WCWA

WESTERN CAPE WOODTURNERS ASSOCIATION

(WCWA) Last Updated 23/06/2008

ASSOCIATION PROFILE:

The WCWA is group of about 50 woodturners from Cape Town and surrounds, South Africa. Early in 1994 Johan van Zyl (the first chairman) and Dave Stephenson canvassed a number of known wood turners in the area and, at a meeting of around 20 enthusiasts, the association was formed in April 1994. Over the next few years the membership increased and exceeded 130 at one stage. However, as is the case with all clubs and associations, it was inevitable that not all could be pleased and consequently there were a number who only remained members for one year and then lost interest. The new committee is focusing at growing the membership by developing a really interesting programme for 2008 and 2009.

PRINCIPAL AIMS:

To promote and nurture the art of woodturning in all its aspects;
To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and techniques;
To provide a regular newsletter to members;
To organise regular meetings, discussions, lectures, workshops, and demonstrations;
To organise regular competitions and exhibitions of members' work.

GENERAL:

The WCWA meets once a month, on the third Wednesday, at 7pm at the Pinelands Hobbies Club, Nursery Way, Pinelands (See the 'Directions to Pinelands Hobbies Club' and Google Image at the bottom of this page). After a brief formal business meeting, the items in the evening's Instant Gallery are discussed. This is followed by a project demonstration. The club has two competitions each year, and also tries to have two annual exhibitions. A monthly newsletter is sent to all members and commercial patrons. Anyone is welcome to attend a few meetings to get the flavour of the WCWA and its business, whereafter they are expected to join, and pay an annual subscription fee.

Since inception, the club has purchased a number of lathes ancillary equipment. The equipment is used on a regular basis for demonstrations at meetings and at public venues.

Our membership/financial year starts on the 1st of April and our AGM is held during the April meeting. The 2006/2007 committee is:

CHAIRMAN:
Gert Ferreira (Gert.F.Ferreira@gsk.com) Home: +27 21 559 1409, Mobile: +27 83 265 5835
VICE CHAIRMAN:
Vacant
SECRETARY:
Bernie Swanepoel (bernies@vodamail.co.za) Mobile: +27 82 381 0304
TREASURER:
Mike Bester (bozo@iafrica.com) Home: +27 021 976 3606, Work: +27 21 692 1107, Mobile: +27 83 285 7277
PRO/Library:
Mike Richards (leerichards@wam.co.za) Home: +27 21 552 5572, Mobile: +27 73 660 1282
WORKSHOP/TRAINING:
David Burch Home: +27 21 447 9514
EDITOR:
Vacant - Gert Ferreira is the acting editor (see contact details above)

MEMBERSHIP:

Shall be open to all interested parties upon payment of an annual subscription
Shall not entitle members to use the name of the Western Cape Woodturners' Association for trade or selling or making promotions except at the discretion of the Committee.
There shall be 4 classes of members:
- Ordinary members
- Country members
- Lifetime members
- Corporate members
Families, ie having the same surname and living under the same roof, are eligible for subscription discounts.

Contact the chairperson for a copy of the formal constitution

UPCOMING EVENTS:

PROPOSED WCWA PROGRAMME FOR 2008

June (18/06) – June Showcase / Aids and Gadgets
July (16/07) – Talk on National Congress, Dennis Laidler
August (20/08) – TBC
September (17/09) – Sandblasting Demo, Gert Ferreira
October (16/10) – Airbrush Technique Demo, TBC, Bernie Swanepoel to arrange.
November (20/11) – November Showcase and Demo – Product -Bulldog Abrasives plus Finishing Products (Woodoc.)
December (06/12) – Turnathon and End of Year Braai

PROPOSED WCWA PROGRAMME FOR 2009:

January (15/01) – Photography, Ken Turner. TBC
February (19/02) – Pewter Demo, John Wessels. (Possibility of demo on Saturday – 2 sessions.)
March (19/03) – TBC
April (16/04) – AGM

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR 2008/2009

June – Hobby X
Sawmill outing. TBC (Mike Bester)
Barrel making / repairing outing. See how barrels are made / repaired. Worcester Brandy Cellar - TBC.
Turning weekend with John Wessels in Knysna(27/28 September 08) - Details to follow. Confirmed by John
Wessels.
Attending ceramics / pottery / carving exhibitions. Dates and venues - TBC.
Saturday morning demos - TBC
Turn apple boxes – P. Nicolle
Turn platters – J. Mills
Open house – once a quarter - TBC
4 – 6 July – AWSA Congress in Pietermaritzburg.
1.) October - Wheel Show demo (Panorama Primary School.) - TBC
2.) Western Cape Scout demo – TBC.
(1 and 2, to form part of the Outreach Programme)

October – Flower Show, Lourensford Estate.
October / November – Beyerskloof Wine Estate demo. Juri to confirm.
November – Exhibition at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

LINKS:

Our monthly newsletter, TURNINGS, contains some general chatter and articles of interest. To recover the cost of printing and postage, we have sold some advertising space.

Recent newsletters:

TURNINGS

and

Ken's talk on photography

NiCd rechargeable battery article

See also:

Pictures taken at the 2005 AWSA Conference in Johannesburg at
http://dlaidler.lando.co.za/2005AWSA.htm

Pictures taken at the 2006 AWSA Conference in Stellenbosch at
http://dennislaidler.blogspot.com/2006/05/some-pics-from-awsa-2006-woodturning.html

There are various wood turning associations and clubs throughout the world as well as individual web sites of wood turners. Here are but a few of them:

WCWA Member's Sites:

Dennis Laidler's site (and Dennis' woodturning blog at http://dennislaidler.blogspot.com/ )
Mike Bester's site

LOTS of other woodturning links at Dennis Laidler's Woodturning Links

Please direct all enquiries and comments to Gert Ferreira

This site is maintained by Dennis Laidler

DIRECTIONS TO PINELANDS HOBBIES CLUB:

Forest Drive is the main road through Pinelands, Cape Town.
Turn southwards into Princess Path.
Turn left into Nursery Way, past the Municipal Workshops on the left.
Turn left into the parking area just before the end of Nursery Way (which is a cul de sac).