An excellent turnout for this Three Musketeers demonstration which was the first for 2019. Between them they decided to do a “time trial”. The theme was their own interpretation of a pestle and mortar but both must be completed in 35 minutes. Adrian Finch volunteered to do the timing and provide much of the heckling.
Roger Gilbert started the evening off making the bowl which, due to it’s application, has to be a thick section. The turning of the bowl highlighted the importance of making sure the blank is well held in the chuck as on this occasion the bowl fell to the floor during the hollowing process. (Roger took a bit of stick from some of the audience for that one). The pestle looks effectively like a small cosh. The pestle in this part of the demo was a 2 part piece with the business end being a piece of boxwood glued to a sapele handle.
Gerald Hubbard stepped up to the lathe for the next take on a pestle and mortar and took a slightly different interpretation. This was based on a historical apothecaries / doctors mortar which is quite small but quite intricate. Mind you the heckler at the back of the room suggested it was an egg cup.
The final demonstrator was Mick Denton who took on a more standard form for the pestle and mortar.
All 3 demonstrators kept within the 35 minutes and overall the night was a success with quite a few tricks and tips offered.
The January competition was also run and in 3rd position was Bob Green with a pair of Plywood Bowls.
In a fairly rare occurrence there were joint winners of the second place. A yew vase by Ken Garratt and a yew box by Mick Denton.
The winner for the month was a square lipped box by Gerald Hubbard.
