Plenty Of Christmas Gifts At The Southland Woodworkers Guild Exhibition
It’s almost a bit like Santa’s workshop at the Southland Woodworkers Guild at this time of year, with members getting ready for their annual exhibition that started last Saturday (18th November) and is on now.
Now on at the Mary Street clubrooms, a group of 75 members has everything from rocking horses, trains and carriages, puzzles and bed cradles for sale – which make the perfect Christmas gifts.
Situated in the old Southland Darts Hall, the club purchased the building seven years ago and spend all year making thousands of wooden toys for both its exhibition and for the Kidzone Festival.
Club member Kevin Gerrard said the Kidzone initiative with Southland Girls’ High School, in conjunction with Great South had been going for many years, and was a great way for students to be involved in assembling the toys.
Every year they make over 2000 wooden pieces and then they teach the students how to put them together in the school holidays.
Kevin said trucks and trains seemed to be the most popular Christmas gift item at the exhibition, which will be on all weekend, and again from Wednesday next week right through until Sunday, followed by the same days the following week.
The club has been around for just over 30 years, and was great for people who were looking to learn some new skills in carving.
There are now almost 74 members ranging in age from 20 to 91, and the skills involved includes scrollwork, woodturning and carving.
Club members learn the different formats of working with wood, and there is plenty of equipment and tools for use, as well as advice on techniques such as lathe turning, cabinet making and the safe use of machinery.
The following dates are for public viewing 10am – 3pm Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November, and 22 – 23 – 24 – 25 – 26 November 29 – 30 November 1 – 2 – 3 December
For more information check out their website www.swwg.co.nz or Facebook page
Admission to the exhibition is free 5 Mary Street, Turnbull Thomson Park, Invercargill 9810 and finishes on December 3.
