TheWorshipfulCompany ofBlacksmiths

Newsletter34th Issue

July 2009

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

On Other PagesThe Prime Warden’s Year 2Events attended by the Prime Warden 3Visit to SEME 4Visit to HMS Sultan 4Carpenters School Olympic Garden 5Back with the Company after 100 Years 5Annual Banquet 2009 6Prime Warden’s Weekend 7Dinner for Masters and Clerks 7Kevin Boys hosts London Cadets at Surrey Docks

Farm Forge 8Liveryman Maurice Greenberg Scales the Heights 8David C Harman FWCB 9

Visiting Nepal 10The Gurkha Story 11Monumental Commission for York Craftsman 12Lincolnshire Forge Awarded RAFA Commission 12Forging Down Under – Notes from Ferrocity 12Hoare’s Bank – its Ironwork 13Views of Younger Liverymen 14New Liverymen 14Obituaries 15Andrew Rowe – Silver Medallist – Erratum 16Diary of Events 2009 16Show Dates 2009 16The Company Shop 16

Stainless steel lilies as a memorial– see page 12

Stainless steel lilies as a memorial– see page 12

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When writing my article forthe previous edition of the Newsletter I was four

months into my year as Prime Warden.Now, early June and six months later, I have barely two months left and have already attended over 100 eventsrepresenting the Company.

There have been so many specialand memorable occasions thatnumerous superlatives could beapplied. There is, however, one word – privilege – which seems to sum up the pleasure of representing suchan active and historic Company atnumerous functions as the PrimeWarden, meeting many eminent andinteresting people.

So what have been the highlights of the past six months? We haverevitalised the links with our affiliatedmilitary units, as a result of whichparties of Blacksmiths have visitedboth REME’s School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering atBordon and HMS Sultan at Gosport,(described in more detail elsewhere in this issue). We are now exploringwhat further support the Companycan provide to these affiliated units.We have also provided a morning’sforging for sixteen cadets who hadpreviously taken part in the Elworthy

Trophy Competition; all seemedjustifiably proud of the forged leavesthey made and some asked whetherthey could go back in their own time.

The Blacksmiths’ Company hascontributed both financial supportand expert advice, given by AssistantSteve Rook FWCB, to the restoration of an historic village forge in MuchHaddam, Hertfordshire. In MarchThird Warden John McCuin, SteveRook and I attended the opening bythe Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshireof the new Heritage Lottery fundededucation room attached to the forgeand the refurbished museum. Thesefacilities will enable school parties andothers to learn how the blacksmith wasan essential part of village life whilstalso being able to see the forge in use.It is well worth a visit and I hope theMuch Haddam forge will become amodel for other counties to follow.

The Company’s first ever Mastersand Clerks Dinner was held inFebruary, to reciprocate the increasingnumber of invitations which I and my predecessors had received. TheCourt entertained 11 Masters and 9Clerks by candlelight in our former‘home’, Innholders Hall, and bykeeping the numbers relatively smallachieved a convivial atmosphere

which many of the guests commentedon most favourably.

During my Prime Warden’s Week -end we visited the BlacksmithingSchool within Herefordshire Collegeof Technology (HCT) at Holme Lacy.Ian Coleman and Henry Pomfret hadlaid on a splendid programme. Thestudents turned out in force, enthusedabout the courses and the skills theywere learning and then gave up theirafternoon to supervise the 17 membersof the party who stayed for the hands-on forging session. All presentwere full of praise for the students’attitude and capabilities – a real creditto the college and its tutors. From apersonal perspective, having beenwarned last year that I was taking a bitof a gamble in locating my Weekend sofar from London, it was great to seeeveryone so obviously enjoying thevisit to HCT and the opportunity tolearn some simple forging skills. Theicing on the proverbial cake for me was that several senior Liverymenindicated afterwards that we shoulddo more to support the blacksmithingcolleges; I could not have wished for a more positive outcome.

The Show season is now in fullswing. The Shows provide a great dayout for all ages and the fraternityamongst the smiths attending andcompeting at the shows is veryevident. Additional funding for theNational Blacksmithing Competition(NBC) was agreed at the MichaelmasCourt last year, including a five-foldincrease in prize money for theNational Champions and ReserveChampions (to £500 and £250 eachrespectively) which has beenwelcomed universally. We are alsoproviding new funding to increaseprizes at each Show on the

The Prime Warden’s Year

The Prime Warden tries his hand at forging

The Prime Warden at the helm (Cowes Weekend)

Keith Gabriel – Prime Warden 2008-2009

NBC circuit; that funding is nowclearly displayed on the ‘Home’ page of the excellent NBCC website(www.blacksmithscompetition.co.uk)and will, I hope, result in more entriesin due course.

Blacksmiths were also wellrepresented at the RHS ChelseaFlower Show. Michael Jacques FWCB,who generously provided tickets, hada large stand and reported healthybusiness as did Jenny Pickford who is a former WCB bursary holder. It isgood to see blacksmiths who we havesupported developing flourishingbusinesses, especially in the currentfinancial climate.

Maintaining our City’s traditions,suitably adapted to the modern world,is another of the joys of Livery life. TheWorshipful Company of Blacksmithshas, as usual, been well represented atall the formal Civic gatheringsincluding the United Guilds Service,the 355th Festival of the Sons of theClergy and the formal Common Hallgatherings. I also had the pleasure of attending the Verdict of the Trial ofthe Pyx at Goldsmiths Hall, which has taken place every year since 1249 and now functions under a 1975 Act. It is presided over by the Queen’s Remembrancer, Master StevenWhitaker, who delivered a superbspeech in discharging the jury; theonly jury in the UK since the 17thCentury to retain investigatory powers.A wonderful traditional anachronism!

Has everything gone to plan? Notquite! We joined the City Livery YachtClub’s Cowes Weekend and enteredthe race for the Lord Mayor’s Cup in aseriously competitive J109 yacht onlyto find that the main (sail) on boardwas inappropriate for the windconditions (force 6-7) so we wereunable to race. We did, at least, gohome with a full set of sails intactunlike three other yachts, and theaprès-sail was excellent, with aninformal party on Friday night and adinner in the Royal Corinthian YachtClub on Saturday evening. We willreturn!

Several significant craft events fallin my final two months. The first WCB Forge-in is planned for mid July which will be priced to beattractive to families and will provideanother opportunity for Liverymenand friends to learn some forging skillswhilst also including demonstrationsby leading smiths. The Company will

have a live forging display on LondonBridge on Saturday 11th July when the800th Anniversary of the first stonebridge is celebrated. The first GabrielMasterclass will be given by StephenLunn FWCB on the subject of firewelding, and eight of the CountyShows supported by the WCB occurwithin this period (see back page for

details). I look forward to seeing manyof you there!

I will sign off with a heart-felt thankyou to everyone on the Court, on ourhard-working Committees, in theLivery and all our professional Smithsfor the support given me during myyear. Serving as your Prime Warden isindeed a delightful privilege.

