We're up and forging at the @chalkevalleyhistoryfestival ! The 1800s restored bellows are working beautifully, and we've spent the day...

Today's work. Lots of fiddly little 11/32 heads, and some REALLY fiddly Type 7 needle bodkins with 5/16" sockets for a set of arrows...

1/2" birch and Poplar shafts tapered to 11/32" Tapered local cow horn inserts Verdigris compound of wax, fat and copper Swan feathers...

Well. Here she is, in all her beautifully restored and rebuilt glory. Karl Blandford has done a stunning job of completely rebuilding...

Little Puukko-inspired gift knife for a friend. 1900s wrought iron blade, with a gentle etch to bring out the natural grain, and a...

Little bit more pointing, small amount of lead work on the outside and a final render over the brickwork surrounding the hearth and...

While I wait for the next coat of wood treatment to dry, I thought I'd take a pic of the Alldays and Onions forge bellows in their...

From 11/32 Type 10 bodkins right through to big 1/2" Type 13 broadheads. The big ol' broadheads are the start of a big ol' order for...

Now that the holes for the various output sections and position bars are cut, this top section of VERY expensive leather cannot be...

Couldn't let these ones go out the door without taking some photos! This is a set of heavy military arrows for Stuart, in some brilliant...

Karl's progress on the 1820s forge rebuild has been astonishing! In just a couple of weeks we're at this stage, with the base, double...

Some really cool progress being made now! Karl has got the original 1820s tuyere and backing plate now in place, using all the original...

Sixteen 80lb arrows ready for Tim, photographed against one of the16thC stone walls in the fletching room of the forge. _____ 3/8" ash...

Exciting moment as the cast and wrought iron bottom section of the tuyere and the tuyere itself are lined up to be set in place for the...

As the Ancient Technology Centre's Prehistory Weekend wasn't possible this year, a few of us took part in a virtual weekend instead,...

Welsh slate now laid for damp proof course. All looking quite lovely! The bellows are coming on, just one valve left to repair and...

Traditional hand made bricks and lime mortar everywhere!

I've been putting this off for almost a year now, but with the forge chimney yet to be rebuilt and all quiet in the workshop, now is the...

However, on the floor beneath the lowest level of brick we found this beautiful iron horseshoe. It must have been laid as a good luck...

Today has sounded a lot like "Boom. Crash. Kapowww. Duggaduggadugga. Crunch" and for the first time since around 1826 there is no...