Welcome to the Web Site of 

Merseyside Woodturners Association.

Formed in 1993 with twelve members under the patronage of professional woodturner Ray Jones, Merseyside Woodturners Association has gone from strength to strength into the new millennium. Now numbering approximately 80 members we have a strong presence on the national exhibition circuit at the Midland Woodworking and Woodturning Exhibition (six years in a row), the Axminster Power Tool Exhibition (three years running) and two years at the Fruits of the Forest Show in Peterborough. We hope that anyone who has attended these shows will know us from our friendliness and willingness to talk about our hobby. We have also recently participated in the North Wales Power Tool Exhibition in the Summer of 2000.

Our Newsletter runs to twenty four pages every two to three months with news and views for members and beyond. This includes our itinerary, contact names and information on forthcoming and past events.

We organise Monthly meetings with an invited demonstrator which allows our members to keep in touch, to learn and to be entertained. Non members are always welcome.

We have an extensive library of videos and books, as well as two Sorby RS2000 systems which members can borrow on a monthly basis.

Our 'Training Days' at professional woodturner Ray Jones' workshop are legendary and, as well as our own club, numerous other woodturning clubs have utilised Ray's teaching skills to help improve the turning abilities of their members.

MWA are one of the founder members of the Northern Federation of Woodturning Groups.

Aims and Objectives

Woodturning is one of the fastest growing pastimes in the country, with thousands of new devotees every year. MWA actively attend shows and exhibitions talking to and encouraging members of the general public in their new found hobby.

MWA regularly run courses with professional woodturner Ray Jones at his fully equipped workshop in the centre of Liverpool. These courses are tailored to suit the individuals concerned from ‘one on one’ sessions to groups of ten (each on a separate lathe). Our so called ‘Training Days’ at Ray’s shop usually consist of an all day session of 9 or 10 members each working on their own project but having Ray at hand to offer help and advice and can cost as little as £10.00 for the day. Mind you we do tend to talk more than we turn (see below).

Most woodwork is done as a solitary hobby, so being able to talk to someone else about your successes (and your failures) is a real bonus. A large part of the enjoyment of being a club member is the ‘craec’ we enjoy with other like minded people inside and outside the club. Help and advice is always at hand as there is nothing new that an individual can come across in turning that someone else hasn't already faced and hopefully overcome.