Master Woodturner Glenn Lucas, from County Carlow, flew in from Dublin to demonstrate for Axminster Woodturners Club recently.

The club was celebrating the 30th anniversary of the AWGB (Association of Woodturners of Great Britain). The AWGB had given the club a grant which they were able to use for the club members’ benefit. Hence, Glenn was their turner of choice to showcase his skills and share in the celebration with them.

Glenn is well known on the international woodturning stage and regularly tours in Europe, North America and the southern hemisphere.

Axminster Woodturners Club Secretary, Barrie Golding said: “We used the grant that the AWGB gave us to help with costs in bringing him over and paying any other incidentals. Our hall can take around 70 people which meant that we were able to offer around 20 places to other clubs in the South West, we could have sold out a couple of times such was the demand. We felt especially privileged in getting Glenn over here as it was his only date in the UK this year. He turned out to be a marvellous guest and a thoroughly entertaining demonstrator.”

Left to right: Barry Golding (Club Secretary), Glen and John Montgomery (South West representative of AWGB)

Barrie went on to say: “The day started early on Saturday, most of the setup was done on the Friday night, people started to arrive well before nine for a 10am start. We prayed for a dry day as parking was in an adjacent field, we had a tractor on standby, that part of the plan went well. We supplied coffee and tea throughout the day, woodturners love to talk a lot, and a very hearty beef stew with crusty bread at lunchtime.”

Glenn’s programme began with him turning a Viking bowl in the same style as the one unearthed in 2015 in Fishamble Street, Dublin. He followed with an Irish platter, a utility bowl and an insight into the sharpening techniques he uses.

Left to right: Roy Perkins (winner of C jaws), Glenn and Russell KIngsbury (winner of Evolution chuck)

Raffle prizes

Axminster Tools & Machinery, the main raffle sponsor, generously supplied an Evolution chuck and some C jaws for prizes. Glenn also donated one of his bowls and some DVDs. According to Barrie, this made the selling of tickets very easy.

Barrie concluded: “The day went very quickly and all the hard work done by the members of the club was well rewarded with a great day enjoyed by all. Glenn was entertained that evening by a few club members at a local hostelry where he could unwind after the barrage of questions and the non-stop talking of the day. An event like this at a small club cannot happen without the commitment of its members, all of which supported the meeting in some way or another.”

Glenn flew back to Dublin on the Sunday morning. A tough week lay ahead of him, then a tour of Australia and New Zealand.