My prayers are with our brothers in New Zealand for everyones safety (earth quake last night)

Yeh 65 confirmed dead, a big mess, hope no-one from this forum is in a bad way. The people of Newcastle know what it is like to feel the earth move in a big way. Our thoughts are with you from across the ditch.

Phil

Thoughts and prayers are sent from Illinois, USA, too. Good luck guys.

Prayers from North Caroloina to NZ.

Mark<><

Thanks every one.
Its terrible for this to be happening again to Christchurch and sad we didn't get off so lucky this time.
I consider my self very lucky i decide to have lunch when i did otherwise i would have had a shelf full of scrap steel fall on me. my shop looks like a bomb hit it the only things that didn't fall where things bolted to the ground like my anvil, flypress, power hammer and vice. Unfortunately this new earthquake means the business i had just started in Ferrymead Heritage park is bound to fail. The smithy its self is still standing undamaged but the large brick horse stable next door has partially collapsed meaning i can't use my smithy until it is demolished or repaired which could take months. Also my main customers were tourists and seeming as over 50% of the historical buildings have been leveled i don't think Christchurch is going to have many tourists visiting in the next years.

Sorry to hear you have been so drasticly affected. I pray that things will come around for you and that new doors will open with possibilities and hope. Everything is survivable if you have the right attitude. Try and keep yours positive.

Mark<><

yeah me too,,,,best wishes for you lot..and a speedy get back to normal.

yeah me too,,,,best wishes for you lot..and a speedy get back to normal.

What Mike said.

J.A, this'll probably sound heartless & maybe mercenary, but... If those old buildings are going to be restored, or if new ones in the old style will be built... Who's going to supply all the ironwork, eh? I mean, mass produced & obvioulsy stick welded stuff just does not look right.
Now I wouldn't be surprised if your local planning / heritage officers don't know there are still blacksmiths capable of doing it right. Go educate them & good luck. ;)