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Welcome to Blacksmithing at Cold Hanworth Forge

Cold Hanworth Forge logoCold Hanworth Forge and Blacksmithing School is based in the heart of Lincolnshire and we are renowned for our craftmanship in ironwork. Under the guidance of professional blacksmith, Bob Oakes, we also offer professional and vocational blacksmithing courses as well as training and tuition in blacksmithing and forge work for all levels of ability.

We are a working forge as well as a blacksmithing school and our site covers all aspects of our work. From blacksmithing courses to commissions, you will be able to find it from one of the links here or on the navigation menu at the top of the screen.

Of course, if you would like to see more of what we have to offer, you can take a look at our new Gallery.  We have photographs of our Students' work as well as our own work and you can also watch our Introductory video.  To see our Gallery, click here , or select 'Gallery' from the menu at the top of the screen. 

 
SEPTEMBER NEWS and 'IRON IN THE BLOOD'

Welcome to the latest news from Cold Hanworth Forge.

2010 REMAINING COURSE DATES; Please book in the courses section at the top of this page

September 16-18; Make your own Blacksmithing tools

September 23-25; Principles and Practice of Forge-Welding

October 7-9; Basic Beginners

October 21-23; Hand Forged Steel Sculpture

October 28-30; Make your own Forge

November 4-6; Basic Beginners

November 11-13; Principles and Practice of Forge Welding

November 25-27; Principles and practice of Forge -Welding

December 9-11;  Basic Beginners

2011 COURSE DATES

January 6-8; Basic Beginners

January 22-24; Make your own tools

February 3-5; Basic Beginners

February 17-19; Make your own Forge

March 3-5; Basic Beginners

March 22-24; Pattern welding and Blade making

April 8-10; Basic Beginners

April 14-16; Forged metal sculpture and organic forms

Sample Image

                      Now September is upon us, dare I mention the word Christmas? Indeed as you see Santa has already donned his leather apron in order to forge excellent gifts for the Festive Day and what better a gift to give your nearest and dearest than a two and a half day activity break learning forge-work skills at Cold Hanworth Forge. We have produced an excellent gift card in order for you to surprise the lucky recipient. I have therefore formulated our course dates for the early part of 2011, a booking now will therefore avoid the forthcoming rise in VAT. I know that many of our past students have enjoyed their course so much that they are considering taking part in a more advanced course, this is therefore an ideal opportunity!

The remainder of our courses for 2010 and those mentioned above can therefore be booked by clicking on the courses tab at the top of the home page of the website. A variety of excellent accommodation is available, please click this link for futher information; http://www.teachblacksmithing.com/course-accommodation/

Below are a few of the many recent comments we have received from students who have taken part in one of our beginners courses;

‘Cheers Bob and everyone. I’ve had a really good time and learned a great deal. Hope I’ll see you all again soon.’

                          David Lowe

‘Bob An absolute joy; great fun and very rewarding, as Arnie would say; ‘I’ll be back’.

                                                                                                         Stuart Featherstone Clarke

 

‘Inspired me to seriously think about a change in career!’

                                                                                       Paul Snow

‘Thanks Bob for all your help, your staff have been great and your tips are excellent, will hope to see you again.’

                       Josh Bellars

‘A real sense of achievement, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself, I would like to have made a pair of brackets!!    Thanks Bob.   

                                         Mark Farmer

‘ A most enjoyable experience, it lived up to my expectations and more. Good banter and as we all began as strangers we were a good team in the end. Thank you so much for a good time.

              Phill Le Motte

           We have recently designed and are now making; a unique range of beautiful garden sculptures. These hand forged groups of flowers stand a proximately one and a half metres tall and are intended to provide that special  feature for the garden. Each sculpture is unique and sales are extremely promising, especially due to their reasonable and affodable price. Examples may be seen by entering the Garden Sculpture Page 3 section of my site. Please phone the forge on; 01673 866700 or contact through our website if you are interested in commissioning one for yoiur own garden.  Our forthcoming course commencing October 21st is intended to show how some of these forms are made.

'IRON IN THE BLOOD' by Bob Oakes (alias; Frederick John Pope), has taken two and a half years to write.  The book IS NOW on sale  price £9.99 plus P&P of £2.95. (see 'PAY PAL' on the right hand side of this page) Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Early reports are that it  is a wonderful read and a must for all those interested in our craftActive Image

                                               Though the names of places and characters portrayed within this book have been changed, the content is based upon true happenings and events 'Iron in the Blood' is a unique portrayal of the blacksmith's craft endeavouring to thrive as a successful business in this day and age, therefore providing invaluable advice to any one who is considering making blacksmithing their hobby or career, Hopefully you will find it to be a wonderful read, full of humourous anecdotes and social history.  The story also relates an incredible personal discovery which is intended to captivate, entertain and amaze! You may order your copy   by emailing; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or entering your full details in the 'Contact us'; The book can also be paid for through 'PAY PAL' on the right hand side of this page.

