Zaalige Keershmus [Limburgish] - (Merry Christmas)
News - by Rich - R2 Wood:
The Garden was in full winter mode, trees resembling vascular systems, birds and squirrels zooming around getting their Christmas shopping done at the well stocked feeders, preparing not for a feast like ourselves, but for raw survival. We wish them the all the best.
As this was our last gathering of the year, we celebrated with mince pies, stollen, vol au vents, and fancy biscuits amongst other treats; “to keep up the energy on such a cold day”, and yes, we’re sticking to that in season reason.
We set up in the garden’s huge poly-tunnel greenhouse, as Fay; one of the gardens dedicated volunteers, was running a Christmas Wreath making workshop in the wood cabin, where she also brewed up a deliciously warming mulled apple juice to share with all.
Wilkins, Potty Steve, and Bob (our resident comedic triple act) worked on spoons whilst dispensing a seasonal gluts worth of cheer, cheek, and japery - with the odd bit of useful advice thrown in of course.
Jamila returned and was joined by her friend Rachel, a long time bodger who induced her to the APTGW at last year’s spectacular Ball. Jamila started a new spoon and Rachel worked on a hand felted mallet to “ding dong merrily” a gong she owns.
It was the last push for Ranger Dave and Jamie to finish their Santa carvings, which are to be Christmas presents for their friends and family. Our resident Ranger also brought along some lovely big birch logs.
Carl worked on a couple of spoons, and Rich worked on "Thing" - It’s for eating out of. Inspired by his Nan and John Mullaney.
Kirstie continued to work on her puffin automata and also brought along some of her needle felting work. Wendy was thrilled to have three woolies in attendance, and continued to work on the long running needle felted dog. Will Wendy weald will, upon the wool, well enough to wrap up the wooly wonder whilst wassailing in a winter wonderland? Tune in to the next wissue to find out!
Apart from his constant comedy, Bowl Mike worked on…. yep, you guessed it, a bowl! There was an extra wrinkle in his grin, he’d made a deal with Potty Steve; to pass on guardianship of Mike’s "Thames Gravy Barge" bowl, which inadvertently (absolutely nothing to do with Rich) became a hot head ware trend. I blame the Brandy in the mince pies.
I’d like to bestow a big end of year thank you to everyone who’s joined us at our meets this year. From my perspective the Essex Bodgers could not exist without the enthusiasm, vibes, banter, the care and friendships created, the yearning we all have for learning, and most of all, you folks that bring all these qualities to sustain such a fun and creative group.
Wishing you all a lovely time over the Christmas holidays and look forward to seeing you all in 2025.
Word Of The Week: Tomte
The Tomte is a very small, elderly and bearded mythical humanoid, believed to live in barns, under the floorboards, or in the forest nearby. Tomtar (plural of Tomte) are deeply rooted in Scandinavian folklore, particularly in Sweden, and are typically depicted as small, gnome-like figures, about the size of a child, with a long white beard, wearing a red or grey knitted hat that tapers to a point.
The role of the Tomte in folklore is to be a protector of farms and households. Ensuring the well-being of animals and the success of the farm. In return for his care, the household must treat him kindly, which includes offering him food (especially a bowl of porridge with butter during Christmas).
Tomtar are wise and hard-working, although temperamental and vengeful if insulted or neglected. Offences such as mistreating animals, disrespecting traditions, or forgetting his porridge can lead to pranks or worse, like the misfortune of the farm.
Over time, the Tomte merged with Christmas traditions and became associated with Jultomten, the Swedish version of Santa Claus.
Unlike the jolly Santa Claus of other cultures, Jultomten is more subdued, sometimes portrayed delivering gifts while retaining his farmstead roots. To this day Tomtar are popular figures during Christmas in Sweden and other Nordic countries. They are featured in decorations, cards, and stories, often blending their traditional roles with more modern interpretations of holiday spirit.
Members Services (See Listings at bottom of page)
A new section of our Newsletter where local members can offer charged services to other local members. For example: Craft Courses, Tool Repairs, Lathe building, Lathe for sale etc. If you have a service you would like offer here, please reply to this email.
Listings will be approved at our discretion and are limited to local sole traders. There are no listing fees. We do not take responsibility over any transactions, so please be mindful of where your money is going.
Regular Bits n Bobs:
If you have them, bring your lathe, shave horse, and any other fun equipment. We have a few chopping blocks and one kuksa horse, so if you can bring your own please do. Note for those with Lathes, our floor space is mostly concrete, so treadles may not be able to be pegged down.
Our meets don’t just have to be about making wood chips, we encourage members to bring other crafts to the meets, be that spinning a yarn, weaving a basket, making a tool sheath from leather or bark, and even decorative methods for our wooden items. Feel free to showcase your other craft skills as we are interested in sharing and learning a wider range of skills as we grow as a group. If any members would like to lead a session of various crafts for the group, possibly a paid one day course, please get in contact with me and we will see what we can arrange for the future.
About the venue:
The venue has toilets, kitchen, and is accessible to wheelchairs. I will supply teabags, coffee, sugar and cows milk. Please bring your own non dairy milk if needed. If anyone wants to bring biscuits, cake, snacks to share that would be nice, but bring your own lunch, bowl/plate, drinking vessel, and cutlery please.
Members have suggested a contribution for Tea/Coffee a few times, so I have decided to ask for a contribution of 50p. Obviously if you bring all your own bits, there is no need to chip in.
Free secure parking is available within the walled garden. Follow the main driveway all the way down, past the public car park and the “no unauthorised vehicles” sign, then the Walled Garden’s big gates will be on the left. Toot your horn to let us know you’ve arrived.
See site map, and map links near bottom of page.
Hope to see you there, and please email me at essexaptgw@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Richard Roberts - Group Coordinator APTGW Essex Bodgers
APTGW Membership:
Our meets are free of charge to members of the Association of Polelathe Turners and Green Woodworkers.
Non members are welcome to join us a few times to see if it’s something they’d like to pursue further. We then ask that folks join the APTGW. It’s only £20 per year and membership runs from January to December each year.
Join the APTGW here: https://www.bodgers.org.uk/joinus
For just £20 a year you get:
A quarterly Gazette with news views and articles on all aspects of green woodworking.
Attend the UK Bodger's Ball always held in mid-May (this is chargeable, but a bargain!)
Win prizes for your creations at the many craft competitions at the ball
Connect with other Green Woodworkers, tool makers, rural crafters.
Learn new skills in a variety of length courses.
Attend and participate in the Annual General Meeting which is held at the Bodgers Ball
Vote on how the organisation progresses and elect, or even stand for the committee!
Here is a "what 3 words" ink to the location: https://w3w.co/sizes.soup.puddles
Google maps link to location: https://goo.gl/maps/f6rYfb92p6n43Uz99
Members Services
Sharpening Service - R2 Wood
I’ve launched a sharpening service for greenwood carving tools, offering APTGW members a 5% discount. Covering Sloyd and Spoon knives, Axes, Adzes, Gouges and more. Please contact Richard at info@r2wood.co.uk to enquire.