TheWorshipfulCompany ofBlacksmiths

Newsletter

47th Issue

January 2016

Editor:Merv Allen

Published by: The Publicity and Public Relations Committee,Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, 9 Little Trinity Lane, London EC4V 2AD

www.blacksmithscompany.org • Tel: 020 7248 1861

On Other Pages

First Words from your Editor 2

The Forge 2

Caption Competition 2

A Blacksmith Courted Me 2

My First Few Months in Office

The Prime Warden 3

Albert McKenzie V.C. Statue Unveiling 4-5

Faces for the Future 6-7

Award Winners – 2015 8-9

Election of Lord Mayor – 2015 10

Wanstead and Woodford Air Cadets

Scoop Elworthy Trophy 11

Obituaries 11

Visit to Petworth and South Downs Museum 12

King Richard III’s Tomb 13

New Liverymen 13

Travels in Myanmar 14

Paddy Moseley’s Visit to the Mansion House 14

Les Armstrong AWCB, AWCF 15

Diary of Events 2016 16

Show Dates 2016 16

The Company Shop 16

Statue of Albert McKenzie V.C. by Kevin Boys FWCBunveiled in Bermondsey – Story pages 4-5

'A blacksmith courted me, nine months or betterHe fairly won my heart, wrote me a letter

With his hammer in his hand, he looked so cleverAnd if I were with my love, I would live forever'

This is one of the best known blacksmithing songs in thefolk repertoire and has a little more to it than meets the ear.Scores of versions of the song exist although it appears tobe exclusively British.

Blacksmiths appear in many traditional songs and theyare usually depicted as slightly bizarre, rough, grimy andsometimes virile individuals who lust after the ladies; oftenconducting themselves in a less than gentlemanly manner.

A generalisation of course, but I leave the reader to do theirown research!

The origin of the song like many in the folk tradition, islost in history and the only imprint known to survive is inthe form of a 'broadside' dating from around the 1870. Thegreat British composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, collectedthe song in 1909 from the singing of a Mrs. Verral and thetune became known as 'Monks Gate' being named after theSussex hamlet near Horsham where she lived. Many willfind a familiarity to the tune as it was used by VaughanWilliams for the hymn 'To Be A Pilgrim'.

Recordings have been made by many artists including:Steeleye Span, Barbara Dixon and Linda Ronstadt.

2

Caption Competition

‘Darling,save the

last dancefor me’

First Words from your Editor

Welcome to the latest editionof your Newsletter and mysincere thanks to all those

who have assisted and contributed. At the start of the New Year I

look forward once again to anexciting summer of blacksmithingcompetitions and the finalconstruction and inauguration of thePoppy Cenotaph in Belgium.

An article outlining the PoppyProject was published in Issue 46 of the Newsletter. Since then a furtherhuge amount of work has been carriedout and continues apace by a team

of dedicated individuals in the UK and Belgium to ensure that thisoutstanding project reaches asuccessful conclusion. I would urge all to visit the website atwww.ypres2016.com for the latestinformation and to 'spread the word'amongst family, friends andcolleagues. This important venturewhich is of worldwide and historicsignificance, needs all possiblesupport from inside the blacksmithingcommunity and the wider populace.

As always I am pleased to considerstories, photos or other items of

interest for publication. If you requireany assistance in preparing an article Iwill be only too happy to help out.

I take this opportunity to wish youand yours the best of health andhappiness during 2016 and lookforward to seeing you at Company or blacksmithing events happeningthroughout the year.

'Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking'

William Butler Yeats

metalwizard@btinternet.com

Merv Allen FWCB

A Blacksmith Courted Me – A Classic FolksongMerv Allen FWCB

The Forge – by Seamus Heaney

All I know is a door into the dark.

Outside, old axles and iron hoops rusting;

Inside, the hammered anvil’s short-pitched ring,

The unpredictable fantail of sparks

Or hiss when a new shoe toughens in water.

The anvil must be somewhere in the centre,

Horned as a unicorn, at one end and square,

Set there immoveable: an altar

Where he expends himself in shape and music.

Sometimes, leather-aproned, hairs in his nose,

He leans out on the jamb, recalls a clatter

Of hoofs where traffic is flashing in rows;

Then grunts and goes in, with a slam and flick

To beat real iron out, to work the bellows.

We are pleased to announce that Past Prime Warden, Hugh Adams CWCB wins the bottle of Berry Bros. Champagne.

The first significant event Iattended after the Election Courtaccompanied by our Learned

Clerk was the Election Court dinner of the Society of Apothecaries. Theoccasion was my first visit toApothecaries Hall, one of the oldestLivery halls in London.

During August I attended theEdenbridge & Oxted and the DorsetShows and undertook the distributionof prizes on behalf of the Company.Hugh Adams kindly arranged a visitto Michaelham Priory in Sussex whereNigel Stenning operates the forge forthe benefit of visitors.

