moreBFBA branches

The Association has many branches spread around the country. These branches hold a minimum of three meetings a year where Farriers/Blacksmiths can meet and discuss any problems they have faced in their local area. It is a great opportunity to meet up with old friends and also to discuss new techniques with like-minded people. If you would like more information on your local branch please contact the Associations Head Office.

BFBA HEAD OFFICE Telephone: 024-7669-6595
Fax: 024-7669-6708
Email BFBA

moreBRANCH AND DISTRICT SECRETARIES

Reading District/Branch - Mr Chris Linssner

Come and join the Reading District/Branch

Contact Chris Linssner, NAFBAE Reading Branch Secretary
Tel: 01264 350800 or send an email to the Chairman Send Email

 

2010 - September 18-19 - Newbury Show Horseshoeing & Shoemaking Competitions.
Download the Entry Form and Schedule.

Closing date 20 August 2010. ***ENTRIES NOW CLOSED***

Newbury Entry Form Download

Newbury Schedule Download

PREVIOUS EVENTS

14 February 2009 - Learning from the best

Fifteen farriers (including two from Germany) and a number of apprentices, took the opportunity to improve and hone their shoemaking skills on February 14 at the Forge Stoneleigh, when NAFBAE’s Reading Branch held a hands-on day with the World Champions, the Welsh team. The day started with the team asking everyone to make a front and a hind shoe in 70 minutes. The team spent this time assessing and giving helpful pointers.
Once some idea of standards had been assessed the participants were split into groups. A demonstration from Grant Moon, with commentary by Billy Crothers, saw Grant make and complete a pair of three-quarter fullered shoes in 18 minutes giving an idea of where time could be saved in competition work.
Then the groups were given the opportunity to start on similar shoes with tighter time limits being applied to see how they got on. This was repeated several times, and the advances by all were amazing under the direct tuition from the team members
After a break for lunch, several shoes were brought up by the trainees as areas they would like to improve on. By the end of the day, and several more demos from all members everyone had made massive advances.
The Reading Branch thanks the Welsh team, Grant Moon, Billy Crothers, Andy Martin and Nigel Brown, for a fantastic day. We would also like to thank their wives for allowing them to come along on Valentines day, though we are not sure they would have had it any better with the rugby on the same day!
Apprentice Kathrine Dawe, also enjoyed the experience:
‘I thoroughly enjoyed the day in the forge with the Welsh Team. They were on top form, more than willing to pass on as much of their talent as possible.
We watched inspiring demonstrations of fire welding, fullered and calk and wedge shoes, receiving welcome tips on all aspects of shoemaking.
Emphasis was put on having an efficient routine while making shoes. This helped me a lot with making ‘fullereds’, which were made in half the time and of a much higher standard by the end of the day!
A great day was had by all, I went home very motivated, and stuffed with chocolate cake (yum yum).’
Jim Ravenscroft, AWCF, also joined the team for the day; these are his thoughts on what was obviously an extremely useful day.
‘Grant Moon made a pair of fullered shoes, fullering and nail holing the branches in one heat (if you’ve never tried this have a go, but be prepared to sharpen a few pritchels, and put your elbow in the freezer!). Billy Crothers then went through his process for making a plain stamped calkin wedge roadster and how he would finish and judge the shoe. Andy Martin and Nigel Brown went through bar shoemaking. Everyone then made shoes with the welsh team giving advice as the shoes were being made and finished. Personally I learnt a lot about different shoe making processes and looking at finished pairs of shoes – more days like this one please.’

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