Cork Chapter of the Irish Woodturners Guild

We were back "at home" in Togher for our February workshop with two of the best turners we have in our chapter.  

Peter Manning did an eggcup and egg but with a "twist". Literally.  The 'leg' of the eggcup was done offset.  In Peter's hands what might be considered ordinary turned out to be extraordinary and I have no doubt but from here on eggcups produced by Cork Chapter members will have that "Manning Twist".  His egg too was perfectly formed and sat exactly as it should in the cup when the project was finished.

Peter Manning, working on his eggcup.

Eggcup with a twist + egg

Gerard Hennessy was our second demonstrator.  Ger has developed a huge interest in going beyond the simple turned item, be it a bowl, hollow form or spindle.  According to him these are just a “blank canvas” and are merely a foundation for what he eventually wants to produce.  It could be said that he has moved on from just being a ‘woodturner’ to being a ‘woodturning artist’. 

Ger Hennessy with his "artistic" hollow form

On the lathe Ger produced a medium-sized hollow form and then set about cutting grooves into it and eventually piercing them in random pattern in a way that produced a most interesting and attractive piece that would be a valuable addition to any collection.

Ger Hennessy's sphere, incorporating the Celtic Knot

With time left before our scheduled finishing time Ger then produced a rather perfect sphere but incorporating the beautiful Celtic Knot design that Pádraigh Mac An Fheallaigh demonstrated in January.  This is achieved by cutting deep slots into the squared wood and filling the slots with veneers of a contrasting colour before turning them in the ordinary way.  The resulting sphere was very attractive and when sanded and polished is bound to make an interesting conversation piece wherever it is produced.

February competition entries

The competition was for a spindle-turned item, with or without the same Celtic Knot design.  Pat Dromey, Joe Kennedy, Brian Goulding and Charlie McCarthy were among the winners in the various categories.

Winners of "Advanced": Charlie McCarthy, Paddy Lynch and Peter Manning.

Before the workshop got under way there was a short committee meeting, mainly about our Chapter seminar.  It will be held on Saturday, 16^th April and the venue this year is Togher Scout Hall, quite close to our usual Togher venue.  It is on the city side of the fly-over and on the corner of Togher Road and Tramore Road, just where one turns in for St. Finbarr’s Hurling and Football Club.  Colwin Way – well known from his work with Axminster – is the demonstrator and we are happy to report that there will be a shop available for the day.  Registration will commence at 9.00 a.m. and the demonstration will start at 10.00 a.m.

The cost of the seminar is €35.00.  In order to keep costs at a minimum we are not serving lunch (bring your own as the nearest shop is a good distance away) but will provide tea and coffee.

There will be a Master class with Colwin on the following day (Sunday) at Tony Farrell’s workshop in Waterfall at an additional cost of €25.00 but places are limited and will be confined to those who participate in the seminar on the previous day. 

Bookings can be made with our Hon. Secretary, Mick Bouchier at 086 8520542 or by email to mick.bouchier@gmail.com.