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List of events at which the Prime Wardenhas represented the Company

December 2008 to June 2009Lord Mayor’s 800th Anniversary AwardsBasketmakers’ Company Dinner for Masters & Clerks City University Awards CeremonyPlumbers’ Company LuncheonTin Plate Workers’ Company Lecture Founders’ Company Dinner City visit to Treloar School & College Alton, HampshireIronmongers’ Company DinnerVisit to SEME REME, BordonChartered Surveyors’ Company DinnerTurners’ Company Masters and Clerks luncheonMercers’ Company Concert and buffet supperGrocers’ Company City DinnerOpening of Much Haddam ForgeThe Lord Mayor’s Dinner Mansion HouseUnited Guilds Service St Paul’s Cathedral Lord Mayor’s preview Whitechapel GallerySheriff George Gillon Lunch with Judges, Old BaileyWater Conservators’ Company Lunch Engineers’ Company Installation Court & Dinner Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators Cobham Lecture Shipwrights’ Company Dinner at Clothworkers’ HallGoldsmiths’ Company Trial of the Pyx - Verdict & LunchNorth Somerset ShowBarbers’ Company Lecture & SupperSons of the Clergy Service at St Paul’s CathedralTin Plate Workers’ Company Dinner St Bartholomew’s and The London Hospital Service and View DayPainter-Stainers’ Company Barnett Dinner at Mansion HouseLord Mayor‘s Big Curry Lunch GuildhallCity Livery Yacht Club Cowes RegattaJoiners & Ceilers’ Company Ladies Banquet at Vintners’ HallVisit to HMS Sultan GosportConstructors’ Company LectureRHS Chelsea Flower ShowMusicians’ Company Concert in the Old BaileyThe Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire Feast - SheffieldThe Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire Visit to Corus Steelworks & lunchDevon County ShowRNLI City of London III Appeal Finale Dinner at Trinity HouseRoyal Bath & West ShowFuellers’ Company Lecture at Fishmongers’ HallPewterers’ Company Master & Wardens’ DinnerSecurity Professionals’ Company Lunch at Drapers’ HallSeafarers UK, Royal Marines Beating Retreat Horseguards ParadeSouth of England Show ArdinglyIronbridge Gorge Museum Development Trust Livery Weekend 2009Reserve Forces & Cadets Association Reception at Mansion HouseFinancial Literacy Volunteering Initiative Lord Mayor’s ReceptionLivery Committee Dinner Barber Surgeons’ HallThree Counties ShowElection of Sheriffs Guildhall

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The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is ouraffiliated Regiment and we were blessed with a bright,warm Spring day for our visit to the School of Electro-

Mechanical Engineering (SEME) at the REME depot atBordon, Hampshire.

With military efficiency we were greeted warmly byLieutenant Colonel Williams and his staff and immediatelyimmersed in military acronyms. Bordon receives youngsoldiers, some only seventeen, who have donetheir basic military training and are there tolearn their REME trades. After gainingexperience in the field the soldiers will return toBordon for further training

We were then taken to the Blacksmiths’ shopwhere we were welcomed by Chezz ChescoeFWCB, LWCB. Trainees spend their first twoweeks here under mainly civilian instruction,learning basic hot metal working techniques.This will be the first occasion on which many of them willhave handled tools, having spent most of their formativeyears on computers. Despite the lack of experience thetrainees, under skilled instruction and with a degree of self-motivation, are soon producing work of excellent quality.

After this the trainees spend time in the sheet metal andfabrication workshops, where again high standards areachieved in a remarkably short time. In the welding shop up to twenty-four students at a time spend a month learningthe disciplines of gas, arc, tig and mig welding. The highstandards achieved at welding are maintained by those

responsible for repairing tank armour, who are re-testedevery six months.

After lunch in the Officers’ Mess we were taken to thevehicle workshops where trainees were working onengines, transmissions, hydraulics, brakes and electrics. Thetraining here is hands-on with six of everything enablingeach pair of trainees to have a component or vehicle tothemselves. They begin by learning to strip down individual

components at the workbench. They then moveto stripped-down vehicles and electricaltraining rigs with deliberately introduced faultswhich the trainees have to locate. After this theyapply their newly acquired skills to work oncomplete vehicles. As the training progresses, sothe vehicles get larger and more complex. Thelatest vehicles used by the military havecomputerised systems making a laptopcomputer as essential as a spanner.

Our next stop was the armaments’ department where theinstructor apologised for having only four different sizes ofgun to show. However, as one was the size of a small house,it was still a very impressive display.

Driving is part of the training and light tanks andarmoured personnel carriers, driven by trainees, weretrundling around the camp making the most of the goodweather.

Our most instructive tour ended with a presentation, bythe Prime Warden to Lieutenant Colonel Williams, of a WCBplaque to mark our visit.

Visit to the School of Electrical and MechanicalEngineering Assistant Chris Childs and Liveryman Maurice Greenberg

The Royal Navy is very proud of the names used for its ships and re-usessome of them on a continuous basis. The first HMS SULTAN was a 74gun warship dating back to 1775 and there were three other ships

before the name was given to a shore base at Singapore in 1940-47, albeit one that was shut down during the occupation. TheHMS SULTAN of today was commissioned in 1956 and over the years has grown by acquiring the functions of many othertraining establishments falling out from Royal Navy rationalisation programmes. HMS SULTAN sits on a huge piece of realestate and houses a disparate number of faculties, but the visit of the Prime Warden and five Company members concentratedon the Royal Navy School of Marine Engineering (RNSME).

Captain Graham Watts, as Head of the RNSME welcomed every one warmly but our visit coincided with a major electricalpower cut. True to form the Navy found a room which was unaffected and our liaison officer, Lieutenant Guy Handoll,apologised in advance that lunch would demonstrate the flexibility of the Royal Navy. The Captain explained the modernmethods used to prepare the men and women to operate and maintain the extensive and highly advanced machinery foundin submarines, ships and aircraft. Captain Watts RNSME explained his quest to improve learning retention rates and, byusing research work from the National Training Laboratories Institute of Behavioural Science in Virginia, his team has beenable to cut course lengths dramatically. Information retention using ‘practice by doing’ techniques is twenty five times moreeffective than traditional Dickensian teaching at desks; ‘teaching others’ is even more powerful. The new way is true to the

HMS SULTAN motto ‘Pedetentim’ or ‘step by step’ and the results have been hugelysuccessful with the feedback from sea very supportive.

The spare capacity generated has been sold on to foreign Navies and British Industryin the form of bespoke courses and during our walk around the training facilities wesaw apprentices from gas companies under instruction. The hands-on training facilitiesare second to none and ranged from the cutting edge Vanguard class submarine nuclearpower plant and machinery trainer to allied trade and machine shop facilities.

Captain Watts hosted lunch and made it clear that he wished to maintain thespecial relationship with the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. To this end,Lieutenant Caila Barnett was introduced as the ongoing liaison contact for futureevents. During post lunch coffee and discussion, the Prime Warden presented a WCBshield and cemented our affiliation.

