The Show Season Ends on a High
This year the Group made their debut at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair, Birtley House, 8th – 9th October. It was a notable event because, while many of the group were at Singleton and Cranborne Chase, we still had a really good contingent at Birtley including many debutantes. Owen Thomas and Neffie with their Pole Lathe and a plethora of innovative creative products, Ruth Wheeler, a sculptress of considerable talent, and Mike Wonder with personalised Hazel pencils to name but two, all contributed greatly to the overall display and atmosphere. We also had Nick Owen making tool handles and Kat Armstrong weaving Willow while Carl was demonstrating the Indian drill for fire-lighting. Mr CC was flat-out on the Birch animals while his group of venture scouts were making a clay oven, and as ever Roger was the talk of the show. Richie’s Roundhouse became a solar powered cinema for the weekend and it all worked very well.
Our Chairman states: “We, as a group, put on a good display and were very well received by both public and organisers alike. It was far from the ‘usual suspects’ with the majority of our exhibitors being ‘first timers’ with the Group and some being first time exhibitors full stop!! The organisers wanted us there and went out of their way to make sure we could be there. It was also great to have Richard, Colin, Tim, Angela, Stuart, Simon Farndon and many others visit to show and give support.”
The Weald Woodfair, ordinarily the last show of the season for the Group, 16th – 18th September, was also as successful as ever. Following the efforts of a keen few Members the week prior, carrying out clearance work on the site, the wooded area we occupy for demonstrations, this time not only had the sun shining through the trees, but was also significantly more spacious, allowing a more relaxed Public to mingle amongst the Group. With last year’s ‘funnel’ effect a thing of the past, the Public could really appreciate the stunning sculpture of Roger Day’s conceptual Chestnut shelter, enjoy John Sinclair’s controversial ‘bull roarers’, and watch in awe whilst Graham West experimented with a very old method of bowl making – burning the main hollow of the bowl with glowing embers prior to scraping and carving. Along with the usual suspects demonstrating the skills of their professions, and the ever popular Charcoal Drawing for children, we also welcomed Darren Thomas to the Group’s display, with his beautifully unique hand-made ‘stick’ furniture…. significantly more dramatic than they sound! Many thanks, as always, to all those who gave their help and support at this key event!!
If you think you may like to take part in 2012, at any of the shows or events the Group attends, then please do contact Mick Stanton on 01483 810062.
