Notice Board
Press Releases & Notices
***Devon and Cornwall farriers to find out how to improve profitability (added 26th May 2008)
Farriers from across Devon and Cornwall, are invited to attend a free seminar to find out how training and development can grow staff and enhance profitability.
Two Business Improvement Days will be held on June 20 at Duchy College, Cornwall, and June 27 at Gypsy Hill Hotel, Exeter, organised by Train to Gain in partnership with Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the farriery industry.
Lantra's Regional Partnership Manager for the South West, Lyndsay Bird, said:
"This is a great opportunity for businesses to engage with the Train to Gain Brokers and explore funding opportunities and other new initiatives."
The open day will also provide businesses with an update on key issues in the sector, advice about new ways of increasing business and attracting new customers, as well as offering participants the chance to learn more about ways of planning their business. There will also be an emphasis on managing, developing and motivating staff.
Train to Gain Broker, Alison Cox, said: "We are really pleased to hold this event in conjunction with Lantra. Although we help to provide any business with advice and support on training we are holding this seminar for a specific sector so that we can give specialist advice and focus on the issues people working in the industry face."
The event is free of charge and places are limited to one per company, in order to allow the maximum number of businesses to take part. They will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
To find out more call 08456 047 047 or email traintogain@bldc.co.uk or you can also book your place by clicking here.
***Lost Sledge Hammer! (added 9th May 2008)
At Leicester County Show on 4th-5th May a sledge hammer with 'National Champion Striker' written on the hammer went missing. This sledge hammer was a prize won by the owner and it's return would be very much appreciated. Please call Jay Tovey on
07702 025466 or email Forge & Farrier so that we can arrange it's return as soon as possible.
***EUROPEAN COMMISSION REQUIRED CHANGES TO UK FARRIERY LEGISLATION (Released: 24th April 2008, published here 8th May 2008)
Farriery is regulated in Great Britain by the Farriers Registration Act which was passed in 1975 as a Private Members Bill. There was minor amendment in 1977 and it was subsequently amended in 2002 to bring it into accord with EC Directive 99/42. In October 2007 the Commission brought into force Directive 2005/36 on the recognition of professional qualifications. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) has produced Statutory Instrument (SI) 2781, bringing the EC Directive into effect in the UK. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has made SI 646 to introduce these changes to the Farriers Registration Act to comply with Directive 2005/36. SI 646 was laid before Parliament on 10 March 2008 and the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) understands that Lord Addington has lodged a prayer against it.
EC Directives 99/42 and 2005/36 have introduced a number of concepts which the FRC considers could have an adverse effect on equine welfare and which undermine the UK’s system of formal training, qualification and registration. The particular aspects over which the FRC has raised concerns are:
- Any EU member can establish themselves in another EU nation on the basis purely of experience (6 years)
- That farriery is included under metal working, not animal welfare.
- That although the Directive makes provision for the use of Common Platforms for developing common EU standards, these have not been implemented.
- That EU members established in one country may offer temporary and occasional services in another member nation on the basis of only two years experience and without any check on their competence.
That these temporary service providers must be registered without payment of any fee, unlike UK Registered Farriers, and appear to have freedom to renew their temporary status without limit.
After representations from the FRC, assurances were received from government departments that the FRC would be able to check standards of temporary service providers, where public health or safety were involved and would be able to impose appropriate restrictions on the duration and nature of the work carried out. However, subsequently DIUS reinterpreted the Directive and removed these powers. Furthermore, it was only after the Directive had been endorsed that the FRC was notified that the cost of administering these temporary applications would have to be borne by UK registrants.
Much of the FRC’s objection is to the detailed content of the EC Directives, although the Council feels that the UK has failed to use fully its discretion in interpreting those regulations, and that there is considerable room for abuse of the system. The FRC has concerns for risks to equine welfare and the undermining of the UK’s world renowned and respected system of farriery training.
