BLACKSMITHS from all over the country gathered at the National Trust’s Finch Foundry, Sticklepath recently to practise their art and celebrate their patron saint, Saint Clement, harking back to medieval tradition. 

The foundry, which is the last working water-powered forge in the country, was the scene for the gathering, including a rare chance to see the spectacular ‘firing of the anvil’.

The Saint Clement’s Day event was an opportunity for the public to get an insight into this highly skilled craft, now practised by only a handful of people, as well as see some of the country’s top blacksmiths in competition. 

The anvil was fired, then throughout the event it was possible to see the blacksmiths at work making competition pieces, which were judged at the end of the day.

This year ‘The Great Snail Race’ was held again — a competition in which the competing blacksmiths had to forge a ‘Sticklepath snail’ in the shortest possible time. 

Ben Shapcott, foundry manager, said: ‘St Clement’s Day is always the main highlight in our calendar at Finch Foundry.  It is a fantastic opportunity to see and meet blacksmiths demonstrating their craft in such a unique historical setting and to cheer on the snail making.’