ARCHIVE - Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths 2009

February 2009 - Forge Magazine

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - February 2009
WCB Presents its Awards

Diploma of Merit – Christopher Blythman, William Catcheside, Graham Collis, James Davies and Ian Moran

To obtain the diploma, blacksmiths have to have had many years’ experience and show competence in making different types of article using a range of techniques. While the blacksmith will have developed their own style, they must be able to follow accurately the designs of others.

Blacksmiths’ Company Army Cup – Staff sergeant Rory Olney

Thank to the enthusiasm of David Waight, an army blacksmithing instructor, the competition for this award has been incorporated into the New Forest Show, which he organises. Competition is fierce and the Company is grateful to the Army for releasing soldiers from postings throughout the world to ensure an effective contest.

Paul Allen Award – Keith Mahoney

Liveryman Paul Allen was commissioned by the Victoria and Albert Museum to make a bench for its Metals Gallery and chose to pass his fee to the Company so that a cash award could be made to a student on the New Entrants Training Scheme (NETS). The award winner is chosen by Paul Allen who is senior tutor on the course.

Stanley Allcard Cup – Steven Murphy

This cup is awarded to a student at the National School of Blacksmithing in Hereford at the discretion of the tutors. It was presented in memory of Stanley Allcard who was Prime Warden in 1961. His son, Peter, held that office in 2001.

National Champion Blacksmith – David Harman
(Reserve, Simon Grant Jones)

The title is awarded to the smith who wins or is runner up in a maximum number of competitions at designated County Shows. The National Blacksmith Championship Committee approves the participating shows. The winner is presented with a National Championship Blacksmith Cup, a cash prize, a plaque and a certificate. The Reserve also receives a cash prize and a plaque.

Champion Blacksmith – Andrew Hall
(Reserve, Richard Jones)

The title is awarded to the smith receiving the highest total of points from all the County Shows that run a ‘hot’ or live forging competition. The winner is presented with a cash prize and a plaque.

Companion of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths (CWCB) – Mac Head

This appointment is for men and women who may not be blacksmiths but who have given outstanding service to the craft over many years.

Bronze Medal FWCB – David Cooper, John Creed, Peter Hill, Shona Johnson, Michelle Parker

The holder enjoys the title Master Blacksmith and will have produced a wide range of items including larger pieces, and demonstrated skill in all forging techniques. Individual design skills must also have been shown.

Silver Medal FWCB – Alan Dawson, Phil Johnson, Pete Oberon, Christopher Blythman

The holder enjoys the title Eminent Master Blacksmith and will have demonstrated skill in design work and restoration together with knowledge of the craft and its history. Skill and flair in his work will have been obvious before even being considered for this award.

The Tonypandy Cup – Peter Parkinson
Camilla Botnar Cup – Daniel Foreman

The Camilla Botnar Foundation presents a cup to one of its students based on the work of the student’s displayed at the South of England show. The work of the recipient must be recommended by the accredited judge appointed for the show.
• This year’s awards were presented by the Prime Warden, Keith Gabriel; the Renter Warden, Sir David Brewer; the Chairman of the Craft Committee, Richard Regan and the Third Warden, John McCuin.

Gabriel masterclasses

To commemorate the installation of Keith Gabriel as Prime Warden of the Company, while his father Ralph Gabriel, remains a member of the Court, an annual Masterclass is being established funded by a gift from the Gabriel family. The Masterclass will be open to apprentice and trainee smiths having between three and five years’ experience and will be given by a Master Blacksmith who is a WCB medal holder. Applicants not attending a full-time blacksmithing course will be given priority. Full details and application forms will be available from the Clerk, Christopher Jeal, WCB, 48 Upwood Road, Lee, London SE12 8AN,
www.blacksmithscompany.org.uk

Competition prize money

With effect from 2009, the cash prize offered to the National Championship Blacksmith and the Champion Blacksmith by the Company will be £500 each. The cash prize for the Reserve in each competition will be £250.
These items are reproduced with kind permission from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, Newsletter, 33rd issue, December 2008, edited by Nigel Whitehead.