The Old Forge
circa 1905
A quiet country lane winds past the humble wooden structure of Twyford’s blacksmith forge, its chimney puffing steadily into the Hampshire air. At the doorway, a smithy pauses, waistcoat and all, beside a newly crafted cartwheel—a scene as timeless as the trade itself.
In the early 20th century, blacksmiths were still the beating heart of village life. From shoeing horses to repairing farm implements and forging iron tools, their work echoed daily in places like this, surrounded by oak and ash, smoke and sweat.
This image captures the twilight of a centuries-old craft, just before the motor age would shift the role of the village forge forever.
🔨 Share your own family’s rural past on Oldpik.com — because behind every wheel lies a story waiting to be told.
In the early 20th century, blacksmiths were still the beating heart of village life. From shoeing horses to repairing farm implements and forging iron tools, their work echoed daily in places like this, surrounded by oak and ash, smoke and sweat.
This image captures the twilight of a centuries-old craft, just before the motor age would shift the role of the village forge forever.
🔨 Share your own family’s rural past on Oldpik.com — because behind every wheel lies a story waiting to be told.
Contributed by OldPik on January 7, 2024
Image
You must be logged in to comment on the photos.
Log in
Log in
No comment yet, be the first to comment...