Hampshire Woodcarvers

The First Meeting of 2012

2012-01-13T15:07:00.000Z

We all met in Romsey for this first meeting of the year.
There was a good turn-out although some were there for longer than others! This meant that there are no photographs recording the occasion.
The AGM is at the next meeting at Grateley, the first Sunday in February. Our esteemed secretary will circulate everyone with the details in the next few days.
Blocks of wood were made available for the themed competition. This year's theme is, unsurprisingly, the olympics. You don't have to complete your carving in less than 10 seconds. The next Zion's Hill Woodfare will do nicely!

Keep you eye on the table below. It will soon be updated with the 2012 dates

Christmas Meeting at Chilbolton

2011-12-05T16:09:00.001Z

4th December 2011

It was the end of another year to be celebrated with our usual seasonal festivities in addition to our usual meeting activities. Yes, we had our Christmas lunch laid on by Sheila W and Jill H with contributions from everyone else. It was also the day for our annual competition for the Stephen Green Trophy.

The Competition Entries

Each person had ten washers to distribute among the entrants as they saw fit. The entry with most washer votes was the winner. We all had good time in the morning to scrutinise and vote before gathering for the food and drink.

Here we are all gathered except me who was hiding behind the camera!

Ready, steady, eat!

After we had eaten and cleared up, the competition results were announced by Chairman John T. The winner was...Stuart L. for his enchanting elephant, a well deserved winner. John T presented Stuart with the trophy.

Stuart L. receiving the trophy from John T.

Stuart L. with the trophy and his elephant

Stuart L's Elephant

After the presentation, we had the raffle and we all started to pack up to go home.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone

Grateley Meeting 2nd October 2011

2011-10-03T18:15:00.006+01:00

We had a modest turn-out on a glorious Sunday; too good to be indoors. The topic of the day was the list of venues for next year. They have to be fixed before Christmas. If you have any views, please let John T know as soon as possible. Here are a few pictures of the day.

The group at lunch No excuse for blunt tools! Geoff H's George and Dragon Ivor B's Little Dancer

September Meeting at Chilbolton

2011-09-05T15:43:00.004+01:00

We had a splendid turn-out at Chilbolton in spite of the appalling weather in the morning. Everyone seems to have arrived at the correct venue this month!I hope everyone is reading from the latest programme sheet. We were entertained by the local am-dram group as they lowered the clever retracting stage in preparation for a show next week-end. We have seen it there before but always stowed away. It looks much bigger when it is lowered. Apart from the diversion from carving, it meant that we were squidged up somewhat, making the proceedings rather more intimate! One or two views of the group follow:

Visitors' Choice Competition Result

2011-09-05T15:22:00.004+01:00

The theme of the competition was music to be carved from a 6"x4"x4" block of lime. The competition was judged by the visitors to the Zion Hill Wood Fair. We had a good number of entries, all of which received some votes but the overwhelming winner with 53% of votes cast was Stuart L with his bass guitar. He made clever use of the block by careful cutting.

Zionshill Copse Woodfair - Soap carving for children

2011-09-05T14:11:00.000+01:00

Allan, Kate & Ivor show the children how to carve objects using simple tools...

Zionshill Copse Woodfair - Demonstrators

2011-09-05T13:09:00.002+01:00

Stuart, and the Elephant...

Kate (and Fred), and the head carving...

Stan, and the Stags fighting...

Mike and one of the Magi for a Nativity Set.

Several members were carving items as people were visiting. Quite a few people asked questions about the carvings under construction....

Zionshill Copse Woodfair - Competition

2011-09-05T13:00:00.003+01:00

Exhibits for the summer competition - "Music"

Zionshill Copse Woodfair - A Few Visitors

2011-09-05T12:56:00.000+01:00

A few visitors browsing the carvings and competition pieces...

Zionshill Copse Woodfair - A few more pictures...

2011-09-05T12:53:00.001+01:00

A few more close-ups of the exhibition pieces....

Zionshill Copse Woodfair - A few more pictures

2011-09-05T12:36:00.002+01:00

Setting up the site ready for the exhibition and the children's soap carving sessions....

