Simon Hall sends sparks flying at the anvil at Branscombe, East Devon. Image: National Trust Images, Eric McDonald

Branscombe blacksmith forges ahead to be crowned national champion

Simon Hall, tenant blacksmith at the National Trust’s Branscombe Forge in Devon, has been crowned as both national British static and live forging champion for the second year running.

His leafy garden gate, which was based on his Chelsea flower show design, and metal flower bouquet saw him win the titles, seeing off competition from 22 other blacksmiths.  

The National Blacksmiths Competition has been held annually since 1986 and is an amazing way to promote the blacksmith craft. The competition is divided into two categories; live whereby the metalwork is made there and then at one of the county shows and static where the piece can be made previously and brought into the county show to be judged.

Simon explained: ‘Competing at the county shows is a fantastic way to meet blacksmiths from across the country. It’s a good opportunity to talk about new design ideas and techniques. Most of the shows now have a visitor vote this helps us find out what the public like to see and gives us new ideas, some of which have developed into stock items available in the showroom.’

Day to day, Simon works at Branscombe Forge which is cared for by the National Trust. The Forge was built around 1580 and is believed to be the oldest thatched working forge in England.

Meg Vallender, National Trust Visitor Experience Officer says: ‘It’s wonderful to be able to keep this traditional craft alive and flourishing in this beautiful thatched building. It really brings the history of the place and craft alive to see Simon working there and producing these amazing pieces. Visitors love to come and have a look round the small forge shop and if they are lucky they can see Simon working the forge producing his next piece of metal work.’

Simon says: ‘Working at Branscombe Forge is pretty amazing and it’s an honour to keep the traditional skills of the blacksmith alive inside a building with so much history. Blacksmiths have been in my family for generations with my grandad, father and uncle all blacksmiths and my interest was ignited when I was 8 watching my father at work in the forge. I then took it up as a hobby in my teens and became a full time blacksmith about 10 years ago.’

For over 400 years, generations of blacksmiths have toiled over red hot metal at Branscombe Forge while carrying out their daily work. Blacksmiths would have made ploughs, fishing hooks, metal tyres, axe heads, pig rings and shoed horses. Today Simon still keeps the forge alive using his traditional skills to create both practical and artistic works available for purchase in the showroom which is open all year. If you are lucky, during your visit you may see Simon working the forge and be able to step back in time to see how blacksmiths worked.