woodturning blog

Apparently it’s a theme upgrade that hasn’t included the links widgets…some users are reporting links returning…mine should too…

I seem to have lost my links widgets from the side panel…curious…can you see them? Do wordpress know where they are? Were they ever there? Am I actually going mad?

Well I’ve been busy, tired, and not got round to posting. Sorry.

I had the meeting with my MP, Mr Bob Blizzard, and it went very well indeed. I suppose it helps that he has sawdust in the veins from his Father, but he could see the point within seconds, and is going to take some action. First step is to see if there are any real barriers to a change in practice, if there are, another approach will be taken…but he spoke about a national guideline for councils, which is fantastic!

It’s not often (ever) I’m impressed with a polititian, but I was this time.

He even asked if he could touch the surface of a bowl one of my students was working on. Steve, from SA, has just finished the exterior and Mr Blizzard was very impressed with his finish. When I told him it was a piece of the wood which could have ended up as chippings he smiled. Steve should be back in South Africa by now, but he has a great story of validation for his new, and first, bowl to tell.

Short post…long day…but had to mention that today I met Rima Staines, one half of Rima & Tui, artists both. Rima & Tui decided to give WWW a try and have camped up there for the weekend. More later, but for now, take a look at the links to Rima Staines and Orla Wren in the links to the right…tomorrow I’ll get a chance to go over and chat to them. So more of WWW later…

Meeting now agreed and time and date set.

Interestingly another “body” has been in touch and seems interested in the question as a whole.

I’ll keep you updated, but I can feel a wider action plan developing.

Turned the remainder of the green Ash today, and it really is lovely wood. It”ll be good to have the semi-complete turnings to illustrate the possible use of any saved wood. I also rough-turned some gorgeous green oak today. Wonderful wood and a wonderful smell. Shame about the black tools, toolrest, and hands!

It’s Weird & Wonderful Wood at weekend, so I’ve a lot to do between now and then, and nowhere near enough time to do them all. Hey ho.

Bob Blizzard, my local MP, responded to an email on the issue of the wasted wood resources…

“I am keen to take this matter up with WDC as I agree with you about use of resources. If you would prefer to meet and talk before I do so please let me know.

Bob Blizzard MP “

Of course I want to meet! I’ll let you know the outcome.

Perhaps a nation-wide campaign is in order? Woodturners and Greenwood workers unite!

I was even madder! The pictures (taken with the phone camera) do not do it justice. Pinks, browns, golds, ripple, great figure and grain, and gorgeous. What was the rest of the tree like?

I can’t wait to see the set after drying and finish-turning. There’s enough for another set (14″ by 6″ deep), and two 14″ by 6″ hollowforms or vases. So much from so little. And so much more gone to mulch. Sad, I think.

Four conversations this week have resulted in tales of absolute horror. Perfectly good, in fact, perfectly wonderful trees are being wasted all over the county. And, presumably, all over the country. I’ve touched on this before, I know, but it warrants repetition.

Yesterday a stately old Ash, eighty years + by my reckoning, was felled locally by the council. When asked, on my behalf, if the wood could be purchased, the answer was a resounding “no”. “More than our jobs are worth” was the qualification. When asked what will happen to the timber the reply was just as disturbing. “It’ll be chipped”.

After much discussion (my friend doesn’t give in lightly) a few choice lumps were inadvertently “left behind” for me to collect later. Sadly the the leavers must have thought I was King Kong and I nearly did myself an injury lifting them into the estate. But pretty olive Ash.

What saddens me is the waste of it all. There is surely enough bough and brushwood to sustain the (un proven) call for mulch, and the trunks could earn money for cash-struck councils. I feel a letter coming on from Angry of Tunbridge Wells.

Talking about this to others this week, the situation is repeated all over the place. Oak, Ash, Beech, and Yew all reported burnt or chipped out of some HSE-type inspired ruling preventing the public from the apparently obvious dangers of becoming owners of large chunks of wood. I despise this country’s lack of foresight and vision. And I despise the waste of locally produced timber even more. But even more than that I despise the desk-bound, clarks-shoed, ever-pressed trousered, green inked ,clipboard wielding cretins who create such rulings.

Busy week.

Didn’t get to collect the Oak until Tuesday, but that was fine. Arriving at the site I was soon drooling at the range of wood Ben had available. After cutting the 1/4 ton chunk of Oak I needed…3ft by 28″ log…I spotted some lovely bough sections cut into to approx. 8″ lengths. Ben thought they were useless to a turner! I took some away with the promise of more to follow. Here’s what the Oak looks like before and after. I think it’s stunning wood, and works so well.