We hope you are all up to date with the progress across the competition circuit! We now have over a months break now in between shows! The break represents the half way mark for the National Blacksmithing Competition Circuit. 5 out of the 10 accredited shows have been completed.
This is a great opportunity to recharge and plan ahead if you are a competitor! Maybe make something in this time for the statics? Or really dig you’re teeth into practicing for the lives!
The next Show on the calendar is the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, the duration for this show is from the 21st* (Static Judging), 22nd, 23rd & 24th* (Live Competitions only on this day) of July.
This is the 6th accredited show on the NBCC (National Blacksmithing Competition Circuit).
We hope to see you all there! This is not one to miss, as this is the largest county show in Europe!
The National Blacksmith Competition Committee (NBCC) is proud to announce their annual Judging Seminar and the First Round of the National Blacksmith Championship to be held on Saturday 8th March 2025 to be held at The National School of Blacksmithing, Hereford.
Event Address; National School Of Blacksmithing (Rural Crafts Centre), Holme Lacy, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR2 6LL
Building upon the previous years of success (2023 & 2024) Judging Seminar and Competition in March, the Committee has expanded the format to create a ‘Super’ First Round of the National Championship kick starting the further Nine Regional Competitions held throughout the Summer that make up the National Blacksmith Championship.
It is hoped that this ‘Super’ Round will encourage even more Blacksmiths to enter in the Live Forging Competition held at Hereford College Forge and bring their best ‘Static’ show pieces to be Judged alongside the Judging Seminar. The Prize money offered by Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths (WCOB) is substantial, at £240 for 1st and £120 for Reserve in the Live Forging and Static Competitions, there will be further place cards to 6th.
Following the support and post-event interest in March’s Student Competition, the Committee decided to increase the Student involvement too. So, a near identical Competition will be run alongside the ‘Open’ (professional) Competition but just for Students. There will be prizes for them too, as well as a CPD attendance Certificate for their CV’s.
The March 2025 Competition Schedule is similar to the previous years; 90 minutes for the Open Class, Professionals asked to ‘make whatever you like’ preceded by the Student ‘Set Piece’ Competition which will be maximum of 70 minutes time tapering to 65 and 60 minutes depending on year group. The Static (Show) Competition again is an Open (professional) also available to students. Unusually, there is no further criteria except the work you bring, should be of your own making and predominantly of a forged nature (this is a Blacksmithing Competition), any method of construction, any design or style. It can be something that you have entered in regional Competitions previously but not won a regional round of the National Blacksmith Championship. The work must be portable (stairs) and fit through a regular classroom door. Ideally, self-supporting table top items are perfect. Does your item need a frame or stand to show it off to its best? Yes? Well, make one and display your work at its best view (good practice for the Shows?).
As in previous years the Judging Seminar will take place in the afternoon and will be hosted by Adrain Legge LWCB FWCB. The Seminar is a vital training tool for Judges as well as an educational experience for anyone interested in Wrought Ironwork. Work is assessed and judged in real time but discussed as a group making a process that is usually subjective into a truly objective discussion. As a Competitor, Show Steward or Judge this experience is priceless and is transferable into business practice, pricing and marketing.
For more details and to enter please use this link Entry Form
This is the piece that the Students are asked to make either on-site at Hereford on 9th March 2024 or at their own College under competition conditions and sent to Hereford for judging on 9th March
Just over three weeks to go until the NBCC Seminar and 1st round of the National Blacksmith Competitions. The event is kindly being hosted by Hereford College and is shaping up to be a great day. There are over 30 Student entries in the Live Forging student competition and the Open (Professional) Class is filling up too. If you want more details or to get involved you can enter using this link https://championblacksmith.co.uk/entry-booking-form-for…/
Not a NBCC event, but a bit of fun and a chance for Blacksmiths to meet up in the South West… on 24th November 2023 St.Clements Day Celebrations are held at Finch Foundry, Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2NW
There’s lots of Blacksmith things going on including Demonstrations and Competitions.
This year there is the usual competition “TO BE CONFIRMED” in 120 minutes (bring your tools and materials) and the Great Snail Race where you have to make a snail that is free standing out of 200m of 10mm rd bar in the shortest possible time.
The Blacksmiths Guild have expanded upon the original NBCC based Show competition to run in addition to the existing schedule https://dorsetcountyshow.co.uk/compete/ a Blacksmiths Guild competition and ‘Have-a-Go’ sessions at this year’s Show. The above flier gives you an idea of whats on offer. I guess you need to contact them direct to enter? Their Dorset Show specific website is https://www.blacksmithscompetition.com/
NBCC Blacksmith Competition 