In mid-September I was joined by a group of liverymen, wives andfriends at Petworth where blacksmithNick Bates provided a fascinatingdescription of his work restoring themagnificent gates after Tijou, whichstand in the grounds of PetworthHouse. Afterwards we moved toSingleton for an excellent lunch at The Partridge Inn before crossing theroad to the Weald and DownlandOpen Air Museum. The next visit wasto Mansion House where we weregiven a fascinating tour including avisit to the vault with its magnificentdisplay of treasures. That same day Iattended a medieval mumming atSkinners’ Hall. A Wardens’ Court washeld at Painters Hall later that week.

On Saturday 19th September Hugh

Adams, the Clerk and I attended theAGM of the National BlacksmithsCompetition Committee in Wiltshire.

The following week my wife and Ijoined a strong contingent from theWorshipful Company of Blacksmithsat Guildhall for the Agincourt 600Banquet where 700 diners were servedwith a superb meal – a truly logisticalachievement.

Along with the Masters, PrimeWardens and the Upper Bailiff, Iattended the Election of the LordMayor at Guildhall on 29th Septemberfollowed by a convivial lunch atPainters Hall. The day after, I was at

Bakers’ Hall to learn of next year’splans to mark the 350th anniversary ofthe Great Fire of London.

Some five years ago the Companyassisted the Victoria & Albert Museumwith the purchase of a portfolio ofdrawings by J. Starkie Gardner. Inresponse to an invitation from the V & A, John Barber, my wife and Iwent to see this wonderful collectionnow kept at the V&A’s Kensingtonarchives. (I am considering arranginga visit to the Ironwork Gallery at theV&A in South Kensington in 2016 andif this should happen I will enquire tosee whether some of these drawingscould be brought across for theoccasion).

Along with representatives of theother Livery Companies I attended

The Musicians’ Company’s ChoralEvensong at St. Pauls early in October.The following day, Hugh Adams and his wife, John Barber, my wife and I, were guests of HMS SULTANwhere, in addition to a mostinteresting briefing on the role of theRoyal Navy today, we were shownaround this top-class engineeringtraining establishment.

On 17th October John Barber(wearing his Deputy Lieutenant’s hat),Hugh Adams, Alistair King, Martin,our Clerk, and I attended the ElworthyTrophy competition at Frimley Parkand I shared the distribution of prizes with John. The day was a trulyinspiring one and the enthusiasm ofthe cadets was palpable.

Finally, on the 19th October I foundmyself facing His Honour JudgeNicholas Cooke in Court no. 18 at theOld Bailey. I hasten to add that thiswas following a convivial lunch withten other Judges, Alderman DameFiona Woolf, Sheriff Dr. ChristineRigden, the Recorder of London, theCommon Sergeant and three otherguests. An absolutely fascinatingoccasion.

Being Prime Warden of a CityLivery Company is indeed a greathonour and I have been proud torepresent the Worshipful Company ofBlacksmiths at these events. I hopethat you find this summary interestingand enjoy sharing my experiences.

3

My First Few Months in Office –The Prime Warden

WCB representation at HMS SULTAN

Nigel Stenning AWCB at Michaelham Priory

4

After 5 years of raising thefunding, meetings andforging Albert, the day

finally arrived for the unveiling. Iarrived on site with a wreath ofPoppies forged from re-bar and sheetand at 1130 hours the ParachuteRegiment Military band camemarching down Bermondsey Streetand formed up behind the statue.They were closely followed by theRoyal Navy Guard of Honour whocame to attention next to Albert.People who had come to watch theceremony had started to grow innumbers and four Able Seamen whohad previously stripped off mytarpaulin and replaced it withNelson's ensign from HMS Victorymade ready. The stage was set.Admiral Lord West arrived andinspected the front line of the Guardof Honour after which there was a 17 gun salute from HMS Belfast. TheAble Seamen to the rear of Albertthen began a slow march down themole (harbour wall styled plinth)

slipping Nelson's ensign off andrevealing Albert to the assembledcrowd. There was then a lovelyround of applause from the crowdwhich included: Prime Warden NigelWhitehead and his wife Marion, PastPrime Warden Hugh Adams CWCB,Nigel Steyning AWCB and RemunaPicard, Reserve National ChampionBlacksmith.

