Hollow form course

Yesterday Mark Sanger and myself carried out an AWGB sponsored Hollowing course.
The day in my opinion was a great success and the AWGB have already had good feedback.With some good organisation myself Mark and five students fitted comfortably into my workshop and worked away happily all day.We had on hand a very wide range of hollow turning tools so that each student would have the opportunity to see what suited them best.
At the end of the day each student went away with a beautiful Hollow form and  an Aide Memoire that covered everything required for hollow form turning.
My wife Sue kept us supplied with coffee tea and biscuits and even freshly made rock cakes.

Here are a few pics taken throughout the day.

Below is a copy of the comments on the feedback form from one of our students.



My personal objectives were: Having been turning for two years and eager to learn more, I felt my next step would be to understand the key fundamentals of hollowform turning. I am SO pleased I was accepted on this course as through the EXCELLENT guidance and patience from George and Mark, plus the course notes, I now understand that with my increased confidence and much practice I can put all that I have learnt today to produce hollowforms that I will feel proud of.

My personal objectives were: MET and even surpassed

George and Mark had a good range of tools with which we were encouraged to experiment. It soon became evident to me that the hollowing tool I was using was certainly NOT easy to use. The merits of each tool available were explained and I soon felt comfortable and confident with one particular tool. I plan to purchase and work with this tool to, in the first instance, produce small wide necked hollowforms. As my confidence grows I am sure my forms will become more complicated! I am also very aware that if I do have any problems George or Mark are always willing to help and encourage for which I am very thankful.
I feel very thankful that we have a body such as the AWGB who have given me the opportunity to experience and benefit from the skill and knowledge that George and Mark are prepared to share.
George has such a well equipped workshop in which it is a pleasure to work knowing that your every need will be met. I must also mention Susan who happily supplied us with teas, coffees and wonderful freshly baked rock cakes!
I honestly can’t offer any ideas as to how this course could be improved. Maybe to try and run more of them so that further members could benefit and improve their skills.
Again, many, many thanks to all

Another comment from the AWGB Forum from one of our students.

What a fantastic day   :) - and all for free (although voluntary contributions requested) for AWGB members.  Those that question what the AWGB can do for them should look around and see whats available!
It was a good group of 5 with (unusually!) no one person hogging the limelight and desperate to be noticed.  I can't speak for the others but I know that the Cornwall contingent of 3 all went with slightly different personal objectives and all came away having achieved more than we had hoped for.  Mark and George work well together, set the group at ease and ensured everyone had as much one to one tuition as they needed.   It was a great day, well prepared and well presented in a well equipped workshop.  We were all made to feel welcome and the hospiatlity from George's wife (and the rock cakes) was first class.
If you get the chance to go on this course (or any other) grab it with both hands.
Many thanks Mark and George.

Hi George
Just a very big thank you for the course last Saturday. It was so enjoyable from the woodturning point of view but also from the social side. I have returned so enthused and will practise so many new skills and ideas to try to develop this side of turning.
Also please pass on my thanks to your wife for the ample cups of tea and coffee and the lovely rock cakes. I hope we meet up at Yandles in September.