St Clems at Finch Foundry proved another excellent day for those who attended, with five past and present National Champion Blacksmiths in attendance and three of them performing on the forges, along with others ranging from students to the more experienced, including this sites Dave Budd who must have been attached to the forge as he banged away all day keeping the crowds entertained.

We were also joined by a couple of our regulars there that are currently featuring on TV shows, The High Street, and the Edwardian Farm, both of them somewhat disappointed to say the least in the way the Blacksmiths Craft was presented in the finished broadcast, and the accuracy presented by the so called researchers which varied greatly from the experience of methods and techniques that working 'smiths used. Its time they altered the perception that 'smithing is a thing of the past, and brought it up to date with the current situation that the craft is alive and still developing.

Anyway a few pics of the day that may give some ideas of what was done on the day

No borax was used in the production of the forge welds, mild steel was the metal, coke the fuel, bottom blast and side blast forges being used.

After the traditional lighting the forges, cooking the bacon and eggs for the butties and installing the beer keg and tankards in their position, and test piloting these vital rituals, the forging commenced.

The competition theme this year was to make a chestnut roaster.



Some details of the handles for you which can also be used on other projects



Then a bit of an attention grabber for the audience (repeated regularly throughout the day)



Meanwhile at the other end of the handle, the pans were being made and attached.



All in all a good day, thanks to all who supported the event, next years date November 19th why not come along and join in or just enjoy.

That's the first chance I've had to see the chestnut roasters made! Like you say, I was pretty much glued to the forge all day talking to the public. My own fault for grabbing an anvil 3 feet from the door! Still, showing and explaining smithing to the public is why we were there (well that and the free beer of course!)

It was a good day out and the first St Clems I've managed to get to in about 5 years I think. Shame the evening meal didn't happen this year, It was a mere two of us in the end.

Looks like you folks had a great time. Thanks for posting the pics. :D

those pictures look great john and dave - LOVE the chestnut roasters - esspecialy the lidded one - bet it was a good day :)

It looks like it was another good (and dry this time) day John, I'm sorry I managed to miss it again but Helen was at her company conference enjoying herself, while I was up to my eyes in kids and animals at home. Quick question, did the contestants start with the circles for the roasters pre-cut, or did they cut them on the day? I'm having a mental block on how to cut out large blanks without a plasma cutter or a cnc machine.

This was interesting though...

We were also joined by a couple of our regulars there that are currently featuring on TV shows, The High Street, and the Edwardian Farm, both of them somewhat disappointed to say the least in the way the Blacksmiths Craft was presented in the finished broadcast, and the accuracy presented by the so called researchers which varied greatly from the experience of methods and techniques that working 'smiths used. Its time they altered the perception that 'smithing is a thing of the past, and brought it up to date with the current situation that the craft is alive and still developing.

Can you elaborate at all on the problems they had with the shows? I have quite enjoyed the previous outings from the Edwardian Farm team, within the limitations of the program. I kind of look on them as "comfort food" TV, bank the fire up, then loose yourself for a hour in an altogether different age.

How, and indeed if, the public have much of a perception of the Blacksmith's craft, and how and if, it should be altered is a topic I think we can all benefit from discussing, though perhaps on a dedicated thread.

Hi Steve, yes it was a good day.

Cutting out discs, most had them as discs to start with, if you don't have Oxy/acet or other cutting gear, To cut large thickish discs you can cut them with a cold chisel, or easier with a bench/anvil shears, jig saw, angle grinder or nibbler. Or buy them in from Brundles if you need a fair few of them,

Both the Simon's had trouble with the production teams and expert researchers requirements as to what was required and how it should be done, have a chat with them when you see them next.

The Edwardian farm episode due to be screened tonight (Wednesday) has Simon Summers in it, he has not appeared so far. And I think the other Simon has left the High Street programme as the producers decided that blacksmithing died out immediately after the war

The guild and its members try to improve the perception of the craft to the public by attending, demonstrating and displaying hand forge items and competing at the major National Shows, large and local craft and country shows, and supporting events by participating and providing forges and blacksmiths, like the Finch Foundry days, and answering enquiries from the public.