Zion Hill Copse Woodfair

2011-09-03T17:06:00.009+01:00

We had good weather and lots of people for another good wood fair. The group was well represented and put on a good show for the public. The soap carving was even more popular. No matter how much soap we buy, we run out. This year, we got through 600 half-bars and still people wanted more! The music carving competition attracted a lot of interest and many votes from the visitors. I had to leave before the votes were counted so I do not yet know who won. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Visiting children engaged in soap carving

Carving Demonstrations for the Public

A Range of Carvings on Show

Still Queuing for Soap to Carve

Zion Hill Copse Woodfair

2011-08-21T12:38:00.002+01:00

As usual, we are exhibiting at the Zion Hill Copse Woodfair on the 3rd September 2011. This is one of the highlights of the year and is a most enjoyable event with lots to see apart from our contribution. If you are intending to bring your car on site to unload, please arrive at 0845. Cars must be removed from the site by 0930 unless you have prior permission from the organisers. If you do not need to bring your car on site you may arrive at any time and park in the Knightwood Leisure Centre car park. To find the site, drive between Chandler's Ford and North Baddesley and you will see signs to both the event and the leisure centre. We will have an exhibition of carvings, so bring some along. You can also demonstrate carving to the public. We will be giving hands-on soap carving opportunities to the visitors, which is very popular.Come and have a good day. Let us hope that the weather is kind.

Netley Marsh Meeting August 2011

2011-08-09T10:14:00.004+01:00

We had a good gathering for our August meeting in spite of it being holiday time. There was quite a variety of work in progress. Here we have a selection of photographs taken around the event.

Here is a general view of one corner of the room showing four of us at work! It was nice to see Stuart F back wielding his mallet and gouge

Kate is embarking on a head

Ivor is working on a Maltese cross

The Mudeford team are hard at it, what, I am not sure!

Emsworth Meeting 3rd July 2011

2011-07-04T15:04:00.009+01:00

A lovely sunny day saw us inside for our July meeting which was in Emsworth, at the eastern extremity of our county. It was nice to see Mike B, Alan M and Stuart F again following their various sabbaticals. Here are a few images of the day:Some of the carvers around the hall. More chatting than carving as is normal! Alan M is helping Jo-Jo with his carving. It is nice to see young carvers bringing down the average age somewhat. Ardent discussions on the finer points of carving, or was it last night's telly? Stuart L's guitar being carved from a 6"cube of lime. It is the art of making a little go a long way with with spot the joins if you can. This is for the autumn competition, the theme for which is music. Alan T is working on his "green man" version. Below is a closer look at it. Mike B's competition work is this cello which is making progress. The "music" competition entries will be judged by the public at the Zion Hill Copse Woodfair on 3rd September 2011. The arrangements for the day will be the same as for previous years. If you wish to bring a car on site to unload, the arrival time is 0845, so that everyone does not try to turn up at the same time. Cars must be removed to the car park by 0930, in time for a 1000 opening. The event finishes at 1700. Let's hope that the weather holds fair for the day.

More Exhibition Pictures

2011-06-01T15:38:00.002+01:00

Spring Exhibition at King John's House, Romsey

2011-05-31T11:16:00.003+01:00

We held our Spring exhibition on Sunday and Monday 29th and 30th May 2011. It was held in the 13th century King John's House in the centre of Romsey, Hampshire.The faithful few arrived early Sunday morning to set up. We had a good range of carvings of diverse subjects which provided the visitors with an interesting display. We had a steady stream of visitors on both days. The poor weather on Monday, typical of a bank holiday, did not seem to deter many. Many of the visitors expressed appreciation of the work on view. Some were demonstrating carving. During the fine weather on Sunday, we were carving outside the entrance which attracted visitors in. On Monday, the rain forced the demonstrations inside. A few photographs were taken to show what we were offering. A view of the main table

The side table Jill and Stan carving outside in the sunshine Ivor carving inside

1st May 2011 Meeting - Romsey

2011-05-17T12:14:00.001+01:00

Many thanks to Mike White for the photos below for the Romsey Meeting.
Thanks again also to Malcolm for helping to maintain the weblog. See Malcolm's note (below) about the upcoming Exhibition in Romsey later this month.

