John...there's far more turners per capita in the UK than in the US. Many give demos. You be surprised how easy it is to start and do 'easy' stuff. There are lathes of all sizes...(I started on a small $89 thing that sat on a table!) One 'ought' to have a bandsaw to make use of 'found wood', but http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk/> will sell you wood already trimmed...and everything else you'd even need.