BWTA History
The Association was formed in 1946 to represent the interests of the industrial wood turners that were coming to terms with the many changes that were taking place in the industry at that time.
As you will see from our list of members our membership now includes a substantial number of the major wood turners in the country, covering the many facets of commercial wood turning activities, embracing industrial items such as furniture components, sporting equipment and tool handles. Our members employ a wide range of turning machines including Rotary and Fixed Knife Lathes, Copy and Copying Lathes. Many members offer a wide range of other machining and finishing operations to the turned components that they produce.
The Association has been involved in assisting the Health and Safety Executive on a number of occasions in formulating policies on a wide range of problems relating to wood turning machinery. We have gained acceptance by them of our special problems, and the guidelines, which have been published, reflect the points made by the Association.
We have also been involved in giving evidence to the European Working Group 8 on the safety of Rotary Lathe Tooling. It was important to convince them of the safety of our cutter equipment so that its use can be continued under European legislation. Exemption for Rotary Knife Tooling was gained against very hostile opposition from other European delegations. This work was vital if the wood turning industry in this country is to survive in its present form.
Our membership is solely made up of industrial trade wood turners who have the substance of their manufacturing facilities based in the United Kingdom. All applications for membership have to be approved by the other current members of the Association.
Life President T A Tomkins Chairman P B Nutting |
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| Past Chairman | |
| 1946-47 A H Turner 1947-48 A R Brown 1948-49 N. Garside 1949-50 C. Barnes 1950-51 S. Berrisford 1951-52 W. E. J. Lunn 1952-53 A. E. Saunders 1953-54 A. R. Brown 1954-55 F. Parker 1955-56 A. B. V. Brown 1956-57 K. J. Garside 1957-58 K. A. Allen 1958-59 F. W. Walling 1959-60 A. R. Brown 1960-61 A. G. Witts 1961-63 H. L. Burbidge 1963-65 F. W. Walling 1965-67 I. M. Franklin 1967-69 A H Turner |
1969-71 T A Tomkins 1971-73 P. J. Dunlop 1973-75 A. J. Hanna 1975-77 J. L. Brettell 1977-79 H. A. Hogge 1979-81 J. L. Brettell 1981-83 P. F. Chalke 1983-85 P. J. Dunlop 1985-87 T. Doubtfire 1987-89 P. J. Dunlop 1989-91 J. L. Brettell 1991-93 B. Wakling 1993-95 S. Gifford Mead 1995-97 J. Debnam 1997-00 D. Savage 2000-02 R Brettell 2002-04 R Brettell 2004-06 R Brettell 2006-08 P B Nutting |
Presidents Message
I have been actively involved in the wood turning industry for some 80 years and became a member of the British Wood Turners Association in 1958.
Globalisation and the breakdown of political barriers mean that cheaper imported products have had a marked effect on the industry. There are many factors to be considered by those people sourcing turned wood components other than price alone and I would urge them to consider the many advantages of buying from a member of the Association when deciding where to source their requirements.
It pleases me that against the background of the challenges faced today by wood turners in the UK the Association continues to grow and enjoys the support of the members. I am sure that both the long standing members and the new ones will gain a great deal as a result of the increased strength.
I recommend membership to all commercial wood turners, however large or small their business may be. Membership of the Association proved to be a great help to my company in the past.