The last of the 'smithys'

The last of the 'smithys'

Then in 1965 - There are 3000 blacksmiths in this country and if Mr Charles Snowden isn’t the oldest I’ll be surprised. If he isn’t the fittest I’ll be amazed.

For while the delegates to the National Master Farriers Blacksmiths and Agricultural Engineers were optimistically examining the future of their industry at Whitby yesterday, Mr Snowden was busy tapping away at his anvil.

With the spring sunshine filtering through the old tiles of his ancient blacksmith’s shop in Eston he stopped turning the steel into horseshoes for a moment to unfold memories from his lifetime in the business.

Despite the closing down of many blacksmith’s shops throughout the country, Mr Snowden who at one time shod the tram horses in Middlesbrough, thinks there will always be a need for the “blackie”. Belying the image of the brawny smithy, and ignoring his advancing years, wiry Mr Snowden works alongside his brother Percy - “he’s just a youngster, he’s only 78” - and his son Bill.

Bill Snowden however does not share his father’s optimism, nor incidentally did Mr George Houston the president of the Master Blacksmiths. “The blacksmith as we know him is dying out and when he’s gone he won’t return” he forecast.
The Snowdens concentrate on horse-shoeing and tool sharpening. A pair of shoes takes anything up to three hours to make and depending on the horse up to two hours to fit. Prices vary between thirty shillings to £2 per horse.

“At one time we used to shoe 60 agricultural horses” said Mr Snowden senior. “The public will miss the blacksmith more than he’ll miss them. He was always the last to get his money” he added wryly.

Mr Snowden said it was almost impossible to get apprentices. “Youngsters can find much easier ways of earning a living these days.” But he did share the concern expressed by delegates at the national conference about unskilled persons trying their hand at shoeing.

“We are dealing with flesh, blood and horn and if a nail is a quarter of an inch out, a horse could be lamed for life.”

The Snowden’s connections with the blacksmith trade dates back to 1591 and with just the right amount of pride in his voice Bill Snowden showed me his father’s large collection of exhibition shoes made when he was a boy.
“This is an art as well as a trade” he points out.

Earlier at Whitby Mr Houston had forecast that the name “blacksmith” could soon be replaced by the term “steel fabricator”. Somehow I can’t see Mr Snowden senior, junior or brother accepting that, and who could blame them?

Now in 1999 - Bill Snowden who died some years ago, was the last of the Snowden line, and following his death, attempts were made by the landlords - the Lady Hewley Trust - to have the Blacksmith’s Cottage and Forge demolished. The local planning department refused, and placed a listed building order on them.

An outline planning application has been made by Mr J.M. Hewison of Greenhow Developments, to build twelve houses on the land alongside the forge, which according to Alan Adams - Conservationist and Design Officer at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, has been deferred until detailed plans have been received for the ancient buildings.

Mrs Grace Ray, Bill Snowden’s sister, living at Stokesley, would like to see the property turned into a museum. “It is the only piece of antiquity left in Eston” she said.

This article appeared in the January 1999 edition of Now & Then Magazine
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