The Cornwall Association of Woodturners has been awarded a grant from the National Lottery in the Awards For All section.

We have been awarded the sum of £4950.00 to fund 4 individual projects, which are:-

1. An audio-visual setup consisting of 2 (two) x 40" digital flat screen TV sets, a DVD recorder, a video/camcorder and a video player plus all the supporting cables, brackets etc.

2. A complete PA system which includes all accessories, including 2 radio microphones and all the cabling, brackets etc.

3. A digital hearing loop which will cover our main meeting room and committee room.

4. An upgrade of our dust filtration equipment as a health and safety project.

The committee would like to thank everyone who was involved in this project.

There was a display of various members work on tables sited around the room where people were encouraged to both look at and handle. There was a huga amount of interest, some sales and much comment about both the quality and variety of work.

The higher than expected turnout meant that not everyone could join in and have a go safely. The club policy is to positively include everyone - including the disabled. Councillor Susan Callen, Mayor of Truro City Council said "I didn't know what to expect. To see everyone integrating with the blind and disabled was quite amazing. It was really and enjoyable event."

Later in the day, during a very brief lull in the proceedings, Julia Goldsworthy, Liberal Democrat MP for Falmouth and Camborne, presented a cheque for £400.00 to the local Gateway club. Gateway is a leisure club for people with learning difficulties and the money wa raised by club members during the year. A further £100.00 has already been added to this through the donation of some of the proceeds of the sale of tea and cakes.

Speaking after the event, Mike Adams, the outgoing chairman and the person largely resposible for spearheading the National Lottery Grant application process said "As a club we have always operated for the benefit of our members. Now as a result of the National Lottery process we have opened our doors to the public and opened a whole new world for a lot of people. I am terribly proud of what we do and what we have achieved".