The

Worshipful

Company of

Blacksmiths

Newsletter30th Issue

July 2007

Editor:Nigel Whitehead

Published by: The Publicity and Public Relations Committee,Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, 48 Upwood Road, Lee, London SE12 8AN

www.blacksmithscompany.org.uk

Blacksmiths Annual Banquet

On Other PagesMajor award for Apprentice 2South of England Show 2Master Class at SEME 2County Show dates 2Michael Jordan AWCB 3Past Prime Warden Hugh Adams reflections 4Blacksmiths in the Desert 4The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

Charitable Trust 5Annual Livery Dinner and Poems 6-7Prime Warden’s Weekend 8St Lawrence Jewry-next-Guildhall 8

An Aladdin’s Cave in Umbria 9The Elworthy Trophy 9A Blacksmith in a Suit 10New Liverymen 11New Members of Court 11Obituaries 11Pontefract Castle Smithy 12Company Diary 12The Editor 12Prime Warden’s Appointment 12Editor’s details 12Worshipful Company’s Shop 12

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The Prime Warden John Barber, with Principal Guests and Members of the Court at The Mansion House for the Annual Livery Dinner – 2007

The Prime Warden John Barber, with Principal Guests and Members of the Court at The Mansion House for the Annual Livery Dinner – 2007

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Major award for Apprentice

Joseph Pack

Master Class atSEME

The long held aspiration of Dave Waight AWCB, LWCB wasrealised when the opportunity

arose to organise a BlacksmithingMaster Class at the School of Electricaland Mechanical Engineering, Borden.This was an occasion for Metalsmithsto develop skills they were acquiringon their basic and up-grader courses.

Twenty four soldiers attended thecourse which was held over aweekend at Borden Garrison. Theycame from REME, the Royal Marines(attending a course at SEME) andother branches of the armed forces.

A project (featured elsewhere in thisNewsletter) was to be undertakeninvolving the manufacture of anoffertory table for the Garrison church.Dave Waight, with assistance fromother members of the WorshipfulCompany of Blacksmiths, gave masterclasses covering a variety ofblacksmithing techniques from whichnew skills were learned.

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s For the first time in a number of years the York Consortium for Conservationand Craftsmanship has awarded £2,000 towards the initial year’s cost oftraining apprentice blacksmith, Joseph Pack. The award money is paid to

the employer, in this case Court Assistant, Don Barker FWCB, who will bespending the entire sum on Joseph paying for him to attend specialist coursesand to purchase tools during his apprenticeship. To date Joseph has attendedthree courses all run by the eminent blacksmith, Peat Oberon.

Any employer can apply for the award to assist with the cost of training a young person

beginning a craft apprenticeship. Application forms from the YCCC web site

or contact Don Barker.

The final day of the South ofEngland Show in early Junebrought the crowds in their

thousands to Ardingly where theCompany stand proved a greatattraction to young and old alike. As blacksmiths toiled, men, womenand children stood fascinated,watching the smiths of todayfashioning metal in time honouredfashion using forge, hammer andanvil. All around were displayedexamples of the Blacksmith’s art; fineironwork including a beautiful pair ofgates, fencing, garden seats, benchesand three ten feet high sunflowers.Also exhibited within the coveredarea of the stand was an array ofobjects displaying the blacksmith’s art to the full; glass topped tables,candle-holders, arrow heads, fire sets and purely decorative worksdemonstrating skill, artistry andhumour. Past Prime Warden, HughAdams, representing the Company,shared the platform with theorganisers of the Show for The Young

Craftsman of the Year AwardsCeremony, when he presented theWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths’Award for Champion Metal Worker2007 to Alex Buckland.

The Company’s stand was expertlymanaged by Mike Demianow towhom I offer thanks for making me sowelcome and to blacksmiths, CliveMockford and Terry Tyhurst both ofwhom showed great tolerance whenbeing asked elementary questionsabout the art of metalworking.

The South of England Show – 2007

Royal July 1, 2, 3, 4Great Yorkshire July 10, 11, 12Royal Welsh July 23, 24, 25, 26New Forest July 24, 25, Edenbridge & Oxted August 26, 27Town & Country Festival August 25, 26, 27 unconfirmed(formerly Royal Live International) Dorset County September 1, 2(formerly Dorset Show)

Shows in italics are supported by the WBC but are not on NBCC circuit

2007 County Show dates

Alex Buckland receiving his award from Past Prime Warden Hugh Adams

Smith at work

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Michael Jordan AWCB

Like many blacksmiths I began forging under thedirection of my father, a Master smith admitted to theWCB in 1973. Early recollections are of him and his

team constructing gates for stately homes while I stoodwatching. For some years my father encouraged me andmy brothers to watch him at work before asking us todemonstrate our version of what he had been making.

