After completing my training as a blacksmith, I applied for one of only eight places on the National Heritage Ironwork Group’s bursary apprenticeship scheme, and was honoured to obtain a place on the scheme after a practical exam and interview.
I have had an interest in historical irownwork since I started off as a blacksmith, and it is one of my goals to create reproductions and reconstructions of items for museums and collectors. However, I also want to maintain and restore classical and historic ironwork as a part of my career. This will involve anything from 20th century ironwork all the way down to medieval via Georgian wrought iron and Victorian cast iron (yes, I can repair and restore cast-iron!)
Throughout my training on the NHIG, I have, amongst many other things:
· Worked on the restoration of the Tijou Screen at Hampton Court Palace.
· Surveyed and condition assessed museum collections at the Royal Engineers Museum and Compton Verney’s Chinese Bronze Collection.
· Worked on the restoration of an Italian WW2 Human Torpedo.
· Restored wrought-iron railings and panels in the city of Bath.
· Repurposed and extended a cast-iron gate.
· Replaced the Pitot tubes and undercarriage on a Mk1 BoB veteran Spitfire.
· Restored and extended mid 20thcentury railings by reproducing sections.
Materials which I can and have worked with include: Pure Iron, Wrought Iron, Mild Steel, Steel, Bronze, Brass, Copper, Aluminium and Cast-Iron, All of which I can weld, repair and forge (antique cast iron cannot be forged but some modern grades can).
All of these materials are present in historical “ironwork” and as such I am able to carry-out sensitive conservation and restoration of objects.
You may be interested in my restoration services if you:
· Own an old building.
· Live in a conservation area.
· Are applying for planning permission to a listed building.
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