In the Blacksmithsʼ shop

HMS Sultan – Visit to the Royal Naval School of Marine Engineering

Assistant Chris Childs

Captain Watts RNSME receiving a WCB plaque

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Carpenters School Olympic Garden

Iwas aware of e-bay as an electronicmarket and had frequently heardpeople say they had either sold or

bought items through that medium. Ihad never tried it! One day I had toconfront it when two different LiveryCompanies contacted me to say thatthere was one of the Company’s PastPrime Warden’s badges being offered.

I immediately contacted theWebmaster, Richard Sage, and hesecured all the information. It wasindeed a Past Prime Warden Badgethat was presented to Arthur WilliamBrackett who was Prime Warden in1909-1910. It is 18ct gold (somethingnot available now) and still in itsoriginal box.

I was discussing this with Richardand mentioned it to other Liverymenpresent and one most generouslyoffered to purchase it and present the badge to the Company. We wereable to buy it for a lower amount thanthe offered price. In due course theBadge was delivered to Richard andpresented to the Company.

Although William Brackett (adescendant of Arthur Brackett) is aLiveryman he was unable to cast anylight on where the badge had been orwho the vendor might be.

What should we do with it? Itseemed a shame to keep it under lockand key with our other treasures and so we sought a practical solution.I pointed out to the Wardens thatwhile there is a badge for the PrimeWarden, the Renter Warden, the

Fourth Warden and the Father of theCompany, the Third Warden has noCompany jewel. The Third Warden isthe immediate Past Prime Wardenand at the Election Court whenelected as Third Warden he receives a jewel engraved with his name andthe year he was in office. This is hispersonal property in exactly the sameway that our new purchase wasArthur Brackett’s.

I suggested that Mr Brackett’s jewelshould become the Company badgefor the Third Warden who wouldwear it during his year in that officeand then revert to his personal PastPrime Warden jewel. I am pleased toreport that this proposal has beenaccepted and that John McCuin, asThird Warden, has already worn itrepresenting that office.

Christopher Jeal

Back with the Company after 100 Years

Some years ago the Lord Mayorencouraged Livery Companies toapproach their Liverymen to

become school governors. Thischallenge was taken up by Past PrimeWarden John Barber and he wasappointed a Governor of CarpentersPrimary School in Stratford E15. Thiswas close to his office where he is theExecutive Director of a Charity.

When he was appointed the idea ofLondon hosting the Olympic Gameswas a remote prospect but, whenLondon was granted the status of host to the Games, Carpenters Schoolrealised that it was closest to theOlympic Park.

Once the initial visits of grandeeshad abated the school had to decidehow to mark its very special position.Under the direction of Head TeacherCheryl Alexander, assisted by herdedicated staff, the idea of an OlympicGarden took shape. On Thursday 21stMay John Barber formally opened it inhis role of Chairman of the Governors.

There are three areas: a pond, agrowing area for vegetables andflowers and a seating space withbenches representing the fivecontinents. Those who know John willunderstand how his contacts, both

personal and corporate, enabled manygenerous contributions to be made toensure the success of the project. Thegarden is approached through amagnificent gate made by Bex Simon,an outstanding young blacksmith who had previously benefited from a bursary from the Company while she was at the National School of

Blacksmithing. (See the report on thePrime Warden’s weekend). Somehow,John had convinced the Wardens thatthe gate should be this Company’scontribution.

Before the formal opening theassembled guests were given a video

presentation of the garden, adescription of the Gardening Club thathas been set up to look after the plants,a display of dancing, a piece of musicfrom the recorder club and a speciallyadapted song. This was based on thesong ‘Wimoweh’ from the Lion King,with the words amended to: “In thegarden, The Olympic Garden, Wherethe wild things are” - wonderfullypresented with part-harmony and thechildren wearing the animal masksthey made themselves.

After the opening there was arelease of butterflies while Year 6pupils launched their balloons, whichsoared high into a blue sky. I hopepeople finding the addressed labelswill return them to the school so thatthe children discover how far theytravelled. (The boy who told me hiswas going to Australia might havebeen a bit optimistic!)

Despite, or possibly because of, thecultural diversity and the difficultiesfaced by some families, the commit -ment from pupils, staff and familieswas obvious. We hope that proximityto the Olympic Park means that theschool will gain a legacy (what anover-used word) and that the studentsand their families will truly benefit.

John Barber at the opening of the Olympic Garden

“Where the wild things are”

Christopher Jeal

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With the kind permission of The Lord Mayor of the City of London, the gathering group ofBlacksmiths and we, their guests, were

welcomed into the Mansion House by a line up of SeniorOfficers of The Worshipful Company. The scene was set fora magical evening in the presence of The Lady Mayoressand other special guests, a total of 248 people.

As a visitor I was acutely aware of the atmosphere and my excitement rose as I paused to listen to the String Quartetin the entrance hall. As I stood there they began to play“Making Whoopee” by Walter Donaldson, and thisconfirmed for me the likely style of the evening ahead of us.

Although the Banquet is a “serious meeting of minds”, it is also a glamorous event with elegantly clothedBlacksmiths, their visitors and beautifully dressed ladies.This, in the setting of the magnificent Egyptian Hall,generally referred to as the “Lord Mayor’s Dining Room”,is something unique to the City of London. Thecandelabras and the chandeliers enhance the beauty ofthis Palladian style building with its glittering collectionof gold and silver plate.

The Programme of Music under the direction of MrSteven Fletcher, the Leader of The London BanquetingEnsembles, was lovely; Sir Henry Wood, Strauss, Rossini,Cole Porter, who could ask for anything more?

The Bill of Fare was exceptional and a great credit to the chefs, whilst the sommelier’s choice of winecomplemented each course to perfection.

This must have been a memorable night for the PrimeWarden, Mr Keith Gabriel, and his wife Diana, whoundoubtedly played their part in the preparations for theBanquet assisted, as always, by the learned Clerk, MrChristopher Jeal. Together they created a very specialexperience for all their guests.

After the “ceremony of the Loving Cup”, a famousCity tradition, The Blacksmiths’ Song was sung by MrDominic Barrand with all of us joining in to sing thechorus with gusto.

The “duelling” of the trumpets from the balconies atopposite ends of the Egyptian Hall was hugely impressive,my personal favourite being the “Blacksmiths’ Fanfare” andthe “Post Horn Gallop”. What a privilege to be in thecompany of such wonderfully accomplished musicians.

The formal toasts were announced by the Toastmaster,

Mr B Greenan, and were proposed by the Prime Warden. Acheque was presented on behalf of the Worshipful Companyto the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, the recipients of which this yearare the Lords Taverners and the St John’s Ambulance. It wasaccepted by The Lady Mayoress on behalf of The LordMayor who, as we were dining, was returning from Swedenwhere he had been furthering the work of the City. ThePrime Warden also presented The Lady Mayoress with aRam’s Head Toasting Fork,which he had personallycrafted. Sheriff Gillon, onbehalf of The Lord Mayor,presented the Prime Wardenwith a silver plated pictureframe which was decoratedwith a motif of The LordMayor’s gilded coach.