Update: Wolf Pack, Relief in Cedar, by Audrey

2011-05-17T12:08:00.001+01:00

Update: "The Beatles", in Lime, by Stan

2011-05-17T12:07:00.003+01:00

Update: Arab Stallion, in Lime, by Mike W

2011-05-17T12:06:00.002+01:00

Update: Lovespoon, in Mahogany, by Malcolm

2011-05-17T12:05:00.001+01:00

Update: "Mysterious object", in Lime, by Lorna

2011-05-17T12:04:00.002+01:00

Update: Butterfly, in Lime, by Jojo

2011-05-17T12:02:00.002+01:00

Update: Lovespoon, in Mahogany, by Jill

2011-05-17T12:01:00.001+01:00

Update: Jaguar, in Mahogany, by John D

2011-05-17T12:00:00.002+01:00

Update: Indian Mask, in Damson, by John T

2011-05-17T11:59:00.002+01:00

Update: Humming Birds, in Lime, by Ivor

2011-05-17T11:58:00.001+01:00

Update: Elephant, Deep Relief, in Bubinga, by Stuart L

2011-05-17T11:57:00.000+01:00

Spring Exhibition

2011-05-08T12:31:00.003+01:00

I am using this to try out posting to our blog to see how it works! So here goes. It is not long now to our Spring Exhibition and Demonstration to be held in King John's House, Church Street, Romsey on Sunday 29th May and Monday 30th May 2011. This is the late Spring Bank Holiday weekend. It is a good event in a lovely location so let's hope for a good turn-out with lots of carvings to show the public. We are setting up from 9am on the Sunday for the opening at 10am. We close at 4pm. The premises are very secure so it is quite safe to leave our carvings overnight. See you all there. here is a picture from a previous year:

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:13:00.000+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:12:00.001+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:11:00.001+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:10:00.001+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:09:00.001+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:08:00.002+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:08:00.000+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:06:00.002+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:05:00.002+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:05:00.000+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:04:00.000+01:00

17th April - Bursledon Brickworks Exhibition

2011-05-03T21:03:00.000+01:00

Apologies from your Editor

2011-05-03T20:08:00.007+01:00

I am very sorry that I have been unable to attend the recent meetings and exhibition at Bursledon due to ill health. Malcolm has very kindly offered to assist as co-author of the weblog. May I extend this invitation to any of the members who would like to contribute to these columns of pictures or comment.

If you wish to become a co-author with Malcolm and myself I will need your email address to send an invitation to. You will then need to create a google account (which is free) so that you may log in and publish to this weblog.

I look forward to hearing from other volunteers.

Your Editor, Ron

Project Completed: Wolf Head, in Lime, by Allan M

2011-03-08T20:55:00.002Z

A wolf (cub?) head for the cubs at Romsey...

New Project: Wolf (Deep Relief), in Lime, by Ivor B

2011-03-08T20:53:00.002Z

Update: Tree Spirit, in Lime, by Alan T

2011-03-08T20:52:00.001Z

Alan marks out the mouth on the Tree Spirit.....

New Project: Swallows, in Walnut, by Les

2011-03-08T20:50:00.002Z

Update: Arab Stallion, in Lime, by Mike W

2011-03-08T20:49:00.002Z

Update: Stags, in Lime, by Stan

2011-03-08T20:48:00.002Z

Update: Quill, in Lime, by Lorna

2011-03-08T20:46:00.004Z

Close up Detail...

Update: Wolf Pack, in Cedar, by Audrey

2011-03-08T20:42:00.002Z

Project Completed: Otter, in Walnut, by Alan T

2011-03-08T20:41:00.000Z

Alan's Otter looking resplendent on a rock.....

View From: The Kitchen!

2011-03-08T20:39:00.000Z

A quick snap from inside the kitchen - awaiting a boiling kettle......

New Project: Moth, in Lime, by JoJo

2011-03-08T20:37:00.000Z

A warm welcome to JoJo and David - getting to grips with gouge and mallet....

Update: Indian Mask, in Damson, by John T

2011-03-08T20:35:00.000Z

John forms the reverse of the mask prior to detailing the front....

Update: Kestrel, in Yew, by Chas

2011-03-08T20:34:00.000Z

Update: Jaguar Emblem, in Mahogany, by John D

2011-03-08T20:33:00.000Z

Update: Boxing Hares, in Pitch Pine, by Mike B

2011-03-08T20:32:00.001Z

Teach-In on face-carving using soap tablets...

2011-03-08T20:30:00.000Z

Allan teaches face-carving using blocks of soap and small wooden tools. The exercise is so useful in getting to grips with eye, nose & mouth positions on a face or head carving.

Update: Lady's face, in Yew, by Kate

2011-03-08T20:27:00.000Z

Update: Dolphin, in Lime, by Tracy

2011-03-08T20:25:00.000Z

Project Completed: Salisbury Cathedral Model, in Lime, by Geoff

2011-03-08T20:23:00.006Z

Project Completed: Doorbell Cover, in Oak, by Stuart L

2011-03-08T20:14:00.000Z

Thanks

2011-02-12T18:53:00.004Z

Many thanks to Mike White for the February AGM photos below. (Editor)

