Blacksmiths excel at prestigious competition

Student blacksmiths from Warwickshire College’s Moreton Morrell centre have excelled at the prestigious Three Counties Show.

The show, which was held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern earlier in the month, saw student Dan Hawker winning the R10 contemporary class. Classmate Grace Bindings came fourth in the same section.

Dan, who hails from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, also won the Student Class, with classmates Ed Arblaster-Hurley receiving a ‘Highly Commended’ and Grace Bindings a ‘Commended’.

In the Live Blacksmithing Student section, Tom Trimbel came third and Stacy Hibard came a creditable fourth.

And to cap off a wonderful event for the students, the college walked away with the Blacksmiths Guild Shield – for the third time in four years.

Tutor Michelle Parker, who is the World Women’s Blacksmithing champion and the first professional female blacksmith to be a member of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, said: “This is probably one of the best shows around to see contemporary and traditional ironwork.

“I’m over the moon with the results. We also won the Blacksmiths’ Guild Shield, which we’ve now won three times. It’s only been going for four years and we’ve now won it for the last two.

“I had quite a young group this year and they’ve all worked really hard. I’m really proud of them.”

There are still places available for potential students wanting to study blacksmithing at Warwickshire College in September. Potential students will need at least four GCSEs to include Art and Design, creative ability is an advantage and students will also need the drive and enthusiasm to succeed. The college offers both full-time and part-time evening classes.

For more information, visit www.warwickshire.ac.uk or call 01926 318292.

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