Can You Help?
We are currently fundraising and seeking sponsorship/support to secure a selection of specialist children’s tooling, equipment and custom-made PPE for the mobile aspect of the blacksmithing programme which will be run on a voluntary basis by QSB, designed for children and young people (CYP) aged 5-24, with a particular focus on supporting those from deprived backgrounds, neurodivergent individuals and those aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). If you are excited by this blacksmithing adventure and would like to support it in some way, please talk to QSB Manager and children's forging event volunteer Tom Quinnell: tom@fireandiron.co.uk or 01372 375148.
Your support would make a real and lasting difference in the lives of young people who often face barriers to opportunity.
The Quinnell School of Blacksmithing (QSB) is delighted to be collaborating with the British Artist Blacksmiths Association (BABA) to bring their dynamic craft to a younger audience.
BABA was founded in 1978 at QSB's home - Rowhurst Forge, Leatherhead - in the hope of reviving a rapidly-declining blacksmithing industry. Thanks to the energy, passion and vision of many remarkable blacksmiths and supporters, the story is a triumphant one, and blacksmithing is rising from the ashes to become a popular and sustainable craft once again.
Over many decades, the Quinnell family at Rowhurst Forge has been committed to educating young people. They work with schools, colleges, youth groups and therapeutic learning services, with a track record of hugely successful outcomes. BABA simultaneously ran a superb children's blacksmithing feature at its national and international events for many years, thanks to the dedication of a fastidious team of volunteers led by Robert and Carol Smith.
Both QSB and BABA are determined to ensure that children and young people can continue to access this engaging and inspiring craft. Forging hot iron is an elemental and fundamental process which can build confidence and offer great insight into many aspects of an educational curriculum. From maths and language to geology and art, blacksmithing really is a terrific way to illuminate the world for young enquiring minds. It has proved to be especially beneficial for those who find conventional classroom settings challenging.
The QSB team has worked incredibly hard over the years to gradually lower the age at which children can be included in 'have a go' blacksmithing sessions. Today, they are fully insured to offer participation to children aged five and over. QSB will be sponsoring and running the mobile blacksmithing offer for children and young people at the BABA 2025 Conference and AGM, which is taking place this September at Museum in the Park, Stroud, Gloucestershire. In turn, QSB is immensely grateful to its insurers Eastlake & Beachell for their sponsorship of our Health & Safety signage for this activity, Gibbins of Suffolk for their sponsorship of children's special safety aprons and BABA Members who have kindly donated their time and facilities to make a selection of hand tooling.
we still have a way to go to secure the extensive range of specialist & custom-made equipment, tooling and PPE required to enable us to deliver a safe and Hugely successful programme. However, with the valued support of Inspired individuals and local businesses, I am certain we will make a real and lasting difference in the lives of young people who often face barriers to opportunity.
Can you help?
We are currently fundraising and seeking sponsorship/support to secure a selection of specialist children’s tooling, equipment and custom-made PPE for the mobile aspect of the blacksmithing programme which will be run on a voluntary basis by QSB, designed for children and young people (CYP) aged 5-24, with a particular focus on supporting those from deprived backgrounds, neurodivergent individuals and those aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). If you are excited by this blacksmithing adventure and would like to support it in some way, please talk to QSB Manager and children's forging event volunteer Tom Quinnell:: tom@fireandiron.co.uk or 01372 375148.
Whilst we have already Purchased around £3,500 of equipment and with BABA blacksmiths from all over the country donating their time and facilities to make a range of hand tooling, We still need to Acquire, more PPE (all in a range of children’s sizing): leather aprons, leather spats, leather gloves, overalls, safety shoes, safety glasses, dust masks, over-specs & ear defenders. Tooling: anvils, hammers (ball pein and cross pein), tongs, jigs, wire brushes, punches & chisels. Equipment: 2 x 110v forge blower fans, flexible ducting & connections, 1 x 110v angle grinder, 1 x 110v extension leads, 2 x folding tables (1 large and 1 small,) 3 x pop up gazebos (2 open sided, 1 with sides), 1 x 10ft box trailer (for dry and secure storage and transport around the country), signage, 3 x plastic storage boxes & 1 x clothes rail.