BLACKSMITHS from around the country will gather at Finch Foundry in Sticklepath to celebrate St Clement's Day this month.

The blacksmiths will be at the foundry to practise their art and celebrate their patron saint, St Clement, in the traditional manner.  This includes the spectacular 'firing of the anvil' with gunpowder.

 The day is a rare opportunity to gain an insight into this highly skilled craft and to see some of the country's top craftsmen in competition. 

They will be producing test pieces that are judged at the end of the day. 

Some blacksmiths will be using some of the machinery in the Foundry to create the specified item.

St Clement's Day is on November 22 and starts at 10.30am with the forge breakfast — it continues until 4.30pm, work being interspersed with anvil firing and entertainment from local Morris dancers. 

There will be free mulled wine and a mince-pie for the first 100 visitors.

St Clement was celebrated as far back as the medieval period.  Members of the Worshipful Company and Guild of Blacksmiths traditionally paraded through the streets. 

The tradition had died out, since the 1940s, until approximately 12 years ago when the enthusiasm of local West Country blacksmiths brought it back to life.

Roger Boney, custodian at Finch Foundry, said: 'St Clement's Day is the main highlight in the calendar at Finch Foundry.'