Tervehdys, maaseudun käsityöläiset [Finnish](Greetings, rural artisans)
News - Brought to you by Wendy of the Wool:
There was a definite spring like feel in the air at our last Essex Bodgers meet.
The sun shone, bees were buzzing, the duck couple waddled over for some food and waddled off to the pond at the back of the garden. Coupled with an array of daffodils and budding plants it really seems like nature is waking up after winter.
We were outside all day this time (although it did get chilly towards the end!) Cold was warded with cups of tea and old school treats – Jaffa Cakes, Pink Wafer Fingers and the undeniable classic Tunnocks Tea Cakes.
Upon arrival there was some exciting tree surgery going on in the park. Ranger Dave took a trolley and came back with a bounty of Maple.
One of our members, Steve, brought a beautiful, knife handle he'd made for a sloyd knife. We were all impressed. Much wood chippery was created. Bowl Mike and Ranger Dave, both worked on bowls this week, and others worked on spoons. Wendy broke her favourite needle felting needle and has now learnt to use a lesser needle when carrying out experimental techniques.
There was also talk about the recent news coverage of the Giant Sequoias that grow in the UK, with the 2nd largest group of them at Havering Country Park, which is a neighbour to our very own Bedfords Park. We will be planning a future group visit to check them out.
Word Of The Week - Brought to you by Mike of the Bowl: ”Clinch”
Passionate, a deal, joining together. In the context of wood it's an ancient method of joining pieces of wood together securely. You've probably seen an ancient door (church, castle, Wimpy house) with bent over nails on the inner or outer surface set at close and regular centres: I give you clinching. Knock an over long nail through two bits of wood then bend over the pointed end at 90 degrees and flatten into the wood surface. That's ok for a packing case or rough carcassing but for the castle door etc a further refinement is applied. Bend the pointed over a bit then bash so burying offending prick (oh missus) into door. A more secure fixing and less likely to snag your cassock or tights.
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 at bottom of page.
Hope to see you there, and please contact me 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
