This was one of the best things I have ever done!
If you have ever wondered how to work metal, this is your chance to learn. Pierse and Matt make it easy and fun to get your hands dirty. Beautiful workshop and amazing tools provided. I did the workshop with my daughter and it is definitely something that girls can do, too.
I undertook the introduction to blacksmithing on the weekend of 12 May and I loved it. The setting in Everleigh was fantastic with the teachers throwing in the right amount of history about the site and its value.
The teaching was mostly hands on, with a quick demo to start with and some advice over the shoulder as we each tried our hands (hammers) at it. The staff seemed completely relaxed about extreme novice mistakes, and no problem with a middle aged woman who couldn't hit very hard. Piers, our teacher, was friendly, enthusiastic and helpful.
The tools were all good and working. Nice that there were some suitable to my small hands. The project we undertook - coat hooks - was an excellent selection for demonstrating a range of blacksmithing skills.
I would happily recommend the project to anyone who likes to wield a hammer.