The Forge at Lower Broadheath
The Village Forge.
In the 1800's John Maylett's grandfather J Rastall and John's uncle
J Rastall JNR. Owned and ran the Village Forge. This was based in Bell
Lane Lower Broadheath.
The Forge had a wooden building attached where horses were shoed; this place
was called locally, The Penthouse.
Later in the 1930's Johns Godfather Arthur Corbett became the local blacksmith.
Arthur was very adept, and could put his hand to anything. His nickname was
Hawkeye, due to his attention to detail.
Besides the usual farrier's work, Arthur was often asked to repair domestic,
hand water pumps. These pumps were used to draw water from wells, before the
advent of piped supplies.
Another source of income was making and repairing agricultural machinery for
the local farmers.
In the 1940's John helped Arthur make a set of ornate wrought iron gates for
Crown East Church, these are still in use today.
A spare set of entrance gates that were made by Arthur are still looking for
a new owner in Johns workshop. With an eight-foot six-inch opening, perhaps
they are a little too narrow for modern drives.
Final Years of the Forge
In the early 1960's Bob Boaz took on the forge, until later when it was
sold for development and bungalows were built in its place.
In the late 1960's Bob moved in to a purpose built workshop in the orchard
of Woodend Cottage, at the rear of Forge cottage. This was accessed by a narrow
track off Bell Lane. Bob continued here for a few years, mainly carrying out
welding and making ornamental ironwork. He also made handling equipment for
crucibles. After Bob retired, this business was also closed the workshop dismantled
and a house built in its place.
The Blacksmith
Until the fifties, a vital person in every village was a blacksmith.
His main occupation would be as a farrier, shoeing horses or making and
repairing tools.
Another key job would be making and fitting wheel rims, for the hundreds
of carts and wagons in use at this time.
The local wheelwright would first make the wooden wheel, and the blacksmith
would fit the steel rims. Putting the rims in a bonfire and heating them red-hot
until they expanded, then dropping over the wheel and cooling with water until
shrinking, gripping and tightening the joints.
As the demand for local Blacksmiths reduced in later times, some smiths were
able to adapt to repairing more complex agricultural machinery and tractors.
Today the farrier is busier than ever, although he is now mobile, taking his
equipment to the stable in a van. Cold shoeing is widely used. Portable forges
were sometimes used but were not very practical.
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