Hammers to ring out for St Clements as blacksmiths compete

Blacksmiths from all over the country are set to gather at the National Trust’s Finch Foundry on Saturday 19 November. Once a year, they gather at the foundry to practice 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, will be the scene for the gathering, including a rare chance to see the spectacular ‘firing of the anvil.’

The Saint Clement’s day event is an opportunity for the public to get an insight into this highly skilled craft, now practiced by only a handful of people, as well as see some of the country’s top blacksmiths in competition.  The anvil is fired, then throughout the event it will be possible to see the blacksmiths at work making competition pieces, which are judged at the end of the day. This is a great occasion when the foundry becomes a hive of activity with so many hammers ringing out in the nineteenth century workshop.

This year the event will once again be holding ‘The Great Snail Race’. This is a competition in which the competing blacksmiths have to forge a ‘Sticklepath Snail’ in the shortest possible time.  Everyone is welcome to join the free day and cheer on a blacksmith, will the winner come from Devon or further afield? 

Ben Shapcott, Foundry Manager, said, “St Clement’s Day is 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.”

The free day starts at 11am with sea shanties sung by ‘Mariners Away,’ local craft sellers, National Trust gifts and delicious treats in the tea-room throughout the day.  The blacksmith competition comes to end at 3.30pm with trophies for the winners.   Entry to the event, gift shop and tea room is free; with normal admission applying for the indoor Forge areas.