Speeches by Paul Keefe (Chairmanof the Albert McKenzie MemorialFund), Sir Simon Hughes (formerBermondsey MP), Admiral LordWest and Colin McKenzie (greatnephew of Albert) all of which were poignant and humorous. Aletter from Her Majesty The Queenwas read by Jenny Bianco, LordLieutenant of Southwark, after whichshe laid the Wreath of Poppies at the front of the statue flanked by twoof the original mooring ringsdonated by the Governor of WestFlanders – Carl Dealuwé. Finally, aletter from the Prime Minister wasread out and as the ceremony closed

the Guard of Honour marched off.Press and people armed with

cameras descended on the scene tocapture the moment but as quicklyas I could I headed for the bar of the Oxford and Bermondseyclub to get my hands on a large brandy! There then ensueda very jolly party fuelled by the free bar. Amidst all the banter I surprised Paul Keefe bypresenting him with the originalmaquette of Albert which I hadused as a scale model to build the sculpture. Paul, from the Oxfordand Bermondsey Club had started the project, working tirelessly tomake the project come to fruition. I was then in turn surprised by ex Paratrooper Hugh Adams CWCBwho presented me with a BruceWilcox Hammer. Music wasprovided by Veterans fromthe Parachute Regimentincluding Hugh Adamswho spontaneously brokeinto song. The singingwas fantastic and the day a complete success.Thanks to everyoneinvolved.

Albert McKenzie V.C. Statue Unveiling on 23rd October 2015Readers will remember the reports of this important project in previous editions of the Newsletter

Kevin Boys FWCB the designer and creator now reports on a historic day in Bermondsey

From left to right: Damian O'Brien (Ward Councillor), Sir Simon Hughes, Admiral Lord West, Paul Keefe (Chairman Albert McKenzie Memorial Fund), Ian Yates (Treasurer of Albert McKenzie Memorial Fund),

James Ball (Director Daniel Cobb), Kevin Boys FWCB

Photo by kind permission of: Daniel Cobb IndependentLondon Estate Agents www.danielcobb.co.uk

5

‘The nation is commemorating the centenary of theGreat War and there is no action that more epitomisesthe bravery of our fighting men in that conflict than theZeebrugge Raid on St George’s day 1918.

Eight VCs were won that day, more than on anyother day in the war. That which was won by AbleSeaman Albert Mckenzie is being recognized today. His

comrades selected him as one of those to receive theaward.

I congratulate all of you involved in putting up thismemorial to a local Bermondsey boy who was born andraised close to this statue. It is a most fitting way torecognise Albert McKenzie’s individual bravery andindeed that of all those he fought alongside in the raid.'

Message read out at the opening of the Albert McKenzie Memorial Sculpture from

Her Majesty The Queen

10 DOWNING STREETLONDON SE1A 2AA

I am honoured to provide a few words for the unveiling of a statue ofAble Seaman Albert McKenzie VC.

At just 19 years of age, Albert demonstrated tremendous courage duringthe Zeebrugge Raid of 23 April 1918, when he was part of a stormingparty that suffered heavy losses. Despite being severely woundedhimself, he fought on and continued to advance valiantly, often exposinghimself to great danger.

His award was historic. Not only was he the first sailor from London tobe awarded a Victoria Cross, but he was also the first to be chosen as aresult of the votes of his brothers in arms. It was fellow members of theassault force and seamen from other vessels who asked for thisrecognition of Albert’s extraordinary heroism.

Tragically, Albert died three months after receiving his decoration, justone week before the end of the war. Like so many others, he was unableto witness the hard won peace that his brave actions had helped toachieve. This statue will stand as a monument to his life.

I should like to congratulate members of the Stansfeld Oxford andBermondsey Club for raising funds to erect a memorial in recognitionof Albert’s extraordinary valour. As I have said before, our centenarycommemorations should capture our national spirit, in every corner ofthe country. This statue of Albert, standing near the very street where hegrew up, is a fitting and enduring legacy to both his bravery and that ofhis comrades.

THE PRIME MINISTER

October 2015

6

Faces for the Future

The Court of the Companycomprises a fixed number madeup of the four current Wardens,

the Past Prime Wardens and theremainder are Assistants, who aspireto become Prime Warden.

In recent years the Past PrimeWardens have shown encouraginglongevity. However that has reducedthe spaces available for Assistantswhich was leading to operationaldifficulties with flexibility andtraining.

Recognising the problem, the mostsenior Past Prime Wardens (PPWs)

kindly agreed to become ‘Emeritus’and give up their vote on the Court,thus allowing an infusion of newblood into the Court in the form ofseven new Assistants. The seniorEmeritus PPWs will remain on theCourt to continue to offer theirexperience and avoid us repeatingmistakes of the past.

The new Assistants are now startingtheir training within the Company by serving on Committees to learnhow the Company runs and use theirtalents to benefit the Company and the Craft. Those unfamiliar with the

workings of the City will be attendingtraining courses so they understandthe Livery Companies role in theunique institution that is the City ofLondon.

All the Assistants aspire to becomePrime Warden in due course but theywill have to earn that privilege byfirst making their contributiontowards the Company and provingthat they have the ‘right stuff’ torepresent the Company.

Our new assistants who have joined the Court over the last threemeetings are:

Past Prime Warden Adrian Oliver

AlDErMAN Dr ANDrEW PArMlEy is a long time friend of the Companyand a leading figure in the City. Unusually his background is in music and education. Andrew is the Court of Aldermen's preferred candidate forselection as Lord Mayor in 2016. Once he has got that out of the way, we willget him working for the Company!