Again, with encouragement from my father I joined theRoyal Navy. After a few years at sea following training atengineering college and with a degree under my belt andpromotion beckoning I had to return to Cornwall due tomy father’s ill health to run the business which employedtwelve smiths. Subsequently my father recovered,returning to work with added vigour.

At that time I was promoting blacksmithing skills farand wide and working with Richard Quinnell creatingBABA (British Artist Blacksmith Association). My brotherRoger and I then undertook further training at Wimbledonand Dean Colleges under Frank Day and Tommy Tucker.Subsequently, working in close collaboration with the SolidFuel Advisory Board, I began profiling blacksmithing skillsfor home application with fire baskets, fire irons andcanopies. There were exhibitions at Harrods, Selfridgesand John Lewis.

National fame came in 1977 when the Daily Mailsponsored us to demonstrate blacksmithing at the IdealHome Exhibition. With support from the Arts Council we worked for a month alongside twelve French smithssupported by Les Compagnons du Forgeron from Nimes,demonstating our individual skills. Undoubtedly, this wasone of the highlights of my life.

An invitation to assist in the design of the ironwork forHays Galleria and London Bridge City from Architects,Michael Twigg Brown, followed and we made theprototypes.

While developing pastures new in terms of creativework an invitation was received to design and make all the

ironwork for the new Princes Palace in Jeddah. This led toprojects in the British Embassies in Rome, Cape Town,Lagos, Montreal and Dubai. By now, design was takingpreference over day to day forge-work so, choosingstairways as the subject matter for my thesis, I enrolled fora Business Degree course. After qualifying in 1978 I formedCornish Stairways Ltd as an offshoot of the family firm. By accident rather than design I created a product for the construction market, ”sculptured elegance”, thatrevolutionised staircase design in the UK during the 1980sand 1990s. During this period the Firm grew to 83employees just supporting UK demand.

Simultaneously I was undertaking design work for theCrown Prince of Dubai on his many projects in the UAE.This included 210 feature stairways and, the ultimatechallenge, the Penthouse grand stairway in the Burj AlArab Hotel, Dubai.

With my eye for design developed while workingalongside my father together with my knowledge ofengineering, I now design and work on stairways for theworld’s rich and famous.

Michael Jordan

Photography by subscriber

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Past Prime Warden Hugh Adams’ reflections on aweekend spent with R.E.M.E.

“I give you a good price,” the man toldme, inviting me to barter. He laid out a mat on the ground and showed mebracelets, knives, ornamental crosses,all made and engraved by him. I had travelled to Niger to make adocumentary and now our filmingwas being interrupted quite literallyby a commercial break. I bought twoknives, making a mental note to packthem in my hold luggage. Deep in the Sahara is an ancient tradition ofblacksmithing performed by membersof the nomadic Tuareg people of WestAfrica. They produced jewellery forTuareg women and knives, padlocksand weapons for men. Silver crosses,evidence of a Christian faith before the arrival of Islam, formed a kind of currency that could be used for bartering. Historically Tuaregsubculture was bound by strict rules of etiquette, yet blacksmiths couldtransgress these: they were allowed to

ask questions of the tribe’s nobles,express compliments on behalf ofothers and take messages betweenwarring communities.

Tiers of Tuareg culture descendedfrom nobles who acted as patrons, towarriors whose jobs included cattle-raiding to vassals who herded thedubiously-gotten gains. As nomads,livestock were and are everything:milk, dinner and life-savings in one.Then came the blacksmiths and belowthem came only slaves, which alongwith cattle and camels were hugestatus symbols. Tuareg nobles’ wealthswelled as they and their entouragecontrolled the pan-Saharan traderoutes. Picture indigo-turbaned menleading camel trains laden with saltand gold across endless dunes.Tuaregs called the Sahara ‘Tinariwen’– deserts, plural, each with familiarlandscapes and characteristics.

Volkswagen named their 4x4 after

them (using the French spelling,Touareg) on account of theirresilience, but today more and moreTuareg are moving to cities because ofincreasingly frequent drought and thepull of settling down, looking for newjobs and putting the kids in school – ashift resisted by determined if ratherthin-looking, Tuaregs. What did myinterviewee-turned – salesman think?Was he teaching his son his craft? No, his son was too busy with school.

