By any standard, Turn Essex 2005, held at Fairlop, East of London, on Sunday the 15th of May, proved itself a major event.

Report and Pictures By Jim Hill

It attracted the biggest gathering of clubs that I’ve seen in the South-East of England, and brought together AWGB Branches and non-affiliated clubs from the home counties and East Anglia, woodcarving and marquetry clubs, and many trade stands. Two seminars were run by Stuart King and Stuart Mortimer during the day, and they and other woodturning celebrities also performed short demonstrations in the main hall. Bill Jones did his bit, as did Bert Marsh, Phil Irons, Mark Baker and Gary Rance.

Luke Rance had his own stand - enjoying being able to operate a lathe without having his Dad breathing down his neck!

Gary awarded the £100 prize for the best Club stand to East Herts Woodturners, while Bert Marsh announced Chelmer Valley Woodturners as winners of the Inter-Club Trophy.

TurnEssex 2005 surely set new standards for future woodturning events - combining club stands, trades, seminars, the AWGB travelling display and turning clinic, and opening everything to the general public. We had a fantastic day. And the weather couldn’t have been better - we could even have lunch in the sun!