March

 

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th at Phoenix Forge, Glen Oak, the forge of Nigel Stokes. Last year the forging day at Nigel’s was very well attended and an outstanding success.

Forges and anvils are available, but a couple of extra sets will be an advantage. Camping is available on site. Glen Eagleton will be teaching Scrolls and making scrolling jigs. Scrolling is a basic blacksmithing skill which opens up a plethora of projects for you to make. Glen recommends if you wish some scrolls bring some mild steel approx 25 x 10 x 1200. For scrolling jigs some leaf spring approx 50 x 10mm. Exact dimensions are not critical.

 

For information and attendance booking please contact Nigel Stokes on 0412 122242

 

 

April 

Saturday 13th and 14th April at Hunter Valley Steamfest at Maitland.

This is a major event drawing large crowds and many exhibitors. At Steamfest, we are guests of the Maitland Steam Club. We will be forging inside their storage building, which is 18m x 8m fully covered with meshing sides. Power and water is available. You will need to bring your own equipment unless you have organised to share with others. It does get a big crowd, so sales tables are allowed and advised. Only stipulation is that if you are selling you must be demonstrating as well. If selling you will need your own public liability insurance. There is camping available on site, with showers and toilet facilities at no cost. Power for caravans is available depending on how long your extension lead is, as first in best dressed. Vehicle movement is not allowed during opening hours, so set up can be Friday night or Saturday morning. Parking is available close to where we are set up. Nigel needs to know who will be attending so he can work out what will be required. Please let Nigel know ASAP either via email phoenixforge@hotmail.com.au (don’t forget the au) or give me a call, leave me a message on my mobile, 0412 122242 2

 

April (Continued) Saturday 20th April at the Grafton Show.

The Association has been asked to demonstrate once again at the Grafton Show. Jess and Joel usually just forge on the Saturday. Joel is an enthusiastic blacksmith eager to help and teach anyone who wants to learn. Anvils and forges will be available, bring your own hand tools and steel. There is only enough space for 5 or 6 smiths. Book your spot to avoid disappointment. Please contact Joel on 0428 386 775 or Jess on 0411 478633 for further information and attendance.

 

Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th April Ironfest at Portland ###NEW EVENT###

Rebirth of Ironfest at a new venue. The old cement works is an excellent site for any kind of function. The ABA has once again been asked to control the blacksmithing and forging area. As well as our members, there will also be other blacksmiths and bladesmiths in attendance. We have been provided with a medium sized shed with power where we can set up two or three forges, tea coffee etc. with plenty of room outside the shed for people to set up marquees. The Ironfest team would love as many blacksmiths as possible, and sales tables will be allowed. For all blacksmiths selling products, they will need to provide their own public liability insurance. It is possible that we will be setting up a 25kg power hammer, and we are still awaiting feedback on a suitable power supply. There is a camping area being set up on site, but no power or showers are available. Further free camping is available in the local park, ex Showground but again no power or showers. Lithgow is only 25 minutes away with lots of different accommodation. The Annex on site are looking for any sculptures available that can be set up before, during, and after the weekend. These can also be priced to sell with the Annex taking a 20% commission. Nigel needs to know who will be attending so he can work out what will be required. Please let Nigel know ASAP either via email phoenixforge@hotmail.com.au (don’t forget the au) or give me a call, leave me a message on my mobile, 0412 122 242

 

May

 

Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th May at Quirindi Rural Heritage Village. This weekend also ties in with the heritage village swap meet. The blacksmiths shop is run by Scott Taylor and with no electricity things are done the old-fashioned way. There are coke forges, anvils, and a gas forge but also a good idea to bring your own equipment. Camping is available on site with toilets and showers and there is normally dinner arranged on the Saturday night for a small fee. For further information and attendance booking please contact Scott Taylor on 0429 465746. 3

 

May (Continued)

 

Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May at Campbelltown Steam and Machinery Museum, Menangle Park. Run by the local Sydney blacksmiths as part of the museum open day, this is an easy-going forging weekend. We set up our own marquees and equipment and spend the weekend forging, talking and generally enjoying ourselves. Museum also supplies dinner on the Saturday night for a small fee. Camping is allowed on site with toilets and a shower available or plenty of accommodation in Campbelltown. For further information and attendance booking please contact Dave Stubbs on 0427 072074.

