Whittling & Northumbrian Piping

I came across this book recently . . .

I would add to that "Round the Fire" . . .


Full of lots of good ideas, hints and tips - I made this knife and fork in about 20mins but NOT using a knife like the one on the front cover.


Hazel coppice is a very useful and versatile material - apart from the knife and fork here are a few other things I make from hazel wands. On the left is a rustic backscratcher and on the right three whimmy diddles. We will be selling items like this and much more at Woburn Abbey this Bank Holiday weekend.


Here is a settee made by a friend who recently bought a hazel wood on the Essex/Suffolk border.

Last night we went with our friends Anne & Gary to see the Kathryn Tickell Band at The Civic Theatre, Chelmsford. We had a really tasty meal at an Italian restaurant beforehand and were enjoying it so much we nearly forgot about the concert! After a quick dash through pouring rain we arrived late and soaked to be lulled and charmed by their lovely, evocative music.
Check it out.

More pylons . . .

If you were painting a watercolour and you did a sky like this would it look credible ?
This was first thing yesterday morning and didn't bode well for the rest of the day.

It did rain a lot but as we packed up around 5 o'clock the sun came out and made a rainbow . .

Pylons & Peggles

Cowslips (primula veris) are called peggles round here and there are big drifts of them at the Lee Valley Park Showground an urban oasis and bird watchers paradise for the . . 

multi cultural population round Leyton, London E10. 

 

It felt like the first day of summer, everyone was chilled out and enjoying themselves. The event has got a really good vibe and we've met and chatted to a lot of interesting folk.

Mr Stiles & Master Bates

Been down with my mate Bill Monroe to the Stiles & Bates show at Dover in Kent. The woodshed was full of old gits pawing exotic timber blanks - Vanessa says she's going to deal with me if I ever get like this !
I like using English hardwoods and I like to know where they've come from - the "backstory". I know where the wood for every item I've ever turned has come from and may even have cut it down myself.



John Berkeley was demonstrating thread cutting on his trusty Vicmarc lathe. I recently watched his DVD "Screwples" which is all about chasing threads and it was very nice to meet him in the flesh - a very nice guy. Visit his website.

Here he's using a mop on the lathe to buff up the finish on a melamine-finished box to a glassy shine which of course is something you just don't do on items turned from green wood on the pole lathe - maybe a quick burnish with a handfull of shavings.

We popped in to see my Dad & Velma at Faversham on the way back - he's had a great bit of news - he's going to have his colostomy reversed in about two weeks time . . .

Lee Valley Spring Wildlife Weekend

I'll be demonstrating at the Waterworks Nature Reserve, Lammas Road, Leyton, London E10 7NU.  Its  a FREE event and Simon King & Chris Packham will be there.

Lee Valley Spring Wildlife Weekend

Freecycle

We've just picked up a shed from Epping Green that we got through Freecycle.  It's worthwhile signing up with them as occasionally you find just what you want and you can advertise things you no longer want or need and can't be bothered to try and sell.  So no money changes hands and unwanted items don't just end up in landfill.

We're going to use the shed to keep all the bee gear in - honey extractor, spare frames and supers and the bee suits.  Then I'll get my other shed back and can hopefully set up the treadle lathe and give it a go.

Wizardry in Wood

The Worshipful Company of Turners is presenting this definitive exhibition of woodturning at the Carpenters' Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2JJ from the 4th to the 6th of June. Entrance is free, by prebooked ticket.

Book a ticket and come along to see what the Wizards can do!





As pole lathe turners now have a small representation within the organisation (Katie Abbott, Robin Wood & me) we are providing a demonstration on the pole lathe and Katie has asked me to do one of the days - probably Thursday the 5th June.

http://www.wizardryinwood.com