Iwas lucky to be invited as a visitor to attend the St. Eligiusforge-in at REME Borden Barracks

to observe the manufacture of a forged metal Offertory Table for theGarrison Church and the subsequentDedication Service. What an inter-esting and enjoyable weekend itturned out to be.

As an ex-infantry man I have neverbefore seen 24 military volunteerstogether at any one time! The old rule“never volunteer” must have slippedinto the annals of time.

Saturday began with a short

briefing, held in anatmosphere of enthusiasm.The whole forge-in hadbeen expertly organisedand arranged by the headinstructor, Mr DavidWaight LWCB. Each pair of smiths was delegated a particular piece of theironwork to forge from apattern, to be handed on insequence to the assemblysmiths. All the teams were assisted, tutored andencouraged by senior,experienced smiths – ChezChescoe, Nick Bates andGino Rickard.

At this juncture, I mustpoint out that the wholeevent was made possible by kind permission and the interest of the CampCommandant, Col. GeoffBrown and the Chief

Instructor, Lt. Col. Barclayto both of whomconsiderable thanks aredue.

Sunday dawned brightand beautiful with justenough time for a final coat of paint followed byaccelerated drying usinghair-driers before theService was due tocommence.

The Garrison Churchwas packed (I suspect thatnot all were volunteers!).The Offertory Table waspresented to PadrePrentice followed by theService of Dedication.

All in all, the wholeexperience was a great“boy-bonding” success.My personal thanks toREME, its Staff andOfficers.

Blacksmiths in the desert

Table in workshopnearing completion

The finished table

The designs of Tuareg crosses are linked toparticular regions

The Editor’s niece, Abigail Frymann, discovers blacksmithing in the Sahara

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The Worshipful Company of BlacksmithsCharitable Trust

The Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths Charitable Trusthas assisted needy blacksmiths

and their families in the past andexpects to continue doing so in thefuture. Currently it is providingbursaries for students at The NationalSchool of Blacksmithing, Herefordand Warwickshire College.

Following the Prime Warden’scomments reported in the last issue ofthe Newsletter he talked to the Editorabout his ambitions for the CharitableTrust. His hope is that Liverymen willbe persuaded to show a far greaterinterest in the important role the Trustplays in providing financial assistanceand encouragement to young, traineeblacksmiths. He gave the followinganswers to questions put to him by the Editor.

Since declaring your ambition toestablish the Charitable Trust on astrong financial footing during youryear as Prime Warden what progresshas been made? There has been an encouragingresponse including one new Livery-man pledging to continue bursariesthroughout his lifetime and beyondand from another, admitted to theCompany only this year, pledgingthree bursaries over the next fiveyears.

From where else does the CharitableTrust receive its income?From stock market investmentsspecific to the Trust. All bursary fundsare ring-fenced so that our othergiving is not affected.

How many bursaries has theCharitable Trust awarded to date?On average the Trust awards no fewerthan twelve bursaries each year. Manyof the benefactors ask for awards to be named after a member of theirfamily or in someone’s memory. Somebursaries are donated anonymously.

What is the value of a bursary andwhat is the procedure for makingawards?The value is £1,500 paid in twoinstalments. All applicants areinterviewed by a working blacksmithand a panel consisting of Courtmembers and Liverymen. We receivemore applications for bursaries thanwe award.

After a bursary has been awarded isthe Student’s progress monitored?Once students commence theircourses their progress is monitored on a regular basis and the students,themselves, provide reports andphotographic records demonstratingtheir progress. Reports are alsoprovided by their tutors.

Would the Charitable Trust assist astudent with a top-up grant ifneeded?No such request has been made,although the Trust has given supportand advice to students on completionof a course in setting-up a business,book-keeping and other matters suchas Health & Safety requirements.

Has the Charitable Trust ever had torefuse an application for a bursarybecause of lack of funds?No, but the Trust has limited resourcesfor the award of bursaries. Itoccasionally awards grants to Livery-men requiring financial assistance. It also endeavours to supportappropriate causes within the City of London.

The ability to achieve its aim andobjective appears to depend mainlyon the generosity of Liverymensupporting the Charitable Trust.How would you like to see thissituation improved?It is disappointing how little supportthe Trust receives from the Livery in general. Of those who do providesupport, the same names tend tocome up time and time again.Periodically amounts from twentyfive to several hundred pounds aredonated by people not alwaysconnected to the Company but alldonations are welcome.

There seems to be a need for amuch greater contribution to bemade by Liverymen without which the number and value ofbursaries may fall – what is yourmessage to Members of theCompany?Without regular donations the award of bursaries by the Trust will eventually not be possible,therefore, I hope all Liverymen will try to contribute by supportingthe Trust in the important work itdoes.