STUArT DAVIS had a successful career in the Army before working in theCity for a number of years in senior management roles and obtaining anumber of professional qualifications. Stuart chairs the Craft Committee.

AlISTAIr KINg, son of a Liveryman and qualified as a solicitor, he is asuccessful Fund Manager in the City with extensive overseas experience. Heis a member of the Court of Common Council and has served on a numberof City Committees. His first Company role is linking with the London Cadetorganisation over our sponsorship of the Elworthy Trophy competition.

rOBErT TUNKS is a specialist engineer with his own company producingPrototype injection mould tooling of medical devices, filling the gap betweenthe 3D printer and full production tooling. Bob is the current Secretary of theCraft Committee.

7

STEVE MIllEr, son of a Liveryman, is a working blacksmith with his ownbusiness and holds the AWCB. He and his wife Sue designed the Arch forTreloars then organised and led its construction.

JOHN rICHArDSON is head of a family recycling business. While notcoming from a City background he has proved himself a regular supporter ofCompany events and serves upon the Craft Committee.

JIM COOK has worked at top level in major construction companies andengineering design consultancies. He has volunteered for the P&PRCommittee so we can use his skills to promote the Company and Craft withinthe construction industry.

8

Award Win

Photography by

The Requirements for Awards are described on

Presented by the Craft Warden, Jash Joshi

Camelia Botnar Foundation Cup

Jack Curtis

Presented by the Renter Warden, Richard Regan OBE

Blacksmiths Army Cup

Diplomas of Merit

Owen Bush

Ian Gill

Staff Sergeant Jake Sweetland

Brian Hill

Andrew Hopper

Stanley Allcard Cup

Rory ZochowskiUnfortunately, Rory was not present

at the Awards ceremony

9

nners 2015

y M. O’Sullivan

our website www.blacksmithscompany.org

reserve National Champion Blacksmithreserve National live Championship Blacksmith

Presented by the Renter Warden, Richard Regan OBE

Presented by the Prime Warden, Nigel Whitehead

Simon Hall Remuna Picard

National Champion BlacksmithNational live Championship Blacksmith

Bronze Medal

Ricky Delaney

Richard Jones Keith Mahoney

10

Following tradition and as your PrimeWarden I joined the Masters, PrimeWardens and Upper Bailiff of the Livery

Companies of the City of London in the Cryptsof the Guildhall before we processed in ourrobes across Guildhall Yard to the Guild Churchof St. Lawrence Jewry to await the arrival of the Lord Mayor Alderman Sir Alan Yarrow,Aldermen, Sheriffs and principal City Officers.There followed Divine Service which is open tothe public. After the service the Lord Mayor,Aldermen, Sheriffs and Officers returned inprocession to Guildhall followed by theMasters, Prime Wardens and Upper Bailiff.

The Masters and Prime Wardens of thetwelve senior Livery Companies took their seatson the Hustings (the raised section at east end ofthe Great Hall) and the Masters, Prime Wardensand Upper Bailiff of the remaining LiveryCompanies took their seats in the front rowsbelow the Hustings.

Soon after everyone was seated the LordMayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs and Officers enteredvia the West door and took their seats on the Hustings.Once everyone was seated, the Common Cryer andSerjeant–at-Arms proclaimed silence and directed “allthose who were not Liverymen to depart the Hall on painof imprisonment”. He then opened Common Hall and theProceedings of the last Common Hall were read by theAssistant Town Clerk. The Recorder then came to the frontof the Hustings to inform the Livery of the occasion of their meeting. The Lord Mayor and those Aldermen ashave passed the Chair, the Recorder and the Town Clerkretired to the Print Room, preceded by the City Marshalland the Swordbearer. The door of the Print Room wasclosed and kept by the Marshall.

The Sheriffs, with the Common Serjeant between them,

then came to the front of the Hustings and the CommonSerjeant read to the Livery a list of the names of thoseAldermen below the Chair who had served the Office ofSheriff and informed us that, out of the Aldermen named,we were to return two to the Lord Mayor and Aldermenfor them to choose which should be Lord Mayor for theyear ensuing. The Common Serjeant then went to thePrint Room to report the names of the two Aldermen onwhom the election had fallen. After the Aldermen in thePrint Room had voted and the result of the election hadbeen declared by the Recorder, the Swordbearer thenshowed the Lord Mayor Elect, Alderman the LordMountevans, to his place on the left-hand side of the LordMayor. The Lord Mayor Elect then delivered an address

to the Court of Aldermen. The Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs and

Officers, with the Lord Mayor Elect, returned inprocession to the Great Hall and the Recorderdeclared the election to the Livery.

The Town Clerk then called upon the LordMayor Elect to declare his assent to take up theoffice at which point the Swordbearer placedupon him the chain worn during his year ofShrievalty. The Lord Mayor Elect then addressedCommon Hall.

