Part of BBC Four’s Handmade in Britain series made in collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum, treasures are drawn from all corners of the UK in a celebration of the best of British decorative ironwork. “In a story where progress meets creative invention, this film looks at how the blacksmith created items in wrought and cast iron that both served and embellished society. From the earliest ornate hinges and doors to magnificent baroque gates and mass-produced street furniture, it reveals the mastery of metalworkers such as Jean Tijou, Robert Bakewell and John Tresilian, the designs of Robert Adam and George Gilbert Scott, and the mass marketers of the Victorian age such as the Saracen foundry.”

BBC Four Series - The Blacksmiths Tale

Here’s what she said: “There are not many suppliers that have really exceeded my expectations but Ironart did just that with the fabrication of a bespoke light fitting that I had to create for a residential project in Bath.  From the initial meeting with the (very rough) drawings Andy guided me through the creation of this wonderful light fitting converting my rough ideas into his scaled technical drawing.  A dual electrical feed (one for the low-voltage lights under the light and the other for the candle bulbs on the top of the light) meant that this fitting was not a straight forward design but with Andy’s experience the process was plain sailing and the finished result is better than I had imagined.  Thank you Andy and your hard working team for your help and I look forward to working with you soon again in the future.” Sammy Wickins, SW Design  April 2012   www.sammywickins.com

Contemporary light fitting for Sammy Wickins, Interior Designer, Bath

Folio Magazine - April 2012 front cover

Ironart in Folio Magazine - April 2012

We’re delighted to be featured in Folio Magazine this month. Folio focus on Ironart’s wrought iron garden furniture range which can be purchased directly from us via the Ironart website. If you are looking for garden braziers, benches, chairs and tables for your patio or garden this summer, don’t forget to take a look at our collection. Every piece is handmade here in our workshops in Larkhall, Bath and galvanized to ensure a lifetime of enjoyment. We finish all our items in a choice of paint colours, please see our BUYERS GUIDE for more details. Enjoy the summer!

Ironart of Bath - gate restoration service

This beautiful wrought iron gate came in for repair, everyone in the workshop has been admiring the design, detail and workmanship on it – and it’s a classic example of traditionally made ironwork.

The gate was badly in need of restoration – there were multiple paint layers, rust corrosion and organic lichen growth, a broken lock box, broken fixings, missing scrolls and sections where the wrought iron had ‘blown’. Despite this, much of the gate was in good working order and well worth restoring.

Jason used various techniques to clean it up, he forged new scrolls to match with existing, and created a new sliding bolt mechanism. The gate was finished with a specialist paint system to give optimum resistence to future corrosion. It’s deeply satisfying to see the results that can be achieved in this type of metalwork restoration project.

If you have a rusty old gate that you think it is worth preserving for the future – please give us a call on 01225 311 273 or email us some images for a restoration quote because we’d love to help.

Here are some atmospheric shots, taken before the glass was fitted during the good weather we were all enjoying before Easter!

Martin and Luke fitting the canopy in Widcombe, Bath

James started his part time course at the National School of Blacksmithing,  Hereford College last week. The Design and Forgeworks course kicked off with four days of classroom based work – the science behind forging ie melting and forging temperatures, different materials and their properties.

James says of his apprenticeship “I’m really enjoying it. Everything I’ve done here makes me realise just how much more there is to learn. All the people are cool and it’s definitely where I want to be right now.”

Ironart’s Jason Balchin is responsible for delegating work to James and is really impressed with his enthusiasm and commitment – especially as James gets handed the jobs others don’t have time to do, and they are often a bit dull!

For all wrought iron ecclesiastical restoration and repairs, please pick up the phone or send us an email to discuss your project.