The old forge (not that old!), Kirkheaton was a special treat for me. I happened upon it completely by chance.
Remember - if you see something out of place - investigate!
The forge is right next to the old chapel in Kirkheaton. I literally fell over an old metal horse-drawn plough buried deep in the frosted long grass.
A bit miffed that it had tripped me I opened my eyes a bit more and looked into the corrugated metal shed which it was against.
When I looked inside I couldn't believe my eyes. "I must be seeing things" I thought. "Surely stuff like this doesn't get left lying round these days" I mumbled as I decided what to do.
Kirkheaton is an odd place. There must be only 20 houses in the whole village. It is also home to a haulage company, a church and a defensive tower which has sadly been converted to accomodation.
I had chatted to the farmers wife (yes I know
) and she informed me that there is about to be considerable development of the disused buildings at its north boundary. I had asked about the forge and she simply laughed and smiled. I still don't know why!
I love forges. I left school and was an aprentice welder/blacksmith at Ashington Colliery. The job didn't last however. Politics etc saw to that. I still have a soft spot for all things metal and hot. I had found what had been calling me to the village.
The old forge.
It may look a mess to many on this forum but everything you need is there. Leaves and rubbish can hide lots of stuff but if you look harder....all is there.
Spare bellows. They looked burst and old but wow! The studs and the stitching was amazing. I was looking at rustic industry at its best.
An old barrow. I have never seen a wheel like it. The barrow was simply parked up and left. Fantastic!
We used these to make things round. This one is in the center of the floor. The floor was deep with tools and leaves. I could have stayed there all week!
For all us brick fetishests out there I found this. It was the only thing in the forge which I posed for a shot. I killed me not moving, holding, using anything in there.
I guess that modern technology eventually caught up with the forge. This wheel was left lying to one side.
Someone will know the car it is from I'm sure!
The work bench. An old vice meets new on here. Tools were strewn everywhere.
More hand tools. This time they are for fixing/sharpening. All stacked up and awaiting the blacksmith. An old box below holds many old tools and hinges.
How often do you find an old anvil left lying? Not often is the reply. Apart from the weight factor they are quite valuble nowadays. This one had a nasty groove in it but it would still sell quite easily. Notice the frost forming on it. I think it would take a week just to defrost!
The forge itself. Not that old but the principle was! It was built very badly but it has still managed to last. With a bit of work I could have made this work in less than a day.
There was also a corner cupboard for less forge tollerant articles. Bottles to you and me and also a shelf reserved for non-ferrous metalic items.
I thoroughly enjoyed this magical location. The forge was the last thing I expected to find and I can say I'm glad I did.
In a few years time the old forge and the adjoining old chapel will be no more. Progress and change will wipe them away for ever. I have done my part in recording its last quiet days.
Thanks for looking.
Remember - if you see something out of place - investigate!
The forge is right next to the old chapel in Kirkheaton. I literally fell over an old metal horse-drawn plough buried deep in the frosted long grass.
A bit miffed that it had tripped me I opened my eyes a bit more and looked into the corrugated metal shed which it was against.
When I looked inside I couldn't believe my eyes. "I must be seeing things" I thought. "Surely stuff like this doesn't get left lying round these days" I mumbled as I decided what to do.
Kirkheaton is an odd place. There must be only 20 houses in the whole village. It is also home to a haulage company, a church and a defensive tower which has sadly been converted to accomodation.
I had chatted to the farmers wife (yes I know
) and she informed me that there is about to be considerable development of the disused buildings at its north boundary. I had asked about the forge and she simply laughed and smiled. I still don't know why!I love forges. I left school and was an aprentice welder/blacksmith at Ashington Colliery. The job didn't last however. Politics etc saw to that. I still have a soft spot for all things metal and hot. I had found what had been calling me to the village.
The old forge.
It may look a mess to many on this forum but everything you need is there. Leaves and rubbish can hide lots of stuff but if you look harder....all is there.
Spare bellows. They looked burst and old but wow! The studs and the stitching was amazing. I was looking at rustic industry at its best.
An old barrow. I have never seen a wheel like it. The barrow was simply parked up and left. Fantastic!
We used these to make things round. This one is in the center of the floor. The floor was deep with tools and leaves. I could have stayed there all week!
For all us brick fetishests out there I found this. It was the only thing in the forge which I posed for a shot. I killed me not moving, holding, using anything in there.
I guess that modern technology eventually caught up with the forge. This wheel was left lying to one side.
Someone will know the car it is from I'm sure!
The work bench. An old vice meets new on here. Tools were strewn everywhere.
More hand tools. This time they are for fixing/sharpening. All stacked up and awaiting the blacksmith. An old box below holds many old tools and hinges.
How often do you find an old anvil left lying? Not often is the reply. Apart from the weight factor they are quite valuble nowadays. This one had a nasty groove in it but it would still sell quite easily. Notice the frost forming on it. I think it would take a week just to defrost!
The forge itself. Not that old but the principle was! It was built very badly but it has still managed to last. With a bit of work I could have made this work in less than a day.
There was also a corner cupboard for less forge tollerant articles. Bottles to you and me and also a shelf reserved for non-ferrous metalic items.
I thoroughly enjoyed this magical location. The forge was the last thing I expected to find and I can say I'm glad I did.
In a few years time the old forge and the adjoining old chapel will be no more. Progress and change will wipe them away for ever. I have done my part in recording its last quiet days.
Thanks for looking.