A Resolution of Thanks to the Lord Mayor wasmoved and seconded, to which the Lord Mayorreplied. A Resolution of Thanks to the lateSheriffs was also moved and seconded, to whichthe Sheriffs replied.

Common Hall was then dissolved by theCommon Cryer and Serjeant-at-Arms and theLord Mayor with the Lord Mayor Elect, theAldermen and others left the Hustings inprocession, followed by the Livery.

Nigel WhiteheadThe Election of lord Mayor – 2015

Lord Mountevans with his wife, Lady Mountevans

Lord Mountevans with the former Lord Mayor, Alan Yarrow

Photos reproduced with the kind permission of the City of London Corporation

11

Wanstead and Woodford Air Cadets ScoopElworthy TrophyReport from The Greater London Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association

Wanstead & Woodford aircadets from 241 SquadronAir Training Corps have

for the second year running won the coveted Elworthy Trophy, thecountry’s only tri-service cadetmilitary skills competition. Mr Nigel Whitehead, Prime Warden of theBlacksmiths Livery Company and sponsors of the competition,presented the Elworthy Trophy to thewinning team. The ‘Runners Up’ prizewent to 157 Merton Army CadetDetachment South West LondonArmy Cadet Force.

Eleven teams of Cadets from thefour Cadet services within GreaterLondon (Royal Marine and Sea CadetCorps, Army Cadet Force, Air TrainingCorps and Combined Cadet Force)battled it out during a crisp autumnday at the annual event, held at theCadet Training Centre in Frimley,Surrey. The competition tests the basicskills of the teams of Cadets aged 12-18years and combines these with generalphysical and mental agility. It is achallenging competition and fiercelycontested by all who enter.

The Cadets were put through theirpaces during the event and took part ina series of fun and demanding teamactivities including archery, commandtasks, rowing, first aid, watermanship

skills, a two tonne vehicle pull and anobservation test.

The Wanstead & Woodford Cadetsdemonstrated their expertise andteamwork by performing well acrossthe board. Colonel Ian Denison OBE,Colonel Cadets London, who wasinstrumental in the planning andorganisation of the event, enjoyedwatching the teams of Cadets as theystrove to succeed at each task. Heremarked ”The contest this year was

once again as competitive as ever with all the teams showing loads ofenthusiasm and team spirit.” ColonelDenison also thanked the Manage -ment Committee and The WorshipfulCompany of Blacksmiths for theircontinued support and sponsorship of the competition, The First AidNursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal'sVolunteer Corps) for administeringthe event and the Commandant of theCadet Training Centre.

Cadets from 241 (Wanstead & Woodford) Squadron Air Training Corps with the trophy. Also present are the Prime Warden and Thomas Chan Representative Deputy Lieutenant of Redbridge

THE ElWOrTHy TrOPHyThe competition was born when the late Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Lord Elworthy KG GCB CBE DSO MVO DFC AFC retired in 1978 as Lord Lieutenantof Greater London and President of this Association.

He presented his own Battle of Britain CommemorativeSword as a trophy to be competed for annually by cadetsof the three services within Greater London.

Obituary

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of the following Liverymen. Our thoughts and condolences goout to their families and friends.

Past Prime Warden Emeritus James Falk ArNOlD died10th August 2015. Admitted to the Livery in 1947, electedto the Court in 1970 and became Prime Warden in 1977.Served as an Emeritus member of the Court from 2000.

liveryman Zvi MEITAr died 2nd July 2015. Admitted to the Livery in 2007 and was extremely generous in thecharitable aspects of Company life.

liveryman leslie Vivian lEWIS died 13th November2015. Admitted to the Livery in 1999, two years after hisson Richard who is still a Liveryman.

liveryman Anthony Stevens, admitted to the Livery 1st August 1969, died 4th September 2015. Son Mark is aLiveryman.

12

Visit to Petworth and South Downs Museum

The A272 is a very English road,winding gently through thecountryside with interesting

sights, mostly hidden from view. Itruns from East to West, and theGovernment has helped shelter theroad from busy traffic by making itas difficult as possible to find thestart of the road, from the East or theWest, by building new roads whichconfuse the traveller by removing alltheir sense of direction.

Once safely on the road thetraveller can relax and take in thescenery, maybe turning off the roadfor a while to visit some point ofinterest and returning to continuealong their way, secure that theirinner compass will guide themtowards their destination. In itswindings, the road seems to respondto the natural contours of the land,gently rising and falling, slightly bending this way, thenthat, reassuring the traveller that steady progress towardstheir destination is being made. Except in Petworth.

Here the traveller is dwarfed by forbidding high walls,roaring traffic forces its way across his path, the way picksitself up and shakes itself, and seems to place everyobstruction to progress.