Specific bequests are often made bypeople when writing their wills,would you like to see this happeningto the benefit of the Charitable Trust?Yes, we have already been fortunatein receiving two generous bequestsone of which was from a lady whoappears to have had no connectionwhatever with the Company.

If you would like to support theCharitable Trust by making a one-offdonation or by regular giving, a copy ofthe standing order mandate and a gift aiddeclaration allowing the Charitable Trustto reclaim tax on any donations made, tobe found on the last page of the annuallypublished yearbook, is printed below.

DECLARATIONCharity No. 216614

Deed No.

I, (full name – block capitals please) Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms

of (full address and postcode – block capitals please)

want the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

Charitable Trust to reclaim tax on the donation

of £ which I made

on 200

and on any other donations I make.

I want the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

Charitable Trust to reclaim tax on the regular

payments of £ made by me.

I understand that I must pay an amount of incometax or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax thecharity reclaims on my donations in the tax year.

Signed

Date

The Editor with Prime Warden John Barber

The Annual Livery Dinner held, by kind permission of the Lord Mayor, in the impressive surroundings ofthe Egyptian room in the Mansion House is the

focal point of the year for The Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths.

Liverymen and their guests gather to celebrate the workof the Prime Warden, the Company and its place in the City of London. This year’s gathering, which saw anattendance of 315, had drawn people from all parts of Great Britain and Ireland and from as far away as Dubai.The evening, superbly organised by the Learned Clerk,Christopher Jeal, was as ever a happy occasion - reunions

with old friends and acquaintances, the chance to meetnew people over dinner and the opportunity to share withguests the “good fellowship” which is what being part ofthe Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths means.

In his speech of welcome the Prime Warden reflected onthe activities of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmithsduring his time in office. A number of Liverymen includingone lady had been admitted during the past year and in keeping with the changing nature of life today heexplained how the Ordinance, that previously disqualifiedanyone ‘outside the Sovereign’s obeysance’ from Freedomand Livery, had been suspended under the guidance of Sir David Howard. A cheque was presented on behalf

of the Company to the Lord Mayor’sAppeal “Sharing Skills, ChangingLives” directed at helping youngpeople here and overseas and thePrime Warden was pleased to receivea gift from Alderman Sir DavidHoward, Bart, on behalf of the LordMayor.

The evening was graced with many distinguished guests from theCorporation of London – Aldermen, a Sheriff and Sir David Brewer, past Lord Mayor and a member of the Court of Assistants of TheWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths,as well as Masters of The Wor-shipful Companies of Ironmongers,Founders, Turners, Loriners and theMistress Cutler as well as the MasterCutler of Hallamshire.

The Lord Mayor, himself, wasunable to be present as he was inChina furthering the work of the Cityof London, so we were welcomedmost graciously by Alderman Sir

Annual Livery Dinner 2007

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Liveryman

The Prime Warden welcoming distinguished guest, Alderman Sir David Howard, Bart, the Lord Mayor locum tenens

Renter Warden John McCuin, Prime Warden John Barber, Past Prime WardenJohn Smith and Father of the Company Peter Rayner

The doorstops made for the Mansion House by Gold Medallist Robert Hobbson display during the evening

Photography by

David Howard, Bart, the Lord Mayor locum tenens who, in replyingto the Toast “Guests” proposed by The Fourth Warden, Mr KeithGabriel, spoke of the growth of Livery companies, new companiesevolving as new professions emerge. There are currently 107 LiveryCompanies.

Fortified by an excellent meal (including my introduction to blackpepper ice cream) and with vocal cords lubricated by theaccompanying wines, the chorus to the Blacksmiths’ song wastackled with great enthusiasm although not rivalling in musicalterms the verses sung by Mr Dominic Barrand.

Music, indeed, was one of the evening’s great pleasures from themoment one arrived. The London Banqueting Ensemble’s rangefrom Charpentier’s “Te Deum Prelude” to theme music from theJames Bond films “From Russia with Love” and “Diamonds areForever” and including other favourite pieces such as the “ClogDance” from “La Fille Mal Gardee” meant that there was music forevery taste. Impossible too not to hum, or even sing sotto voce, thewell loved songs such as “Drink to me only with thine eyes” which,together with other traditional airs, accompanied the ceremony ofthe Loving Cup.

