Ryedale Woodturners

Steve Fearnley

I have been interested in woodworking all my life. My Dad had a universal woodworking machine with a lathe attachment, and I spent many hours as a boy watching and helping him, despite hating the noise the machine generated (no ear protectors in those days). As a deputy head teacher at Malton School, I had been organising prize giving evenings since 1999, and making wooden trophies to give to the students. I knew I could do a better job with a lathe.

I bought a Record DML 36SH lathe from  Snainton Woodworking Supplies for Christmas 2008. Having got nowhere on my own over the Christmas holiday, I went along to the Wednesday beginner's night on at Snainton, where Graham Harker gradually coached me into being able to produce mushrooms, bowls, candlesticks and other routine items.

It became obvious to me that this was not to be a passing phase, so within a year I bought a Nova DVR XP - the DML36 now serves as a buffing wheel. Various other items of equipment including new bandsaw, Sorby Pro-Edge sharpening system, dust extraction and filter, planer thicknesser and various chisels means that I am unlikely ever to break even with my hobby, no matter how many pieces of turning I may sell! But it is still more of a hobby than a business.

I make commissioned trophies and commemorative items to original designs , for my former school (I retired as a teacher in 2012), and other schools and organisations. I have also developed an interest in pyrography, which often ties in with the commemorative work. I enjoy having a go at most forms of turning, though rarely do much with texturing or colouring. You can view all my work at oldfern.co.uk

My main interest is really gardening, and when the weather is fine this takes priority over woodturning. The turning tends to take over in the autumn and winter months as the nights draw in. As a result I am never likely to move much beyond a hobby woodturner.

I consider myself very fortunate, living in Thornton le Dale, to be just 10 minutes away from Snainton, which has provided me with tuition (free!), wood, companionship, and first class demonstrators. I doubt if my interest in woodturning woudl be quite as strong without the A-board at the end of Barker's Lane advertising "Woodworking Supplies 1/4 mile".