Ray Key - Head Judge

This year we are delighted to announce that Ray will be joining our panel of judges, taking on the role of Head Judge. Ray comes with an illustrious pedigree and has been turning wood for over 50 years.  He has travelled all over the world demonstrating and running teaching workshops. Ray holds a number of highly prestigious positions; he was made President of the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain in 1998, having been made a Life Member in 1997.  He became a Life Member of the Association of American Woodturners in 2001 (the only non-North American to be given this honour) and was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Turners in 2002. His design bywords are “Keep it simple stupid, let the wood speak for itself, and if in doubt leave it out”, so those of you in the Strictly Woodturning competition please take note. It goes without saying that Ray will be an invaluable addition to the judging panel, bringing to it his expertise, worthy opinions and credibility. Here at Axminster we refer to Ray as the “Godfather of the woodturning world”.

Martin Brown

At last year's Strictly Woodturning Martin headed up the panel of judges and had the dubious honour of casting the final vote in the event of a tie between two competing woodturners. Martin has been involved in the tools industry since 1988, when he set up a business with his father Geoff and mother Yvonne, operating initially from a bedroom and lock-up garage. He has been associated with woodturning since 1990, working with some of the biggest (and smallest) names, including Tormek and Rolly Munro. One of Martin's most influential experiences was a day spent watching Stuart Mortimer at work; Martin has also been fortunate to work with Les Thorne and Phil Irons in both a professional and personal capacity. He has seen first hand how all consuming it can be to make woodturning a full time profession. Martin is now Re-Sale Director of BriMarc Tools & Machinery (part of APTC Ltd) and prior to this was one of the owners of BriMarc Associates. On a non-woodturning note, Martin is also a keen classic car owner.

Nick Gibbs

Publisher of British Woodworking and Living Woods, Nick Gibbs previously edited The Woodworker magazine and launched and edited Good Woodworking. He started woodturning at school, and worked as a production turner for antique restorers in the early 1980s, later becoming a carpenter and then part-time furniture maker. He still turns, to produce small items for furniture and boxes and to make repairs on chairs that his wife Tina replaces the rushes on, or for therapy and to make shavings! "Woodwork is such fantastic therapy," says Nick, "locked away in my workshop, the radio on, my chisels glinting and the hiss of shavings spiraling from my tool edge. Beat that." Last year Nick only just made it to Strictly Woodturning as his car broke down on the way. This year he is hoping for a less eventful journey in the lead-up to the competition.

Madeleine Breach

Madi has spent most of her working life in the engineering industry in one form or another and as a result developed an interest in seeing things made well. "I now also have an appreciation of wood as I dust a house full of it!" says Madi. She has worked for Axminster since October 2004 and during that time has been a part of the team that represents the company at exhibitions and shows. In her private life she has been a regular on the local stage appearing in a variety of productions and has sung in competitions across the South West, so when offered the opportunity to be on the other side, giving the critique rather than receiving it, she jumped at the chance! These days Madi's "free" time is devoted to keeping her allotment in shape and her dog suitably worn out. "Rather than being a 'widow of the wood shed', my aim is to share my husband's grand passion, which could be the key to a long and happy marriage." says Madi. Last year Madi took care of the Delegates' Gallery as well as being a judge for the evening event and when the chance arose to repeat last year's experiences she immediately said yes! "I am looking forward to seeing if last year's winning entry can be bettered..."

Alan Jones

Although Alan's roots are found north of the border in Scotland, he has now been with APTC Ltd for over 15 years. During this time he has held a number of positions including Store Manager, Technical Team Leader and is currently Account Management Team Leader. He has also taken on the role of Stand Manager when representing the company at national shows and exhibitions. Having been involved with numerous woodworking shows since joining the company, Alan knows many of the woodturners and just how much pride they take in their work. "So judging this competition will be a great privilege" he says. On a more personal note, Alan's main interest lies on the golf course, and should any of the participants in Strictly Woodturning wish to contribute to his favourite 'charity' - "AJ's Lost Balls Replacement Fund" - rumour has it that this may lead to a more enlightened approach when assessing each performance.