Competitions

We are currently holding virtual turning competitions (as we can't meet face-to-face due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic).

Each competition has a title and brief, which is your guide to the item to be made. Sometimes it will be quite specific, other times we are deliberately leaving it very loose, to allow your creativity to flourish. We have clear judging criteria, even though we will rotate the judging panel (as otherwise, the poor judges would never have a chance to enter!), so there should be a consistent approach to the scoring from competition to competition. The scores are based on the four categories of Brief, Form, Function and Finish. Each month, the results will be published here.

Entries are open to all club members. To enter, first make your piece! Then take at least three photographs of your work in good light against a neutral background, making sure you capture both sides and also that they show how you have met the brief. It would be helpful to include an object of known size (like a 50p piece or a Lego minifigure) in at least one photo so we can work out the scale. Email the photos to chairman@eastsurreywoodturners.org by the closing date, making sure to use the highest image size your system will let you - it is really not possible to judge a piece properly if the photos are small and fuzzy!

Here's a list of the competitions we have announced so far:

Competition TitleCompetition BriefClosing DateResults
Make It In MayAn item to be hungMon 25th May 2020Click here
Flaming JuneSomething to reflect the title!Mon 29th June 2020Click here
Jolly JulyA humorous pieceMon 27th July 2020Click here
Assembly AugustA piece constructed from multiple timbersMon 31st August 2020Click here
Sibling SeptemberMake a matching pairMon 28th September 2020Click here
Occult OctoberMake something for HalloweenMon 26th October 2020Click here
Happy HolidaysMake something ChristmassyMon 14th December 2020Click here
Germanic JanuaryMake a German SmokerMon 18th January 2021Click here
Functional FebruaryMake something with a clear purposeMon 22nd February 2021Click here
Mouldy MarchMake something from spalted woodMon 29th March 2021Click here
Additional AprilMake something with a non-wooden elementMon 26th April 2021Mon 3rd May 2021
Paint It BlackPaint your turning black, so it gets judged on its formMon 31st May 2021Mon 7th June 2021
Three By ThreeMake something from a three inch cube of woodMon 28th June 2021Mon 5th July 2021
Summer ColoursMake something colourful (paints etc. allowed)Sat 24th July 2021 (bring to picnic!)Mon 2nd August 2021
Nice NestsMake a nested formFri 20th August 2021Tue 31st August 2021
Amazing AnimalsMake an animalFri 24th September 2021Mon 4th October 2021
Jolly JewelleryMake a piece/pieces of jewelleryFri 29th October 2021Mon 8th November 2021
Hearts of OakMake something out of oakFri 26th November 2021Mon 6th December 2021

Coming next year: Brilliant Burrs, Super Statues, Vibrant Vehicles, Astounding Ash, Terrific Toys, Topping Trophies, Amazing Adornments, Stunning Sycamore.

General Notes

Fairly obviously, the item you enter must be made by you, and for these monthly competitions, made in the relevant month. It should be primarily turned, although some embellishment such as carving or pyrography is perfectly acceptable. However, due to safety concerns, the technique known as Fractal or Lichtenberg Pyrography (using high voltage electricity to burn patterns directly in the wood) is not permitted. Use of resin, acrylic or other synthetic materials is fine, but there must be a wood element to the piece as well. Pre-made wood laminates such as Spectraply are okay, as is the use of expensive exotic timbers, but don't expect the judges to give you credit for spending money - we're looking for turning skill and ingenuity, not depth of pockets! If you made two items and just can't decide which one to enter, then submit both; with each item being scored separately, you have nothing to lose.