Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft
Description
Award winning, master blacksmith, Nigel Barnett will guide you through the basic skills of forging. You will have a go at making your own items to take home. The course is very hands-on and attendees will learn the skills required to create a variety of traditional ironmongery. Working at your own speed, tuition is a demonstration followed by one to one guidance. You can expect to do 6-7 hours of forging in the day. Courses are run most Fridays and Saturdays (except the last Saturday of each month). Students can expect to make a variety of pieces or if you have specific aspirations just ask. If required, overnight accommodation is available in one of the Forge's shepherd huts situated in the adjacent wooded sculpture trail. The huts are self catering and basic cooking facilities and gas or wood BBQs are available or there is always the local pub or take-aways a short drive. The huts have electricity and a wood-burner so don't worry about cool evenings, there is also a shared shower cabin and cook cabin. The huts costs £40 per night - you are welcome to bring your partner to stay by arrangement too. There is also plenty of room for camping if you prefer, just bring your tent!
What's included in the price?
All tools, materials and safety equipment is provided. Attendees are asked to wear working clothes and stout, comfortable footwear. Tea and coffee is provided - please bring a packed lunch. If staying overnight in the shepherd hut - bedlinen is provided but bring towels, toiletries and food. If you wish to camp then bring your tent and equipment.
Duration
1 day
Cancellation policy
Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts
Maker
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Teenagers
- Hearing impaired
- Limited mobility
- Corporate days out & team building
- Accommodation offered
- Intermediate level
- Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries
- Father's Day
- Parking provided
- Suitable for all abilities
- Mother's Day
- Stag dos
- Daytime (weekdays)
- Hen dos
- Suitable for beginners
FAQs
On a one day course – maybe. It depends on what you want to make and how good your skills are. Please let us know if you have any ideas. For those wishing to undertake a two day course then 'Day 2' has greater scope for making individual items.
NB - for two day course you need to book two dates.
To be honest, it’s not ideal – the Forge is quite remote. Norwich is the nearest major railway station. The X1 bus (Norwich to Peterborough) travels frequently along the A47. The drop off in Fransham Village is about a mile from the Forge.
Several people have made small kitchen knives as part of the general Blacksmithing course. If you would like to make a knife, please email us with your requirements – we try to accommodate knife makers all together on the same day if possible!
Four to six
Please email us – we try to accommodate everyone but we will be honest - we cannot accommodate all conditions or disabilities- and will let you know if we feel the Forge would be unsafe for you.
Email us for more information if you wish to consider a stop over.
Wear layers of old, preferably natural fibre, clothes. Forges can be cold places despite the fire - although you will probably warm up during the day if you work hard enough! Wear warm socks and comfortable boots – it’s a long day.
Pokers, toasting forks, burger flippers, candle sticks, squashed pots, leaf jewellery, coat hooks, bottle openers, key rings, herb cutters or small knives... to name a few.
Courses start promptly at 8.30 am
Courses finish around 4.30 to 5.00pm
The day starts with a very important Health and Safety chat. After you have been allocated your tool kit and safety gear the fun starts. Nigel will demonstrate making a small piece after which you are let lose to have a go! Everyone will work at their own pace as often most groups contain people with very differing skills. Some people have a natural aptitude to metal work – others have to practice a bit and it takes longer to create your own mini master piece. The group as a whole will then make between 3 and 4 pieces each – generally a consensus determines what is made but individual requests may be accommodated where possible.