The Prime Warden continued with a reference to some ofthe interesting and important work in which TheWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths has been involvedduring his year in office. In line with the Lord Mayor’stheme for the year of Education and Training, theBlacksmiths are endeavouring to support the initiative ofproviding education to families who have a poorunderstanding of finance. In addition to other work, theCompany gives ongoing support to the cadets of all threeServices, providing sponsorship and attendance at theircompetitions, in particular the Elworthy Trophy. The PrimeWarden told us that the Blacksmiths’ Company can make “areal difference” to this important craft.

In proposing the toast to the visitors, Mr Richard Chellew,the Fourth Warden, welcomed distinguished guests fromthe Corporation of London, including Sheriff Gillon and Mr Paul Double, the City Remembrancer. He also welcomedMasters from the Worshipful Companies of Upholders,Ironmongers, Clockmakers, Gunmakers and Cutlers ofHallamshire, representatives of the Armed Forces and, ofcourse, the personal guests of all Blacksmiths.

The response to this toast came from Sheriff GeorgeGillon. He reminded the audience, somewhat playfully,that the Blacksmith’s Livery was originally a Tooth Pullers’Company, the description of this causing the guests toshudder visibly at the thought of removing teeth withoutanaesthetics!

The Master of The Worshipful Company ofIronmongers, Mr R Poulton, raised the final Enthusiastictoast to – “THE BLACKSMITHS’ COMPANY ROOT ANDBRANCH, MAY IT FLOURISH FOR EVER”.

As the Banquet finally came to a close I was left feelingthat we had experienced a wonderful evening in beautifulsurroundings, and had enjoyed excellent companionship.Many of the guests probably dine in fine restaurantsaround the world, but on this occasion the combination ofthe glittering City venue and the superb hospitality of TheWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths must rank as one ofthe most memorable experiences.

My final thought was an old family saying – “till wemeet again”.

Annual Banquet 2009 June Abraham – A Guest’s Perspective

The Prime Warden and his wife, Diana

Ramʼs Head Toasting Fork crafted bythe Prime Warden and presented to

The Lady Mayoress

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The Prime Warden’s Weekend

Suddenly it is Summer again andtime for the Prime Warden’sWeekend which this year found

us at Hereford College NationalSchool of Blacksmithing.

Members of the Court, Liverymenand their wives gathered at thedelightful Chase Hotel, situated on the outskirts of the picturesque townof Ross-on Wye, where an earlygathering in the bar of the hotel saw fellow liverymen and theirpartners greeting each other andrelaxing in convivial surroundings. Toeveryone’s delight a wrought ironammonite key-ring had been left ineach room as a gift from the PrimeWarden – a token reflecting hisinterest in blacksmithing and geology.

The evening began with achampagne reception hosted by thePrime Warden and his wife, Diana. An excellent dinner followed.

On the following day after atraditional breakfast we were taken bycoach to Holme Lacy, the home of theNational School of Blacksmithing. Wewere greeted by the Course DirectorIan Coleman and Senior LecturerHenry Pomfret who first described the courses available to blacksmiths.Our visit included a tour beginningwith the Farrier’s Centre, through the academic and practical trainingareas culminating at the twenty four traditional forges. Over a dozenstudents had foregone one of theirdays off to provide demonstrations of the wide and varied types of work

they are being trained to undertake.Later, after an excellent buffet lunch

shared with the students, thoseLiverymen wanting to show off theirprowess at the forge were eachallocated a student to supervise them.The joker in the pack was the studentwho found himself “supervising”Bronze Medal holder, Don Barker. The student received an impromptuMaster Class in forging, includingusing the power hammer to produce arealistic representation of a leaf for aMemorial Gum Tree in Australia. Withthe help of our student supervisors therest of us did our best to emulate Don!Lara Shepherd was delighted to bepresented with the Celtic brooch herstudent supervisor had just made.

It was with great pleasure weobserved the enthusiasm anddedication of the students workingtowards making the craft theirprofession, and we saw that Bursariesawarded by the Company are beingput to very good use. It was also anopportunity for students to meetmembers of the Company face to faceand to learn about the charitable workof the City Livery Companies.

With little time to spare grimyLiverymen returned to the hotel tochange into formal dress for theevening, which began with a privateviewing of the MappaMundi at HerefordCathedral – an extra -ordinary document aboutwhich many differingviews are held by experts – and a visit to the Chained Librarywhere, in the days beforeprinting, books were handcopied at great expense so a bible could be worth as much as £20,000.These valuable tomeswere routinely chained tothe shelves to prevent

their theft but, with the advent ofprinting, books became less expensiveto produce and libraries dispensedwith chains. By good fortune thechained library at Hereford survivedand along with the Mappa Mundi ispreserved in a purpose built building.

The party then moved to theneighbouring Bishops Palace for achampagne reception before anexcellent dinner during which wewere entertained by a gifted youngpianist whose musicianship belied his age. On returning to the hotel,those in the party not yet exhausted by the day’s events congregated oncemore at the hotel bar.

After breakfast on Sunday wetravelled to Eastnor Castle for aprivate viewing. Here in 1810 BaronSummers decided to replace thefamily manor house with a replica of a mediaeval castle which wasapparently completed not only onschedule but also within budget. Theinterior of the Castle contains a

collection of works of art,furniture and armour fromEurope and the Middle East.The Castle, which is still in the ownership of the samefamily, is now operated as a business venture and in cludes a restaurant wherewe enjoyed an excellent lunchbefore congratulating Keithand Diana for such an enter -taining weekend and thankingthem and Christopher Jealwho, this year, included in his usual impeccable organisationexcellent weather.

Eleven Masters and nine Clerks attended a Dinnerhosted by the Company at Innholders Hall inFebruary. The Company was represented by The

Prime Warden, Renter Warden, Third Warden, FourthWarden, the Father, Past Prime Wardens, Assistants andthe Clerk.

The Livery Companies represented included Basket-makers, Butchers, Chartered Accountants, Constructors,

Fletchers, Glovers, Security Professionals, Solicitors, andTurners.

The Prime Warden proposed The Loyal Toast, a Toastto the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation,and a Toast to the Guests. Mr Graham Lewinstein, PrimeWarden of the Worshipful Company of Basket makers,proposed the Toast of the Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths.

Dinner for Masters and Clerks

One of the students at work

Kelly-Jane Burton with herpanel forged at the College

Eastnor Castle

Assistant Adrian Oliver

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On Saturday 21 March, by wayof a continuation of theElworthy Trophy sponsorship

awarded by the Company to theLondon Cadet organisation, 16 Cadetswere given a day learning to hammerhot metal on an anvil. Kevin Boysbrought three other blacksmiths,

Thomas Metula,Josh Swellin andToby Lynch, toassist at his forgeon the SurreyDocks Farm andby the end of theday each Cadet

had produced a leaf to take home.Nine Army cadets from the SE & NESector ACF and 7 RAF cadets from 398Squadron (Staines) and 1374 Squadron(Barnet) started the day cautiously butby lunchtime the Prime Warden, theClerk and I noticed that each Cadet’sability to judge by the colour of theiron bar that the metal was suitablymalleable and how then to use thehammer, had moved ahead by leapsand bounds. When Kevin gave thecadets their metal leaves, he said howimpressed he had been by their energy,application and enthusiasm. Duringhis speech about the Craft the Prime

Warden mentioned the iron sculptureKevin had been asked to produce inremembrance of IK Brunel and hopedthere would be more events of thiskind promoting the Blacksmith’s craft.

