On 22nd May 2025, the Worshipful Company of Turners formally presented a new woodturning lathe to Queens Park Arts Centre (QPAC), Aylesbury, to support the Centre’s growing woodturning and community outreach programmes.
The presentation was made by the Master Turner, Christopher Scott, and received on behalf of QPAC by Chief Executive Sarah Lewis. Also present were Philip Francis, QPAC’s dedicated woodturning tutor, Assistant Ian Adkins, Chairman of the Craft Committee, and Liveryman Paul Ferguson MBE, a long-standing supporter of education and community woodturning.
The donation forms part of the Company’s ongoing charitable work to promote excellence in the craft of turning and to ensure wider access to its benefits. The new lathe will enhance QPAC’s capacity to offer accredited training, support young people and adults with additional needs, and deliver classes through Buckinghamshire Adult Learning and wider community initiatives.
Philip Francis commented, “This lathe will make an immediate impact. Demand for our courses has grown significantly across the region. With this new equipment, we can continue to deliver high-quality instruction and broaden access to the craft.”
Assistant Ian Adkins added, “We are delighted to support such a vibrant and inclusive centre. This partnership embodies our belief in ‘turning for good’ – using the craft to enrich lives, empower learners, and foster community.”
The Worshipful Company of Turners extends its gratitude to Queens Park Arts Centre for their tireless work in promoting the arts for all, and looks forward to future collaboration.
[Photo caption: The Master Turner Christopher Scott formally presents the new lathe to QPAC CEO Sarah Lewis, joined by Philip Francis (tutor), Ian Adkins (Assistant), and Paul Ferguson MBE (Liveryman).]
