International blacksmiths festival in Exeter

This summer, the West Country is all fired up to host its first gathering of the global blacksmith community for over 30 years. The long wait will come to an end on 13th August when The International Blacksmiths Festival is held at Westpoint Exeter until 16th August 2014.

An exciting comeback for international blacksmithing talent, this event will showcase the best of the craft from around the world. The festival will be a celebration of the ancient tradition’s historic roots and its importance in today’s society. Enticing not only those well-versed in the trade, but also novices, students, and holidaymakers, the festival has something for everyone.

Some of the world’s finest blacksmiths and metalworkers will attend to show off their skill, as well as influential artists showcasing their work. Confirmed metalworking highlights include , Uri Hofi all the way from Israel, Brian Brazeal and The Young Smiths team of the USA, Owen Bush and Mick Maxen’s iron smelt, Hector Cole’s medieval forging, Ron Philips’ aluminium casting, Ian Thackaray’s Iron Age forging, plus many, many more!

Activities include interactive adult and children’s forging sessions and master classes with one-on-one teaching from blacksmith and metalworking experts.

Visitors will also be able to browse local trade and produce stands, see dazzling circus acts, sing along with sea shanties – Mariners Away, watch The Exeter Morris Men, get caught up in medieval re-enactments or just relax and enjoy traditional live music. So whether you want to brush up on your archery skills or challenge the family at traditional funfair games; coconut shy, high striker and horseshoe throwing, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family. You can see John Burton-Race whisk up a storm in the demo kitchen or even get up close with the West Country Falconry.

The festival will also offer students of the trade the opportunity to enter a competition to have their work displayed. An international team competition will also see entries compete to feature as 8 creative panels around Westpoint Exeter itself.

Merv Allen, blacksmith and organiser of The International Blacksmiths Festival, commented on the brand new venture:

“This is an exciting milestone for blacksmithing, not only in the South West, but internationally. The festival is all about bringing together some of the incredible talent from around the world and showing people that blacksmithing isn’t something of the past, it is an art form that has a huge part to play in today’s society.

We are really looking forward to appearing at Westpoint Exeter, right at the heart of the South West community.”

Tickets are £15 for one day’s entry or £45 for all four days with additional camping available. Under-16s are free when accompanied by a paying adult. VIP passes are also available which include all day passes, inclusive camping, 6 masterclass sessions, free entry to the evening ‘Hoolie’ and a hog roast. A donation from ticket sales will also be gifted to local charities. See www.westpointexeter.co.uk for more ticketing information – find the International Blacksmiths Festival in the What’s On section.