Kingston Maurward blacksmith forges national reputation (From Dorset Echo)

Kingston Maurward blacksmith forges national reputation

11:10am Saturday 2nd January 2010 in

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BLACKSMITH Simon Grant-Jones is forging a national reputation after claiming honours in top contests.

He has claimed the reserve National Champion Blacksmith title in the national championships for the second year running.

Mr Grant-Jones, who lives at Sutton Poyntz, teaches full time forgeworking courses at Kingston Maurward College.

He claimed the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths title, behind national champion Keith Mahoney from Wiltshire, for a candelabra.

Mr Grant-Jones said: “The candelabra took approximately 300 hours to make and is totally hand forged.

“No welding or modern methods were used in the construction. I also made the specialist tooling to produce all of the decorative forged effects.

“It was made for the King’s Table at Kingston Maurward College, which is a 12ft banqueting table used by King George III.”

Mr Grant-Jones added: “I also won 10 plaques given by the worshipful company, nine trophies from seven shows that I attended as well as approximately 40 prizes.

“I entered several other pieces that I had made, but the candelabra was the main piece for 2009.

“I am now working on a floor standing candelabra for 2010 to match, that should be completed by Christmas.”

The presentation of the awards was made at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London by Keith Gabriel, the prime warden of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.