Kevin Boys hosts London Cadets at Surrey DocksFarm Forge

Having previouslysupported the JubileeSailing Trust, a regis -

tered charity whose mission isto promote the social inclusionand integration of people of all physical abilities and ages(16-80+) through the sharedchallenge and adven ture ofsailing a tall ship, the Companywas invited for a conductedtour of one of the Trust’s two tallships, SV Lord Nelson, mooredat Canary Wharf.

The aim of the tour was to show the progress beingmade in updating and carrying out maintenance of theship’s structure. SV Lord Nelson is now over 22 years oldand the work is essential to enable the ship to continue tooffer tall ships’ voyages for another 20 years and changethe lives of a further 24,000 people!

Liveryman Maurice Greenberg and the Editor, AssistantNigel Whitehead, representing the Company, had athoroughly enjoyable and interesting time being shownover the ship and seeing for themselves completed Phase 1improvements to catering and toilet facilities, and the re-roofing of the deck house.Engineer Maurice then per -suaded the Ship’s Engineer toallow him into the bowels of theship to “talk mechanics andelectrics” leaving your Editor todiscover more about the workof the Trust from our charminghost, Naomi Scott.

During the tour we were toldthat the Trust, which has to raisearound £400,000 to completethe work on SV Lord Nelson,

would be holding a sponsored mast climb on SVTenacious and as the height to the top of the mast, knownas the Button, was only 125 feet, volunteers were beingsought. Maurice volunteered!!!

So on a fine, dry day in May, after donning a safetyharness, our intrepid 77 year old liveryman began hisclimb, having first secured the promise of sponsorshipfrom friends and acquaintances.

In Maurice’s words “From the deck, the first stage up the rigging was easy, the “rungs” being wooden

slats and the safety lineonly being needed whenleaning back to climbthrough the hole ontothe first stage platform.From the first to thesecond stage platformthe “rungs” were ropewhich gave under myweight. Again, the safetyline was only used whileeasing through the holeonto the second stageplat form. From here tothe Button, the taper ofthe rigging meant that,at the top, I could onlyplace one foot above the

other – but I had reached the top”. Descending pre sentedno problems and having since spoken to Maurice I canvouch for him being alive and well.

To crown this remarkable achievement, and to refutethose who doubted Maurice’s sanity, our heroicliveryman has so far raised £911.50 for the Trust andwishes to express his gratitude to all those who providedsponsorship. Why not show your admiration of Mauriceby sending a donation to him payable to the JubileeSailing Trust?

The EditorLiveryman Maurice Scales the Heights

Assistant Chris Childs

Cadets learning to handle hot metalCadet proudly displaying

his finished leaf

On the way

View from the second platform

SV Tenacious

9

David left school in 1978 having been awarded the Sir John Burrow’s Award for metalwork, presented to him by the late Marjorie Proops. He then began a four year apprenticeship with the prestigious building firm of R Durtnell & Sons, a family business established in 1591.Each trade within the firm offered apprenticeships andwith twenty to thirty applicants for each place competitionwas fierce. David won an apprenticeship in theblacksmith’s shop.

During the first two years his tutor was the late JohnProbert. When John Probert moved from the area Davidcompleted his apprenticeship under Len Hutton FWCB.Both tutors were hard taskmasters but highly respected inthe trade. David felt privileged not only being taught byJohn Probert and Len Hutton but by being part of such awell renowned Firm which had some amazingdecorative ironwork contracts. Wages in thosedays were minimal but the value of theexperience gained and the wealth ofknowledge acquired was priceless.Towards the end of his apprenticeshipDavid recalls a particular contractawarded to Durtnells to makedecorative balustrades for the RitzCasino in London. His job was to cutout acanthus leaves by hand – nolasers in those days, just a bandsaw,hammer, chisel and file. Uponquestioning the fact that he seemed tobe cutting out far more than LenHutton and the others he was told –“you want to learn the trade don’t you – so get your head down and keep cutting”.

Having completed his apprenticeship Davidthen worked for two years with a fabrication firm to

broaden his knowledge. By 1985 he felt ready to start hisown business. All was going well until the

hurricane of 1987 completely destroyed hisworkshop. At that point he headed for

Australia returning a year later to set upBrasted Forge.

David has been awarded manycivic commissions over the yearsand carried out work for severalcelebrities. Among the commis -sions of which he is most proudwas the making of a stylisedgolden eagle placed above thethrone for the wedding ceremony of

the present King of Jordan. Thesedays his work takes him far and wide

and he has recently returned fromFrance where he made decorative gates

and railings for a chateau in Limoges. One of his gates is to be found as far away

as Australia.He won the title National Champion Blacksmith in

1999 and again in 2008. He joined the Company in 2000with much encouragement from his late father-in-law Mick Orgill, a liveryman of the Worshipful Company ofFarriers. David is a founder member of the blacksmiths’competitions at the Edenbridge & Oxted Show which hehelped set up seventeen years ago.

David was awarded the Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths’ Bronze Medal in 1999 and the Silver Medal in2005. He is fiercely proud of his trade and of being aliveryman of the Company.

Many liverymen have visited his forge in Brasted amongthem the late Tommy Tucker who was a regular – “justpopping in to see you Dave” and, some three hours later“must go, time is the enemy”. David holds these memoriesof Tommy with great affection.

David C Harman FWCB – Eminent Master Blacksmith

David Harman was born in Godstone, Surrey, the middle son of the late Don and Margaret Harman. While stillat school he spent Saturday mornings at the forge of the late Tim Reddick, a highly respected ex-Navalblacksmith and hard taskmaster but with a great sense of humour. David recalls the occasion when a piece

of coke flew from the forge sticking to his eyelid (no Health & Safety in those days) causing him to hop around theforge in pain. “Did you catch one in the eye then, boy” - said Tim with a chuckle – “just hold the broom while you’redancing around and get the floor swept”.

Wall grille

Entrance gates in KentEntrance gates in Kent

David Harman FWCBDavid Harman FWCB

Wall grille

When I was nine years old,Nepal and Tibet were twocountries on my list to visit

before I died, but my memory of why eludes me. I waited until I retired before making my first visit in 2002, trekking to the Annapurnaand Ghurka villages before reachingAnnapurna Base Camp (known asABC).

The following year I went back and then into Mustang, the ancientkingdom formerly in Tibet and with avery Tibetan culture and landscape. Bynow I had befriended a Nepalesefamily with two small children, thefather acting as my guide. I continuedto make visits twice a year and became“a full family member”, supportingthe education of the two children andproviding finance for their living andaccommodation. The support alsoextended to the family back in thevillage and others related to them.