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***Calling All Craftspeople – Awards Scheme offers Cash Boost for Business (added 31st March 2008)
Craftspeople throughout the UK are being given the chance to compete for a cash boost for their business by entering Country Living Magazine’s The Balvenie® Artisan Awards 2008.
The scheme, created by hand-crafted single malt Scotch whisky, The Balvenie, aims to reward the individuals and businesses who are helping to keep traditional skills and crafts alive in the UK today. It launches in the current (April) issue of Country Living Magazine, on sale now.
The Awards feature four categories: Outstanding support of future Artisans; Best Start-up business based on a traditional craft or skill; Artisan Apprentice of the Year and Artisan of the Year. Entry is free of charge and there is a total of £9,000 in cash prizes to be won – plus whiskies from the award-winning The Balvenie range for the finalists.
The closing date for entries is 30th May 2008 and the winners will appear in the November issue of Country Living Magazine. Full details on how to enter can be found at www.thebalvenie.com or by contacting Artisan PR on 01578 722690.
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***NEWC Code of Practise for Hoofcare (added 27th March 2008)
The Code of Practice for Equine Hoofcare is now offered for public consultation. For full details please visit http://www.newc.co.uk/codes/hoofcare.php. Closing date for responses is 30th April 2008.
***Kingston Maurward College, Dorset NPTC Level 2 (added 27th March 2008)
Kingston Maurward College, Dorset’s college of the countryside, has received approval to run the NPTC level 2 certificate in forgework, and has become one of only seven Colleges in the UK to provide this course. The qualification has been developed, with the Farriery Training Agency, as a compulsory pre-requisite for entry onto the farriery apprenticeship. This course will also suit students wishing to progress into careers in Blacksmithing or metal design, as the syllabus is designed to deliver the fundamental skills involved with the forgework side of Farriery and Blacksmithing.
The learning is full time for one year and the assessment is made through the production of a portfolio of practical test pieces, a practical exam and an online multiple choice test. The College has also included an NCFE qualification in creative craft and a City and Guilds qualification in Welding as part of this course of instruction, making this a hugely popular and over-subscribed course in its first year. New applicants are now being considered for 2008/2009.
Welding lecturer Matthew Old and Forgework lecturer Simon Grant-Jones AWCB, have both had over 20 years industrial experience that has been used to full advantage to benefit hundreds of students over the Ten years that they have been teaching at the College. They will be pleased to give careers advice and guidance concerning this course or other related courses run at the college.
For further course information, to book a place on the next course or to find out more about Kingston Maurward College courses:
Telephone 01305 215000
Web www.kmc.ac.uk
Or Contact Simon Grant-Jones for forgework enquiries simon.grantjones@kmc.ac.uk
Or Matthew Old for welding enquiries matthew.old@kmc.ac.uk
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***New Blacksmiths Website! (added 26th March 2008)
The National Blacksmiths Competition Committee are going on line to produce a resource and reference point for all organisations and people interested in major U.K shows where qualifying heats for the National Champion blacksmithing competition take place and are pleased to announce the launch of their new website - www.blacksmithscompetition.co.uk
The website is designed to provide links and access to other organisations representing the interests and promotion of blacksmithing, the website is also the focal point for dates, venues and other relevant details for anyone who would like to compete for the titles of the National Champion Blacksmith, and the Champion Live Blacksmith.
The NBCC
The National Blacksmiths Competition Committee was initiated by the need to improve the standards of judging of wrought ironwork competitions at shows.
The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths in response to wide discrepancies in the standard of judging at shows provided the initial impetus to start the process.
From that initial idea, and with the support of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and the Guild of Wrought Ironwork Craftsmen of Wessex (now the Blacksmiths Guild), a committee and a working party were formed, guidelines set out, and handbooks published.
In the Members Handbook, which is annually revised and updated in response to problems that have or may arise, there are lists of contacts for each show, and the procedures that are required from the judges and stewards.