All those present will have their own favourite memories of theevening. The sparkle of the chandeliers lighting the receptionrooms; the photographer capturing the event for Liverymen andtheir guests; the expectant buzz as people took their places at thetables; the candles flickering in their holders; the feeling of beingsurrounded by people enjoying themselves; the drama of thestrident tones of the post horns echoing round the room; the Stirrup Cup and the bustle of departure, come as flash backs toremind one of a wonderful evening. Memories are perhaps tingedwith regret that the Livery Dinner is past for 2007. If by chance youhave never attended this very special event you should certainlyconsider doing so.

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Ode to John FollowingHis Splendiferous

DinnerBy hammer and handAll arts they do stand,

And to Love and to BeautySons of Vulcan pay duty.

So we need not with hairy chinsSit gnawing on meaty shins,Nor crouch in a mud hut –Oh dear no! Oh, tut, tut!

Such thoughts we can firmly dowseAs we drive to the Mansion House

Where enchanted by splendourGreat thanks we all render

To the Comp’ny of Blacksmiths,Who do things not by small fifths,

Nor other mean fraction,But – to huge satisfaction

Of each and ev’ry lucky guest –They work away quite without rest

Till food, wine and seating,Speeches, music and heating

Are of wondrous magnificenceThanks to the munificenceOf John the Prime Warden

(Who comes not from MordenBut from Epping in EssexA long way from Wessex).

Now I lack rhymes and even prose,So just THANK YOU from Penrose!

Mrs F Penrose HalsonThe Master

The Worshipful Company of Turners

Cantus FabriSong of the (Latin) Blacksmith

The Blacksmiths’ song – that splendid verse -Leads us towards a thought perverse:

That we should thank the Warden, PrimeWith sentiments and words that rhyme.

How nobly were our palates tickledWith Trout and Mackerel, Radish (pickled).

Oh, what a luscious piece of Sirloin(tempting from others’ plates to purloin)

How music swelled to fill the hall upWith glorious airs, and Posthorn gallop.

This great event needs no reminder –And you, Prime Warden, played a blinder.

And as we both have penned our song,You get two “Thank-you’s”, ‘stead of one!

With admiration and very best wishesBill Halson

Lady Master of the Turners’ gentleman

Jacqueline Minchinton

The Beadle followed by the Company sword and banner leads the Prime Warden anddistinguished guests into the Egyptian Hall

M. O’Sullivan

8

The Prime Warden’s weekend this year was anopportunity for Liverymen to be shown some of themany attractive and interesting locations to be found

in the widely diverse county of Essex. The occasion provedso popular that we filled two hotels in Duxford.

Dinner on the Friday night was at the Duxford LodgeHotel and afterwards with port flowing the world was putto rights. It was good to see familiar faces from previousyears on one of the few occasions when we can really get toknow each other.

On the Saturday we visitedAudley End House which standsin one of Capability Brown’smost successful pastoral land-scapes. The House has had achequered history, at one timebeing bought by Charles II whoused it as a base for attendingNewmarket Races. It is now inthe hands of English Heritage.The restored 19th century, walledkitchen garden now in use as a working, organic, kitchengarden, was of particular interestand the high quality was evident

from the number of creatures eating the produce!Rain had been holding off but when men in white

flannels appeared to perform the traditional rain dance,our fate was sealed. After returning to our hotels to change,we set off for Hedingham Castle in pouring rain.

The weather precluded an inspection of the Normankeep, one of the best preserved in the country, so we wentstraight in to dine in the adjoining Georgian House. Thehouse is in private hands, as could be seen by the copies ofCountry Life being used to level furniture on the upstairslanding. We had the feeling that the family had invited us

to dine as we sipped champagne in a delightful receptionroom enjoying a splendid view of the lake.

The dinner was excellent with lamb cutlets so tenderthey could have been cut with a spoon and with wineflowing throughout. At the end of a thoroughly enjoyableevening we were taken back to our respective hotels andthose fortunate enough to be staying at the Duxford Lodgewere treated to more wine, courtesy of the Prime Warden,while the world was again put to rights!

On Sunday morning the aircraft enthusiasts in the partyvisited the immense museum at Duxford. The museum isso large it would take several visits to see everything, buthighlights include a prototype of Concorde through whichone can walk, a new memorial to American Servicemenwho died in Britain and a hanger dedicated to the Battle ofBritain, not to mention the ‘Sally B’, a B17 bomber revvingup just for practice while we were there!

Others in the party chose to visit the very pretty markettown of Saffron Walden through which we had passed theprevious evening on our way to Hedingham. For lunch weall returned to the Duxford Lodge Hotel. A most convivialweekend had been enjoyed by all including an opportunityto see some of the most beautiful parts of the Essexcountryside.