It is thus that Carol and I made our way one bright andsunny morning, and fearing the demons that may lie beforeus, we made a blisteringly early start and arrived inPetworth at the crack of dawn. We had trouble finding thecar park – at that time of day it was barricaded behindmighty gates against all comers. I should point out that atthis point we knew of no feature of the locality that wouldhave brought any credit to the craft of the Blacksmith.

After a brief sojourn at the roadside, the gates wereopened, and we were welcomed by the Prime Warden andhis Lady, Marion. Shortly, we were joined by a goodlynumber of fellow Liverymen and by Nick Bates, the expertBlacksmith who, with his colleagues in Burrows Lea Forge,had overseen the conservation and restoration of themagnificent Grade 1 listed screen and gates. Still having noidea of what lay ahead, we joined the rest of the party andwalked through a large area of fine gardens, until wereached a metal gate, with railings and a ha-ha dividing thegardens from a large area of grassland.

This metalwork obviously had no interest to the rest of thegroup, as we pressed on, keeping the main structure ofPetworth House to the side, until we reached the object ofour visit, the most impressive set of ornamental gates,surmounted by, and enclosed between, further fine wroughtironwork. The strength of the work was highlighted by themain structural beams, but this was contrasted bydecorative scrolls and leaves giving a delightful lightness tothe whole work. The party were deeply impressed by thequality of the workmanship and many questions were askedof Nick Bates who had no

difficulty in answering every question. He also elaboratedand expanded on them, bringing further information to the party.

Being astounded by the workmanship, with the gatesbeing situated in what seemed to be the back entrance toPetworth House, I asked why such fine gates were sosituated. Nick Bates pointed out that the land was laid out toimpress visitors to the house as originally designed. Visitorswould arrive in their carriages from the Midhurst road, andenter the property by the relatively small gatehouses, fromwhere they would be presented with an impressive view ofa beautiful lake, from which the eye was drawn to a lovelyhill, topped by woodland. The visitors carriage would thenpass through trees on rising ground and, on clearing thetrees, would be presented with a view of their host'smagnificent house, and, on approaching the house, wouldbe able to appreciate the magnificent screen and gates.

Having lingered a little too long in the fascinatingcompany of Nick Bates, we made a hurried departure for the Partridge Inn at Singleton, where we enjoyed a buffet style lunch accompanied by a choice of well-kept ales and beers.

Only a short hop and we arrived at the Weald andDownland Open Air Museum. A fascinating place thatnever fails to delight, entertain and instruct. The purpose ofthe Museum is to rescue homes, workplaces and ruralartefacts that otherwise would have been destroyed, re-erecting them and preserving and presenting them as theywere in olden times. We were met by Jon Roberts, a memberof the Museum team, who gave us a short introduction to theattractions that can be visited at the Museum. A brief visit tothe Southwater Smithy was interesting, followed by time atleisure to appreciate those exhibits of most interest tooneself. As usual, there was much more of interest thancould be seen in the time available.

The day ended with welcome tea and cake and a visit tothe Museum shop.

liveryman John ruffell

Petworth Gates (after Jean Tijou)

13

Following the hotly contestedbattle between York andLeicester to provide a final

resting place for King Richard III, itwill probably not have escaped yournotice that this particular battle waswon by Leicester. However, in onesmall way at least, York has had ahand in the creation of the setting forthe tomb in the form of ironwork byDon Barker’s team from York.

Various sets of handrails in pureiron now lead visitors to the site uponto the dais and through the

entrance to the tomb itself. Thisprestigious commission required theteam from the rival city of York to be sworn to secrecy including thesigning of the official secrets act!The world’s press took everyopportunity to try and take a peakbut all was swathed in heavycurtaining and the team’s lips weresealed.

York may have failed to haveRichard III come to York but at least alittle bit of York is now with KingRichard.

King richard III’s Tomb Barbara Barker

New liverymen

Midsummer

Mr Colin NelsonProposed by Ian Ellston and seconded by Christopher

Jeal. Works in the cement industry with a Sri Lankan-based company. Has attended a number of Companyfunctions including the 2015 Banquet. Has a keen interestin education and is currently a school governor.

Mr Philip lyonsProposed by John Ruffell and seconded by Geoff

Abraham. Self-employed IT project managementconsultant. Previously a Freeman of the City of Londonand a member of the Guild of Freemen. Has attended a number of Company functions including the 2015Banquet. Is willing to contribute fully to the Company inwhatever capacity asked of him.

Michaelmas

Mr Kevin Boys FWCB,Proposed by Hugh Adams and seconded by Stephen

Rook. A working blacksmith in London. Has been a keensupporter of the Company over the last 8 years. Hasattended Company events and provided forges at anumber of City and other events. Awarded a BronzeMedal in 2013.

Mr David landApprenticed to Court Assistant Dr Nicholas Land in

2009. Admitted to the Freedom of the Company atMidsummer 2015.

Mr Eric Stuart-BamfordProposed by George Andrews and seconded by Derek

Harrington. A retired MOD civil servant. Has worked inengineering all of his working life including as a traineeblacksmith on leaving school. A Liveryman of the TinPlate Workers alias Wire Workers. Has attended twoCompany functions as a guest.

