. A small fee is charged to cover costs.
The workshop sessions are tailored to each member’s requirements. Whether you’re a complete beginner eager to learn the fundamentals or someone looking for guidance on a specific turning technique, we’ve got you covered.
The club provides the lathes, practice wood, mentoring and plenty of coffee and tea. Members bring their own tools and protective gear, plus their enthusiasm!
Members can also, optionally, join in on the club’s monthly competitions. This is a great way to gain experience and get expert feedback on your work through helpful critiques. Each month we have a different set theme, plus an open category. We also have a Christmas competition where members display their best pieces, which are then voted on by their fellow members.
These competitions are a wonderful chance for members to experiment, improve and have fun on their woodturning journey together.
Tuesday Turners – ‘Talking Turning’
Members can also join in on our monthly ‘Talking Turning’ online Zoom sessions where members can share and learn from each other about all things woodturning! They take place on the 1st Tuesday each month, so whether you’re just starting out or have been turning for years, this is a great opportunity to hone your skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the craft.
Each session is led by knowledgeable turners, and we have a different theme every month. We usually start with a structured presentation to get everyone talking about the topic. Plus, we’re all invited to share our experiences, what we’ve learned and what we need some help with. It’s a friendly and laid-back place where you can share and learn from each other.
Hands On Club Nights
Several times a year, we get the club lathes out and make some shavings together! These relaxed, practical evenings vary in format and are always great fun. Sometimes we set a light-hearted challenge – such as making spinning tops followed by a fiercely contested (but good-humoured!) group “spin-off.” On other occasions, we focus on a particular skill or technique, such as hollowing, with members bringing along different tools and equipment for others to try and compare.
Whatever the theme, experienced club turners are always on hand, making these evenings ideal for learning new skills, trying something different and building confidence at the lathe.
Just as importantly, hands-on nights are a great opportunity to chat, share ideas, swap tips and enjoy the social side of the club while getting to know fellow members better.