Local club offers training, exhibitions and workshops, keeping the centuries-old tradition of woodturning alive in Liverpool.
Nestled by a picturesque lake, the Merseyside Woodturners Association has repurposed a long-abandoned boat house into a hub for traditional craftsmanship. The building, which had sat empty since the 1970s, was revitalized by the club in 2008 and today serves as both an active workshop and an educational space for the community. The club’s workshop features eight lathes, allowing members to engage in the delicate and historical practice of shaping wood into functional and decorative items. Martin Verrycke, a member of the association, explains that the club provides a welcoming environment for newcomers to learn the craft through supervised sessions, helping them develop practical skills in a safe setting.
For beginners, the process typically starts with simple projects, such as creating a basic handle for carrying shopping bags, before progressing to more complex items like bowls. According to Verrycke, these projects allow people to grasp the essentials of handling materials and tools, often serving as a gateway to further exploration of the craft. The association’s gallery highlights the potential of the medium, showcasing a variety of pieces that demonstrate the versatility of woodturning. Among the longest-standing members is 92-year-old John Wills, a former firefighter who joined the group in 2008 shortly after completing a three-year fine arts degree at university.
Wills often demonstrates techniques such as pyrography, which involves marking wood with heat to create intricate designs. He emphasizes the inherent beauty of the material, noting that while a raw tree is impressive, the process of turning it into a finished piece adds a new level of aesthetic value. Founded in 1993, the association has grown from a small group of amateur enthusiasts into an organization that has introduced over 1,300 people to the craft through introductory sessions. By providing structured opportunities and a space where knowledge is passed down across generations, the Merseyside Woodturners Association remains a dedicated steward of this ancient art form.
