Ely mayor Richard Hobbs arrived in all his civic finery – only to discard them moments later to take up the ‘hands on’ challenge of a group of woodturners.

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Councillor Hobbs was a guest of the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford village hall.

With consummate timing, and appropriate coaching, he accepted the invitation to try whether, late in life, he could master the intricacies of the more experienced enthusiasts.

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

He was not alone in trying out the machinery.

It remains, of course, one of those fascinating pastimes that have attracted a membership of more than 70 to the guild that was first set up in the area in 1988.

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Saturday’s event was the chance for members to show off their talent, to demonstrate their art, and for visitors to see the fruits of the labours of these skilled enthusiasts.

Those tempted to buy must wait for the summer exhibition at an art in wood event at the cathedral centre in Ely where their work is showcased each year.

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

For this day, however, it was a case of encouraging a new audience to take up woodturning as a hobby and to recruit new members to their monthly get-togethers.

The guild holds regular beginner classes prior to their main meetings and there’s a range of opportunities to learn not only from other members but from professional guest exhibitors and speakers.

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

If you’re tempted to consider joining either turn up to a meeting, check out the guild’s website or email chairman Clive Baker at chair@elyguildofwoodturners.org.uk

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Cambs Times: Mayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike RouseMayor of Ely, Richard Hobbs, was a 'ahnds on' guest when he visited the Ely Guild of Woodturners at their open day at Little Thetford. The guild dates back to 1988. PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)