Welcome to Forge & Farrier, the online resource created by Farriers...for Farriers
May 2008
It hardly seems possible that May is already upon us this year. April 'showers' have been fairly persistent - let's hope we have some summer sunshine ahead.
Farriers Pages
Released just four weeks ago, this area of the website has already become the 4th most popular page! This month we welcome Stephen Hill AWCF and Ben Benson DipWCF, with further applications on their way.
This is a real chance for farriers to show off their individual skills and specialisms - we have a few places left for the special introductory offer, so make sure you don't miss your opportunity!
We have received a few emails from horse owners already requesting details for farriers in the Yorkshire, Ayrshire and Gloucestershire areas - could this be you?
Article Library
Mike Wildenstein, CJF FWCF (Hons) is the focus of our latest article written by Fran Jurga. Mike is the first in his profession since the 1930s to hold a faculty position at a US veterinary school.
Calendar and Event Information
Downloadable from the Event Information area of the website are the schedule and entry form for the East of England Show and the form for the NAFBAE Eastern Counties Ball.
Sarah Hayter is this year organising the competition at the South of England Show. Entry forms will be available very shortly, those of you that are interested in competing please call Sarah on 07801 474347 or email haytersharpe@aol.com.
Results, Awards and Event Reports
The Ayrshire Branch Competition was a huge success with Steven Beane taking the Master's Championship and Ricky Hilton Champion of the Apprentice section. Congratulations to all who took part and the organisers, J & A Ferrie, for what I am told was a 'seamless' competition!
Following his success in Ayrshire, Steven Beane became the winner of the European Championship in Hamburg and the UK were on top taking away the team prize.
We had the pleasure of attending the Handmade Shoes (UK) Clinic on Saturday with Mitch Taylor and Rob Renirie, a truly worthwhile event, full report of which will appear on the website shortly.
Notice Board
In the Classifieds section Karn Herbert is looking for a farrier to join his team and James Hayter has the 'farrier's dream vehicle' for sale!
Product Information and Special Offers
This month I am delighted to report that Vettec have joined the website! Vettec have a new product on the market, Sole-Guard, an easy to apply product aimed at protecting and supporting unshod feet.
Excellent offers are available throughout May with Swan Products in their 2008 Spring Sale.If you are thinking of refurbishing your old forge now is a good time as you will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a great product!
The Month Ahead....packed with competitions, further website updates and thoughts for the year ahead - watch this space!
April 2008
March has been a busy month with regards to news items, updates and developments. Each month since the launch of the site our statistics have gone from strength to strength and once more we have exceeded our 'traffic' compared with the previous month. March has received in excess of 1800 unique hits and we would like to thank you for your continued support!
Article Library
Regular visitors to the website may have noticed the addition of the 'Article Library' button in the left hand navigation. This popular area of the site has grown rapidly and the addition of this button helps to improve navigability.
This month our feature article is 'ATF Shoemaking and L11 Course'- there has been much speculation regarding these two compulsory elements for ATFs and this article is aimed at resolving some of the queries that have arisen.
Calendar and Event Information
Visit the Calendar to view details regarding the Equine Practitioner's Seminar held in September and, in April, the Handmade Shoes Clinic and Demonstration weekend and WCF Business Improvement Day in Horsham.
Stafford County, Devon, Romiley Young Farmers and Suffolk Show have added entry forms to the Event Information page and for all competitors at next weekends Ayrshire Branch Competition times are now available for download here too.
Results and Awards
Congratulations to England for their superb win at the Home International and to Steven Beane (Open), Tom Farmer (3rd/4th Yr) and Robert Bedford (1st/2nd Yr) for sucess in their classes at the Shire Horse Show at Peterborough.
Congratulations must also go to John Williams Hughes RSS Hons, the winner of the ATF of the Year 2007 and to all those who received their Diploma Certificate at the Ceremony in London.
Notice Board
Visit the Notice Board for information on the NPTC Level 2 Certificate in Forgework available at Kingston Maurward College in Dorset, details of the new Blacksmiths website and how you could win a cash prize for your business with the Balvenie Artisan Awards.
Your constructive feedback is essential to the progression of the craft and this month we ask that you take the time to respond to both the NEWC Code of Practise for Hoofcare out for consultation and the LANTRA Job Skills survey.
Product Information and Special Offers
Gibbins of Suffolk have a beautifully crafted, limited edition 'Clydesdale Table' for sale and lucky competitors and spectators at next weekends Ayrshire Branch competition will have the opportunity to obtain a discount at J & A Ferrie Farrier Supplies.
The Month Ahead....two new developments will be announced which will assist with the development and promotion of your business in addition to further articles, news items and competition results. We will be attending both the Handmade Shoes (UK) Ltd Clinic and the BEVA/NAFBAE Joint Seminar - hopefully see you there!
March 2008
As the weather begins to get a bit warmer we are already looking forward to a busy competition season ahead. Please do come up and say 'hello' if you see us at events and competitions over the coming months - would be a good opportunity to provide us with important feedback on the website.
The National Master & Apprentice Farriery Competition will be held this year at Myerscough College on Easter weekend. Best of luck to all competitors taking part. In connection with this competition also to be held at Myerscough on Saturday 22nd March is a 'Hands-On Modern Materials Clinic'. This clinic details the use of Jameg, Imprint and Vettec products and will not only provide information on their application but attendees will also be given the chance to use the products on dead limbs. Organised by Carl Bettison (01908 233909), this clinic is strictly limited to 30 places so be sure to book your place now!
This year's Royal Bath & West Shoeing and Shoemaking Competition is to be held on 28th - 31st May. Entry forms and schedule are available for download from the Event Information section of the website.
Those of you venturing further afield may be considering the World Championship Blacksmithing Competition held in Calgary. We are very pleased to be assisting Stampede Agriculture with the UK promotion of this event. Entries are now being taken via their website - www.stampedeagriculture.com and are strictly limited to 80 places. If anyone would like to receive a copy of the shoes for the classes please do email us here at Forge & Farrier.
New to the 'Articles Library' section is an new article - 'A Horseshoer's Approach to Heart Bars' kindly provided courtesy of the American Farriers Journal. And, to ensure we all keep up to date with industry news and developments from around the world we have added the 'Hoofcare Widget' - an up-to-the minute news-feed from Fran Jurga's "Hoofblog" to the 'Article Library' section.
Details of an apprentice wanted in the Reading area is detailed in the Classifieds section and we have also been asked if farriers could keep their eyes peeled for a horse lorry stolen in the Yorkshire area, details and picture on the Notice Board.
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter and hopefully meeting you in the coming months!
Nigel and Claire Brown.
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Archived News 2008 (News items greater then 3 months old).
Archived News 2007
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