The Prime Warden’s Weekend

The church on the site stands over atiered section of the 7,000 seat

Roman amphitheatre in use from AD70 until the 4th century. It was rebuiltto a design of Cecil Brown,OBE in 1954-57 on thefoundations of the formerWren church destroyed byenemy bombing in 1940. Thededication is to a saintmartyred by the Romans, asseen in the weathervane of1732 in the form of thesaint’s gridiron, and Jewryrecalls the parish was on the edge ofthe Jewish area.

After reconstruction the churchbecame a Guild not a Parish church,

St Lawrence Jewry – next – Guildhall

Visiting Audley End House

responsible for the official life of the Corporation, now itsPatron. The Lord Mayor’s pew is at the front on the rightof the centre aisle and in the Nave next to the Pulpit is the Swordrest used by the Lord Mayor when visiting.

Within the church,dedicated to St Lawrencewhose gruesome death byslow-roasting on a gridiron is depicted in a paintinghung in the vestibule, is thebeautiful Commonwealthchapel. The central iron-work screen to the N aisleenclosing the chapel and

surmounted by the arms of the Royal Marines, was givenin 1974 and is flanked by later additions surmounted bythe arms of the Parachute Regiment and the AirborneForces, made by REME workshops.

Reception at Hedingham Castle

Adrian Oliver

Last Easter after a prolongedperiod of work without a breakBarbara and I were invited by

Nigel and Marion Whitehead to theirhome in Umbria. We jumped at thechance of a much needed holiday and a visit to an area known forwonderful landscapes, architectureand fortified, mediaeval, hill-toptowns. After a long drive fromBologna through the spectacularscenery of the Appenines into theUpper Tiber valley we reached thehouse which lies between Citta diCastello and Cortona.

Although a short visit, we stillmanaged to visit Assisi, Perugiawhere the Cathedral contains somebeautiful and ancient ironwork, andLake Trasimeno where Hannibalfought his famous battle against theRoman legions.

On a visit to Montone, oneof the fortified, mediaevalhill-top towns where Nigeland Marion had livedpreviously, we met theirfriends, Raffaella, Luca andtheir children. Raffaella’sgrandfather, Sgr. Capanna,had been the localferrobattuto (blacksmith).We were taken around the family homes whereexamples of Capanna’swonderful ironwork wereeverywhere to be seenincluding mirrors, pokers,keys, crucifixes, an elaborate bed and sculptures of famous peopleincluding one of Mussolini. An itemof particular importance to the familyis a full size violin made from brassand having a beautiful, mellow tonewhen played. My interest aroused, I

asked if we might see theforge.

After a short walk withRaffaella to collect anenormous key from hermother we went to theforge which is built into themassive structure of theancient, town wall. Turningthe key we entered a darkundercroft with vaultedroof lit originally byreflected sunlight from thestreet. Today, electric lightprovides illumination andin its glare we could see we

were standing in a veritable Aladdin’scave, a stone and brick caverndisappearing into the darknessbeyond and with every conceivabletype of ironwork; lamps, brackets,tables, candle-holders, animals, andso much more. Just see how many

different items you can find in thephotograph.

After a delicious, traditional Italianmeal prepared by Raffaella (no pizzashere) we returned exhausted to Nigeland Marion’s where we slept untillate the following day.

What a fantastic experiencemeeting such a delightful Italianfamily and one so proud of itsironwork heritage. Thank you Nigeland Marion.

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An Aladdin’s Cave in Umbria

When the late Marshall of the Royal Air Force,Lord Elworthy, KG, GCB, CBE, DSO, MVO,DFC, APC retired in 1978 as Lord Lieutenant of

Greater London he presented his own Battle of BritainCommemorative Sword as a trophy to be competed forannually by cadets of the three services in Greater London.

The competition is designed to test the skills which areincluded in the syllabus of each organisation together

with general physical and mental agility. This year theWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths is providingsponsorship of £1,000 and the Prime Warden will bepresenting the prizes.

The event will be held on 6th and 7th October 2007 atCrowborough Training Camp, East Sussex and Liverymenare most welcome to attend on either day but need tocontact Chris Childs (01622 831558) for details.

Don Barker FWCB

The Elworthy Trophy

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A Blacksmith in a Suit

Adrian at the anvil

A weekend’s work

Court Assistant Adrian Oliver tries his hand at the real thing

Idescribe myself as ‘a Blacksmith in a suit’, not apractising Blacksmith but a member of theCompany keen to support the craft. After election

to the Court, I believed that to be taken seriously bypractising blacksmiths, I needed practical experienceso decided to attend a weekend course run by PeatOberon at Richard Quinnell’s Fire and Iron Gallery inLeatherhead.

