A Branscombe blacksmith has been crowned as the national live forging champion for the sixth year in a row.
Simon Hall triumphed in a tightly-contested competition spanning county shows across the country over the summer.
The National Blacksmiths Competition has been held annually since 1986.
Simon’s traditionally made boot puller – crafted in an hour as a live demonstration at the Dorset County Show this month – scored him enough points to secure the title.
Simon is tenant blacksmith at the National Trust’s 18th century Branscombe Forge – believed to be the oldest thatched working premises of its kind in England.
He said: “Competing at the county shows is a fantastic way to meet blacksmiths from across the country. It’s a good opportunity to talk about new design ideas and techniques.
“Most of the shows now have a visitor vote which helps us find out what the public like to see and gives us new ideas, some of which have developed into stock items available in the showroom.”
The National Blacksmiths Competition is divided into two categories. ‘Live’ sees the metalwork made there and then at one of the county shows. ‘Static’ sees pieces made previously and brought in to the show to be judged.
This year’s competitions were spread across nine events, over five months, at county shows around the country.
Simon added: “Working at Branscombe Forge is pretty amazing and it’s an honour to keep the traditional skills of the blacksmith alive inside a building with so much history.
“Blacksmiths have been in my family for generations with my grandad, father and uncle all blacksmiths and my interest was ignited when I was eight watching my father at work in the forge. I then took it up as a hobby in my teens and became a full-time blacksmith about 15 years ago.”
