THE sparks were flying at Sticklepath's Finch Foundry last Saturday when blacksmiths from around the country gathered to celebrate St Clement's Day.
St Clement is the patron saint of blacksmiths and the tradition of celebrating the day with a special rally at the National Trust site started six years ago.
One of the highlights was a ceremony called 'Heading the Nail' which took place outdoors in a specially erected awning equipped with a gas forge.
Three burly blacksmiths, each wielding a 12lb sledge hammer ran clockwise around the furnace, taking it in turns to aim a blow at the metal being forged.
Meanwhile, inside the heat was on as blacksmiths battled it out to produce the most intricate piece of metalwork from four fiery furnaces.
To make the occasion really go with a bang, local smith Dartmoor Dave Denford kept the sparks well and truly flying as he noisily fired the anvil with a gunpowder charge. Ear plugs were not supplied but mulled wine and mince pies were — to the first 100 visitors.
With the opportunity to pick up some Christmas gifts with a difference, visitors were also treated to some extra entertainment in the shape of the appropriately named local ladies' Morris dancing team 'Cogs and Wheels'.
The event was free but donations to help with the upkeep of conserving the forge, which continues to run on water power, were gratefully received.
l In its heyday, Finch Foundry employed between 25 and 30 people who made 400 tools a day.
The business was founded by William Finch who moved to Sticklepath in 1814 and converted a woollen mill and grinding mill into a factory. The firm continued at the premises until 1960, running on water power until the very end.
The factory was saved from dilapidation by the North Dartmoor Museums Trust and was taken over by the National Trust in 1994.
It now receives over 14,000 visitors annually and is acclaimed as being almost unique amongst National Trust properties, having been featured on 'Fred Dibnah's Industrial Age' programme, broadcast on BBC2.