Real life: Worth his mettle - the Shropshire Blacksmith forging the way

It's a tradition that dates back as far as the Iron Age, when man first began making tools from metal, and since then has become deeply embedded in our heritage.

But despite the advent of modern technology transforming manufacturing, this much-loved and valuable craft is still going strong today.

"Blacksmithing is very much alive and becoming more popular as a career," says Paul Haynes, who works in the forge at the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, Shropshire.

"It's the love of metal and what it can be transformed into that makes blacksmithing such a fulfilling trade – it really is an art," adds the 59-year-old who lives in Wolverhampton.

Blacksmithing training courses are still run up and down the country to help ensure the skills are passed on through the generations so that they never die out.

For Paul, it all started as a hobby six years ago but it has grown into a job that he now feels incredibly passionate about.

Although fairly new to his role in the forge, he says he has been working around metal most of his life.

He initially worked as a maintenance engineer and also trained as a millwright before enjoying blacksmithing in his spare time. This would involve him using all kinds of tools that he found at car boot sales and on eBay as well as taking them off the hands of people who no longer had any use for them.

But it wasn't until April last year, that Paul first started to consider turning his past-time into a career and began making it a reality.

During a visit to the showroom at the British Ironwork Centre, he noticed the attraction was advertising for a part-time blacksmith.

Intrigued by the vacancy, Wednesbury-born Paul spoke to the owner Clive Knowles, who also owns Black Country Metalworks.

Their conversation inspired him to look into the different training options that were available so he could learn more about the trade. He decided to attend an extensive course in blacksmithing at Westpoint Forge in Exeter under the watchful eye of master blacksmith Jon Bellamy, who is a member of the Blacksmiths' Guild.

After honing his newly developed skills, he returned to the British Ironwork Centre where he managed to secure work on site during the week and in the forge at weekends.

When blacksmith Annie Stokes left the company a few months later, he began working full-time and has been the centre's resident smithy ever since.

"I have never looked back," says Paul, a former student of Walsall College.

"Blacksmithing is a passion to take a raw piece of metal and transform it into a piece of useful art.

"All the heat, the smell of coal, the dust, sparks and the sound of the hammer hitting hot metal on the anvil is wonderful," he adds.

The work of a blacksmith includes heating the metal in the forge until it is soft and workable.

It can then be manipulated into a variety of shapes before it cools again using traditional hand tools such as hammers, punches and tongs and anvils. The metal can be bent, straightened and twisted in whatever way the smithy needs for their creation.

While it's certainly hot, physical work, it's also a versatile craft which can be used to create many different items from the practical, such as railings and gates, to the more decorative, such as sculptures and weathervanes. The possibilities are endless, says Paul.

"We create wonderful pieces from wrought iron and steel using an anvil and hammer.

"Anything you want that you can't find, we can make in the forge. I absolutely love coming to work," he adds.

What makes the job even more enjoyable for Paul is that he gets to share his passion with other people.

The centre offers a number of blacksmithing experiences giving visitors the chance to try their hand at the craft and they are available to suit all abilities from complete beginners to the well-versed. People can even purchase vouchers as gifts for loved ones.

They range from two hour sessions to a full-day's training and are very popular with people of all ages who can, depending on the length of the class, get to make a range of items including fireplace pokers, toasting forks and boot racks.

For Paul it's the chance to showcase a tradition which used to be commonplace on the High Street.

"People want to see this tradition and we do our best to show them the whole process, from start to finish.

"We use the same techniques that have been used over the centuries to hammer, bend and cut.

"Anyone under the age of 35 or 40 will not have seen a High Street blacksmithing forge which used to be common in towns and villages.

"The blacksmiths are still around but they are mostly out of sight. Farriers are now based from vans with gas forges. My forge is in my back garden. People don't get to see blacksmiths working like they used to so people appreciate being able to see the skills and have a go themselves," says Paul.

The centre, which has an extensive indoor showroom and outdoor show area, specialises in designing new hand-crafted items as well as bringing back to life many old pieces of iron artwork that are no longer seen today.

Among its customers have been television and film companies looking for props and its products have appeared on shows such as Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. They have also featured in films including Nanny McPhee.

While its pavilions, gazebos and tree seats have also appeared on Alan Titchmarsh's ITV programme Love Your Garden.

Sophia Knowles, who is the centre's operations director, says: "People aren't practising these crafts as much as they used to.

"These days lots of items are mass-produced and made abroad.

"We really pride ourselves on handmade, bespoke items and art that is British-made."

"Everyone is welcome to visit the centre, it's free entry and a really wonderful day out for all ages," she adds.

By Heather Large

The British Ironwork Centre is open seven days a week with free admission and offers free ice cream to children. Click here