Currently there are ten U.K major national shows on the circuit with a view to introducing others when they have established a worthy ironwork feature at their show.
To ensure that high standards are maintained, all judges used at the shows have to attend a seminar to ensure that all the procedures are adhered to. They then attend shows supporting experienced judges, so that they can see how the system works at the shows, and when they feel confident and are approved, as such, at the end of season meeting, they are then added to the approved list of judges. To ensure a broad a spectrum of judging as possible, approved judges are only allowed to judge at one show on the circuit each year.
These seminars are also open to others such as show stewards or competitors to attend. They are not intended to tell attendees how to judge, but to explain and illustrate how the judging and stewarding functions should be carried out.
The NBCC are there to support and promote the blacksmithing competition, the blacksmiths and the shows they attend, each show is individual, and the members run their own event as they see fit.
To achieve this, the committee meet before the show season commences, to discuss any likely problems that may arise. They also meet after the show season to correlate the returned results and to use those results to identify the two National Champion Blacksmiths for the live and static competitions.
The winners of these prestigious titles are then honoured at a presentation given by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths in London.
The Competition
The National Blacksmiths Competition is widely recognised as one of the most effective ways of promoting the craft of the Blacksmith and networking within the trade. Held annually since 1986, and now with ten qualifying Agricultural shows participating throughout the UK.
The competition is divided into two categories and points are accrued at each competition by the winners for “live” and “static” forgework. The overall champion of each category at each show will be awarded 10 points and reserve champion 4 points. Champions and reserves for each category will also be awarded prize plaques kindly donated by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. There may be several static and live classes at each show, but a champion and reserve for both categories will be decided from the winners by the judge at each show. The competition is open to professionals, non professionals, students and supporters of the trade, in fact anyone resident in the UK who wishes to enter.
A more concise rules and regulations can be found on the website www.blacksmithscompetition.co.uk
For details on how to enter contact the NBCC secretary:
Dave Waight A.W.C.B, L.W.C.B
35, Roberts Road
Houndsdown,
Totton,
Southampton,
SO40 9EJ TEL: +4402380 860224 e-mail: davewaight@hotmail.com
or log onto the website to contact individual show organisers.
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***IS YOUR JOB A MATCH? (added 12th March 2008)
What skills are involved in your job?
A unique project to record the job roles and associated skills of farriers across the UK is being launched by Lantra Sector Skills Council.
Farriers are invited to match their job role and skills with a comprehensive list available online at www.lantra.co.uk/jobconsulter. (available from 19 March to 29 April). The project will help to improve careers information and feed in to the development of skills, training and qualifications to better match industry needs. However, it is important to note that this does not affect the National Occupational Standards for the Farriery NVQ. Lantra Industry Partnership Manager for farriery, Lisa Jarvis, said: “The project will consolidate our knowledge of the industry and ensure we portray the breadth of skills in farriery.”
Working with industry, Lantra has drawn up a list of 6 generic job roles which are wide ranging to reflect the differing work activities of people in farriery – from self employed to training and assessments. They have been compiled to reflect the training and progression routes in the industry. Equine welfare, the concept of duty of care and health and safety underpins all of the profiles with varying levels of responsibility in a regulated profession. The importance of customer care and communication skills has also been highlighted in line with the findings of the Sector Skills Agreement and farriery report. The consultation has been made easier using a new online Job Consulter1 which uses a simple tick box approach to record individuals’ feedback. Lisa continued: “Now we are looking for individuals in the industry to let us know if we’ve got it right or not – and if not what needs to be corrected. We would like individuals to pick the title which best fits their job, then view the list of skills to identify which activities they do.”
Farriers across the UK are urged to take part in this online consultation which can be accessed via the Lantra website www.lantra.co.uk/jobconsulter from 19 March to 29 April.
