Sunday 17^th December Wimpole Lathers Christmas Barbeque

It has been some time - February I think since I last visited this group. However I have been to David Owen's house where they have a bodgers workshop for midweek meetings.

 

The range of food was interesting as usual even though some of the key providers were absent.

This was my baked Camembert with onion chutney.

Home made brownies from a very brave lady making deliveries by bike!

 

The built in hot air stove in the main workshop made a great cooking range.

It turned out to be a cold drizzle of a day in Cambridgeshire but this did not detract from the enjoyment of this social gathering.

Lots of old faces absent this time so I will say my seasons greetings here to Simon, David, Tom, Alistair and anyone else I have missed (or forgotten the name of – which is more likely).

Friday 8^th December Temple Avenue Allotments Dagenham

Our woodturning club is relocating from its school base that it has enjoyed the benefits from since 2004. We have just placed a 20' shipping container in a very convenient place next to the club room and kitchen. Next week we are collecting all our lathes and equipment to put in this secure store.

 

The delivery lorry was fitted with a long reach Hiab crane.

All very hi tech these days – the driver controls the whole operation with a remote control. 

The front stabilizers were massive.

Our chairman was making a video; hopefully he will put it on our website -

Fairlopwoodturners.org.uk

 

Finally in place with great precision. This was the relatively  easy bit – the organisation for it took some time and had its moments. 

We had planned on a 40’ container but we could not get it placed. Controlling the parking was testing – the police are not interested and the local authority have a 10 day response time. We canvassed the local residents and put notices on the lamp stands as well as patrolling the pinch points for the hours preceding delivery.

Next week tool pickup from our old venue.

Stock acquisition trip to Sussex Sunday 03-12-17

Playster’s Farm Hertmoncaux

A social call to Richard Bingham. Amongst many hand made things in his house and workshop was this pretty wooden grinding jig for wood turning gouges caught my eye.

He also showed me a drawknife that someone had made him – I don’t know why I never took a picture.

I had a tour of the garden area – there were many interesting thing to see but I was surprised to see a golden eagle!

He gives a home to a birds of prey display company.

I then visited my antlerman on the south coast to pick up some tips for necklaces. Apparently antler is getting much more difficult to source and the price is being forced up by dog chew companies.

Swan Inn Dalington TN21 9LB

 

Top of my pub list to date!

Stayed over in their car park which has just ben upgraded.

Great food and Harvey’s.

Monday 4^th Sissinghurst Estate

Called in to pick up a Robina that Dave Dunk took down to make way for a fence. Also some dry Iroko that was part of a grain drying floor. Waste not want...