Event Liability Insurance for Woodturners

There can be few fragrances to beat that of freshly cut or turned wood; an aroma of freshness and the outdoors, evoking memories of childhood rambles through woodland, warm winter woollens and comforting hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire (if you were lucky enough to grow up with one in your home). The texture of wood too, is something to behold; literally to hold. Greenwood is rough and bumpy, a sensory adventure for our fingertips. Turned wood, in comparison, is smooth and soft, a tactile delight which can be quite mesmerising and calming as it slides across our fingers.

Woodturning is an ancient craft combining a mechanically rotating wood lathe with hand-held tools to produce exquisite objects shaped around the axis of rotation. While it has adapted to demand through the centuries, the original skills still required have been preserved and passed down from one generation to the next.

In pre-industrial Britain, wood turners used to congregate in local woods to set up their lathes and get to work. Working with simple mechanical pole lathes, powered by a pedal, they produced legs and stretcher rails for chairs, which were then passed on to another craftsman to be completed. They became known as bodgers. It could be that our modern term of doing a “bodge job” derives from these bodgers, indicating a job left incomplete.

The first record of a mechanical continuously turning lathe was found in one of Leodardo Da Vinci’s sketches; there is, however, no evidence that this was his own design, but it shows that the concept was circulating around that time (pardon the pun). The next biggest change in wood turning came, unsurprisingly, with the Industrial Revolution. From working with pedal powered lathes in the woods, wood turners had to adapt to using high output machines in factories to cope with the demands of a fast industrialising Britain. They supplied the textile factories of the North, churned out farm implements and articles for the nation’s increasing maritime fleets as well as sports equipment, musical instruments and everyday domestic items. This increase in the scale of manufacture started the trajectory towards larger companies specialising in specific products which we see today.

However, even at this time, wood turning maintained it’s craftsmanship, with mechanically-minded gentry learning the skills and creating bespoke ornamental articles for their homes and gardens. Today, many items historically turned from wood are either no longer required, or are made from synthetic materials. Nonetheless, the age old skills have not been lost, and arguably have found a resurgence in today’s artisan wood turning community. The range of high quality products made from locally sourced wood is vast and includes domestic items such as stunning wooden bowls and platters showcasing the natural grain of the wood, pens, musical instruments, candlesticks, clocks and so much more. In our throwaway age which is ever more conscious of treading lightly on our beautiful earth, naturally turned wooden products carry a metaphorical sustainability badge too; they can be made from locally sourced wood, by local craftspeople and will have longevity as well as be completely unique.

There are many woodturning clubs across the country, where stories can be shared, skills honed and ideas sparked. These are great places to meet with other turners, and be immersed in the language, culture and creativity unique to this amazing community. If you are not a part of one, it is worth checking out your local area for a club. It is so encouraging to meet together with others who share your craft and passion; and on a larger scale, local clubs or groups can be the springboard for larger wood turning events. This may be a stall at a local craft show or a demonstration at a reenactment day, or a whole day or even week end event.

If you are a turner, how do you feel about travelling to attend such an event? It is an excellent way to showcase your craft, meet other like minded turners and generate some sales. So, what will you need to consider as you head off to such an event? If you are are holding a stall or demonstration at a pre-arranged event, a lot of the organisation will have been done for you, which is why it’s such a great option. If you are going to carry out some kind of demonstration there you will require extra planning as the venue will have to be suitable for the equipment you need. Whether you are just selling or demonstrating as well, you will need to consider event public liability insurance. However meticulous you are in your planning, it is impossible to predict those unexpected occurrences which could have serious ramifications for your business. Event public liability insurance is an insurance package tailored specifically to your business needs, and could include public and product liability insurance, employer’s liability insurance and legal expense cover. Although this may sound daunting, as a small family business who has been in the insurance world for several decades, we can guide you through quickly and easily to ensure you get a good value, bespoke package for the entire trip. With this in place, you can have peace of mind and be free to concentrate on all the other arrangements.

Publicity and advertising your stall’s presence is key; locally, if it is a small event, but go for national if you are attending a larger one. Advertising your presence at the stall on social media is a great way to get your message out there in many different ways. An event is a great opportunity for those interested in learning about wood turning to come and see a seasoned turner or two demonstrate their craft – it will be a real pull. Trade stalls, food stalls, live music and a bar are all part of the buzz and the excitement. If you are aiming more towards showcasing your craft to the general public, a demonstration will also be an attraction, as well as plenty of opportunity to sell your products. So, get in touch with us to find out about event public liability insurance. Now is the time to start planning for the New Year and browse through the exciting events that you could attend in 2024 to showcase your amazing skills and products as an artisan woodturner.