The Somerset Smithy
Links
Last Updated
11 / 02 / 2008
11 / 02 / 2008
I Left School at 16 then had a few factory jobs for a couple of years.
I started my Apprenticship at the age of 18 ( and still learning at 40 odd ), under the watchful eye of Mr Jim Holley (Master Blacksmith) whilst attending Cannington & salisbury College studying Ornamental Ironwork.
Jim started work at J.W.Singer Ltd in Frome working with his father in the foundry.
About the time Singers sold their art metal work to the Morris Art Bronze foundry of London, some of the employees preferred to remain in Frome. Among them was John WHITE, who set up his own business making hand wrought ornamental ironwork in 1922. He was joined by another craftsman Robert HOLLEY (Jim's Father), and was later joined by his two sons, the firm becoming John WHITE & SONS. Using first an old stable in Willow Vale it moved to Christchurch Street West in 1947, where it remains. Later it became The Somerset Smithy.
The firm specialises in wrought iron gates and hand forged leaf and scroll work as the advertisement describes. Among its products were memorial gates in memory of Jack White, one of Somerset's greatest cricketers, at the Somerset County Cricket Ground.
The tradition of iron working continues to this day, with at least 5 small foundries within the vicinity. Their craftsmanship is displayed in Library Square where tree guards were commissioned by the District Council in 2002.
I bought the company in 1989 where I continue to work ( with help from Helen, my wife ).
I started my Apprenticship at the age of 18 ( and still learning at 40 odd ), under the watchful eye of Mr Jim Holley (Master Blacksmith) whilst attending Cannington & salisbury College studying Ornamental Ironwork.
Jim started work at J.W.Singer Ltd in Frome working with his father in the foundry.
About the time Singers sold their art metal work to the Morris Art Bronze foundry of London, some of the employees preferred to remain in Frome. Among them was John WHITE, who set up his own business making hand wrought ornamental ironwork in 1922. He was joined by another craftsman Robert HOLLEY (Jim's Father), and was later joined by his two sons, the firm becoming John WHITE & SONS. Using first an old stable in Willow Vale it moved to Christchurch Street West in 1947, where it remains. Later it became The Somerset Smithy.
The firm specialises in wrought iron gates and hand forged leaf and scroll work as the advertisement describes. Among its products were memorial gates in memory of Jack White, one of Somerset's greatest cricketers, at the Somerset County Cricket Ground.
The tradition of iron working continues to this day, with at least 5 small foundries within the vicinity. Their craftsmanship is displayed in Library Square where tree guards were commissioned by the District Council in 2002.
I bought the company in 1989 where I continue to work ( with help from Helen, my wife ).
About Myself and the Company