Starting promptly at 3pm on a Friday eight would-be blacksmiths, including a male investment bankerand a young female art student, found ourselves cladin aprons and wearing protective glasses. No timewas wasted on theory – “here’s your anvil, choose ahammer, there’s your fire”. Peat demonstrated how todo the first part of the task before sending us off to doit for ourselves.

The first exercise was to produce a rat-tail poker by hammering one end of an iron bar into a long tailand then winding the tail around the poker. This waswhen I found the validity of Peat’s warning that if youleave your iron in the fire it gets too hot, burns, meltsand becomes an oversize and spectacular sparkler. So start again!

I wondered if this would be ‘back to school’ underteacher’s critical eye but Peat’s ambition is to sendeveryone home with work of which they can be

proud. He and his assistant, Eamon, kept a close eye, givingadvice, a helping hand and rescuing the odd disaster. The dayfinished at 7pm as our fires blazed in the gloaming; home for abath and to discover why blacksmiths are so named.

Saturday’s task was to create a hanging basket holder. Forthis, one end of a square rod had to the hammered to form atapered and curled hanging hook. The wall plate had then tobe fashioned from a rectangular plate, by splitting andhammering, (no, it was not cut to that shape). The scroll isheated, curved and then riveted underneath.

Our ‘light’ lunch turned out to be most of Sainsbury’s delicounter, followed by home made carrot cake (home madebrownies on Sunday).

In the afternoon we began making a ram’s head toastingfork. This was a masterful way of demonstrating just howmany different techniques can be packed into the making of a single piece.

A 9am start on Sunday brought the realisation that muscleswere starting to feel sore! The toasting fork having been splitand thinned into two horns at one end, it now had to be fire-welded which involves heating the metal to the point where itburns (a nerve-wracking experience); the creation of the facewith hammer and metal punches (my ram turned intosomething resembling a deer); more hot bending, followed byPeat demonstrating the use of the power hammer to taper theshaft; then splitting the end to create the fork and last of all,heating the fork again to put the final twist in the shank.

A thoroughly worthwhile and fulfilling experience which Ican strongly recommend.

Adrian Oliver

The first new Liveryman to beadmitted at the Epiphany Courtwas Anthony Hawley. He is the

director of his own company based on the South Coast. Accompanied byhis sponsor George Andrews, heexplained to the Court how much he had enjoyed the Company eventshe had attended and wished tobecome more involved with the City.

Una Whitehead is no stranger tothe Company or blacksmithing. Sheis the widow of David Pountney, amost distinguished blacksmith, andnow is happily married to CanonDerek Whitehead. An accomplishedmusician she remains devoted to the support of blacksmiths and their craft. Una was sponsored by KenRaymond.

Zvi Meitar describes himself as a

lawyer and investor. He told of hischildhood in Belfast and then hiseducation at the University ofJerusalem. He is now devoted toBritain and is an avid collector ofhistorical documents. The PrimeWarden introduced Zvi to theCompany and was his nominator.

At the Ladyday Court we alsowelcomed three new Liverymen.George Capon is a considerablecraftsman, but related to the furnitureindustry. He was born in the City, waseducated there and spent almost hisentire working life in the City. While ithas taken George some years tobecome a Liveryman we are pleasedthat the blandishments of his sponsor,Peter Elliott, finally succeeded.

William Simmonds is a solicitorand was articled in the City of

London and practiced there until1989. He is now partner in a practicebased in the West End but still enjoys his links with the City nowstrengthened by being a Liveryman.He was nominated by Past PrimeWarden Clifford Champion.

The final admission to the Liverywas Albert Hanson. Like his sponsor,Harry Corben, he is a retired CivilServant from HM Customs andExcise. He has been a frequent guest at Company events and we are pleased to welcome him as aLiveryman.

The Court is greatly encouraged by the flow of new Liverymen toshare in the friendship of our Ancient Company and we lookforward to seeing them all at futureCompany events.

New Liverymen

11

Obituaries

The Ladyday Court, before receiving the newLiverymen, also witnessed the admission of twoCourt Members and one Journeyman Assistant.

Alderman Sir David Brewer had been an HonoraryMember of the Court since 2000 and, having completed his very full years as Sheriff and Lord Mayor, hadindicated that he wished to take a fuller interest in the affairs of this Company. He accepted the invitation of the Court to become a full Member and has alsoaccepted the nomination as Fourth Warden at the 2007Election Court. This means that David could becomePrime Warden in due time.