In 2004 I met the principal of thePegasus English School located inJorpati on the east side of Kathmandu.He was in the UK to honour the RotaryClubs which had provided financeand links with the Kathmandu NorthClub to build a school. I was then inKathmandu in the September andspent time helping them establish ascience laboratory and extend theircomputer facilities. I also built a watertreatment plant and helped with theplanning of the first of two major

extensions. My “emergency” moneymade this possible and during the twomonths I was there some major workto the school was completed. Duringthis time I was able to trek to the EBC – Everest Base Camp – and also visit the health centres andhospitals in the Khumbu. I was now aqualified high altitude paramedic –something I achieved in the months

I was back in the UK – and was able to give some help.

For most of the time I trekked andtravelled around the country alone,but sometimes with a guide and aporter. I visited a village north ofKathmandu to meet my adoptedfamily’s parents and relatives andescorted teachers from Pegasus

English School on training visitsbefore helping with the students.

At the same time as the school was growing and flourishing withadditional help, a hostel for destituteand abandoned children was alsogrowing. Two teachers had theopportunity to take degree coursesand two others took science courses tosupport the school’s science stream.The two sons of a destitute family, the father having died and the mother having to look after her twogranddaughters, gained places at the school and have been supportedwith food and clothing as well as thefees for their education by Raymondand me; the boys have thus been able to concentrate their efforts ontheir studies rather than begging in the street to survive.

I returned each year for two periodsof two months each until Raymondneeded me at home whilst he had twohip operations. I have now booked my flight for November. There aremany western visitors helping tosupport the people of Nepal and theirchildren’s education, hoping that theGovernment will eventually settle andprovide an infrastructure that allowssustainability. Meanwhile, the NepalSchool Fund along with othersprovides finance for the school and the hostel. I shall continue to providefor my adopted family in the belief that it is better to do something ratherthan nothing.

10

Visiting Nepal Dr Barbara C Holl PhD, MSc, CEng

(Dr Barbara Holl is the wife of Liveryman Raymond Holl MBE, CEng, MIEE)

Barbara with her Nepalese family

Pegasus School – morning assembly

The Mayor of Kathmandu with The Lord Mayor, Sir Paul Newall and Sir Neil Thorne in 1993

11

The relationship between Nepal and Britain beganwhen the British Indian Army attempted to extendits sphere of influence north from India towards the

Himalayas. As part of a peace agreement drawn upbetween them it was agreed that in future the British Armywould accept the national boundary between India andNepal and in return the British would be allowed to recruittheir peasants for military service. This permission wasgranted on condition that although the men were to beallowed to swear allegiance to the British Crown for theduration of their service they must be discharged in Nepal,in the same religion that they had inherited from theirforefathers namely Hinduism or Buddhism. When theyretired from the army they were expected to change theirsavings into gold and take this back to their original villagewhere they bought land and settled down, becoming arespected member of the local community. Both they andtheir family were entitled to free medical treatment at anyArmy Welfare Centre.

This system worked well for nearly 200 years but it is now subject to review. Since the monarchy was ousted in 2008 and the extreme Communist Maoists have taken a leading role in running the country, it is by no meanscertain that the previous arrangements will continue formuch longer.

During peace time we have been able to select one out ofover a hundred candidates offering themselves forselection for each recruit place. They can then be expectedto serve on average for 15 years. New recruits are givenlong leaves so that they can return to their village in orderto find a bride. A Gurkha battalion must therefore be large

enough to cater for a substantial number being away on a six month long leave at any time. Consequently 800personnel are normally required to fill 600 places.

A total of over 250,000 Gurkhas served in forty fivebattalions during World War 11 earning 2,700 braveryawards and suffering about 32,000 service casualties.

If Gurkhas are given the automatic right to settle in theUK after their service this will remove one substantialadvantage to the Nepalese people, namely that ofacquiring the incoming pension funds and the savingswhich in the past have benefited their economy as a whole.Tourism is their largest form of overseas income withGurkhas pensions second. However, even those who retireto Nepal now with more substantial pensions can also bethe cause of problems locally. At today’s rates a retiredGurkha Corporal is likely to receive a larger pension than a retired Nepalese Cabinet Minister. This is not alwayspopular. The Nepalese would prefer to receive more aidand trade as this is of benefit to their economy as a wholerather than just those who have served in the British Army.The children of Gurkhas allowed to settle here generally donot seek to serve in the Army. Whether the Nepalese willallow recruitment in their country in future is likely todepend on what other incentives we give them to replacethe lost pension.

Editor’s Note: Sir Neil Thorne is the holder of a NepaleseKnighthood, the Order of Gorkha Oakshina Bahu. This was for his help with their 1991 constitution. In it heincorporated Freedom of the press, Freedom of religiousbelief, Freedom to join a political party and retention of theMonarchy for stability.

The Gurkha StoryPast Prime Warden Sir Neil Thorne OBE, TD, DL

The Mayor of Kathmandu with The Lord Mayor, Sir Paul Newall and Sir Neil Thorne in 1993

12

The York based forges of one of the UK’s foremostblacksmiths have provided the crowning glory for anew monument in the Mall dedicated to King George

V1 and the late Queen Mother.Don Barker, whose forges at Elvington and Wigginton

have provided decorative ironwork for many well knownUK landmarks, received the commission to create fourbronze lanterns and attractive bronze handrailing tosurround the monument.

The lamps which are five feet high and sit atop tall stonepillars, weigh over 250 kilos each and are fitted with gasburners to give a soft light. Work began with the making ofa full size template to establish correct proportions andproduction started from that point. All four lamps carry theWCB Trade Mark stamp.

The new monument was unveiled by Her Majesty theQueen in the presence of members of the Royal Family.

Monumental Commission for York Craftsman

The newly installed lamps in the Mall

Arecent change in Ferrocity was the arrival of DanParker from the UK to join the team. Dan is aformer Warwickshire College student who received

a bursary from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths in 2002/3. In his first year here Dan’s contribution has been significant in helping push the Company towardsbecoming renowned in South East Queensland for thedesign and forging of high quality ironwork to exactingspecifications.

We began in 2007 by constructing the Ferrocity School ofBlacksmithing alongside our working forge in the Brisbanenorthern suburbs. Our mission was simple – to introduceour wonderful craft to wannabe blacksmiths and hobbyists.In addition we have run development and refresher coursesfor professionals, which have proved very popular.

The forge has nowcompleted some very largecommissions from resi dents ofBrisbane, taking the form ofentrance gates, pool fences,railings and stairs, all designedand forged in the traditionalmanner. One particu larlysatisfying job was the makingof a set of highly polished,stain less steel railings in acontemporary design.

Among the jobs we have had were two unusualcommissions. The first was to assist in the making of a suitof armour for Yannis, a young man whose life-long ambitionhad been to make armour from metal, who was sponsoredby the Starlight Foundation – an organisation which makeswishes come true for children and young adults withterminal or life threatening conditions. Yannis has sinceundergone some life-saving surgery with more to come butregardless, has set up his own forge in Mossman.