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***Stolen Lorry
This lorry was stolen on January 21st and was spotted on police camera in North Yorkshire a few hours later. Could all farriers please keep a watchful eye - it is possible the number plates have been changed. Anyone with any information should contact the local police or Sally on 07860164249 (added 19th February 2008).
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***LANTRA survey is part of campaign for change (added 25th January 2008)
Businesses in the farriery industry are being urged to take part in Lantra's Annual Business Survey for their chance to win a £100 Red Letter Days voucher and help to inform future training and development.
The survey captures detailed and relevant information on the characteristics of businesses, the workforce, training and skills requirements and recruitment issues, and is being conducted every year to understand how these characteristics and skills requirements change over time.
Lantra Director of Policy and Research, Michael Smith said: "Lantra carries out many surveys and consultations through the course of a year. This survey gives us a fresh and contemporary insight into the nature of businesses in the sector and the issues they face."
"The evidence we collect helps Lantra to campaign for changes in national and local policies and services in relation to education, training and professional development. We have a key role in speaking up for employers, raising issues on training and qualifications, contributing to public debate and informing policy.
It is therefore vital that we receive regular feedback from industry."
Lantra's policy work covers a huge range of issues including recruitment and retention, migrant workers, health and safety, and leadership and management.
Lantra works with policymakers, regulators, government agencies and departments, business representative organisations, MPs, MSPs, Assembly Members and training providers to ensure that training and business support services meet business needs.
The survey is can be completed online from the business pages of Lantra's website, www.lantra.co.uk/business-survey. Paper versions are available by contacting Lantra Connect on tel: 0845 707 8007 or please send an email with ref. Business Survey to connect@lantra.co.uk.
All businesses that complete and submit the survey to Lantra by midnight on 29 February 2008 will be entered into a free prize draw to win one of ten £100 Red Letter Day vouchers. Winners will be notified by 14 March 2008.
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***Equine Paraprofessionals wanted for survey! (added 21st January 2008)
How many equine dental technicians and barefoot trimmers work in the industry? The first online survey into the industry now aims to find out.
Lantra Sector Skills Council is carrying out the survey on its website to find out the numbers working as paraprofessionals, their background and the challenges they face.
Lantra Equine and Professions Allied to Veterinary Science Industry Partnership Manager, Lisa Jarvis said: “We estimate that around 500 dental technicians and barefoot trimmers work in the UK, but it is an emerging area and very little is known about it.”
Training is an essential way to overcome challenges and plan effectively for the future. As the representative body for the equine industry, Lantra works to ensure that training and qualifications meet the needs of employers and industry. It also represents the industry at government level to shape funding policy, so that areas where there are skills gaps and a training need are prioritised.
Lisa adds: “In order for Lantra to work with the para-professionals and Defra to develop frameworks for training and qualifications we urgently need equine dental technicians and barefoot trimmers to take part in this research.”
If you are a paraprofessional, or a client or colleague of a paraprofessional, please take the time to log onto the business section of the Lantra website www.lantra.co.uk/businesses/equine/ to take part.
If you would prefer to receive a copy of the survey by email, please contact Lantra Connect on tel: 0845 707 8007 or email connect@lantra.co.uk. The closing date is 31st March 2008.
***Important changes to the national minimum wage came into force from 1st October 2007. Click here for further information (added 16th October 2007).
***As from 1st October 2007 holiday entitlement was increased for every employee in the UK. This includes apprentices. Click here for further information (added 16th October 2007)
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World Championship Roll of Honour
In 2007 the World Championships were won by American competitor Bill Poor, but who has won other years? Click here to view the World Championships Roll of Honour.
Website Links
American Farriers Journal
Australian Farriers & Blacksmiths Association
Blacksmiths Competition Website
Curtis Farrier
David Hankin DipWCF
European Federation of Farriers Association
Horse Health Magazine
International League for the Protection of Horses
New Zealand Farriers Association Inc
Queensland Master Farriers Association
Roythornes Legal Services
The Horse Trust
World Champion Blacksmiths
