Wessex Woodturners

Woodturning in Somerset

Background information about this Somerset woodturning club
 

Former Olympic Fencing Coach turned professional woodturner Jon Sanders ran successful teaching courses at his workshop near Chard for many years. As a result of comments made to him by students he wrote to those living locally with a view to forming a woodturning club. 22 ex students attended an inaugural meeting at Cricket St Thomas in September 1989 from which Wessex Woodturners was born.

Initially meeting at Jon's workshop, after several years the Club relocated to Yandles Woodworking Center at Martock where the Club is thriving and still meeting regularly at 7.30pm on the last Friday of each month. (See programme  for any changes)

Membership ranges from the beginner to some very skilled craftsmen whose work is amongst the very best to be found in the south west. Members are drawn from the Somerset, Devon and Dorset areas and come from all walks of life.

Many of our monthly meetings take the form of a speaker and demonstrator attending to give the benefit of their expert knowledge. National and International names well known in the woodturning world have attended, including personalities such as Stuart Mortimer, Phil Irons, Jimmy Clewes, Gary Rance, Mick Hambury, Mark Sanger and Ray Jones, to name but a few. People who many turners may have heard or read about but never have a chance to watch and talk to in person. Other speakers have entertained us from subjects as widely spread as longbow making, bagpipe making and French polishing. 

Hands-on evenings are held every 3 months, where members can have a go at turning something new or something which they may find particularly difficult, benefiting from the advice of other members in friendly and familiar surroundings, or just watch and listen to other members demonstrating on the Club lathes.

The Club sponsors the entry into a prestigious local craft fair where members can display and sell their work. This year we are displaying at Montacute House at the July Craft Fair where we will also be demonstrating.

Members work can be seen on display in Yeovil Library window over a two week period annually every October.

If you are looking for an interesting and surprisingly therapeutic pastime why not make contact with the Club Secretary, Dave Smith - either by 'phone at the number shown above, or by email to the address shown on the Contact page - or just turn up on a club night.
 

Meeting Venue

Yandles Woodcentre
Martock, Somerset

 

We meet on the last Friday
of each month
Starting at 7:30 p.m.

For more info', contact our
Secretary, Dave Smith,
on 01278 450 568