One of the buildings at the National Coal Mining Museum is used as a working forge by Nicholson-Harris Blacksmiths. It's a happy arrangement whereby the buildings and tools are used and the blacksmiths are able to carry out conservation work on some of the museum's objects, as well as producing items for sale and for commissions. You can also book a 'Be a Blacksmith for a Day' experience course, to learn the basic skills and create a few hand-forged items yourself. That sounds great fun!
Always interesting to see them in action.
ReplyDeleteIt may look like fun but I suspect it also involves a lot of hard, hot, smoky work.
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I've seen blacksmiths at work here. It is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI love to watch the smiths fitting horses with their shoes. Despite the smoke and flames and noise from the anvil the animals are so patient - they've experienced it all many times.
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