Month: November 2026

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November 2026 – Our Monthly Zoom meeting – “Give it a Go”

Our monthly Zoom meeting, “Give it a Go” (previously known as the Chairman’s Challenge), serves several important purposes within our club.

It gives every member the opportunity to get into the workshop and make something based on the same theme as everyone else. It’s also a chance to share our work and receive feedback from fellow club members, encouraging the exchange of ideas, techniques, tooling and finishing methods.

Photographs of members’ creations are shared during our Zoom “chinwag” on the first Tuesday of each month and are also displayed at our in-person club meeting on the third Thursday.

There are no separate categories for beginners or more experienced turners, and certainly no prizes to be won. The idea is simply to encourage everyone, whatever their level of experience, to have a go, try something different, share what they’ve made and, most importantly, enjoy their woodturning.

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Mary Stevens Hospice “Wind Phone” Project

Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge is the club’s nominated charity.

Recently, the hospice approached us to ask whether we could help with a special project they needed assistance with.

The project involved creating two permanent wooden signs to guide grieving families and visitors to a reflective and private space within the hospice grounds called the Wind Phone.

This peaceful retreat is a summer house, situated in the beautiful, tranquil gardens. It’s a place where people can take a little time for themselves, to reflect on their memories, and find comfort. It provides a special place where they can go to say the words they never had the chance to say to loved ones who have passed away.

We were delighted to be asked to help with such a meaningful project and hope our contribution will make a small but lasting difference to those who visit the hospice.

A special thank you must go to Ian Brown and Greg McAteer, who kindly volunteered to take on the challenge of making the signs. The timber was generously donated by Wolfgang Schulze-Zachau, for which we are very grateful.

Ian and Greg have done a fantastic job, and the completed signs were handed over at the begining of November 2026.

A big thank you to everyone involved for giving their time, materials and skills to support such a worthwhile cause.

Please see the photos below.