The second is a sad tale. A mother from New Zealandbut living in Brisbane is unable to visit her son’s gravewhich is in Taruheru, NZ because of the distance, so she commissioned us to design and forge a set of flowersthat would withstand the test of time and which could be fixed either side of the headstone. We made twobunches of Stargazer liliesforged from highly polished316 stainless steel. Her sonwas just twenty-one when he died.

As Smiths we always striveto achieve the best and toproduce work that will lastwell into the future but in caseslike those mentioned we givethat little bit more in terms ofeffort and emotion.

Forging Down Under – Notes from FerrocityIan Parmenter AWCB – former Blacksmith Tutor at Warwickshire College

Anwick Forge has been commissioned by the Royal Air Force Association to produce the centre-piece of theAssociation’s remembrance garden at the National Memorial Arboretum near Burton-on-Trent. This will take theform of a magnificent stainless steel eagle consisting of over 1,000 hand-forged feathers, perched, with its wings

aloft, on top of the globe. The garden, which is due to be unveiled in September, will serve as a permanent memorial toall those who have served in the RAF and Commonwealth Air Forces.

Lincolnshire Forge Awarded RAFA Commission

Armour making with Yannis Stainless steel lilies for headstone

13

Founded in 1672 by RichardHoare, the son of a successfulhorse dealer, C Hoare & Co

remains the United Kingdom’sleading independent private bank,wholly owned by the Hoare family.The bank moved to Fleet Street fromCheapside in 1690 and into its presentbuilding, constructed to the plans ofthe Bank’s architect, Charles Parker,in 1830. Completed in a year, the newbuilding, costing in excess of £20,000excluding fittings, achieved thedelicate balance between giving theimpression of a successful businessbut also a prudent one.

An invoice from one SamuelParker, brother of the Bank’s architectand self-styled “Bronzist to his LateMajesty” (George 111), reads:

Within the heart of the BankingHall stands a cast iron, columnarstove made specifically for the Bank. It is decorated with Grecian-style friezes and surmounted by athree branch candelabrum. Anunder ground flue connected thestove to the fireplace in the entrancehallway.

Other items of note are the Bank’ssign, the first floor balcony railingsadded in 1935 and the iron railings atstreet level.

The Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths wishes to thank theBoard of C Hoare & Co for theopportunity to liaise with theirArchivist, Pamela Hunter, and forgiving their permission to take thephotographs reproduced in thisarticle. The Company also wishes toacknowledge the assistance of CliveCornwell of the City of LondonPlanning Department.

Hoare’s Bank – its Ironwork

9 false-cored Ballusters in fineiron – curved to form of rail –with turned and ground circularand square caps and bases –fluted all over – fixing with ironrods with washers and plugs –Models and Patterns made todesign

25 – 4 – 022 levels do - do - do 49 –10 – 063 raked do - do - do 151 – 4 - 0

Staircase balusters

Hoareʼs sign incorporating the Golden Bottle

Columnar Stove in Banking Hall

Liveryman Maurice Greenberg

Bronze candelabrum adorning newel post

14

The editor, Nigel Whitehead asked me to write a pieceon young Liverymen after a discussion at a luncheonbut first, allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Edward Minchinton. I was apprenticed tomy grandfather, Geoffrey Berry in 2003 and granted theFreedom of the Company and Freedom of the City inJanuary 2008 and admitted to the Livery in April 2008. I amthe fifth member of my family within the Livery. I readInternational Politics and Military History at the Universityof Wales and now live and work in Bristol as an EquipmentSupport Manager for the Ministry of Defence.

Nigel asked me some questions to consider in writingthis piece;

Does the age disparity within the Company concern me?I see the age disparity as a great opportunity, but apotential future problem. It gives a young person access to a great deal of knowledge and experience but withoutrecruitment, there is the possibility of a significant fall innumbers of Liverymen in the future.

How can others like me be encouraged to take aninterest in the Company and its work and also LiveryCompanies in general?

This is tricky as people’s interests are so diverse. A keything in encouraging younger prospective Liverymen isexplaining the opportunities and benefits of being aLiveryman such as becoming involved with the Craft andparticipating in the social aspects of the Company

How do you think existing younger Liverymen might beencouraged to engage with the activities of the Livery andto what extent might cost influence their decisions?

Here are a few thoughts on this subject: Encourage attendance at Shows where they can meet the

working Smiths and possibly try their hand themselves, orarrange visits to the colleges where the craft is taught.

Consider having a rotating position on the Court (purelyobservational – perhaps for a term of a year) – giving theLiveryman an understanding of the Court functions andhow the Company is run.

Consider appointing a representative to speak on behalfof the younger Liverymen.

Consider offering attachments to positions such as theLearned Clerk and the Honorary Archivist – these wouldgive the Liveryman a greater understanding of the historyand running of the Company.

In terms of cost I know I am unable to attend as manyCompany functions as I would like due in part to the cost.This is not a veiled request for a discount, just an explanation.

I recently attended the City Livery Yacht Club event at Cowes where Hugh Gabriel (the Prime Warden’s son)was crewing. He kindly contributed the following:

Does the age disparity within the Company concern youand how can others like you be encouraged to take aninterest in the Company and the work undertaken by it andother Livery Companies?

“It does not concern me – at present the attraction oflivery events is the conversation with guests with vast life and business experience. Events aimed specifically at the young would be very different, though not to saybetter or worse.

Hosting events aimed at young professionals who arealready Freemen or Liverymen does not in itself raiseawareness. In the majority of cases when discussing theseevents with my contemporaries, the first questions askedare “What are the Blacksmiths?”, “What is a LiveryCompany?”. Therefore, to increase the number of youngerpeople joining the Livery might be better addressed byencouraging schools, colleges and universities to runseminars and presentations about the City and the Liveries,emphasising the opportunities for young professionals.

Views of Younger LiverymenEd: We have only thirteen Liverymen below thirty years of age

We congratulate LiverymanChristopher Smith on taking

silk. Christopher, the son of PastPrime Warden John Smith, becamea Liveryman in 1997.

ChristopherSmith QC

New LiverymenWe were pleased to welcome

Raymond Charles Reid to the Livery at the Epiphany Courtmeeting. Nominated by RickyToomey, Raymond explained to theCourt that he is the ManagingDirector of his own lighting business.He is a Court Assistant of theLightmongers’ Company (96) and we hope he enjoys a long associationwith an older Livery Company.

A further link with the electrical

industry occurred when Derek John Lawrence was also admitted at theEpiphany Court meeting. Anotherentrepreneur with his own companyDerek is an electrical controlsengineer. He was nominated by Jash Joshi.

It seems as if the BlacksmithCompany is changing craft asanother representative of the electri -cal industry, Ian Duncan Ross, wasadmitted to the Livery at the

Ladyday Court meeting. Ian hasworked in the City of London, as hadhis father and grandfather, since hewas aged 18. He is the director of an electrical contracting companyand a Freeman of the City before his nomination to the Livery by Past Prime Warden Rodney Bole.

We welcome all three new Livery -men and hope that they will enjoybeing Members of the Company andfully participate in our events.

