IT’S not often that members of the public are able to witness the centuries-old craft of blacksmithing.
At the July open day at the South West Rail and Heritage Centre in Boyanup, four blacksmiths were working flat out wielding hammers, sledge hammers and other implements in an effort to shape almost molten metal into dragon ‘bits’.
The theme for the day was dragons and this extended beyond the forge. The younger visitors could be seen making dragon masks, while in the picnic van a sign advertised items such as dragon scale biscuits and jaffles cooked by dragon fire on the menu.
With more than 170 visitors to the forge last month, there is no shortage of interest in this area to witness the craftsmen, led by 83-year old Malcolm Paine, who has been involved in this type of work since 1945.
The blacksmith trade has been around since the Iron Age, which began around 1200BC. In the early days the blacksmith was an extremely important person in village life, making tools and implements for both work and home, including the crucial manufacture of horse shoes and harnesses.
Today this worthy trade still has a place in our modern world with blacksmiths tackling decorative iron work, forging historic blades and horse shoes.
The next open day will be held on Sunday August 24 between 10am and 2pm at the Centre in Turner Street Boyanup. Railway rolling stock and vintage agricultural machinery will be on display and the blacksmiths will be toiling away in their forge. A very old fashioned but ever popular merry-go-round will be in operation for the children’s pleasure.