                                             Suzie Smith; editor of COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE WRITES; "For over 40 years Bob Oakes has worked his magic with metal – crafting it into everything from classic architectural ironwork to contemporary sculpture. His enduring passion and fascination for his craft have led him to inspire, teach and motivate apprentices so the skill of blacksmithing can be carried on for further generations. THIS IS HIS STORY:"

Here then is the opening paragraph of the book in order to wet ones appetite;

                         'My nose was almost frozen to the murky windowpane as I peered to catch a glimpse of a swarthy figure wearing a frayed leather apron hammering away upon the anvil. I stood transfixed as showers of sparks cascaded through the air, illuminating the dimly lit room, dancing off the antiquated tools, shelves, benches and beams that were covered in a layer of a greyish brown dust, untouched by a brush for generations. I saw the forge fire brought to life by a steady pumping of a massive set of bellows, which seemed to time the rhythm and ring of the hammer upon the anvil. It was a musical accompaniment to the firework display, a bewitching sight, one that myself as an impressionable ten year old could watch for hours and incidentally, not realizing that it was setting the stage for most of my later working life'.

 

IRONWORK FOR DOVER CASTLE:
The blacksmiths at Cold Hanworth Forge have recently completed the ironwork for a major historical project; working with Wyvern Forge in Warwickshire and being contracted to N.E.J. Stevensons ( Cabinet makers to the Queen): We have produced period ironwork for reproduction medieval furniture, forming part of English Heritage's major exhibition in the Great Tower of  Dover Castle which has been decorated in preparation for the arrival of King Henry the 2nd.

Image  Many craftsman throughout the country working in a multitude of disciplines, have transformed the Castle as to how it would have looked in the Twelth Century; the whole project having neen researched by historians, archaeologists and historical designers. Our picture ishows an oak  chest adorned with hinge straps and banding terminating in hand forged dragons heads and also the Chancel screens and gates which we have made for the Kings Chapel in the Castle. Click http://www.teachblacksmithing.com/forge-work/dover-castle/  to view more images and a complete description of the project.

We are now on Face Book under the name of Bob Oakes Please join us as a friend in order to receive day by day news and gossip from the forge.

 

Read more...
 
To all our past present and future students
    

Cold Hanworth Forge has recently gained an important and prestigious award in recognition of its outstanding support for future Artisans; The 2009 Balvenie/Country Living Magazine; Artisan Mentor of the year.

The Balvenie Artisan AwardBob was presented with this award at a ceremony held at the beautiful Cliveden House Hotel on the eighth of October together with the award winners of the three other categories. Full information and photographs can be found by visiting http://www.thebalvenie.com/en-gb/art_awards_cat09.php or by reading the November edition of the Country Living Magazine.

 On many occasions our students have brought with them their wives and partners,not to take part in the Blacksmithing,  but simply to have a break and to explore new suroundings. We have a wonderful city to visit with its Cathedral and historic buildings though not every one would wish to spend the whole of their stay in Lincoln.

Marianne Nixey, http://www.mariannenixey.com/landscape.html a local professional artist has offered to provide  afternoon art workshops in mixed media at Cold Hanworth Forge, working in our classroom. The cost for the student would be £25 per session of  three hours, including all art materials and tea/coffee. This is a superb opportunity for both partners to take part in activities at our establishment at Cold Hanworth. Although the price of the art workshops do not include meals such as do our main Blacksmithing courses, it would be envisaged that partners would eat together at the local restaurant both at Lunch time and in the evenings. We would also allow other students to take part in these workshops as a separate entity by themselves. Please inform me if you are interested.

The photograph shows a number of happy students  proudly displaying their completed pieces on one of the Basic Beginners Courses. and what a high standard they were! In just short of three days this must be the finest Basic Beginners course available! The sheer amount of techniques learned, the teamwork, enjoyment and social interaction developed, all add up to a thouroughly worthwhile and unforgetable experience.
A number of those who came are now  book on other more advanced courses such as toolmaking, sculpture and our 'Make your own Forge. Please click the Courses menue in order to view what we have organised for the near future.
 

Coke Forges

Phoenix Professional ForgeManufactured by Cold Hanworth Forge and Blacksmithing School this professional forge hearth has to be one of the finest available on the market today, Complete with a 3000 rpm, 1HP single phase blower, large capacity back-bosh, breastplate and a 760mm -1mtre square hearth, 225mm deep with adjustable side gates for heating long bars. The forge is manufactured from sturdy steel plate and its canopy can be made for either side or top flue outlet. This forge costing £1200 plus vat is probably the best value around and is ideal for both amateur and professional alike. Please contact us for details of all our forging equipment.

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© 2008 Cold Hanworth Forge and Blacksmithing School
Cold Hanworth, Nr. Welton, Lincolnshire, LN2 3RE
Tel: 01673 866700
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