The rise of the artist blacksmiths

THERE’S always been a fascination about blacksmithing and the village forge — the intense heat, the gruelling amount of physical labour, and the almost magical transformation of metal into such a wide variety of objects — both utilitarian and beautiful.

The craft’s development over many years has had a huge influence on human progress.

My first contact with a blacksmith came while I was fortunate enough to own a forestry mare after her retirement. I’ve written about Kitty often, and I still miss her. She was calm, gentle and during her long life, had known a thing or two about the virtues of hard work. When it came time for me to have her shod, I took advice from more knowledgeable friends living nearby in Kealkil.