We welcome our new Liverymen and look forward to seeing them at future Company events

Colin Nelson, Mike Shepherd and Philip Lyons

David Land, Kevin Boys, Nigel Whitehead and Eric Stuart-Bamford

Photography by M. O’Sullivan

Thank you so much for theopportunity to partake in the

guided tour of the Mansion House. I am grateful that the Companyusually invites widows of the Liveryto their functions and it was good torenew the acquaintance of Hugh andSylvia along with Nigel and Marion.

My companion and I arrived at theMansion House entrance and weregreeted by the handsome, new to me,Martin Heath, Clerk to the Company.We so enjoyed our Welsh Guide Johnwho in turn amused and informed us

once, we had a command of hisaccent! Having climbed the staircaseit was awesome to see the wonderfulchandeliers, Harold Samuel's artcollection decorating the DrawingRooms and the Long Parlour.

I had visited the Egyptian Hallonce before for a Company banquet.The Hall was not quite as grand on this visit, as it was in the earlystages of preparation for a dinnerthat evening and there was still much work to be done. However, we could not fail to be stunned by

the splendour and opulence of theamazing display in the vault whichincluded display cases full of silverand gold trays, dishes, goblets andother items. Some were encrustedwith jewels and all were wonderfullycrafted. I felt very privileged to have had the opportunity to see suchtreasures.

Once again, my thanks forincluding me in this Company event,a Company that my late husbandwas proud to be associated with.

Paddy Moseley

Paddy Moseley’s Visit to the Mansion House

14

Travels in Myanmar

As an explorer and mountaineerit had long been my wish tovisit Myanmar which was

previously known as Burma or as the British army song stated – On theRoad to Mandalay!

It's an incredible country, full ofwonderful Buddhist temples and the

people are so very warm, inviting andtrustworthy. I have now climbed a fewMyanmar mountains, flown in a hotair balloon over 3,500 Bagan templesand spent time washing elephants.

Of course I couldn't also pass up the opportunity to visit some of theblacksmiths based around Inle Lake.

They work in wooden houses built onstilts to cope with flooding and theyare enthusiastic and energetic, thoughworking with rather primitive tools.When I tried to explain about ourWorshipful Company they smiled and laughed at 'British ways and ourBritish humour.'

liveryman Neville Shulman CBE

This article was contributed by Paddy Moseley following a tour of the Mansion House organisedby Prime Warden, Nigel Whitehead.

Paddy is the widow of Ray Moseley, a Company Award holder and for several years a member of the Craft Committee. Ray was a respected member of the Appledore Community where he resided and worked his forge. – Past Prime Warden Hugh Adams CWCB

Blacksmiths of Myanmar working in wooden houses around Inle Lake

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Ifirst met Les in 1965 at the age of 15 when we left our respectiveschools and both started

apprenticeships at two differentengineering companies. We enrolledat the local college to start a four year engineering course on a dayrelease basis.

Les excelled in the work-shop and always achievedtop marks. During the wintermonths some of the studentswould arrive in Wellingtonboots changing into shoesand leaving their boots ontop of the lockers. Les’s partytrick was to fill some of themwith water and watch withglee at the end of the day atthe mayhem he had caused. I can still hear his littlechuckles now. It is a wonderhe didn’t get a black eye at times although I doremember on one occasion ata local barbeque seeing avery attractive young ladybeating him about the headwith half a roast chicken.Whatever it was he said toher he has never to this daytold me!

Remarkably we completedour City and Guilds with goodresults and two years latercompletely by coincidencefound ourselves working inthe Development Departmentat Swish Products. Our jobs involved designing andmaking prototypes forpotentially new products.During the last few months of our employment we had a wage review and Les and I were due to see the Works Director who had justreturned to work after a long illness.We agreed that I should do the talkingas Les on occasions could be a bit of a loose cannon. I explained why wethought we were justified an increase.He responded saying, 'I don’t reallythink that you two lads are worth an

increase'. Before I could say anythingLes said none too politely, 'How thehell would you know, you haven’tbeen here for the past 6 months!' Guess what the outcome was!

Les’s interests were by this timeleaning more and more towards his

love of horses and the young ladiesthat rode them; at weekends heworked at a local riding school. Wewere now 24 and Les talked more and more about training to become a blacksmith. Bear in mind he had just taken on his first mortgage and

to start at the bottom again meantdropping a £25 a week wage to £10.Nevertheless he made this massivelife changing decision and ultimatelymade it to the top of the blacksmiths'profession.

I am in awe at some of the thingsLes has made over the years;none more so than the rosehe made for my wife Jenny’s60th birthday, which takespride of place on our livingroom wall.