15

ObituariesRalph Gabriel 1922 – 2009 (Past

Prime Warden) by Keith Gabriel

My father was born a Londoner in1922, the youngest of three

brothers, and died peacefully inFebruary. He had been a successfulengineer and entrepreneur, thoughnever desk-bound, being happiestsolving practical problems. Whilst stilla young boy his father had encouragedhim to set up a small business growingplants, including tomatoes, in thegarden. He sold the produce toneighbours who had also been soldshares in the business, and were paiddividends. He thus developed hisbusiness acumen at an early age.

After graduating from Cambridge,where his degree course wasshortened to two years because of the War, he joined an officer trainingunit before being attached to the newly formed Royal Electrical andMechanical Engineers. His unitlanded in Normandy three days afterD-Day and then made its way throughBelgium into Germany. After being de-mobbed he spent three years inAmerica broadening his knowledge ofthe machine tool industry and whilethere learned to sail on the gorgeousMaine coast. He returned to Britain

and in 1955 married Betty Sulman andbuilt their first house.

On his return my father joined thefamily firm, Charles Churchill. Hebecame Managing Director and wasappointed Chairman of the MachineTool Trades Association. In 1966 theCompany was taken over by TubeInvestments and in 1969 he resigned to become a special consultant to the United Nations IndustrialDevelopment Organisation. He muchenjoyed travelling under a diplomaticpassport and having the UN laurelwreath on the bonnet of his car.

After successfully lobbying theGuernsey Board of Administrationwhich agreed to convert St Peter Port’sold harbour into a marina, my fatherjoined the Board and the HarbourCommittee. He also achieved anotherlifetime ambition when in 1973 heobtained his pilots’ licence whichultimately led to him joining theIsland’s Airport Committee.

On completion of his UN work helooked for a role in Guernsey anddecided upon growing tomatoes. Hewas in his element equipping nineacres of new glasshouses withautomated climate control systems.He became Chairman of the Guernsey

Tomato Marketing Board. Morerecently he was Chairman of theGuernsey Energy Efficiency Groupand enjoyed his memberships ofProbus and the Professional EngineersAssociation of the Channel Islands.

My father was especially proud ofhis role with the Worshipful Companyof Blacksmiths, serving as PrimeWarden from 1988 to 1989, andremaining an active member of theCourt.

I will remember him as a highlyenergetic professional engineer with a lively and enquiring mind. He wasalso a caring supporter and mentor,especially to new members of ourCourt whom he would ensure weremade to feel welcome. Above all, hewill be remembered as a loving familyman.

Edward Martin MBE FWCB JP 1925 – 2009Supreme Master Blacksmith

Edward Martin, Farrier and Blacksmith, diedafter a period of illness at his home in

Closeburn, Dumfries and Galloway in February.Within his craft, no-one was more respected andthe long list of awards from home and across theworld bear testimony to his skill and standing.

Born in 1925, Edward came from a family ofblacksmiths being the fourth in line to operatefrom the Forge at Closeburn established in 1854

by his great-grandfather and where he wasapprenticed to his father. It was here where hisforgings large and small were made and wherehe built his worldwide reputation for quality,versatility and imagination.

His proudest moment was when he travelledto Buckingham Palace where he was presentedwith the insignia of his appointment as MBE in1991. In 2000 he was awarded a Gold medal andthe title Supreme Master Blacksmith by theWorshipful Company of Blacksmiths.

Harold William Charles Jordan 1922 – 2009

Tributes from Master Blacksmiths from around the country have been received by the family ofHarry Jordan who died peacefully on 12th March.

Harry developed a love of “smithing” after a spell in the Navy during the Second World War. HisFirm, Davey & Jordan in Penryn, served the local Cornish community but examples of his work,which include the gates of Royal Ascot, will be found in St Paul’s and Truro Cathedrals. During hislifetime he became a nationally recognised figure winning many awards for work on commissionsfrom churches, stately homes and the Crown Estate.

Having being proposed by the late Ronald Earey (uncle of Past Prime Warden John Barber) Harry became a Liveryman of the Company. One of his proudest moments was at a Company Dinnerat which Lord Tonypandy paid tribute to his skill as a Master Blacksmith.

Harry was musical director of both Falmouth and Truro Operatic Societies and formed his own PalmCourt Orchestra playing at many venues and raising thousands of pounds over the years for charity.

While both Edward Martin and Harold Jordan were distinguished practitioners of the art of blacksmithing the Companyprides itself on the diversity of its Liverymen. We are sorry to record the death of Gregory John Inwood (1989),Reginald William Johnson (1996) and David John Wright (1961) who all contributed to the life and strength of theLivery following their admission.

16

Published by: The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. Printed by: Shooter & Mallet, 11 Agaton Road, New Eltham, London SE9 3RN. Tel: 020 8859 5070.

Prices:

• Livery Tie £10 (Liverymen only)

• ‘Social Tie’ £22

• Umbrella £15

• Cuff Links £66.50

• Brooches £45

All items available from the Clerk, Christopher Jeal.A limited supply might be available at Court luncheons.

Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths’ Shop

Midsummer Court and Luncheon 9th July 2009

Election Court 30th July 2009

Wardens Court 3rd September 2009

Election of the Lord Mayor 29th September 2009

Michaelmas Court and Awards Luncheon 22nd October 2009

Lord Mayor’s Show 14th November 2009

Wardens Court 26th November 2009

Carol Service 18th December 2009

Show Dates 2009Royal Norfolk Show July 1st, 2nd

Great Yorkshire Show July 14th, 15th, 16th

Royal Welsh Show July 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd

New Forest Show July 28th, 29th, 30th

Edenbridge and Oxted Show August 30th, 31st

Dorset County Show September 5th, 6th

SHOWS IN ITALICS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE WBC BUT ARE NOT ON THE NBCC CIRCUIT

Diary of Events 2009

Previous issuesof the Newsletter

Past issues of the Newsletter can be accessed through theCompany website:

www.blacksmithscompany.org.uk•

click on Livery•

click on Newsletters

Editor:Nigel Whitehead

e-mail: nigelbw@tiscali.co.uk

Telephone:01580 713302

Copies ofphotographs

Copies of the excellentphotographs taken by MichaelO’Sullivan of the Awards

Luncheon and other formal eventsand reproduced in the Newsletter canbe obtained directly from:www.michaelosullivanphotography.co.uk

ormichaelphotography@tiscali.co.uk

Telephone: 020 8363 8350

Andrew Rowe –Silver Medallist – Erratum

In the previous issue of theNewsletter Blacksmith AndrewRowe was omitted from the list

of Silver Medal Award Winners forwhich we apologise.

Andrew set up DAR DesignLimited in 2005 and manufacturesunique pieces of art metalwork.Collaborative projects with glassartists and other designers have led to commissions across the UK, theChannel Islands and in the Far Eastand Barbados.

Christopher Blythman who wasawarded with the Diploma of Meritwas incorrectly attributed with theaward of a Silver Medal.

Photography by M. O’Sullivan