OFFICER BIOGRAPHIES
JOHN LAST
PRESIDENT
John was Chairman of the Guild for two years in 2012 and 2013, and has served on the Committee for three years. He started turning in 2004 when he attended a 3-day turning course. He has always had a love of working with wood and making pieces, and as he was coming up to retirement he wanted to expand his area of expertise. Although he doesn't really have a favourite tool, he does like to use the skew.
The thing he likes most about turning is the adaptability of the craft. There are so many shapes that can be made, and one of the joys of the Guild is learning new techniques from the visiting demonstrators.
The thing he dislikes most about turning is the clearing up part, so he likes to point out that he has a "working workshop". His other hobbies include gardening, fly fishing and travel.
CHAIR TRACY GRANT
Tracy started turning in 2015, after she realised a long held ambition to "give it a try". She joined a local adult education course and hasn't looked back. Tracy was born and brought up in Yorkshire and at school girls did domestic science and boys did woodwork! Thankfully that has changed, as she spent many happy hours with her Dad in the shed cobbling things together. Tracy spent her working life as a teacher and youth worker and still works part time organising and participating in trips, events and activities for young people through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Tracy likes to spend time in her shed, at the allotment and running. She enjoys making a variety of different things on the lathe and definitely doesn't stick to "round and brown". She enjoys demonstrating to novices at the club and does the occasional demonstration at other wood clubs in the area.
MARTIN MOORE
TREASURER
Martin has been retired for several years after careers in both Banking and in Facilities Management. He took up woodturning about two years or so ago having been impressed by the demonstrations given by Guild members at Art in Wood.
By no means an expert, he loves seeing the transformation of rough logs into useful and unique objects. Most of his turning is from pruned branches of the large trees in his garden, which makes it especially rewarding.
He would rate the spindle gouge as his favourite tool and the skew chisel as the most feared… HE WILL master it someday!
MARK WILLIAMS
PROGRAM SECRETARY
Mark works in the NHS but prior to that did everything from engineering to chemistry to the civil service and probably everything in between.
He started turning about 3 years ago and loves it when it’s going well. He actually got the bug after visiting one of the guild open days and making a dibber which is still in use.
He also tries to fit in playing the guitar, hacking around on the golf course (badly) and going on holiday at every possible opportunity.
Hails from Pembrokeshire, and has always been interested in woodturning since schooldays at Whitland Grammar, and is still learning. He still possesses some bowls made during that time and has been a member of the Guild for over 15 years.
Has upgraded his Record lathe to variable speed which makes life so much easier. Plays golf, and enjoys music (a member of Huntingdon Male Voice Choir), Rugby and gardening, and has been a Spurs supporter since childhood days. Following a career in General Insurance, is now retired and lives in Ramsey.
CHRIS EDWARDS
COMPETITION SECRETARY
MALCOLM ARTER
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Joined the Guild in 2009 as a hobby for when I retired, have been a member of the committee a lot of the time.
Spent 6 years as treasurer, my background is in engineering having been apprenticed at the British sugar corporation in Ely. I like turning small things, but also happy to turn anything that takes my fancy, not a great lover of the skew chisel, but getting better using it.
Hobbies include gardening and sea fishing.
CLIVE BAKER
Clive has been turning for about 8 years now. He became inspired to take up the craft after having a much-loved tree cut down and wanting to do something creative with the wood.
His favourite tool is the bowl gouge.
The thing he likes most about turning is watching something beautiful evolve from a piece of wood.
The thing he dislikes most about turning is the dust!
Clive is also a musician. He plays the saxophone in 3 bands. He enjoys canoeing and kayaking.