WOODTURNING is a form of woodworking that is used to create wooden objects on a lathe and through Lochgelly Community Use people are enjoying making top quality products.

It is different from other woodworking crafts in that the wood being crafted is moving, while the tools being used to shape and cut the wood are held stationary.

Woodturning dates back as far as 1300 BC when the Egyptians first developed a 2 man lathe. One person would turn the wood with a rope while the other used a sharp tool to cut shapes into the wood.

Luckily lathes have come a long way since then. They were motorised during the industrial revolution. Commercial woodturning is now done by computer operated machinery enabling mass-production. However, there is still demand for hand turned products.

Many people enjoy woodturning as a hobby and that is what is encouraged at Lochgelly community use. It gives great pleasure to see a lump of tree turned into an object that truly shows the beauty of many different kinds of wood, it is also very pleasing to touch.

If you would like to give woodturning a try, why not contact Lochgelly High School – Community Use and ask for information on their woodturning classes.

Said a spokesperson for the Community Use department: "Community Use at the High School has a varied programme of leisure classes for both adults and children.

"We also have a number of Learning for Work courses that have ILA approval. You could qualify for £200 towards a course that could help you access full-time and part-time employment.

"Learning for work courses include RLSS Pool Lifeguard, British Sign Language Level 1, UKCC Teaching Aquatics Levels 1 & 2, and Paediatric & Emergency First Aid.

"If you would like to know more you can contact us on 01592 583493 or e-mail

communityuse.lochgelly@fife.gov.uk