LONE WOOD CARVERS WANTED: We have been promoting this idea for some time but regret that there has been little take up. We are therefore suspending this list of lone woodcarvers.
This will be held on 19th & 20th May 2012 at Coniscliffe Village School, Nr Darlington, Co. Durham. The competion will be 'Lovespoons'.
The 2011 AGM was held on 7th and 8th May at the beautiful Winterbourne House and Gardens to the west of Birmingham. It was reported that an increase in membership and funds in the bank means the BWA is flourishing.
What was requested was members ideas of how the money that is superfluous to requirements should be spent. Four editions of the Gazette are to be reinstated, and some ideas were put forward regarding promotions, which are being looked into, but if you are a member and have a suggestion, please let someone on the National Council (details of whom are at the bottom of the Regional Information page) know.
West Midlands did a fine job and put in a lot of work to organise and run the AGM, and our grateful thanks go to all concerned.
The 2012 AGM will be in the Durham and North Yorkshire region, some time in May. Watch this space!
WOODCARVING HOLIDAYS IN GREECE
Simon Clements and Stephen Scott teach wood carving in the shade of the olive groves near Vassiliki on the island of Lefkas. Surrounded by green mountains, Vassiliki looks out across the Ionian Sea to Ithaca and Cephalonia: the Greece of legend.In spring and early autumn, when the island is at its best, Simon and Stephen invite you to Lefkas for a wood carving holiday course. Everyone from beginners to experts are welcome, as well as non-carving partners.
I have had reports from 2 BWA members who attended this year, and they both said it was an excellent course and a great holiday.
See website for details. http://www.woodcarversgreece.com
Tel +44 (0)20 8673 1555
2011 News and Events
Events Listing
January
22-23rd South Wales Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Botanic Garden
February
1st - 13th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Oakwell Hall Art Exhibition
19th Lancashire Region: Talk Demo with Sally Hull: Furniture Production.
March
Essex and Herts Regions: Exhibition and demonstrations at the International Woodworking Show, Alexandra Palace, London. 2 days.
17th – April 3rd Ox and Bucks Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Abingdon Arts Week.
April
16th Lancashire Region: Talk / Hands on with Peter Benson: Netsuke on snooker balls.
17th Hampshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Bursledon Brickworks.
Durham Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Darlington Green Fair. 1 day.
May
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Essex Young Farmers Show, Roxwell. 1 day.
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the International Woodworking Show, Alexandra Palace, London. 2 days.
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Runwell Craft Fair. 1 day.
Herts and Essex Regions: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Living Crafts Show, Hatfield House, Herts. 2/3 days.
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the South Woodham Ferrers Craft Day. 1 day.
North Wales and Borders Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Chirk Castle for 2 weeks.
29th – 30th Hampshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at King John House, Romsey.
28th – 30th South Wales Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Botanic Garden
June
Hampshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Emsworth.
11th Ox and Bucks Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Cotswold Heritage Day, Burford.
11th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at theHonley Agricultural Show
Gloucestershire Region: Cotswold Country Show, Cirencester. 2 days
Warwick Region: :Exhibition and demonstrations at Kennilworth Show. 1 day.
Durham Region: :Exhibition and demonstrations at Gisborough Forest Festival. 1 day.
28th Lancashire Region: Talk Demo with Roger Busfield: Woodturning
July
North Wales and Borders Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Woodfest Show for 3 days.
10th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the York Dragon Boat Race
12th -14th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Great Yorkshire Show
17th – 23rd South Wales Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Botanic Garden
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Bradwell Pilgrimage Show. 1 day.
Kent Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Kent County Show, Detling. 3 days.
Kent Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Fun Day, Wormshill, Maidstone. 1 day
17th - 18th Herts Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Chiltern Show, Great Missenden
August
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Havering Show, Hornchurch. 2 days.
6th-7th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Leeds Flower Show
20th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at theShadwell Flower Show
26th - 29th (Bank Holiday) Regional Get Together: Exhibition and demonstrations at the The Festival of the Tree, Westonbirt Arboretum, Glos. Competition for The Westonbirt Trophy. 4 days.
27th - 29th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Cawood Craft Fair
28th Notts and Derby Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Revolution House, Old Whittington, nr Chesterfield
29th Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Bovinger Village Fair. 1 day.
September
3rd Hampshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations, soap carving for kids, at the Zion Hill Woodfair.
Gloucestershire Region: Frampton Country Fair, Frampton on Severn. 1 day.
17th Lancashire Region: AGM
17th - 18th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Wildwood, Castle Howard
17th – 18th Ox and Bucks Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Royal Berkshire Show.
10th - 11th North Wales and Borders Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Malpas Show for 3 days.
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Forest Festival, London. 2 days.
Warwick Region: :Exhibition and demonstrations at Claverden Gardening Group. 1 day.
