Weekend introductory blacksmithing courses led by Max Anderson with the assistance of Giles Clarke. Priced per person and limited to 8 students.

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Your course will start promptly on Saturday at 9:00am and finish around 6:00pm (can continue longer if needed). It will continue on Sunday from 9:00am until 4:00pm.

Your course takes place at the Rowhurst Forge blacksmithing and heritage site, where decorative ironwork of a world-class standard has been produced by the same family since 1932. You will be based in the teaching area of our forge, and you will have the chance to see the beautiful work of leading British artistic metalworkers in our well-known Fire & Iron Gallery.

Your tutor will guide you through the various techniques involved in the fascinating craft of forging hot iron (‘blacksmithing’)!

NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!

DAY 1 - You will warm up in the morning by getting stuck in straight away with hands-on introductions into some of the key blacksmith processes whilst making a simple hanging tea light holder, bottle opener and leaf keyring(s), using a variety of tools and equipment and learning how to manage your own fire. Throughout Saturday, our tutors will be discussing and steering you towards what you may wish to design and make the following day. By the end of day one, you will have learnt to manage your own fire, alongside a variety of skills and techniques required to manipulate the metal for you to apply in day two.

DAY 2 - Armed with the knowledge you have gained from the previous day, you will now be challenged to make a more complex and freestyle item. Based on the chats with your tutor from Saturday, this item will typically be something like a candle holder, fire or BBQ tool(s), coat hooks/racks, simple interior sculpture, or garden tendrils/decorative plant supports, etc. It is strongly suggested you have a think about what you would like to make before you attend your course and it is important not to be too ambitious. A garden gate for example, is not something that can be created in a day! Do feel free to come and visit our Fire & Iron Gallery next door for some inspiration. Fire & iron exhibits work from over 100 artist-blacksmiths, metalworks and jewellers from all over the UK - tell us you are attending a course and we would be more than happy to advise you on what you can create on the second day and/or what is, or is not achievable whist you are there. Visit www.fireandiron.co.uk for opening times and further info.

All items you make, you can take home with you. The work rate is fairly intensive and you should expect to be suitably tired by the end of the second day. Blacksmithing is pleasantly hard work, but is very rewarding!

• Tea, coffee & bottled water is provided. (decaf tea and coffee also available)

• Homemade cake and/or brownies, and a selection of biscuits (not homemade) on offer throughout both days

• Beer (pale ale or lager, from the local Pilgrim Brewery in Reigate) or a J2o, will be provided to end the day to ‘test’ your bottle opener! If your bottle opener doesn’t work, you will go thirsty!…

• All required PPE is provided (with the exception of boots - see notes below)

Take a look at our photo gallery to get an idea on what to expect.

We will provide tea, coffee, bottled water and biscuits, but please bring a packed lunch with you for both days.

Our booking terms can be found via the navigation menu on our website or by following this link

This course is suitable for absolute beginners (adults, and teenagers from the age of 14 upwards***).

Courses are priced per-person. Classes are limited to 8 students, each with their own forge, anvil, leg vice and all necessary hand tools. PPE is provided - safety glasses, leather gloves, leather apron, and optional earplugs & face masks. For hygiene reasons, you are required to bring your own safety boots - please read our health & safety information for further details on this. Steel and all coal/coke for the forges is included.

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Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or queries QSB@fireandiron.co.uk - 01372 360494

***We can take younger students, down to 11 years old, but only on condition that if under 16, they must have a parent or close family adult member also booked on the course with them, they must be well-motivated and really want to take the course and must have reasonable stamina. Alternatively, we offer shorter and tailored ‘one on one’ courses, suitable for younger students - with these, an adult does not need to participate, but must be present and can observe throughout. Please contact us to discuss before booking.