Having been successful in the election for CourtMembers at the Epiphany Court, Liveryman NigelWhitehead swore his oath as a Member of the Court.Recently retired from his estate management practiceNigel has accepted the role of Editor of this Newsletter.

Richard Sage is Chairman of the Finance Committeeand to enable him to attend Court and report on the work of the Committee he accepted the ancient position of Journeyman Assistant. This was originally to enable a Liveryman to undertake specific tasks forthe Court. It is seen as a step towards membership of the Court.

New Members of Court

Brian Black died suddenly on 26th October 2006. A distinguished engineer he was the son of LiverymanBlacksmith Dennis Black. We extend to all his family our sincerest con-dolences on a life ended all too soon.

We must also record the loss of twoof the Company’s Links with theHouse of Lords. Lady Auckland, thewidow of the late Liveryman LordAuckland, died on 4th December

2006. She always supported herhusband at Company events and wasenthusiastic about the Company. Wehad been pleased to see her at theHouse of Lords luncheon, with hergrandson, in June 2006.

Lord Weatherill, became a Livery-man and Honorary Member of theCourt in 1984, while still Speaker of the House of Commons. He died on7th May 2007 and it would be

invidious to try and add to theObituaries and memoirs of him thathave appeared in the press. TheCompany was privileged to have sucha distinguished soldier, businessman,parliamentarian and public figure as amember of the Company.

We are sad to record the death aftera long illness of Wendy Bole, wife ofPast Prime Warden Rodney Bole,while holidaying in Cyprus.

12

Published by: The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. Printed by: Addiscan Graphics Limited, 66 Addison Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 9HQ. Tel: 020 8290 9008.

Pontefract Castle Smithy

Prices:

• Ties £10• Umbrella £15• Cuff Links £49• Brooches £45

All items available through the kind auspices of our Clerk, Christopher Jeal

Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths’ Shop

Editor: Nigel Whitehead e-mail: nigelbw@tiscali.co.uk

Telephone: 01580 713302

Liveryman John Thring

Construction of the once mightyPontefract Castle began shortly

after the Norman Conquest. Itbecame the foremost Royal castle inthe North of England but, followingthree sieges during the Civil Warduring which the inhabitants of this the then largest and richest town in the West Riding of Yorkshirebecame unwilling participants, theypetitioned Parliament for permissionto sleight the Castle so they wouldnot be besieged again.

There has been a blacksmith’s forgewithin a Victorian building on theCastle site for many years. HowardHolden, a blacksmith trained by hisfather, Kirby, who sadly died someeighteen months ago, has applied tothe site owner, Wakefield MDC, totake over the lease of the forge and is keen to start smithing there thissummer.

As Chairman of the Publicity andPublic Relations Committee, I

would like to welcome our neweditor, Nigel Whitehead, who hastaken over from Chris Childs. Chrishas done a marvellous job and we arenow producing a Newsletter of whichthe Company can be justly proud.

Nigel, who joined the Livery in 1994and was sworn in as an Assistant to theCourt in March this year, began hiscareer in 1956 with Coutts & Co. Hebecame a member of the HonourableArtillery Company in 1961. A changeof career in the early sixties found himwith a national Firm of Surveyors andLand Agents where he remained forsixteen years. Subsequently he becamea Partner in a Firm of Surveyors andPlanning Consultants. In 1999 heformed a new Practice with a formercolleague before retiring in 2005. Notsatisfied with a fifty year career spanhe set up a limited liability partnershipsix months before retirement to lookafter former clients.

He lives in Cranbrook, Kent with hiswife, Marion, a professional pianist andharpsichordist, and is a member of theExecutive Committee of Friends ofKent Churches of which he is a Trustee.He is also a Trustee of the Kent andMedway Young Musicians’ Trust, andserves on the Cranbrook ConservationArea Advisory Committee. He shareshis wife’s love of music and in theirspare time they attend concerts or relaxwith friends at their home in Italy. Nigelis a member of Queenhithe Ward Clubof which he was Chairman in 2005.

Don Barker FWCB

The Editor

The forge

Prime Warden John Barber has been appointed Parish Clerk to St NicholasCole Abbey, Queen Victoria Street (in the gift of St Andrew by the Wardrobe).

Prime Warden’s Appointment

Midsummer Court and Luncheon 5th July 2007Election Court 26th July 2007Wardens Court 30th August 2007 Election of the Lord Mayor 28th September 2007Michaelmas Court and Awards Luncheon 11th October 2007Lord Mayor’s Show 10th November 2007Wardens Court 29th November 2007Carol Service 14th December 2007

Company Diary

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