Retired blacksmith returns to museum to make sparks fly

The aptly named John Steel, 83, of Ryedale, first started work as a blacksmith at the age of 14 and, apart from a three-year spell when he was enlisted in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy, he has been making sparks fly ever since.

Now Mr Steel, who is retired but still works restoring historic farm equipment, is using the forge at Pickering’s Beck Isle Museum to showcase its upcoming Living History Day on May 31, where working demonstrations of a host of traditional trades from spinning to quilting to woodwork are given.

“For me, it is the creativity why I love being a blacksmith,” he said.

“I like doing demonstrations to school parties about how to work with metal.

“By and large, the children are very interested especially when you strike the white hot metal and they watch the sparks fly.”

The Living History Days are also taking place at the museum throughout August.

The museum’s manager, Roger Dowson, said: “It is fantastic to have John come in.

“Having him here has bought a previously static area of the museum to life.”

More information about the event is available by contacting the museum on 01751 473653.