October
11th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Countryside Careers Exhibition
14th - 15th Forth Valley Carvers (Scottish Region) at the Scottish Narional Woodworkers Show, Ingliston, nr Edinburgh
Herts and Essex Regions: Exhibition and demonstrations at the European Woodworking Show, Cressing. 2 days.
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Essex Country Show, Barleylands. 2 days
Rockingham Forest (East Midlands) Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Elton Village Annual Show.
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Hyde Hall Show. 1 day.
Warwick Region: :Exhibition and demonstrations at Apple Weekend, Hill Close Gardens. 1 day.
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Bridgewater Church, Southend. 1 day.
Essex Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Hullbridge Craft Fair. 1 day.
22nd -23rd Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Country Craft Experience
22nd - 30th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Autumn Glory, Harewood House
November
10th - 13th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at Crafts for Cristmas, Harrogate
Durham Region: :Exhibition and demonstrations at Harrogate Festival of Wood. 4 days.
18th - 20th Yorkshire Region: Exhibition and demonstrations at the Northern Woodworking Show
More great news! We have another new Region in Kent, which gives us 3 in that county. Hamlet Wood Carvers are based south of Maidstone - details are on the Regional Information page
Great News!! We have a new Region in North Derby! The Leader is John Richards, Dennis Fry is Secretary and Sam Giblett is Treasurer. Details are on the Regional Information page. I know you will all join me in a huge "WELCOME".
Sad News: Bedworth and Nuneaton Region is no longer viable as it has insufficient members, and has therefore closed.
North Wales and Borders branch at Chirk Castle This year we lucky folk of the North Wales and Borders branch will be moving our summer residence to Chirk Castle, Wrexham. It is a National Trust property set in the beautiful countryside around the Welsh/English borders. We will be there from April the 28th until May the 23rd. Our home will be a marquee, so wheelchair access should not be a problem. In addition to a display of the clubs work, we will be well represented on each of the open days by several club members all willing and eager to discuss their work, or just talk about woodcarving. Ours is never a static display, we will all be busy beavering away with some current project, but please, dont let that put you off asking any questions, we are only too happy to see you there. If you have any queries, please phone me Ron Cannell, 01745 825041, or Eileen Walker, 01352 770706.
EVENTS 2010
The BWA will be attending and demonstrating at the following events:
March: 1st - 14th Oxfordshire & Bucks Region: Their first major Exhibition.
Oxford Town Hall. Open daily.
11th - 13th S.E.London and W.Kent, N>E> London & W. Essex, Hertfordshire and Essex Regions:Get Woodworking Live, Alexandra Palace.
April:
11th Hampshire Region:Bursledon Brickworks SO31 7GW
28th - 23rd May North Wales & Borders Region: Exhibition at Chirk. May:
6th - 9th Essex and Hertfordshire Regions:Living Crafts Show, Hatfield House.
31st Hampshire Region:Wolf Conservation Trust RG7 5NT June:
4th-6th North Wales & Borders Region: Woodfest, St Asaph. July:
3rd - 4th Gloucestershire Region:The Cotswold Show, Cirencester Park,Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
15 - 18 Art In Action:Waterperry, near Oxford. Peter Walwin will be demonstrating.
August:
1st Hampshire Region:Twyford Waterworks SO21 1QA
27th - 30th Multi-region get together:The Festival of the Tree,Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, Gloucestershire.
September:
4th Hampshire Region:Valley Park Community Woodfair SO53 4SJ
11th-12th North Wales and Borders Region: Malpas Show.
16th - 24th October Essex Region:Exhibition and Demonstrations at Southend Central Library (near Southend Victoria station). 150 carvings on display. Open daily 9am-7pm, except Sunday when it is closed.
REGIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS AND TALKS 2010:
February 6th North Wales & Borders: Peter Benson, Netsukes 20th Lancashire: John Adamson Sculptor 1-3PM £5.00 (and poss chainsaw demo!)
March 6th S.E. London & W.Kent: Maureen Hockley, Colouring Carvings 6th North Wales & Borders: Geraint, Birdcarving 20th Lancashire: Carve-in with Roy Richardson 12-4pm £5.00 Roy here 12-2pm arrive early!
April 7th North Wales & Borders: Lovespoons 10th Lancashire: *DATE CHANGE!* 10-3PM £10.00 Peter Berry demo on facial features carving and practical knife session pm-Fish and chip dinner available
May 15th Lancashire: Carve-in with Roy Richardson 12-4pm £5.00 Roy back 12.30-3.30
June 19th Lancashire: Harry Law stick maker 1-3pm £5.00 26th North Wales and Borders: Dave Brown, Chip Carving July 17th Lancashire: Carve-in with Roy Richardson 12-4pm £5.00
September 18th Lancashire Regional Annual General Meeting 1-3pm £5.00
October 30th North Wales & Borders: Michael Painter
2009
December
North Wales and Borders Region 12th of December. Christmas party when everybody brings a plate of goodies to share. We also see how well we have responded to the Christmas competition. This year the set theme is a character from literature!