Update: Wolf Pack relief, in Cedar, by Audrey

2011-02-12T18:38:00.000Z

New Project: Stags, in Lime, by Stan

2011-02-12T18:37:00.001Z

New Project: Partridge, in London Plane, by Les

2011-02-12T18:36:00.001Z

Update: Otter, in Walnut, by Alan

2011-02-12T18:35:00.001Z

Update: Indian Mask, in Damson, by John T

2011-02-12T18:34:00.002Z

Update: Kestrel, in Yew, by Chas

2011-02-12T18:33:00.001Z

New Project: Jaguar emblem, in Teak(?), by John D

2011-02-12T18:32:00.000Z

Update: Boxing Hare, in Douglas Fir, by Mike B

2011-02-12T18:30:00.000Z

New Project: Flower Relief, in Lime, by Veronica

2011-02-12T18:28:00.001Z

Project Completed, Fish, in Zebrano wood, by Stuart L

2011-02-12T18:27:00.001Z

Update: Dolphin, in Lime, by Tracy

2011-02-12T18:24:00.001Z

New Project: Bells for a door chime, in Oak, by Stuart L

2011-02-12T18:23:00.002Z

Update: Ballerina, in Lime, by Ivor

2011-02-12T18:22:00.002Z

New Project: Naked Lady, in Box, by Kate

2011-02-12T18:21:00.000Z

Update: Arab Stallion, in Lime, by Mike W

2011-02-12T17:53:00.000Z

New Project: Fish, in Zebranowood, by Stuart L

2011-01-02T20:21:00.002Z

Stuart holds the fish he began carving just before Christmas 2010...

...and the test-piece for the dorsal fin shape to be carved later.

New Project: Fighting Stags, in Lime, by Stan

2011-01-02T20:20:00.002Z

Stan sketches positions for the limbs and antlers of an "in-the-round" interpretation of a 2D picture....

Update: Base for "Gurner", a head with a funny face, in Mahogany, by Ron

2011-01-02T20:18:00.000Z

Update: Arab Stallion, in Lime, by Mike W

2011-01-02T20:17:00.000Z

Project Completed: Romeo and Juliet, in Lime, by Malcolm

2011-01-02T20:16:00.000Z

New Project: Wren, in Lacewood, by Les

2011-01-02T20:14:00.002Z

Les works on one of his many projects on the go.... .... a wren in Lacewood, a robin in Jelutong, a Kingfisher in Lime (I think)... ....and the occasional Kingfisher badge (shown coloured on his tunic!)...

New Projects: Seated Pig, in Lime, by Kate

2011-01-02T20:10:00.002Z

A warm welcome to Kate - and a warm welcome to her projects of interest. This characterful pig keeping an eye on things!

Update: Indian Mask, in Damson, by John T

2011-01-02T20:09:00.001Z

John picks up last year's project of an Indian Tribal Mask.....

Update: Love Spoons, in Mahogany, by Jill & Malcolm

2011-01-02T20:07:00.000Z

New Project: Humming Birds and Flower ensemble, in Lime, by Ivor

2011-01-02T20:06:00.000Z

New Project: Model of Salisbury Cathedral, in Lime, by Geoff

2011-01-02T20:03:00.002Z

An inspirational picture - and the inspired model making undertaken by Geoff.....

New Project: "ADAM" sign, in Mahogany, by Cheryl

2011-01-02T20:02:00.001Z

Update: Stallions, in Lime, by Chas

2011-01-02T20:01:00.000Z

Update: Wolf Pack Relief, in Cedar, by Audrey

2011-01-02T20:00:00.000Z

Update: Otter, in Walnut, by Alan

2011-01-02T19:59:00.000Z

Alan continues work on the otter's feet....

New Project: Polar Bear, in Lime, by Adam

2011-01-02T19:14:00.001Z

Adam makes a start on the Polar Bear sawn-out blank....

December 2010, Chilbolton, Christmas Competition, The Winner - Ivor's Wolf, in Bleached Lime

2010-12-06T07:33:00.002Z

Ivor receives the trophy for his Wolf - a worthy first prize winner in this year's Christmas Competition. Runner up was Stuart's Treble Clef in Oak and third place to Geoff's Boot, in Cherry and the Eagle, in American Black Walnut......

December 2010, Chilbolton, Christmas Competition, Voting

2010-12-06T07:29:00.000Z

Voting begins....

December 2010, Chilbolton, Christmas Party

2010-12-06T07:18:00.003Z

A marvellous spread - with thanks to Sheila yet again for her organisation...!!!

December 2010, Chilbolton, Christmas Competition Entries

2010-12-06T07:13:00.002Z

Ready for voting! All the competition entries await the voting - each member receives 10 washers to distribute as they wish in the cups for the best carving.....

December 2010, Chilbolton, Christmas Competition Entries

2010-12-06T07:07:00.002Z

Fighter Ace, in Lime, by Stuart L, Pooh Bear and the Hunny Pot, in Lime, Lion, in Pear, Kingfisher, in Lime, by Mike W.....