 

June

Saturday 15th Sunday 16th June at the workshop of Jim Docherty in Sydney. Jim has an excellent set up with everything a novice or experienced blacksmith needs. This one usually ends up being a Sunday morning forging as well with floor space and shower available for those who want to stay over, or lots of local accommodation. This is one not to miss. For information and attendance booking please contact Dave Stubbs on 0427 072074

 

July

Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th July at the forge of Don Gabriel in Nabiac, NSW Don has a wonderful set up, so you only need to bring your hand tools and materials. Camping and a few beds available on site or local accommodation. For information and attendance booking please contact Don Gabriel on 0414 418368 Saturday 27th July Glenreagh Timber Festival. #####DATE FIXED FOR EVENT##### Great country event with lots to see and do. Jess and Joel have been invited as usual to carry out forging demonstrations. Smiths who attended last year loved this event. For further information and attendance booking please contact Jess on 0411 478 633

 

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August

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th August at the Sydney Knife Show. Organiser of the show, Corin Urquhart has given us the opportunity to showcase our forging skills in a purpose-built area of the show. The knife show gets a huge crowd and Corin would love as many blacksmiths as possible to attend. Still lots of things to work out so further information as we get closer to the date. For information and attendance booking please contact Dave Stubbs on 0427 072 074.

 

September

Saturday 7th September at the Craft Centre Tamworth. This is the base for local blacksmith Craig Drew. The forge is fully set up for multiple blacksmiths to use at any one time so no need to bring heavy equipment, just your tools and materials. Craig has the forge well set up with a power hammer and press also available. Accommodation of all types is available locally and we meet up Saturday night for dinner at a local venue. For information and attendance booking please contact Craig Drew on 0407 005 557.

 

September (Continued) Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd September Clarendon Classic Rally at the Hawkesbury Showground, NSW The Association sets up a large marquee and carries out demonstrations over the weekend. Great event as well for looking at all things on wheels, of all ages, with different power sources. Run by the Sydney blacksmiths and all are welcome. Camping is available at the showground or plenty of accommodation locally. For information and attendance booking please contact Dave Stubbs on 0427 072 074.

 

October

Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th October at Roscommon Forge, Pembroke, which is the forge of Steve Gale. Steve is busy rebuilding his forge around the 5cwt Massey so looking forward to seeing how it all pans out. For information and attendance booking please contact Steve on 0412 011145

 

Saturday 19 th & Sunday 20th October at Campbelltown Steam and Machinery Museum, Menangle Park. Run by the local Sydney blacksmiths as part of the museum open day, this is an easy-going forging weekend. We set up our own marquees and equipment and spend the weekend forging, talking and generally enjoying ourselves. Museum also supplies dinner on the Saturday night for a small fee. Camping is allowed on site with toilets and a shower available or plenty of accommodation in Campbelltown. For further information and attendance booking please contact Dave Stubbs on 0427 072 074.

 

November

Fort Scratchley Newcastle, dates and details to be advised.

Quirindi Rural Heritage Village forging Forging takes place at the village on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Can be hit and miss so would suggest you call Scott Taylor on 0429 465746 prior to attending.

 

Jim Docherty monthly forging in Sydney Forging will take place on the 3rd Saturday of the month at Jim’s workshop. For further information and attendance booking please call Dave Stubbs on 0427 072 074 Forging day fees Forging fees are determined on where the event is held and numbers attending. At a members forge or show, the fee will be set on the day by the organiser, calculated on catering, equipment usage and consumables. Please note that all the above meetings are covered by the Association public liability insurance. To comply with the insurance requirements, all those attending whether forging or not must sign the Association attendance sheets at each meeting.