The Woodentops (S.E.London and West Kent) Christmas Party, 12 December. Tickets on sale from Cathy Thomas. Kent Region will be attending what they describe as a 'Naffe Christmas Carve In at Peter Benson's'.
October 2009
North Wales and Borders Region Michael Painter, another club favourite will be our guest on the 31st of October, and that will be another day when the HOUSE FULL signs will need to be posted.
Rockinham Forest Sunday 25th October Rockingham Forest Carvers Annual Exhibition, Highgate Hall, Elton, Cambs.
September 2009
The European Woodworking Show Cressing, Essex Six members from
Essex Region were invited to demonstrate and represented the BWA at this new 2 day show. They enjoyed the show and hope it becomes an annual event.
Hampshire The Hampshire Woodcarvers attended the annual Community Woodfair at Zion Hill Copse, on the outskirts of Chandlers Ford, on 5 September. The Woodfair is our main display for the year and the 12 members present provided an excellent display under our two Gazebos. Part of the display was our annual competition, which this year had the theme of The Sea. Carvings were made from a block of lime 6 inches by 4 by 4 and we asked the public to vote for their favourite. In all 213 votes were cast and the winner was John Dixon with his Fish Vase who won 49 votes, followed by Mike White who gained 45 votes for his Sea Horse. This year we also introduced soap carving for the children, which was a huge success. We had a non stop flow of children and by the time we ran out of soap just after three O'clock they had produced about 120 small carvings each made from half a bar of soap. Some promised to use it in the bath that night but others were not so keen! This was the tenth year of the Woodfair and we have attended all of them. It goes from strength to strength with its wood and craft orientated displays and activities and is a firm favourite with the carvers as well.
The Frampton Country Fair
Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire
Five members from Gloucestershire Region demonstrated at this annual and very popular show. There is never a shortage of volunteers to do this one!
Rockinham Forest
Sunday 13th September Display of Crafts at Barnwell Country Park, Oundle.
North Wales and Borders Region Malpas, a country show in Cheshire on the 12th/13th of September.
Worms Hill Craft Day
Kent Region
August 2009
The Festival of the Tree, Westonbirt, Gloucestershire. It was the 16th year that the BWA had attended this 4 day show. Eight Regions got together, Kent, Essex, S.E.London and West Kent, Hertfordshire, Shropshire, South Wales, Lancashire and Gloucestershire to demonstrate and chat to visitors, and once again we seemed to have the busiest marquee on site. The Pipe Dreams Competition (where the carving had to fit into a 12"tall x 6" diameter pipe) attracted 22 entries and a lot of interest from the visitors. The winner of the Technical Prize of £100 was John Robinson (South Wales) for his exquisite little Fife Piper, and the Artistic prize of £100 was won by Maureen Hockley (Essex) for her wistful 'Dream On'. The Westonbirt Trophy competition, is now in its 11th year, and the trophy is running out of room for the winners name shields! Perhaps we should ask Dave Johnson to carve us another one! It was an exciting event with 38 entries. The visitors are the judges for this, and 2,300 voted for their favourite. Every entry received votes (which shows the diversity of public opinion) but it was neck and neck between two clear leaders from the start, Maurice Harper's superb Giraffe (Gloucestershire) galloping home just ahead of Stan Kimm's delightful 'Hector, the Dog'(Hertfordshire). Pictures are on the Gallery page. Nine people were interested enough in taking up carving to leave their names and details, five of whom (four being complete novices) came to the Gloucestershire Regions monthly meeting 2 weeks later. Let's hope they all get hooked on carving, and sign up as BWA members.
Rockinham Forest
8 - 9 August Craft demonstrations at Ferry Meadows Peterborough. 29th to 31st August Demonstrations at Bay Tree Garden Centre, Spalding.
July 2009 S.E.
London and West Kent Branch, otherwise known as The Woodentops, invited Maureen Hockley to their July meeting in Orpington to learn about photographing their carvings, and, according to their Newsletter, she did an excellent job! Lots of photos on the way to the Gazette then?
Kent's members were treated to a demonstration of Stickmaking by Dennis Worcester, which was very informative . . . . and witty too, giving them all a very enjoyable session.
The Cotswold Show, Cirencester was again attended by 6 members from Gloucestshire, where they had their own marquee at this very busy and popular annual event.
Pre July
Kent Region carved a beautiful panel for the new Demelza Hospice in Eltham S.E. London, which was taken to site and fitted earlier in the year. (More photos on the Gallery page - when we get one). They also held a barbeque in June and attended the Kent Craft Show at the Hop Farm in Paddock Wood.
North Wales and Borders Region
This year has already included a visit by the always popular lovespoon specialists Sharon Littley and Clive Griffin. We enjoyed another very successful three week demonstration and display of our work at Erddig. Peter Benson along with his guest Pete LeClair, the well known characaturist from the USA attended the meeting on the 27th of June. We had a stand at Woodfest Wales at St. Asaph early in June.
