Forging Links

My memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, but this week I retraced my steps to the small Norfolk village of Fransham where a working blacksmith still maintains his forge.

Forget any ideas of an old man with a furnace bashing the living daylights out of a horseshoe while the poor beast hovers a little unsteadily on three hoofs.

Nigel is a 21^st century blacksmith producing all sorts of metalwork from spoons that Auntie Dolly would love for her birthday to full size anvils – and even bigger.

Alongside his forge there is a garden which contains some of the decorative metal work he has created – like this butterfly seat and these metal flowers.

There are peculiar machines, a kettle on a pole and an amazing drill bit.

My favourite is the spider’s web (which I couldn’t resist twirling round).

Instead of lots of individual shots, I have put together this composite view of the workshop and the garden.

Fransham is a village some four miles west of Dereham just off the A47. Certainly worth a visit.

Enjoy – fellow travellers.