It has been an incredible year for staff and students at Holme Lacy College in Herefordshire,
particularly for the Blacksmithing curriculum area, who have cleaned up at this year’s Worshipful
Company of Blacksmiths awards luncheon in London.
The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths supports various county shows taking place all over the UK
each year. Blacksmiths can exhibit their work at these shows and take part in live forging events, the
cumulative points achieved at these events then form the basis of the National Blacksmiths’
Competition. Overall winners from each category (static competition and live forging) are then
honoured at the annual awards luncheon in London.
Holme Lacy College tutor Adam Greenwell received the accolade of ‘Overall National Champion
Blacksmith 2023’ for a beautiful lamp which he crafted for the Static Competition. This means that
the piece was made before the show and judged on the day. Josh Masey, RCC technician for
Blacksmithing, Welding and Farriery, was awarded his Diploma of Merit which entitles him to use the
qualification AWCB as an Associate of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. Josh also picked up
the award for ‘Reserve Live Forging Champion’.
Current Level 3 student Toby Smith was awarded the Frank Day Trophy for a stunning chess set that
he crafted as part of his Level 2 qualification. Former student Rowan Lickerish received the Stanley
Allcard Cup in recognition of demonstrating outstanding potential through the journey of his course.
He received this for his BA Hons Artistc Blacksmithing work. Part time tutor, Henry Pomfret, picked
up his Bronze Medal which entitles him to use FWCB after his name as a Fellow of the Worshipful
Company of Blacksmiths.
At a separate event, The British Farriers and Blacksmiths Competition, which was held at Stoneleigh
Park in Warwickshire, Josh Masey and Adam Greenwell took part in a 2-hour live forging competition
to make a ‘swindle tree’ closest to sample. There were lots of different countries taking part and
several other UK pairings to beat, but they did it! As a result, they can now call themselves
‘Internatioonal Champions 2023’.
Speaking after the event Josh said “ It has been a big commitment over the last year, to attend all of
the county shows which are all on weekends. This was on top of our work for the college and at
times didn’t feel easy, but we have really enjoyed the experience and feel immensely proud of our
achievements. Not just those gained by myself and Adam at National and International level, but it
was amazing to see our talented students get the recognition that they deserve at a swanky event in
London.”
