Retiring in 2016 from a busy working life in Transport, Workshops and Logistics, I found myself with some spare time, although my Austin 7 takes up a fair amount of time keeping it road worthy and enjoying time with other Austineers. Volunteering for a few roles I found one of these roles being on the committee for the Derwent Woodturning Club and now as Chairman. I joined in 2018 for some inspiration and to meet other members, I have found being a member of this club has been very rewarding. I have been involved with wood as a hobby for many years. After many visits to Wood Supplies in Millers Dale, I bought my first lathe in 2001, a Draper WTL95. I updated to a new Axminster AC355WL in 2021, also keeping my original Draper. Being part of the club has proven to be most enjoyable, meeting other like minded turners and sharing information and ideas, also meeting and learning from Professional Demonstrators.  

Anne Jones - Secretary

I live in Swadlincote and became a member of Derwent Woodturning Club in February 2025 after seeing a flyer to come and have a go. 

I now have my own lathe and am looking forward to entering some of the challenges set by the club. 

I work as a Practice Manager in a Health Centre in Loughborough and also enjoy walking around our beautiful countryside in my spare time. 

Nick joined Derwent Woodturning Club in 2022, became a committee member in 2023, and at the 2024 AGM was elected as Treasurer, and during 2025 also carried out many of the Secretary's roles.

Nick’s working life was in pig breeding and production, initially managing a number of farms and then in 1991 became self-employed as an independent consultant providing advisory visits, data analysis, staff training, building design, etc., throughout the UK and some occasional overseas work.

Wood working and DIY has been a hobby from an early age, initially learnt from his father, and he has progressively developed a well-equipped wood workshop.  A small second-hand lathe was added after attending a day of training with a professional wood turner, and realising that this was a subject that he would like to add to his portfolio.  Progress was slow initially, mainly due to lack of available time, but the interest in turning has continued to grow and joining the club and mixing with other turners and watching professional demonstrators has been part of that development.

I have always been interested in wood working.

I have been doing different projects like making sheds, bird tables, nest boxes and various storage solutions.

I did a course to make a Windermere chair which just made me more interested in the different skills and tools that can be used with wood. 

I joined the club in 2024 with my dad.  I joined because I wanted to further my skills and talk to people about different projects that we are working on. It's somewhere I can ask for help and ideas to make things more challenging.

I have got a lathe now - its a Charnwood W842 and a set off Viper tools to add to my collection.

Jeff is a new member of the Derwent Woodturning Club, joining a few months ago, his objective being to meet like minded people and find inspiration to increase his skill levels.
The son of a joiner he has been passionate  about woodworking from the age of four. He has a very well equipped workshop where he is able to complete almost any woodworking task.
During his pressured working career in the Power Generating and Chemical Industry, woodworking acted as his stress reliever.
Following early retirement he gained formal qualifications as a Furniture Maker and Wood Machinist and now spends most of his time woodworking.
You will find Jeff demonstrating wood turning on “Steaming Weekends” at the Claymills Pumping Station, Burton, where he is a volunteer Joiner.