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 9th March 2024 to be held at The National School of Blacksmithing, Hereford.

Building upon the success of this years (2023) Judging Seminar and fun Competition in March, the Committee has expanded the format to create a ‘super’ First Round of the National Championship kick starting the further eight 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 £250 for 1st and £125 for reserve in the Live Forging and Static Competitions, there will be further cash prizes to 4th place and 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 2024 Competition Schedule will be similar to the one earlier this year; 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 60 minutes time tapering to 50 and 40 minutes depending on year group. The Static (Show) Competition again is a Open (professional) and a Student Class. 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 tabletop 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.

Further details will be released nearer the event date.