A few weeks before my60th birthday Les called andsaid he would like to treat us to an evening at a topsteak house of my choice andasked if I would book it. Afew days later he phoned tosee where I had booked, Itold him I had booked a great restaurant called Geneand Georgetti. Never havingheard of it he asked if it wasin Birmingham. No I repliedit's in Chicago! The phonewent very quiet. We had agreat few days in Chicago,had a great steak, and yes hedid pick up the bill.

The photo shows Les onhis very first skiing trip up a fir tree with his skis on. I don’t think I have everlaughed so much as when Isaw him. I asked him how onearth he had ended up thereand he replied, 'I got a bit outof control and thought I willjust grab hold of that littleChristmas tree on my waypast but it turned out to be a big tree over the edge of a bank!'

I wish Les all the verybest in his retirement but I

am sure that when I call to see him I will find him in the forge and hewill still be telling me about all thethings he intends to do during therest of his life. It must be marvellousto know that you are going to liveuntil you are 250!

liveryman Martin Smith

A fascinating insight into his working partnership with Les

which follows on from the article in Issue 45

les Armstrong AWCB, AWCF

Les après ski!

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Published by: The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths · Design and Typesetting by: Les Allen – 07944 295613 · Printed by: LeA Printers – 0845 232 2322

Prices:

• Livery Tie £10 (Liverymen only)

• ’Social Tie’ £22

• Umbrella £15

• Cuff Links £66.50

• Brooches £72.50

All items available from the Clerk, Martin Heath.A limited supply might be available at Court luncheons.

Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths’ Shop

Show Dates 2016Diary of Events 2016

Copies of the excellent photographs taken by MichaelO’Sullivan of the Awards Luncheon and other formal

events and reproduced in the Newsletter can be obtaineddirectly from:

www.michaelosullivanphotography.co.uk

or michaelphotography@tiscali.co.uk

Telephone: 020 8363 8350

Copies of photographs

Previous issues of theNewsletter

Past issues of the Newsletter can be accessed through theCompany website:

www.blacksmithscompany.org•

click on Livery•

click on Newsletters

Editor: Merv Allen

e-mail: metalwizard@btinternet.com

Telephone: 01342 841742

Invitations will be sent to all Liverymen but please put these in your diary now

28th January – Visit to the Ironwork galleries at the Victoria &Albert Museum including an opportunity to see some of theStarkie Gardner portfolio of drawings for which the Companyprovided financial assistance in the purchase.

8th March – Clifford Champion Dinner at grocer’s Hall.Through the generosity of the late Prime Warden CliffordChampion, one hundred Liverymen (sorry no guests) enjoy an evening of the best food, wine and musical entertainment.Invitations will be sent to all Liverymen for this event. Spaceswill be allocated strictly on a first come first served basis andwill be filled quickly.

11th March – United guilds Service at St Paul’s Cathedralfollowed by lunch.

24th March – ladyday Court and luncheon

3rd April – gilbert & Sullivan Opera Dinner. A production ofIolanthe at the Grim’s Dyke Hotel, Harrow Weald. Overnightaccommodation available if required.

6th May – The Annual Banquet at Mansion House. OurAnnual Banquet is a glittering occasion held in the home of the Lord Mayor, with men in white tie, ladies in long dresses,music, good food and wine when Liverymen, their familiesand friends gather in one of the most prestigious venues inLondon.

3rd-5th June – The Prime Warden’s Weekend. A time for allLiverymen and their partners to meet and enjoy a relaxingweekend together. The Prime Warden is hoping that as manyLiverymen as possible will join him on this occasion. We willbe staying in Kenilworth and visiting some of Coventry’s world famous museums. There will be a formal dinner in themagnificent Great Hall of St. Mary’s Guildhall close toCoventry Cathedral on Saturday and a visit to KenilworthCastle to admire the gardens created by Robert Dudley in thetime of Queen Elizabeth 1 which have been painstakinglyrecreated under the direction of English Heritage.

30th June – Midsummer Court and Dinner

TBA– Visit to The Household Cavalry Stables in Knightsbridge Barracks

Other Events

1st-6th September – Poppy Cenotaph Forging Event– Ypres, Belgium (visit website: www.ypres2016.com)

11th November 2016 – Ceremony to Unveil and Inaugurate the Poppy Cenotaph – German Cemetery, Langemark-Poelkapelle, Belgium

19th November – St Clems Day – Finch Foundry, Sticklepath,Oakhampton, Devon

North Somerset Show May 2nd

Devon County Show May 19th, 20th, 21st

Royal Bath and West June 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th

South of England Show June 9th, 10th, 11th

Royal Cornwall Show June 9th, 10th, 11th

Three Counties Show June 17th, 18th, 19th

Great Yorkshire Show* July 12th, 13th, 14th

Royal Welsh Show July 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st

New Forest and Hampshire July 26th, 27th, 28th

Edenbridge and Oxted Show August 28th, 29th

Dorset County Show September 3rd, 4th

* Not part of the National Blacksmithing Competition